Stand Tall For America

Comments (38)

• Posted by Kirk Lambert on Sunday, June 07 at 09:54 a.m.

  Your health care bill makes sense to me. Thank you for supporting sponsoring it.

  I'm puzzled by AFSCME's attack ads. We get a lot of them because my wife is a member of AFSCME and I usually support its positions on legislation.

  Their ads claim your bill would tax health benefits. In in fact, it would create a standard deduction greater than the total (employer-employee) cost of our existing negotiated plan. Managers and professionals who currently have high-end plans would be taxed on the high-end portion of their plan. Very few union members would pay taxes on any part of their benefit. The only new tax would be paid by employers.

  If AFSCME's charge reflects its preference for a "pay or play" scheme where employers would be taxed only if they don't offer health benefits (as incentive to do so and an advantage of union membership), my question is, would their alternative raise enough revenue to pay for the subsidies to low-income workers?

  AFSCME's attack ads also charge that your plan would force us to give up our union-negotiated plan. In fact, we'd keep it for the term of the contract, which expires next year. When the contract expires, we could choose a plan with similar benefits. As I understand your bill, the amount the employer currently pays BlueCross would show up on my wife's pay slip in two places: as a health benefit and (partially or entirely) as a deduction paid to the plan of her choice. IN future negotiations, AFSCME could still negotiate the amount of the health benefit. It could also inform members about the merits of alternative plans.

  What would like to know, though, is, why you oppose an amendment that would create public health insurance option. Is there a cost issue, or is it just a matter of getting enough votes to prevent a filibuster in the Senate?

• Posted by John Ashley MD, MBA on Monday, June 08 at 05:22 a.m.

  Dear Senator Wyden,
  You have so much right in your Healthy Americans Act. I urge you to pursue your approach in the Senate with bi-partisan support.
  Key points to emphasize are:
  1) Current employment based insurance premiums are the most regressive tax paid by Americans. I applaud your approach that converts this unauthorized tax to income and then allows that income to be taxed at the progressive rate of each taxpayer.
  2) "Affordable" health insurance means the insurer is paying for less care or paying less for each service. Americans receive too much marginally beneficial, discretionary care and market forces can minimize that utilization. A Basic Health Insurance benefit can be designed that pays fully for Primary Care (including proven prevention) and Catastrophic Care. High Co-Insurance levels in a Basic Benefit package will reduce insurer payments and volume of discretionary care and make the Basic package affordable.
  3) The Reform Plan must be simplified in the financing and payment of the insurance premium. As in Medicare and Medicaid, the simplest and most reasonable approach is to have the federal and state governments combine to pay the premium for the Basic Package to the individually chosen insurer at standard age and gender adjusted rates. Individuals and groups may purchase any supplemental policy for higher levels of coverage with taxable premium payments but everyone would have assurance of a Basic Package. I recommend that all the tax credits and payments based on income be eliminated from your proposal. Get the employers out of the business of paying for basic health insurance. If they choose to offer supplemental health insurance to their employees, it should be a taxable benefit and underwritten by the chosen health insurer or self-insured.
  4) With every resident covered and the premium assured and paid for the Basic Package by government with no individual excluded, the chosen insurers can reduce the overhead cost of insurance and compete for customers based on the cost of their supplemental, underwritten packages. Each state will regulate their insurers and prevent them from discriminating against those residents with known health problems. The good insurers will flourish and the inadequate will be forced out of the market.
  Summary: every US resident will have private health insurance with at least the Basic Package with premium paid by government. Every resident will have access to supplemental insurance from the same insurer if they choose and are willing to have more coverage for discretionary services. The cost of insurance and the cost of care will be controlled by the market and application of government monopsony power in the market place. Any tax increase required to pay for this program will come from progressive income taxes. For most taxpayers, the tax increase will be less than the income they receive from conversion of their current regressive tax paid in the form of employment-based health insurance.
  I can prove all of the assertions made in this commentary. We are working to demonstrate a Basic Affordable health insurance program in Asheville, NC. We would delight in sharing our program if you are interested.
  All best to you and your colleagues in the current session.
  John T. Ashley MD, MBA, FACPM

• Posted by Woody Richen on Sunday, June 21 at 04:11 p.m.

  Dear Senator Wyden,
  Thanks for your leadership on this issue. I support your goals and I am annoyed by opponents who use scare tactics. Having said that, cost is a real and challenging issue. I like the specific benchmark of the medical care available to members of congress. Can you tell me what that is and, most importantly, what it costs.

• Posted by Margie Lee on Monday, June 22 at 09:36 p.m.

  We need a government plan! The insurance companies are profit motivated and they will not change.
  I feel like health care is so broken it's like trying to cross a river with ice floating in it by jumping from floe to floe and not knowing if you might be washed away with every leap. It's wearing us down as a country. I like what Dr. Ashley said.
  Margie Lee, artist, Portland, Oregon

• Posted by Fred on Wednesday, June 24 at 03:41 a.m.

  Every time I donated to a campaign or licked envelopes for my candidates or dropped off literature, the pitch always included the dream of one day providing health care to all Americans.

  If there is no Public Option in this year's health care reform, God help us.

  The choice is clear: please the Insurance Industry and their Representatives in D.C. like John Cornyn, or provide a meaningful Health Care system to America. - ie. giving us a public option.

  Failure will be blamed on Democrats.

  There is no point in watering down what is already a compromise (everybody knows Single Payer is true reform).

  This is our last best chance at fixing the national health care nightmare.

  When the doctor tells you your son has cancer, nobody worries about a lack of bipartisanship in Washington D.C.

  I worry because ONE extra bill will cause me to file for Bankruptcy and we'll lose our home.

  I don't care that Democrats Ben Nelson or Baucus are unable to please the Republican DeMint.

  Support the Public Option or give up your own 'public option' health coverage.

  Represent us and not the Insurance Industry. I beg you.

• Posted by Les Rieger on Wednesday, June 24 at 05:14 a.m.

  Senator Wyden; We must have coverage for everyone to make it work. I believe we need a public option by the federal government, which is the only way everybody is assured of coverage. Or a one payer option.Thank You!

• Posted by Les Rieger on Wednesday, June 24 at 05:23 a.m.

  Senator Wyden; I believe we need coverage for everyone in order for it to work. It seems to me the federal option is the only way to get that. Or a single payer option. But keep up the fight, it will be a tough one for sure!thanks,Les

• Posted by Reid Barrett on Thursday, June 25 at 08:00 p.m.

  YOUR HEALTH PLAN ISN'T ENOUGH!

  Senator Wyden,

  Why are YOU the roadblock in between Americans and REAL health care reform? When Republicans controlled government, your health care plan was a reasonable compromise, but now that there is a real chance to pass lasting health care reform with a public insurance option that will lower costs for every American far more than your plan why are you still on the fence about supporting it. Senator Wyden, please don't let your ego get in the way of our health.

• Posted by Bob Palmer on Friday, June 26 at 06:41 p.m.

  I submitted a respectful, critical comment a week ago, but it's not displayed here... By filtering criticism, Wyden seems to be trying to create the impression that most people support his plan or something similar. That's not behavior I expect from my government...is this the U.S. or is it China, Russia, Iran?

• Posted by Pat McGrath on Sunday, June 28 at 09:43 a.m.

  There absolutely must be a non profit public option in your health care program. Or it isn't reform at all, but just another way of supporting the insurance industry. Which is the huge problem today. Either add it to your plan or vote for the House plan.

• Posted by Carol Dombrowsky on Sunday, June 28 at 09:28 p.m.

  The government needs to stop letting the drug companies advertise their prescription drugs. All the money that is spent on advertisement just makes the drug prices go up. You can't get the drugs without the prescription anyway so let the doctors do their work and stop the graff going to the doctors to promote a certain drug.
  

• Posted by David Browne on Monday, July 20 at 12:52 p.m.

  Thank you Senator,
  this sounds like a reasonable solution that ensures everyone has to invest something in order to recieve a benefit. Thats the American way.

• Posted by Marcia Sarka on Monday, July 20 at 08:45 p.m.

  Thanks so much Senator,
  I'm so glad to see the specific ideas I've had being represented in a bill in congress. I am especially encouraged to see included the idea of employers paying higher salaries in place of employer paid health insurance. We have several situations where we might not have employer offered health insurance including my husband retiring before the age of 65, my son no longer being covered by my husband's employer health insurance when he graduates from college, and my employment as a temporary employee, after 20 years as a at-home/homeschooling "job" which had no employer benefits. The portability and the personal rather than employer responsibility for health insurance is very important to me. I'm looking forward to helping promote this plan and will send links to all my friends and family.

• Posted by Pete on Saturday, July 25 at 12:08 a.m.

  Thank you for publishing a healthcare plan that really addresses the underlying problems of incentives in healthcare. I am extremely fearful of a public option, because it will lead to a healthcare subsidy, either directly or indirectly (government plan would allow for lower reserves, with the promise of a bailout if required). Whatever plan does get passed, please make sure that it is paid for and addresses cost control (and incentives).

  Where Obama is completely wrong is saying that we need to get something passed and we can fix it later. Unfortunately the moment this gets passed it will become the latest "3rd Rail" and will not be touched until our country is nearly bankrupt. Do not settle for something that is "better than nothing" but only for something that is truly good enough to stand for forty years!

• Posted by JoAn on Monday, August 03 at 06:59 p.m.

  Dear Senator Wyden,

  I have read the summary of your proposed Health Care Plan and the analysis by CBO and Time Magazine. I applaud you for submitting a reasonable comprehensive approach to America's Healthcare. Your goal to insure all Americans with coverage similar to that of our elected officials is laudable - but can this happen without a public option?

  I'm dismayed that congress and other federal/state employees expect superior healthcare insurance - paid with our tax dollars - but won't provide 'ordinary' Americans with similar coverage.

  If there is no healthcare coverage bill passed this year I will not blame President Obama, but will blame congress and will do everything possible to insure that representatives who thwarted this national need will not be re-elected.

  Although I can barely afford to do so, I will contribute time and money towards your healthcare bill efforts if you can explain how your plan mitigates the need for a public option.

  Thank You

• Posted by Paul on Friday, August 07 at 06:23 p.m.

  Senator your plan looks great but what scares me is what those jerks in the House will do to it when its time for you to sit down with them.

• Posted by Carl Snyder on Sunday, August 09 at 06:12 p.m.

  Senator Wyden,

  I support your plan. Health care is a service that has costs, not a right. Your plan allows people to have more options but retain their freedom.

• Posted by Wendy Jones on Friday, August 14 at 05:14 p.m.

  I have read the summaries and skimmed the bill. I like what I see.

  Especially good is attaching the insurance to the person, not to the job. Also, giving discounts to people for taking care of their health is a good idea.

  Even long-term care insurance is covered here.

  My main concern is the lack of a public option. I think this is needed to keep the private insurers on their toes.

  Thank you Senator Wyden for the hard work and clear thinking that this bill exemplifies.

• Posted by Dennis on Thursday, September 10 at 01:42 p.m.

  I also believe that Health Insurance is a public good that everyone needs in order to live, just like the water we drink, and the air we breath. So I definately agree with you that it is the governments role to make sure that everyone has access to these goods. Since I believe that Health insurance is a public good, I also believe there should be a non-profit insurance company as one of my choices. For example, I have a public option for my water, it comes right out of my faucet from my non-profit public utility. But that doesn't mean there isn't other options from private water companies. In fact I can go to the grocery store and buy a bottle of Evian water if I wanted to. And the reason they can sell water for a profit and compete with my public utility is because people think that there is an added value of better taste, cleanliness, and portability in a
  bottle that Evian sells that the public utility doesn't incorporate. That's how I think health insurance should work. If your private insurance company can't compete all that tells me is that it does not add any value to it's product, you are only receiving a service at an increased rate. As far as what the structure of a "public option" should look like, in my opnion there should be some degree of seperation from government. My reason for this is I don't want to turn a Private insurance monoply into a government oligopoly that could force artifically low reimbursement rates on Doctors and hospitals. The kind of Public option I would like to see would work just like a regular insurance company, members would be required to pay premiums, but the difference being that simply by buying an Insurance plan from the option you would in effect become a shareholder also. You would then have vote and be able to elect a Board of Directors that would have to negotiate reimbursement rates with Doctors and Hospitals just like a regular insurance company. The Board of Directors would have term limits of say 2 or 4 years and if you did not like the job they were doing you could vote them out and someone else in. Any revenue earned by the option would go towards providing things like discounts on premiums for individuals with a track record of "Clean Bill of Health" and creating "at risk pools" where you could use some of the revenues to maybe hire a fitness trainer that could work with at risk indviduals to help them lose weight, or meal planners that could help at risk individuals create low cost meals for themselves in order to lose weight if they have become at risk for type-2 diabetes or heart disease. Or use some of the revenues to create "Payment for Performance" programs for Doctors. The goal of the Public Option should be to keep all of it's members healthy in order to keep premiums as low as possible. That is how I think health care should work. My biggest problem with the way private insurace companies are run right now is them being tied to wall st., it is a conflict of interest on my opnion. It creates a situation where the Insurance company needs to charge as much as they can for premiums, while providing as little services as possible in order to create huge profit margins. And to top it all off, the person who actually owns a policy has no say at all, that is totally backwards to me!

• Posted by Randy Bloom on Thursday, October 01 at 12:35 p.m.

  Way to go Ron! I am very impressed that you are standing up to peer pressure and bad legislation. See excerpt below:

  New from the Wall Street Journal Online

  "But Finance Committee member Ron Wyden (D., Ore.) aimed stinging criticism Thursday at the bill being considered by the committee.

  "This legislation has been stripped of the principles of consumer choice and competition," Mr. Wyden said in a speech at the Tax Policy Center, a Washington nonpartisan think tank."

• Posted by Susan on Wednesday, October 14 at 01:58 p.m.

  While the popular mantra today is universal health care for all, I say it is not the role of government to provide health care for all. No emergency patient is turned away from care in the USA. If you want health care then work your way up to a job that provides these benifits. I was a single mother of five and had to leave my children to go to the work force. I had no coverage and did not expect a hand out from anyone. Health care in not a right given by the US Constitution. Freedom is. Freedom from government intervention into our lives. Taking from Paul to pay for Peter is wrong. If you want a socialist "NannyState" craddle to grave government then move somewhere else. But I would rather have the freedom to make my own way then to have big brother taking over my life.

• Posted by Dennis on Thursday, October 22 at 01:45 a.m.

  Susan, I don't get what you are trying to argue? You say you don't want a socialist "Nanny State", yet you are defending a system that gives you, the consumer, no choice at all because your employer makes the decision on what health insurance you recieve, if any at all. And to top it all off most states (48 of the 50) only have 1 or 2 real companies to choose from. So let's recap, I only have 1 or 2 choices and I don't even get to make that decision, my employer makes it for me, how much more of a socialist "nanny state" could we be in. You talk about taking from Paul to pay Peter being wrong, but that is what is happening right now, employers are forced to take more and more from what should be going into paychecks and directing that money to pay for insurance premiums which are rising 3 times faster than inflation. So in essence the Health Insurance companies are stealing from the little guys paycheck in order to pay the CEO's outrageous bonuses( just a few years ago United Health CEO made 1.1 billion in back dated stock options). And while I don't believe it is governments role to provide health care for all, I do believe it is governments role to ensure free and fair markets in order to force health insurance companies to compete for business and provide the most services at affordable rates. That is exactaly what Senator Wyden is trying to accomplish, the ability for everyone to be able to join an insurance exchange and choose the plan that best fits your needs. You talk about freedom, yet you are railing against the very plan that would end this nanny state of corporate communism, it doesn't make any sense to me.

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