Common Myths About Health Care Reform
Don't Let the Myths About Health Care Reform Scare You.
The following are some of the most common myths being spread about health care reform and the facts that prove them wrong.
Health care reform isn't about a government takeover. It's about guaranteeing all Americans a choice of health care plans they can afford.
MYTH: Health care reform is socialized medicine
FACT: An estimated 200 million Americans will continue to get their healthcare coverage through their employers. The people buying their own health plans will have choices. They will also have the option of a “public plan”. This option is to offer consumers the best value for their money and create greater competition among insurance plans in the private market. All the healthcare proposals that Congress is considering would allow Americans to choose their own doctors and hospitals.
MYTH: Health care reform will hurt Medicare
FACT: None of the health care proposals being considered would cut Medicare benefits or increase the amount of money consumers will need to pay. Health care reform will lower prescription drug costs for people in the Medicare Part D coverage gap. Health care reform will assist seniors in reducing the cost of preventative services. Health care reform will strengthen the financial status of the Medicare program.
MYTH: Health care reform is too expensive
FACT: If this country does nothing to fix health care, families with employer-based health coverage and Medicare will see their premiums increase dramatically. If we do not reform health care, the share of your income spent on health care will double in the next several years. The Congressional Budget Office found that health insurance reform will reduce the deficit by over $100 billion in this decade alone and by more than $1 trillion over the next ten years (White House).
MYTH: Health care reforms means the government can make life-and-death decisions for individuals
FACT: These life-and-death decisions will be made by individuals, their doctor, and their family. Neither the government nor your insurance company will be given any power to make these life-and-death decisions. Health care reform isn't about the government increasing its power. It is about guaranteeing all Americans a choice of health care plans they can afford.
Resources
http://www.democrats.org/news/blog/myths_vs_facts_health_reform_the_economy_and_the_deficit http://aarp.convio.net/site/PageNavigator/Myths_vs_Facts
