The health insurance industry has some lingering doubts about President-elect Barack Obama's health care plan. Even though they have supported a plan that will require them to accept all applicants without regard to pre-existing conditions, there are still concerns. The National Health Insurance Exchange is giving them issue.
The National Health Insurance Exchange would give Americans a choice between a private plan and a government sponsored plan. The premise is that by combining government sources and open market options, the insured will have more resources with which to tailor a custom plan. The New York Times reports Tom Daschle, the incoming HHS Secretary, as stating that the government's plan is designed around the Medicare model.
There are arguments for and against the Medicare-like plan. The insurance industry argues that the plan will underpay doctors and medical organizations for their services rendered, which would cause the private providers to raise their rates. They say that the losses they incur under the government plans must recouped. Supporters of the plan state that the competition is likely to drive down already inflated rates. The question to be asked is what is an appropriate rate for a private doctor or hospital to charge for a service, when compared to a similar government charge?
Karen Ignagni, president of America's Health Insurance Plans, recently stated "A new public program similar to Medicare would exacerbate cost-shifting, which already adds $1,500, or 10%, to the average premium for a family of four." President-elect Obama, in spite of differences, seems to be keeping his word regarding giving all parties an equal seat at the negotiating table. This in itself is commendable.
All parties are being welcomed to the thousands of meetings which have already been scheduled to discuss the issue of health care reform. Obama's team has noted that the meetings are designed to bring all parties to the table, regardless of whether or not they agree, to participate in an open forum on the subject.
The National Health Insurance Exchange would give Americans a choice between a private plan and a government sponsored plan. The premise is that by combining government sources and open market options, the insured will have more resources with which to tailor a custom plan. The New York Times reports Tom Daschle, the incoming HHS Secretary, as stating that the government's plan is designed around the Medicare model.
There are arguments for and against the Medicare-like plan. The insurance industry argues that the plan will underpay doctors and medical organizations for their services rendered, which would cause the private providers to raise their rates. They say that the losses they incur under the government plans must recouped. Supporters of the plan state that the competition is likely to drive down already inflated rates. The question to be asked is what is an appropriate rate for a private doctor or hospital to charge for a service, when compared to a similar government charge?
Karen Ignagni, president of America's Health Insurance Plans, recently stated "A new public program similar to Medicare would exacerbate cost-shifting, which already adds $1,500, or 10%, to the average premium for a family of four." President-elect Obama, in spite of differences, seems to be keeping his word regarding giving all parties an equal seat at the negotiating table. This in itself is commendable.
All parties are being welcomed to the thousands of meetings which have already been scheduled to discuss the issue of health care reform. Obama's team has noted that the meetings are designed to bring all parties to the table, regardless of whether or not they agree, to participate in an open forum on the subject.
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