Health Care Questions

Health Care Future Questions

City

State

Question1: What do you believe are the health care reforms/actions that are most needed to improve the U.S. health care system?

Question2: What are your concerns about the proposed health care reforms?

Question3: What questions about the proposed health care reforms would you like answered?

Flower Mound

Hi, I was actually just wondering if there is ANY way to still register. Do you have a waiting list or anything? Thanks, Ashleigh

Garland

Texas

Interstate choices for insurance

Government take over.

No questions. Just totally against bill.

Plano

Advanced medical imaging such as MRI and CT scanning, exhibited substantial growth from 1995 to 2005 and as such, were one of the fastest growing expenditures to the Medicare program. From 2000 to 2005, the vast majority of this growth came from physicians utilizing the in-office exemption, available through the Stark legislation, to place this advanced technology directly in their offices. It is argued that there is a benefit to the patient by having this technology available in the physician's office for utilization on the same day as their doctor's appointment. The true concern is that there is a substantial increase in utilization of these advanced imaging services when the physician has a financial incentive to refer patients for studies to MRIs and CTs that they own. Congressmen Bruce Braley and Anthony Weiner introduced language to be put into the Energy & Commerce Committee's recent healthcare bill that effectively eliminated the in-office exemption available to physicians (and the subsequent concern with self-referral overutilization). This amendment, however, was not in the last mark-up version introduced prior to the current recess but indication are that it will be reviewed when Congress returns. What is your position on physician self-referral, its effect upon Medicare spending, and the proposed Braley and Weiner amendment?

1. Prevent insurance companies from discriminating against anyone that's over 20years old. 2. Public Health Option and better yet a single "RISK POOL" system. 3. Eliminate Profiteering--Take my health care out of the hands of CEOs concerned about their next quarter stock prices and pressure from hedge fund managers to decrease their payout rate.

1. That that it does not go far enough. 2. That it will not be permanent -- I will be too afraid to switch to a public option, if it does get passed, for fear the "free market" conservative will repeal it as soon as they get in power and then I will be screwed.

My question is, will you give me what I voted for? I am single and self-employed (9 years). I pay 10% of my income in private insurance premiums that I am afraid to use because of my experience with having sever riders repeatedly placed on me. These riders are not for serious life-threatening preexisting-conditions, they are things like taking prescription antihistamines for allergies, (now over the counter, thank God.) Then there was the permanent rider for anything associated with osteoporosis including major-medical hip replacement surgery based on a bone density test, on my wrist, that was in NORMAL range but showed slight mineral loss BECAUSE I AM NO LONGER 20 YEARS OLD. It has taken me over 5 years to finally find coverage with out any riders. Now I am of an age that I am STUCK, if something happens to my insurance, say the company stops covering Texas, I will not be able to get coverage AT ANY COST. I am tired of living with the fear of having a serious medical emergency that will wipe out not only my business, but all that I have worked for and achieved. Health care is critical to sustain life! And I have a constitutional RIGHT to Life Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. Right now the current for profit health care system is preventing me form pursuing that fundamental right under the CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. I NOT ONLY AM IN FAVOR OF A PUBLIC HEALTH OPTION, I VOTED FOR IT AND I DEMAND IT!

Arlington

Texas

How about straightening out the Veterans Administration (VA) Hospital system first???

Dallas

Texas

Getting the Federal Government out of medical care decisions, and Tort Reform.

It opens the door for the Federal Government to control every aspect of our lives; Socialism.

The President states that misinformation is being released about his plan. Why won't the President release his detailed plan so we can read and debate it?

I believe that tort reform in health care would make a real difference and is long overdue. I also beleive we should be able to buy insurance in any state.

My concerns are cuts in medicaid for seniors, NOT ENOUGH DOCTORS to meet the demand if there is a puplic option, HOW ARE GOING TO PAY FOR THIS!!!!!, RATION CARE! End of life care counseling for seniors. Will puplic money be used for abortions? Will Illegal aliens get free heathcare?

HOW ARE WE GOING TO PAY FOR THIS? IS THERE ENOUGH DOCTORS TO COVER ALL THE PEOPLE. Will puplic money be used for abortions? Will Illegal aliens get free heathcare?

Plano

Cost of and lack of access to health care...the fact that co-pays and deductibles for people whoi have insurance are the leading cause of bankruptcies in the US...for working people struggling to care for families.

That partisan politics and fear mongering will keep the facts from being heard.

Dallas

The single question that must be decided which will set the direction for healthcare reform: Is Healthcare in our country a right or a privilege? Put another way, if any person collapses on the sidewalk, will they recieve care regardless of their coverage. If the answer is yes, then coverage should be mandated.

Dallas

Texas

Regulation is needed in the insurance industry but government does not need to enter into the insurance business. They will just muck it up. We need tax credits for individuals who get individual insurance just like small business. Medicare and Medicaid need an overhaul BEFORE washington even thinks about trying to provide it for all! Thanks but no thanks!

Concerned about government running the most important sector of our lives. The government is inherently wasteful and inefficient. I want less government and more freedom. A better solution would be to provide insurance premium vouchers for those who qualify and allow them to obtain private insurance and/or tax credits for those who provide their own.

Why is it that government officials such as yourself, will be exempt from the nationalized healthcare plan?

Irving

I very strongly believe that our healthcare is in desperate need of an overhaul and our national security is dependant on action now. My concern with a single payer system is the loss of the capitalistic nature of our current healthcare system. Capitalism is what drives innovation and competition and also allows our healthcare to develop some of the most state-of-the-art technology available. How will a single payer system not interfere with advancement and innovation??

Desoto

Texas

Please explain why no one in the current Presidential administration has bothered to mention tort reform, rather than completely over-hauling our health care system.

It will be totally government run in no time, no matter what the Democratic Party claims. It is inevitable.

Plano

If the options for employers are either pay the proposed 8% tax for health coverage OR maintain their privately sponsored plans and face rising health care costs, won't employers choose to pay the 8% tax to control their costs, thus, over time, resulting in a national health care plan?

Irving

- Overhaul of Medicare reimbursement structure for hospitals and doctors - Enhanced monitoring and regulation of R&D expenses of drug companies - Incentives for hospitals and doctors for achieving better patient outcomes

- It will be too costly for the middle class taxpayer and the US taxpaying population in general - It will not incorporate the appropriate metrics to evaluate the results of the programs

- How will the reforms be funded? - Will there be an increase in taxes to cover the programs? - Will there be incentives for companies that provide comprehensive, affordable healthcare plans to their employees?

Plano

The most important aspects of healthcare reform are: 1) the need for a universal "basic" insurance with minimum provisions that is available to anyone without question at a reasonable price; 2) a 'basket' of insurance policies made available to people, all of which meet the bar established by the universal "basic" insurance and among these a Public Health Insurance Plan that is the "basic" plan - allowing people and employers to choose among the plans for the insurance plan each would need; 3) Revise the medical payment structure so that healthcare professionals are rewarded based on the patient outcome not on a fee for service structure.

Who can tell. All the screaming by ignorant louts at townhalls has drowned any discussion about what to do, what is there or what can be changed to make the system better. My biggest concern about healthcare in the United States is that it eats more than 15% of GDP. Costs are escalating and the discussion should be about how to bring costs down to a reasonable level.

At my doctor's office this week, my attending nurse told me her situation. Married with a 2 year old child. The health insurance benefit she gets through the doctor's office is so poor that to cover her, her husband (in his early 50's) and her baby would cost her $1,000 per month, which they flat cannot afford. They obtained insurance for her baby from an outside insurer for $90 per month. However, her husband's employer does not offer health insurance. This family has tried to obtain insurance for the husband from outside insurers, but he has been denied coverage from more than a dozen insurers. For some reason, that this family does not know, he is uninsurable. If the current congress is able to enact healtcare reform this year, will it be meaningful enough that this husband will be able to obtain coverage for himself? If the current congress does not enact meaningful healthcare reform, what is this hardworking man and the hundreds of thousands of his similarly situated citizens supposed to do? Hope they will not get sick or injured?

Dallas

That EVERYONE have access to free or very low cost health care. My sister, Jane Bajuk (Bedford Texas) could very well DIE because she makes too much money for Medicaid but she cannot afford the $2500-$3500 that every cardiologist she's called has REQUIRED her to pay upfront for an initial visit to a cardiologist. She has severe heart palpitations and has been to the Emergency Room a couple of times and they refer her to a Cardiologist which she cannot see until she comes up with the money. I wish I had the money to give her. She has Lupus and is not being treated for it either. PLEASE DO SOMETHING TO help her and others like her. She also cannot afford the $1200 a month for private health insurance. She and her husband both have jobs but neither employer offer health care. I believe that are millions just like her. We can afford the Iraqi War, but we can't afford to help our own? I don't think so!!

I do not understand it well enough to have concerns. I would like to see what the FINAL health care reform proposal looks like.

What will be covered, who will be covered, and how much it will cost the insured. I don't care if my taxes go up somewhat as long as everyone is covered. I'm sick of the Republicans and conservatives stating that health care in other countries that have standard coverage available to all people is sub-standard! My son-in-law is from England and I know they have great health care and home visits from the doctor.

We need to get rid of the for-profit insurance industry that boosts profits by denying care to sick people. Currently, they spend more on fighting claims than paying them; if single payer is off the table, the insurance industry should at least be regulated and not allowed to drop customers once they become ill, which is the practice today. They should also not be allowed to raise premiums to the point where people can't pay them; while this practice doesn't drop coverage, it forces people out by driving up the price to the point that customers are no longer able to pay.

My concern with the current system is that it leaves the insurance industry and big Pharma in a position to help write legislation, though the use of lobbyists. I was dismayed when Max Baucus (D-Montana) had the doctors and nurses arrested when they came to demand that single payer be put on the table; if I had my way, they'd be writing the bill and Max Baucus would be hauled away by Capitol police!

Will H.R. 676 (the Medicare for All bill) come to the floor this Fall, and will you vote for it? (Since congressman Sessions voted for the Family Opportunity Act, allowing families of Downs Syndrome Children to buy into Medicaid, I'm sure he'll vote to allow those without health insurance to buy into Medicare, right?)

Southlake

Texas

Reduce, not expand government bureaucracy and put patients in control of their own care. This would include providing assistance, in the form of vouchers for some and tax credits for others to encourage all Americans to carry at least a minimum level of healthcare coverage that they would own. To encourage competition in the insurance arena, the Congress should make it possible for anyone to purchase health insurance from any company, even across state lines. The Free Enterprise System works better than any government system for everything else, why not health insurance?

HR 3200 in all its current forms increases government involvement in what has traditionally been and should continue to be a personal relationship and decision making process. As a practicing General Surgeon and the Immediate Past-President of the American Society of General Surgeons it is clear that this bill will cut fees for all procedures. Currently our vital specialty can not attract young physicians because of very poor reimbursement for basic care, including both "bread and butter" routine elective surgery as well as emergency care for life threatening injuries and illnesses. What provisions are there in this bill that would create incentives that will help avoid the coming physician shortage in General Surgery? Access to healthcare involves more than just guaranteeing insurance coverage. If there is no General Surgeon in a given community, injured and critically ill patients may not survive an expensive transfer to a tertiary facility. Likewise, if all "elective" procedures are channeled into a "Center of Excellence" based on volume and the perception of quality care, small communities will not be able to keep the General Surgeons they currently have. This bill only accelerates this process with the "best practices" and "evidence based medicine" concepts, the definitions of which change regularly based on a panel of "academic experts." The practice of medicine is still very much an art form where the patient is the only critic that matters.

1) The President himself recently stated that FedEX and UPS are doing "just fine" while the US Postal Service is "in trouble." What is it specifically that makes this proposed government healthcare system more efficient than a free enterprise alternative? 2) What possible reason is there to include language in this or any other healthcare reform bill that would curtail the rights of physicians to own some or all of the facilities (hospitals) in which they work? Physician owned hospitals have clearly been shown to offer higher quality care at competitive prices because they focus on the patient. Likewise, if one of the goals of reform is to lower costs through increased competition, does it not follow that the monopolistic mega-hospital systems, represented by the American Hospital Association, should have competition from physician owned hospitals? Last month Mr. Hoyer answered this question by stating that he didn't want to question the ethics of physicians, but believed that doctors would naturally over-utilize services if given enough incentive. Isn't that exactly what this is about?

Addison

Texas

Tort reform. There is too much defensive medicine being practiced to prevent lawsuits.

Expansion of government power and control over the economy.

The growth in diagnostic imaging has been explosive. Yet hospitals are still allowed to contract with doctor owned imaging services when those same doctors are admitting patients, performing surgeries, and providing a lucrative revenue stream to the hospital. The wink and knowing nod that "you line my pockets and I'll line yours" under some undefined fair market safe harbor is a joke. How can such expensive and outright self-serving conflicts be allowed to continue. Congressmen, would you support an outright ban on hospitals outsourcing to physician-owned imaging companies?

We need a single-payer system similar or the same as Medicare which can and will control and contain costs to provide competition for the Insurtance Industry which opposes cost controls in favor of profits. The Insurance Incustry is the biggest ennemy of the American public because of its powerful payoff lobby to members of Congress.

Lack of cost control and containment provisions. The reform act must mandate use of model cost control systiems already known to exist. Watch the Evening News reports on Public Television. Congress need to pay attention to facts, not to Insurance Industry Propaganda.

Why are the conservatives actively opposed to helping the American people? Why are the conservatives in favor of bailots for big corporations at the expense of the American Taxpayer?

Dallas

Health care premiums keep getting higher and higher. Something has got to be put into place to control these premiums and to give people who are unemployed or who don't have employer sponsored plans a way to have coverage.

It seems that the far right/Republicans have generated so many rumors about the proposed plan that it doesn't have a chance to pass.

Will you be able to choose your own doctor? Can you dispel the rumor that the proposed plan will encourage and/or pay for abortions? How does the congress intend to pay for the new plans?

Grand Prairie

Denial of coverage for pre-existing conditions and the insurance companies' practice and ability to withdraw payments previously made to physicians up to a year after the individual was treated by the physician.

Health Insurance Reforms are needed to prevent system abuse. The government must act to enforce existing regulations on the Private Health Insurance companies. Non-US Citizens residing in the United States must provide proof of the ability to pay for Emergency Room services either "out of pocket" or present verifiable Health care payment coverage which includes treatment outside their Country of Citizenship.

Both the Government and the Private Health Insureance companies have treatments and services considered "Elective" or "Cosmetic". What is the fiesability of establishing a standard which all parties agree comprise "elective services and treatments" so that a National Single Payor service can be established for Health Care and "Elective Services and Treatments" coverage can be purchased by individuals, who desire, from Private Health Insurance companies?

The most needed reform is a strong Public Option. When business' look to dominate and monoplize an industry, Government must be a counter balance inorder to protect the people. System efficiency is also most important.

I agree with most of the health care reforms. I also agree with President Obama's version of paying for these reforms with a decrease in deductions on those making over $250,000.

Q1. A number of Republicans have agreed that healthcare needs to be reformed, what is the detailed Republican plan that would accomplish the same goals laid out by President Obama of: 1.) Reducing cost 2.) Coverage available to everyone and 3.) a more efficient healthcare system Q2. Why is eliminating the restriction of buying insurance across state lines an answer, since the major insurers operate in most states already and how would protections for consumers be guaranteed? Q3. In the states that have implemented Tort reform, healthcare costs have not been lowered, why should we expect national Tort reform to produce different results? Q4. To Pete Sessions: Are you against Socialism? If so, are Medicare and Social Security socialism and would you vote to repeal them?

Dallas

Texas

I am concerned about the cost of healthcare to the employer and the taxpayer. If there is a substantial cost we may not be able to hire as many employees.

Will this legislation increase the overhead for business, either in Tax increases or mandated expences?

Dallas

I believe that our Federal Government needs to stay out of all private business, especially our health care. The State governments need to have a FEW regulations to protect the citizens of this country from unscrupulous dealings by insurance and health care companies and to not allow monopolies to exist. With these small exceptions, all governments need to stay out of all businesses including health care. Companies will auto regulate as long as government stays out of the way and allows competitive market places to work.

I feel certain that this plan or any government run or controlled plan will certainly bankrupt this Country. Besides, all or our government officials have sworn an oath on the Bible to uphold our Constitution. This so called health bill or any similar government action is completely UNCONSTITUTIONAL in accordance with the intentions of our Founding Fathers.

Please point out the exact provision of our Constitution that you believe gives the Federal Government the authority or the right to create such a bill that allows our Federal government to amass such extreme power over the states and the citizens of this fine nation?

Dallas

Texas

Mandatory coverage requirements so all people participate in risk pool

Where do you stand on government-sponsored public options to compete with insurance companies?

Winfield

I hear the reform issue turning toward setting up non profit entities as part of a solution. I observe non profits spending money on new big buildings and donating to their charitible foundations to maintain non profit status. The Charitible foundations then form companies in direct competition with their enrolled providers. How will this abuse of providers be controlled if this option is created?

How can we control non profit insurance companies from the abuse they create when they allow their charitable foundations to go into direct competition with their enrolled providers and build huge glorious buildings to be able to maintain their non-profit status?

Dallas

1. Individual Responsibility. People need to question doctor and hospital charges just as we do food, home, cars, and everything else in life. 2. Malpractice Awards. Get bad doctors off the street by mandating Physician Tribunals. Trained doctors (rather than untrained jurors) should decide whether malpractice actually occurred. If so, the injured patient gets an award; if not, a sympathy award is wrong since it raises the price of medicine beyond what many can afford and doesn't actually punish the bad doctor at all.

1. One of the biggest expenses is missing: Malpractice Claims. 2. It isn't reform, but merely another entitlement program. The Chairman of the Federal Reserve has warned Congress repeatedly that entitlement programs will bury the county under a crush of unsustainable growing debt.

Ms. Johnson: Do you personally understand the Obama administration's proposed nuts and bolts on the topic of portability? Context: When an employer and I part ways, whether through layoff or just quitting, none of my benefits or pay go with me (neither paid vacation, nor company discounts, etc.) Since employers pay for my health plan, how can you expect them to continue paying once I'm gone? And if they don't pay, then who does?

Dallas

Get the government out of the equation as much as possible. Let free enterprise work.

How will it be paid for? (Details of theplan and funding) Will Congress take time to read and let the public read details?

Dallas

Tort reform Transparency of provider costs and medical records excessive hospital charges, i.e. charges for incidentals and things like asprin @ $10 for one HSP's

How will it affect our seniors? When will it take effect? Why go to this expense when it improves nothing and still won't cover all uninsureds?

Plano

How are we going to pay for it?

Plano

1.Mandated participation or fines 2. Medical charges and RX Charges Reformed 3. Record keepingimproved to reduce excess testing/duplication

Will government employees be required to have same health plans as the American Citizen? What's the insurance agent's future?

Dallas

Texas

What protections are tthere in the proposed polan to prevent rationing of health care &/or to make doctors make decisions about healthcare, not insurance workers or government employees?

Southlake

Any reofrm must support and improve the patient/physician relationship that is threatened by ANY thrid party payment system. Give the patietns control and allow the true free makret to exist. Competition will drtive down privaces and ensure quality. The government should regulate the insurance industry NOT patients and doctors.

Why should physicians and the public have any confidence that a "public option" will work when history has shown the Medicare and Medicaid programs are insolvent and on the verge of collapse? Why eliminate Physicain owned hospitals when they clearly provide better quality care at comparable prices.

Dallas

Access for all- inc. publi option to have real competition. Relieve burden on small business. Price competition on meds and procedures & procedures Treatment between doctor and patient, not insurance company as now Premiums reasonable and constant not rising each year

How might a public option workl? How does billencourage/effect doctors' independence? Who does bill affect the bottom-line? Will it cover the uninsured?

Dallas

Can't we "fix" Social Security, Medicare & Medicaid before we tackle another "problem?" If you include sALLIE mAE & Freddie Mac, the government has a horrible track record when it comes to invervention.

What is the rush? It's my experiene that when you act in hast the problem becomes expoentially worse than if you took your time in the first place.

Richardson

Address each element of health care as a separate issue! Not Universal.

Why are members of Congress unwilling to join the same "public plan" that those of us on Medicare will be forced to take?

Richardson

What guarantee will we have that reduction of benefits or rationing will not occur when 47 million people are added to the system?

Plano

Not universal Healthcare. Need guarantee issue. Need private insurance option. Incrased taxes to pay for this.

Dallas

Why are Republicans afraid of Health Reforms such that they do not constructively contribute ideas, but obtject to any reform. The United States deserves more than aveage national healthcare now proveded at the highest cost worldwide.

Rockwall

Eliminate waste and fraud in the Medicare & Medicaid Systems Provide State health risk pools with grants to help pay high premiums.

How will it be financed? With the Senators and Congressment and their families be on the plan?

Dallas

We don't need one big gatekeeper nor 50,000 physician gatekeepers. We need 300 millino gatekeepers. The only way to control costs is when each individual controls their own healthcare dollars.

We have a Public Option already. Medicare and Medicaid and they both are failing. Medicare is on teh brink of insolvency and you can't find a doctor to take Medicaid. Why would we want to create yet another even bigger public option?

Dallas

Stop illegal aliens from receiging free care at US Hospitals and Physicians Mandate Private Insurane to reimburse providers no less than Medicare Keep goverment out of day-to-day operations

Addison

Slow the process down: I agree everyone should be insured. Therore, deveolk that plan first using private insurane plants with vouchers for those who cannot afford. Once this is in place, then decisions can be made about provider incentives, capacity of the system, how many more physicians are needed (what hospitals, specialties, ASCS and where they are needed) and personal responsibility.

Capacity of the system

Garland

Universal health care

Why are insurance commpanies allowed to play the out of network games

Dallas

The Family & Medical Leave Inclusion Act?

Dallas

More emphasis on preventative care Emphasis on quality versus quantity- how to measure quality/

How does goverment propose to pay for the proposed reforms (e.g., taxing health benefits, higher individual taxes, cost efficiencies, etc.?

Dallas

Structural/architecture changes to the entire system are needed to improve the qualityof health care and not the quantity of care

Technology: What technology enhancements will be included and required to reduce inefficiences in processing paperwork? PReexisting conditions: What measures are being considered to address current insurance industry practices for preexisting medical conditions, a standard that impacts millions of American's and their abilityt o obtain the necessary medical care they need? Chronic Illness and Meic al Conditions: Will the proposed health refolrs offer better ways to hel individauls manage chronic conditions? Prevention: Will the reform plans emphasize preventiona nd cover preventive care services?

Ceder Hill

1) Ins and support those s ins. not uninsured ins for those already insured.

1) The direction of Dr. ownership of hospitals. 2) The reimbersment cuts of medicare for Drs. (eps solo Drs.)

Addison

An analysis of all costs and cash flows involved in the provision of health care. amd am exa,ination of how best to align the itnerest of all involved

How do any of the proposed initiatives incorporate the beenfits of physician participationa nd ownership for the future?

Addison

An analysis of all costs and cash flows involved in the provision of health care. amd am exa,ination of how best to align the itnerest of all involved

How do any of the proposed initiatives incorporate the beenfits of physician participationa nd ownership for the future?

Plano

Texas

Control administrative, non-medical costs of health care through regulation of the insurance industry with limits on profits Do not limit physician ownership in hospitals, ASC and imaging. Physicain ownership increases access, improves quality of care and reduces costs

How can the flawed SGR Formula for physicain reimbursementbe changed to allow for true cost of living increases and increases in the cost of compliance with BMR and HIPAA?

Addison

An analysis of all costs and cash flows involved in the provision of healthcare and an examination of how best to align the interests of all involved.

How do any of the proposed initiatives incorperate the benefits of physician participation and ownership for the future.

Dallas

Tort reform / Cut drug cost (Allow gov to negotiate medicare and drug cost.

Why is congress pushing to make physician owned hospitals illegal?

Dallas

More cost-efficientcy in delivery of healthcare Tort reform Drug cost controls to match what can be purchased in our neighboring countries and Europe. Insurance coerage reform for pre-existing conditions denial of care, etc.

Why the push for prohibition of physician ownership of hosptials, when the studies show they do more cost-effective care with less complications with no proof of overutilization pr "cherry-picking?" Why no significant discussion on tort reform? Whys uch major change all at once and not incrementally?

Dallas

Tort reform!

What exactly is being "reformed?" Sounds like it is just being scrapped and starting over? How will you ensure this program won't pay for healthcare for illegal aliens?

Dallas

-access to care (Medicare patients) -Affordable secondary insurance for Medicare patients -Flexability for patients with long term progressive diseases -Lower deductibles for Medicare patients

Dallas

As the US population has become more obsese, why doesn't health care legislation address public ehalth education and personal responsibility? Under the current Medicare system, a majorityof doctors and hospitals ar epaid less than it costs to treat patients. Many providers are approaching a point where they cannot take on new Medicare patients. Why should we put Americans in an unsustainable program?

DALLAS

1) there should be more incentive to physicians to spend time with their patients and less to do procedures on their patients. 2) In my small practice, my office staff spends about half the day simply doing routine insurance work (preapprovals, checking coverage and copays, etc). I have to pay a separate salary equivalent just to do billing of these various insurance companies. This is an extremely frustrating and inefficient use of what is supposed to be health care time. If these same person-hours (and the money needed to cover them) could be spent in patient care, the care itself would be improved.

I am mostly concerned about the rhetoric confusion: the problem isn't health care, it is PAYING for health care. This is an extraordinarily complex problem that will not be solved just by legislation. It is going to need a social movement. The push for electronic medical records is a distraction. It is too expensive, certainly for my small practice, would need to be infinitely compatible across computers, and the whole HIPAA privacy rule (which is currently under review to become MORE restrictive and punitive) would have to be revisited.

What will any currently proposed health care PAYMENT reform do to decrease the time spent in bureaucracy? The HIPAA privacy rule currently interferes with my ability as a treating physician to obtain records and test results for my patients. In large part this is due to misunderstandings about the Rule. How will any reforms address this problem without adding to the office bureaucracy? How will the proposed increases in HIPAA privacy rule restrictions and punishments make the current situation better or worse?

Plano

Why on Page 862, did you state that the $88.7 Billion in the "Public Health Investment Fund", Section 2002, is NOT SUBJECT TO THE BUDGET ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURES OF THE BALANCE BUDGET CONTROL ACT and DOES THIS EXEMPTION APPLY TO ALL THE FUNDING IN HR 3200????

Dallas

1. require all Americans to purchase insurance coverage either through their employer or on the open market, with no ability by insuring agency/company to deny coverage, terminate or limit coverage based on illness or pre-existing condition 2. Require both public and private insurance companies to cover annual physicals, routine vaccinations, and lifestyle improvement programs such as smoking cessation 3. Encourage medical students to become general practitioners 4. Retain tax deductibility for employers health plans and make individual health insurance premiums tax deductible

That insurance companies will load up the bills before Congress with so many amendments, that in effect nothing will happen.

Plano

Texas

Reduce costs.

I have concerns about the federal government having such so much power over the lives of me and my family. This feels like a land grab by the Dems. Why does all this have to be pushed through so quickly and why are so many in the House and Senate so eager to sign these bills that they haven't read and don't understand. It's a disaster waiting to happen. I don't trust the federal government to be able to manage such a large program. Cash for clunkers still is not running efficiently and we are supposed to trust the federal gov't to run 18% of our economy?

Why are you two specifically so afraid to have a dialogue with your constituents? This process of having questions submitted before hand and not allowing questions during the event is cowardly. Just ANOTHER example of how both of you have lost your connection with North Texas and are part of the problem. Both of you need to grow a spine and take questions live and answer them honestly.

Dallas

1) Create a public option to foster universal care and break the insurance companies' monopoly, price-gouging and care denial. 2) Police and prosecute health care fraud

1) The insurance lobby backed right-wing bigots will scare the Democrats into giving them whatever they want 2) Too many Democrats, like Max Baucus, are beholden to insurance company lobbyists 3) it won't be far-reaching or effective enough in providing universal coverage and restricting the obscene profiteering by insurance compnaies

MOST Americans believe in hope not fear and want change, know the value of a public option. Why are you backing off from it? WE NEED A PUBLIC OPTION, now! How much money have the insurance lobbies given each of you?

Dallas

Texas

Universal coverage, cost reductions, Federal option, insurance reforms that prevent current abuses

I'd like to know why Mr. Sessions opposes government subsidized health insurance for others when he takes advantage of it himself. We should all have equal access to healthcare.

Rowlett

A public option needs to be on the table and available for those who cannot get reliable and decent coverage by insurance companies. A public option would also cause a change in the insurance market, because of the government competition. This would be good for the American people. I also believe that all children, at least before five years old, and preferable, until they are 18 need to be covered completely for medical services.

I am concerned with any bill, how we are going to pay for it. I think I understand the plan to do this. Taxes on people making more than $250,000 (net) a year, to help cover some of the expenses, I think is a doable plan.

I am in that in-between place in my medical coverage. Too young for medicare, and self-employed. I want to know how I will benefit personally with this proposed plan. I really pay no taxes, except social security taxes, because my net income is so low. Yet my premiums are about 1/4 of that amount. Will there be any relief on my insurance payments for me in this plan?

Grand Prairie

better care / less involvement of insurace co. or drug co. i feel that they need to think of quality instead of what they can pocket our money.

i think that there should be care for those before they born till they died ,of old aged or illness . they should be concern for all not just for some .

i feel that we whom is affected bye this reform has a right to deciede what we want , i don't think it right that someone makes my decision for me .

Better efforts to eliminate/reduce fraud and abuse in current health care programs.

See questions below. Additionallly I don't believe we can afford the proposed health care bill.

Why are Democrats opposed to putting language in a health care bill that will prevent Federal funds being spent on abortions? Why are Democrats opposed to putting language in a health care bill that will require identifying illegal immigrants and denying them coverage?

Dallas

Texas

I feel the President and congress should get rid of lobbist, and get insurance companys a cap on the ceo and bonus. Insurance is out of hand and so is pharmicuticals. They are the ones that need to reform. I believe this will be a beginning.

Too much Gov't control.

Will there be a chance to go after insurance companies, lobbist and pharmicuticals first and then take it slowly not to become too government. I for one have no Insurance because of asthma. I am controlled but still they want to charge way too much. I am 59 yrs of age.

Sunnyvale

Universal Coverage. Uncouple insurance from employers. Preventative care.

There may not be universal coverage. There may be to many other compromises. The Congressional Budget Office refuses to count prevention even estimates can be made from the experience countries experience.

I want to know why the Republican politicians are not doing anything to stop the dirty politics we are seeing. Namely the lies like there is going to be eutranasia or medicare benefits are going to be cut. The yelling of insults and the insulting signs at health care meetings. I want to not why the Congressional Budget Office is being alllowed to ignore prevention even though data is available from other countries.

Dallas

To make health care affordable, accessible, and medicare recipients should not have to pay anything to see a doctor.

COST

Will medicare and medicaid benefits be equal under this health care reform, because people on medicare pay more?

Dallas

Representatives: Several states have adopted tort reform. In every case this has resulted in a reduction of the cost of medical malpractice insurance which is a large component of the cost of delivering medical services. HR3200, which addresses cost reduction, fails to mention tort reform. As a part of reducing the cost of supplying medical services, are you committed to a final bill that includes tort reform. If not, why not?

The proposed health care bill in the House and Senate moves us closer to the universal health care model prevalent in Canada and the UK. But according to the BBC, According to the BBC, the US had the highest five-year survival rates for breast cancer at 83.9% and prostate cancer at 91.9%. The UK had only 69.7% survival for breast cancer and only 51.1% for prostate cancer. Considering these statistics, are you in favor of moving away from the American model to a system of mandatory universal coverage that is closer to the Canadian and United Kingdom models? If you believe universal coverage would not have these negative results here, what do you base that belief on?

Krum

TORT REFORM, it will cut down on liabiity insurance costs for medical providers and needless tests run as providers practice defensive medicine

I am concerned about all the things in this bill at present, that do not address healthcare, but seemingly are designed to control the people in the future, answer one question would all these things be good for you as a private citizen ? if you can't answer yes to them don't push it off on the people and if you personally don't read this legislation, disqualify yourself from voting, are you in a habit of signing contracts with out reading the, your constituency expects more from YOU!

if thsi plan is so damn good, why will the people in governement not set an example and prove to the people they believe in and go on it themselves,, seems dis ingenuous to Me !!

Grand Prairie

Texas

Fix Existing Medicaid & Medicare by eliminating fraud, and illegal immigrants using it. If a person draws benefits and is a drug abuser, limit thier privledges and remove them if they continue to use recreational drugs.

I know nothing about it. I do know that I DO NOT want the government directing, influencing or providing MY healthcare!

Why does the US Government think it can run Healthcare if they can't even run the existing program? Medicaid, Medicare, & Veteran's care????

Plano

Restructuring of the private health insurance companies to allow all to afford health insurance and not be compromised with exclusions, limitations, high copays, coinsurance and deductibles with other out of pocket expenses.

1. If employers cannot afford to provide health insurance to employees, they will be penalized by being taxed. How can this help anyone? This will case further economic hardship to small employers, and potential employees with further cuts to workforce = slow economic recovery. 2. If employees cannot afford the health insurance their employer offers or any other insurance that is offered, they will be taxed and as an individual who is already in financial difficulty will now fall victim to further taxes. 3. President Obama stated he would not raise taxes to pay for this reform - he really has no other choice does he? 4. The only other way to help pay for this all is to divert reimbursement away from Physician and Hospitals and this will most definitely cause further healthcare problems - reduce physicians reimbursement further and you will have more physicians leaving healthcare.

1. How did anyone come up with the figure of 47 million uninsured/underinsured? If this 47 million, what % are illegal immigrants that have been included and if so once they are removed I am pretty sure the nos. and the burden to our healthcare system and the $$$$ that those with insurance have been covering will change and revenue streams could be appropriately re-directed. Send them back to their country of origin for their care, it is cheaper and free to them there!

Dallas

Preserve choice and competition

Government plan will cripple private plans just like those over 65 have no choice. Regardless of what is enacted now, over time politicians will promise more than they fund so eventually promised benefits will be cut or rationed. With private plans you have choice. With government you have no recourse. SS can cut your retirement you paid for or reduce your income for working and you have no recourse. Same will happen with healthcare in the longrun. No politician can guarantee the future. The government can change programs and benefits at any time. Further govt programs don't respond to changing conditions until it becomes a crisis. Private usinesses through competition constantly adjust services and costs based on changing conditions.

Why should anyone trust this congress or administration to come up with a good long term plan? After getting on Detroit about jets, they put in the budget for a bunch of top of the line luxury jets for themselves that the pentagon did not request. One of Obama's key advisors Emmanuel said no good crisis should go to waste in regard to the credit bubble. He is interested in political advantage not what is right or constitutional. I shared a cab with him in the early 90s not knowing him. When we got out I told my then girlfriend that is one incredibly sleazy guy. On top of that his brother is a big fan of comparative benefits/outcomes which at the government level means cutting expensive care for older people.

Public Option and The creation of IMAC.

Why are the President and Congress members going along with a health reform that is a carbon copy of Hitlers 1939 T4 policy. Why is congress not addressing the 24trillion dollar bailout? Why doesn't congress and the President move to put the bankrupt system through chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization?

Health issues are an individual's, and family issue. It does not concern the government and is prohibited by the Constitution for the government to be involved in our health care.

The proposed health care bill is a covert attempt at controlling the US citizen and strips us of our liberty and freedoms. It has nothing to do with health care.

Is it Constitutional and if believed to be so where is it stated in the Constitution that the government has this ability of reach into our personal lives?

I believe there are two things that would make a great positive difference: 1) make individual health insurance premiums 100% tax deductible, and 2) remove restrictions on purchasing individual health insurance across state lines.

I don't believe the the "reforms" as currently constituted have anything to do with health care, and are really about the biggest power grab in history by the federal government.

Texas

As with our esteemed representatives, I have not been presented with enough FACTS about the current program to allow me to identify any PROBLEM that may exist to the extent of requiring a SOLUTION. "Because I say so" is not acceptable. Who works for whom, here ?

The PROBLEM must be identified before a SOLUTION, if needed, can be proposed and/or decided upon. The American citizens are being excluded from the current process as a result of the " we know best " attitude of those elected to represent.

What is so urgent about this situation that proper investigation of both the PROBLEM and the SOLUTION, if required, as well as the inclusion of the American citizen from the decision making process, is being avoided at all cost?

Heath

Texas

Private insurance needs to be the critical part of any reform. Insurance is based on insurability. Preexisting conditions are difficult for insurers to cover. Auto insurers do not cover cars that have been totaled prior to the effective date of the policy. We need to understand what insurance is and stop using empty rhetoric in an attempt to villify the industry. The insured need to have a financial stake in their insurance plans. Auto insurance does not cover oil changes and basic maintenance and medical insurance should not cover basic exams and maintenance. The drive to make insurance companies assume the bill for every trip to the doctor and cover all preexiting conditions are major healthcare cost drivers and nonsensical. We need to stop using $46 million uninsured as a premise for needing vast reform. It is common knowledge now that this number is highly inflated. For those relatively few individuals who for whatever reason cannot afford traditional health insurance and assume financial responsibility for the costs of their healthcare, Medicaid or a similar program should be available. However, strict eligibility based on income and certain preexisting conditions should be used. Most importantly, health care should not be viewed as a right. All health care must be paid for by someone, therefore, it cannot be an individual right. Individuals need to shop and pay for health care the way they shop and pay for anything else. For those who choose not to shop and pay, or cannot do so because of income limits or preexisting conditions, a reasonable minimum amount of coverage should be available publically. It is important that the public program not in anyway compete with private health insurance. The public program should essentially be public assistance (not insurance) and strict eligibility should apply.

Government control and involvement in health care are my biggest concerns. The public sector should not control an industry that makes up 20 percent of the U.S. economy. Medicare and Medicaid are the best examples of why government should not be involved in everyone's healthcare. These programs are not financially sustainable. To my knowledge the current House Bill contains nothing about tort reform. Tort exposure is and has been a major cost driver in health care for years. Tort reform is critical. Medicare eligibility needs to be reviewed. Many people over 65 have health insurance and may not need to be coverd by Medicare.

Why are we attempting to go so fast on such an important matter? Months of debate and public input are needed for such a massive undertaking. Everyone who chooses to should have a say in this debate.

Cost Reductions.

Nothing in Bill to reduce cost. Lot's of actions that are likely to increase costs. More government involvement instead of less.

Why can't this be modeled after the auto-insurance market? People are required to have some minimal level--but after that, you buy what you want and need. Not required to pay for things you don't want or need.

Arlington

Texas

Tort reform

We are speaking about a bill that is not even written. Everything I hear from the Democrat party is not contained in the 'bill'. The is no specific plan to pay for this bill. Worldwide this program has failed. I am very tired hearing lie after lie after lie. This current government is convincing the American people that the US government and a large number of folks involved in it are pretty worthless.

Specifically how will this program be paid for. Please ask the democrats to show us paragraph and page where each and every one of their promises and statements exist.

Dallas

The US GOV has shown a clear history of bungling anything as far as social services program compared to the private sector. Take the U.S. Post Office, or Amtrak. Changes/Actions: TORT reform, make insurance policies available and competing with each other across state lines.

It is a lie that these proposals will: A) not cause rationing (not enough doctors in system for 46 mil people added) B) it will save money. (Taxing the super wealthy tax stats prove that won't adequately pay & prevention will not be enough to counter cost of Obamacare. No other way to pay but to TAX middle America. C) No Gov option or SINGLE PAY let us buy plans across state lines. A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF AMERICANS LIKE THEIR CURRENT HEALTH POLICIES!!!

Carrollton

Get the government out of all areas of health care.

The fact that the goverment is going to be running it. The goverment doesn't do anything well except maybe the military. Just look at social security, medicare, housing, banking, etc.

I don't politician is in a position to really answer any questions accurately or truthfully.

Friendswood

Texas

1. No pre-existing conditions 2. If a personal is covered by two insurance companies, the secondary insurance must pay any out-of-pocket that wasn't paid by the primary. 3. The corporation providing the health care must have a employee advocate representative to assist in denials. 4. Get rid of 'managed health care', all management of health care should be done by your doctor. 5. Hospitals should not be private and for profit, counties used to finance hospitals in Texas. 6. Health costs should be a tax credit, not deduction. 7. Significantly reduce the labor costs of employees who never see a patience. (Doctor offices, insurance companies, etc.) 8. Get everyone getting healthcare at a VA hospital off the budget if they're not Veterans, you don't get VA medical benefits if you didn't serve in the Armed Forces. 9. Eliminate Emergency Room care for routine medical care, create County/City clinics.

1. Federal/State Government should only fund and supplement health care costs, never be involved with patience care benefits; leave that to doctors/hospitals.

1. No new Federal Medical Programs; fix Medicare/Medicad.

Sherman

Texas

health savings accounts - tort reform

government involvment in health decisions - cuts in Medicare benefits to pay for it.

why is the Obama administration so hell- bent on pushing though something the American public does not want???

More market based competition, not gov't involvement.

Where to start. Outlawing private ins. (pg. 16). Requiring access to checking accounts. A database containing my private health info. Rationing to save money. End of life policy( google Zeke Emanuel).

When is the bill going to be shredded.

Caddo Mills

Texas

Change all restrictions in any Health Care Business that does not encourage self reliance. IE: 1 ) The ability for to find a Health Care Plan that will cover only what they need, and Open Enrollment to change as our needs change. 2 ) Restricting peoples ability to work part time to earn extra income while on any of the Govt. programs. This keeps people below the poverty level and dependant on Govt. assistance. There should be incentive to Get off Govt. assistance, not to stay on it. 3 ) Lift any restrictions that may hinder private insurance companies from putting together health insurance plans that meet the needs of the people. Then sit back and see what happens when Govt. gets out of the way.

Govt. controling every nook and cranny of my health care. Including going in my childs school and doing things that they deam nesseccary without my permission. That among many other things. Govt. can not fix what is wrong by getting more involved. They can how ever fix some things by becoming less involved. It is so obvious to the majority of the people that Govt. doesn't do a very good job when it start tring to control the people. We are Americans, we can't be controled by Govt.

When are you (Congress) going to get serious about actually sitting down and working on real solutions to many of the problems we already have with the Govt. run programs that are simply draining America of it's vitality. Congress is literally is becoming as much of a joke as the UN. Worthless to actually make laws that adhear to the Constitution which is their job by the way. Not spending and taxing the people for personal gain. Coruption and selfishness is all I see in Congress. Clean up your chambers before you try to clean my house!

Dallas

Insurance industry high cost Medicare inefficiency Doctor / Hospital overcharge and / or too many procedures

Cost increase to consumers and employers

Is it possible to pay for the reform with minimal cost to employers and lower cost to consumres

Way too expensive. Having the goverment that is the primary cause of today's healthcare industry problems now come in with greater roles and costs. We need to make the step-by-step changes noted above and not rush to redo the whole system Single payer sytems, public options, cooperatives of any kind, fining employers for not providing health insurance should all be off the table, They are all expensive and private job costing.

Since we know fraud and abuse are taking place, why not increase efforts to curtail them? Why is there virtually no discussion on tort reform? Why do we want to be more like Canada who's own healthcare system is imploding?

Alexandria

Virginia

The introduction of competitive forces: 1) Increase cost awareness and burden to patients so they become more discretionary purchasers of services and force providers to compete on cost, quality, and service. 2) Increase the supply of providers - either more physicians (work with AMA on this) or by endorsing additional and alternative (domestic) practitioners: D.O.s, etc. Address costs - and the underlying reasons they are escalating: 1) Tort reform is essential if we want costs to decrease; providers simply pass the increasing costs onto payers as their malpractice insurance premiums and damages increase. Or they stop practicing - we need MORE supply, not less. 2) Provide incentives for people to take better care of themselves by: a) Taxing "sin" items - Americans will not accept "outlawing" tobacco, sugar, alcohol and other unhealthy goods, but we can push them in the healthy direction with high taxes on those products - and then use that revenue to fund their ultimate care and educational efforts. b) Providing tax deductions and insurance discounts for wellness expenses and behaviors - much like "good driver" discounts on auto insurance. Gym memberships, running clubs, etc., should be encouraged by both the government and insurers. NOTE: These incentive proposals are tricky but worthwhile. Finally, address the coverage and moral issue of expanded access through existing channels. Mandating insurance spreads the risk, thereby lowering costs, and encourages care less costly than ER visits. The healthcare industry has failed to self-improve, so I applaud the effort to force reform. However, we must take care to address the underlying issues (why are costs escalating?) and not simply bandage over the symptoms (de facto price-setting).

By addressing symptoms and not causes, we may implement costly yet ineffective measures. Please see previous response.

If the following issues outlined above cannot or will not be proposed, I want to know why. No one yet (and I talk about this a lot!) has been able to argue that these ideas will not work: Increase supply of providers (and by the way, do it domestically to address other economic issues), forcing competition and consumer behavior into the industry; provide incentives to live healthier; limit frivolous litigation to decrease malpractice costs passed directly to payers.