Dems and Republicans Head Home With Health Care Talking Points
A GOP chart reflecting the Republican view that the Democratic plan is too complex
By Mary Agnes Carey and Eric Pianin – Kaiser Health News
July 31, 2009
Which phrase best describes Democrats’ ideas on overhauling the health care system: a) a government takeover of health care, or b) a way to lower costs and improve the quality of care delivered?
Is the proposal a) a package of tax hikes that will cripple small businesses, or b) a way to save families $1,800 a year?
Those are just a few of the talking points crafted by Democratic and Republican leaders for Congress members to use during the August recess.
They’re designed to help lawmakers explain the complexities of the ongoing health care debate in simple terms that could sway the public their way.
Democrats:
Health insurers are clearly the target of a “pocket card” distributed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.
Overhauling the nation’s health care system will “hold insurance companies accountable” and guarantee “stability, lower costs, higher quality and more choice of plans.”
Taming health care costs will also help businesses, the economy and the federal budget, according to the document.
Consumers also won’t be able to lose coverage if they get sick and insurers won’t be allowed to charge “excessive” out-of-pocket expenses, deductibles or co-payments.
Republicans:
A recess packet distributed by House Republican Conference Chairman Mike Pence, R-Ind., says the Democrats’ health plan includes more than $800 billion of new taxes that will eliminate up to 5.5 million jobs.
A one-page description says the Republican version of health care legislation will “expand access to affordable health care” and allow families “the freedom to choose the health care that bests fits their needs.”
The GOP recess packet also includes an “organizational chart” of the Democrats’ health plan that highlights Republicans’ views of how complex the legislation is.
To learn more:
This information was reprinted from kaiserhealthnews.org with permission from the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives and sign up for email delivery. © Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.
Category: Health Insurance, Health-care Policy, Healthcare Reform, Insurance
Subscribe
If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to receive more just like it.
LocalHealthGuide is a health news and information web service for Seattle and the Puget Sound Region. We are independent and unaffiliated with any hospital, medical association or insurer. If you have questions or if your group has an upcoming event that you would like us to cover, please let us know by going to our "
Add to Google
