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Mass Health Law

Coalition urges action on national health overhaul

Posted by Kay Lazar February 22, 2010 01:31 PM

A broad coalition of Massachusetts labor, consumer, business, and health advocates today urged Congress to break the gridlock on a national health care overhaul during a State House news conference that had more the feeling of a pep rally.

Just as President Obama's compromise plan was being unveiled, the first of 15 speakers took to the microphone to underscore the group's message, that Massachusetts' landmark health law has benefited thousands of its residents, but that national action is still needed to help thousands more.

While few had seen details of the President's plan, many said the basics they did know appeared to be good news for Massachusetts.

"It will make health care reform more affordable to 75,000 more families who are struggling" to afford insurance now, said Amy Whitcomb Slemmer, executive director of Health Care for All,  a consumer group that helped create the state's 2006 health law.
That's because the president's plan would offer help with health insurance premiums to families making up to 400 percent of the poverty level, which translates to $88,000 for a family of four. The Massachusetts law is not as generous, helping only those families with incomes up to 300 percent of the poverty level, which is a $66,000 income for a family of four.

Borrowing yet another page from Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, Obama's new compromise plan proposes to review and block any health insurance premium rate hikes that are "unreasonable and unjustified."  Earlier this month, Patrick announced a sweeping legislative proposal that would give the state's insurance commissioner the authority to cap health care price increases.

James Roosevelt, president and CEO of Tufts Health Plan, said in an interview after this morning's event that both proposals to cap premiums -- the president's and the governor's --- are bad ideas.

"Capping insurance rates without dealing with the underlying cost of health care is crazy," said Roosevelt, who also is board chairman of the Massachusetts Association of Health Plans, a trade group representing most health insurers in the state. "It's dealing with the symptom instead of the disease."

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James Roosevelt.   I recognize that name.  A Dem super delegate!!  He was one of the people on DNC's RBC!!!!!

-- Edited by Sanders on Tuesday 23rd of February 2010 12:17:49 AM