Consumers Union supports the House health reform bill (H.R. 3962)

[harvey007]

Consumers Union statement on why it supports H.R. 3962

http://www.prescriptionforchange.org/2009/11/why_consumers_union_supports_t.html

:fistbump:

[tblue]

1. YIPPEEE! That's great!

Welcome to DU! :hi:

[ChimpersMcSmirkers]

2. Looks like solid reasons to me. I expect crickets and lots of unrecs from the all or nothing crowd.

[Trekologer]

3. Some of the most important parts are the new protections

* Insurance companies will no longer be able to deny you coverage for any pre-existing medical condition.
* You won’t face financial ruin due to medical bills. New standards limit annual out-of-pocket costs to roughly $5,000 for a single person and $10,000 for a family. Lower-income families will pay significantly less out-of-pocket, down to $500 for an individual and $1,000 for a family.
* Insurers can vary their premium rates by only a few factors like age, geography and family size. Insurers wouldn’t be able to charge you more just because your health isn’t as good as your neighbors'.
* Insurers must spend at least 85 percent of your premium on medical care. They must justify premium increases based on this formula, and rebate money to you if they don’t meet it.

[quiet.american]

4. Thanks for posting. Their summary is excellent. nt

[bleever]

5. K&R.

Thank you.

[WeCanWorkItOut]

6. It doesn't seem that they've thought it through.

Importantly, the improvements to Medicare bear no comparison
to the damage that will be done. This bill will hurt seniors.
There's also the issue of "discounted mandates."
A fraction off an overpriced product does not mean
the product is now a good price. This will hurt
middle class people.
We could do much better.