Frederic Young

We are not a socialist country.  The Healthcare system certainly needs reform, but not at the sole expense of small business owners.

Paul Pease

Without looking at the bill- but looking at the actions already taking place with a client in the Medicare Advantage world and with my wife working at a very large HMO- the changes are going to stifle innovation in healthcare under the guise of controlling cost. Already more government bureaucrats have been deployed to monitor the Medicare Advantage plans with the full intent to use unrealistic compliance coupled with intense oversight to drive the MA plans out of business. Why can't the government be this vigilant on immigration and cleaning up the oil spill?

U.S. Chamber SBN

Share your story with us...what does the new health care law mean for your business?

Tami Schultz

increase in costs

Dave Miller

SBN:  You are forgetting number 4.  Not including people in the system who don't belong in it.  Liberals are planning an amnesty program to bring in 10's of millions of new dependents to offset the loss in votes of older citizens who will be loosing major medical benefits.  Basically, liberals use our tax money and other  "contributions" to the government to buy votes to keep them in office.  IT MUST END. 

I propose a consumer buyer's strike until 2010 elections are over, plus decrease withholding, and possibly asking all USCC members to withhold contributions for a month as the election comes closer to show our collective power.

Cancel newspaper and print media to blunt their propaganda.  Ignore network news.  I've been to Asia over 12 times, to Russia and formerly East Germany - I recognize propaganda when I see it.

U.S. Chamber SBN

@Jon Meijer:  Yes, a full time employee is defined by an average of 30 or more hours for at least one week in a month.

Starting in 2014, employers with more than 50 full-time employees must offer full-time employees coverage that pays at least 60% of benefits covered by the plan and for which an employee’s contribution is less than 9.8% of household income. For employers not offering coverage that have at least one full-time employee receiving income based premium assistance to buy coverage through new health insurance exchanges: Penalty is $750 annually for every full-time employee. For employers offering coverage that is unaffordable or does not meet minimum standards: Penalty is $3,000 annually for each full-time employee receiving income-based assistance for health insurance exchange coverage. Penalties capped at $750 times total number of full-time employees. No penalties for employees receiving free-choice vouchers

Read more http://bit.ly/bD0hex

Dave Miller

Greg Hamby:  Lies by the USCC?  I've heard more lies from Obama in his brief presidency and on the campaign trail than any politician in my lifetime.  California had massive Increase in premiums due to onerous regulations and illegals.  CA could balance their budget immediately if freeloaders were not included.  Our country was founded on freedom, NOT regulation; OPPORTUNITY, NOT WELFARE.  If you like health care in other countries please leave the USA.  We have a Constitution.  Other countries do not.  People died so we might have choice - I refuse to surrender my freedom lightly. 

Jon Meijer

Does the Health Care bill define what constitutes a fulltime employee? If the cut off for small business is 50 employees, does it include full and part time employees?

Thank you,

Jon

Jack Paden

I have had personal experience with the health care system in Austria, The government provides universal care to all its citizen by maintaining regional hospitals.  There is no insurance involved.

Patients simply go to the hospital to be treated. There are no bills and no insurance plans to pay these bills.  It works, but patients might spend a lot of time to get their treatment.

Our proposed plan includes an army of clerks to shuffle the bills for treatment after treatment is rendered. 

One cannot compare our proposed plan with those in Europe simply because of the huge cost of insurance billing.

Our plan forces everyone to get insurance whether they plan to use the government plan or not.  In Europe one simply goes either to a government hospital, or to a private sanitorium (hospital).

Our proposed plan forces those who plan to go to a private hospital to buy an insurance plan they will not use in addition to paying the bill from the private hospital (whether in the USA or anywhere else in the world.) 

Basicall, it amounts to a healthcare poll tax. Hasn't the poll tax been ruled unconstitutional?

Katherine Fehrenbacher

Mr Hamby,  How can you say low cost or no costs. Who pays for helath insurance? Our tax dollars do. We need more competition to lower costs. We don't need Govt take over of healthcare.

Barry Brooks

The ads lies reflect a bigger problem with US business, no ethics !

Jon Fistler

Way to go Dorie!

I'm relieved to see that people are speaking up and pushing back against the Chamber. The ad being aired currently makes me sick, typical negative political attack ad. It plays over and over, and it just grates my nerves.

fran t

I agree with Dorie Macag wholeheartedly!!  Well said

Lou Zher

For one, drop the tort reform bit.  Texas reformed their tort system, and it has done nothing to alter their health insurance costs.  Nothing!  It's similar to how the drop in the price of a barrel of oil did not result in a proportional drop in price at the pump.  Wonder where that money went?  Profit!   Tort reform means insurance companies pay out less, and face fewer suits.  They profit more!

Do you want to see a drop in frivolous lawsuits?  Make the lawyers who file frivolous lawsuits pay the costs of that suit when they lose. 

If there's the perception of an error, if there's a chance to sue and get money, people are tempted to sue.  I'm a veterinarian, and I have liability insurance.  In many of the lawsuits facing vets, the cost of defending the doctor costs way more than just settling the case.  It's not the big dramatic payouts that really hurt, it's the drip  drip drip of the little lawsuits that are settled out of court.  When an attorney repeatedly files baseless lawsuits in order to shake the money tree to see what falls out, they should be barred from practice or made to pay back.

Tort reform had very little to offer in the way of cost containment, I don't understand how this issue is front and center for so many people.  It's obviously a concession to the insurance companies.

Philip Stone

If the HC Bill should pass, what impact will it have on the manufacturers of medical devices?

Patte Bahl

The government doesn't fix things...they can't even make money with the monopoly on mail.  We were all forced to put money in for social security and medicare and the congress has robbed it to pay for earmarks to keep themselves elected.  I am a conservative, I believe in helping people in need.  We support our church, privte schools and universities, food banks, meals on wheels and various other charitable organizations.  It is not the government's role to take care of people!   Their role is to keep us safe from enemies and right now it feels like we need to be kept safe from them! 

Joan LaGrasse

I think we all agree that somethings need to be done.  But what is being discussed on Capital Hill with this bill is Health Insurance Regulation- not health care reform. 

True reform would be addressing the delivery system- not merely insurance.  To provide adequate care for multitudes we need to look at other models:  Add more nurses and nurse practitioniers, and allow them broader authority to practice. 

As consumers we should understand that insurance is a product which we may purchase or may be purchased for us (in groups plans) to defray the costs of health care.  It is not guarenteed to all that they have insurance, nor should it be a mandate that they must any more than we can guarentee everyone home ownership. 

In a perfect world, we work together to help those who cannot afford insurance or qualify to purchace it at a reasonable price.

And yes TORT REFORM IS a part of the solution just as finding a way to assist those who need assistance.  No one should loose everything because of a catastropic illness or long term dibilitationg condidtion, but from what I have read, this bill may cause us all to loose the collective house.  It was piecemealed together.  The budget numbers are smoke and mirrors.  The truth is we do not know how much it will cost, but based on past experience, it will be much more than projected.

MY VOTE:

A redounding go back and start over!  And while you are re-writing, go ahead and show us how much you can wring out of the programs you already manage.  Since that is part of where you believe the money will come from- show us now-show us before we give you more to manage.

Management 101:

Thou shalt not give someone additional responsibilities until you see that he can manage what he has got.

John Dolson

This Congress/Administrtion needs to be voted out.  The ideologies they have are anti-business, anti-success, anti-human (environmenal zealots who oppose anything but a policy of 'do nothing to the environment').  There are too many that think themselves smarter than the rest of us and in a position to make decisions for us. They have to go.

Patrick Robb

Our "Finest in the World (...if you can afford it)" Healthcare System is BROKEN.  Perhaps they really need to start over with a fresh perspective that places THE AMERICAN PEOPLE FIRST and places ALL OTHER CONSIDERATIONS  IN CONSIDERABLY LESS THAN A POSITION OF PRIMACY.  I’m no “expert”, but in my humble opinion there are 10 Positions that really must be a part of REAL Healthcare Reform:

1. There must be a Public Option.  If a Public Option were not necessary for the American Healthcare system, then we would need neither Medicare nor Medicare. These two programs have proven that, even with occasional abuses, they are necessary and effective. The Private Healthcare Insurance System has shown that it is a truly mercenary organism.  Private Healthcare’s only function is to reap the maximum profit from providing Healthcare Services and requires a that Public Check be put in place to restore Balance and Fairness.  Call it Socialism... call it Unfair Competition... BUT Recognize that it is ESSENTIAL TO REAL REFORM.

1. Implementation of a Federal Minimum Standard of Healthcare Services.

1. No One Should EVER Lose Their Home Due to Illness.  PERIOD.

1. Labs & Diagnostic Facilities must be removed from the possession of those providing their customer base.  Too many Labs & Diagnostic Facilities are Hospital and/or Physician owned.  This provides a strong profit motive for unnecessary, redundant, costly and, in some cases, risky tests.

1. Proven (in a US Court of Law) Criminal Fraud should be the only reason for the denial of Healthcare to any Legal American Citizen or Legal Resident of the United States of America.  PERIOD.

1. Make Mandatory Standardized Electronic Billing Codes and PUBLISH the Cost for Procedures at ALL Healthcare Providers thus allowing for Easy Public Access to Billing Codes and the corresponding submissions for reimbursement from ALL Healthcare Providers. Mandate that all Healthcare Providers (Physicians, Hospitals, Pharmacies, Treatment Centers, Care Givers, Nurses, All Forms of Aid Providers, etc., and their Suppliers) DIGITIZE all Healthcare Records, Service Channels, Diagnostic Procedures, Billing Codes & Invoicing and Match it to SEARCHABLE Standardized Federal Billing System Database that MUST BE WRITTEN IN PLAIN ENGLISH. No more confusing & convoluted billing schemes, please.  Call these schemes what they truly are:  An intolerable attempt to obfuscate the true costs of Healthcare.

1. Mandatory Participation by All American Citizens and Legal Residents of the United States of America with Severe Non-Participation Penalties.  Subsidies must be provided for Low Income Persons.  Opt-Out ONLY by Proving Ongoing & Continuous Healthcare Coverage EXCEEDING the Federal Minimum Standard with Criminal Fraud Penalties for falsified Opt-Out Documentation.

1. Acknowledge that Healthcare is far too important to be left to the devices of a purely market-driven supply & demand model.  It is not a fungible or casually attained product.  Recognize Healthcare’s Vital Importance as our Nation’ Future as akin to that of the National Transportation Network and our National Defense.  We must stop treating it with less importance than we treat the Broadcast Frequencies that we license and regulate for Entertainment.  Perhaps it is so vital that Healthcare Insurance Providers needs to become “non-profit” entities?

1. Taxation as Income of the Costs to Employers of Employer Provided “Cadillac” Healthcare Plans in excess of the Mandatory Minimum. Compensation is Compensation.

1. Provide Generous Incentives & Severe Penalties for Healthcare Providers that are Directly Linked to the Overall Health & Well Being of their Patients. Provide Allowances for those Patients with Chronic and/or Incurable Conditions that require Additional Expenditures of Resources so that Outliers do not skew actual performance data sets.

One last thing… Tort Reform is an entirely different subject.  Stop trying to link it to Healthcare Reform. 

C’mon, folks!  The rest of the industrialized world has already implemented reforms. What the hell are we waiting for? How much more money do we need to waste making insurance companies, hospitals and doctors wealthier at our expense and risk to our health & homes?!? Maybe Health Insurance Companies are Obsolete?  Perhaps.  For the moment we shall now all see if our Legislators have the intestinal fortitude to do what is necessary and right.

Avery Boardman,OD

The fact that there were no Doctors and or anyone from the medical community invited to this discussion speaks volumes. Reform can't be done without cost containment and that won't happen without Tort Reform and tort reform has the same chance as a snowball in Hell when a room full of lawyers are deciding what should be done to fix healthcare.

Tim Purcey

I do not think that the democrats really believe that anything negative has been communciated to them about HealthCare Reform after Reids reported comments...

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid took the floor shortly after Alexander and slammed the Republican's contention that Americans do not want the Senate's bill.

"I would say to my friend Lamar, you're entitled to your own opinion, but not to your own facts." Reid cited a recent Kaiser Family Foundation poll that showed 58 percent of the American people would be "disappointed" if Congress did not pass health care reform this year.

Lets get it right not fast.

Edward St.Germain

Lou Zher

The public is not overwhelmingly opposed to the health care bill. That's a group think myth that opponents perpetuate.

The filibuster was used on rare occasion in the past, once or twice a year. Starting in the 70's, use of the filibuster increased to twenty or thirty times a year. Two years ago, after Republicans lost control of congress, they used the filibuster 112 times. 112 times!

And Republicans attack the Democrats for not getting anything passed!

The Republicans certainly do not want the Democrats to be effective, do not want them to pass any meaningful legislation. Political gamesmanship and political power have taken precedence over doing the work of the people!

The Chamber is on the wrong side of this issue.

This 'forum' is filled with filth and ridiculous ads. Obviously, the Chamber doesn't care enough to actually monitor the forum.

Lawrence Boros

I am will be presenting the following to my Congressman tomorrow:

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It is a fact that we are losing trust in Congress.  We are looking for any evidence that Congress can function in our interest instead of in the interest of running and financing election campaigns.  One example of the latter is the Democrats’ healthcare bill that is 52 times larger than the entire Constitution and is in-comprehendible, overreaching, and full of favors to campaign contributing special interests.

You now have a unique opportunity to help win back our trust in Congress by introducing two pieces of legislation.  The first would require that any bill passed by Congress cannot be larger than the Constitution and that members of Congress cannot vote on a bill unless they read it. Imposing the discipline of crafting legislation to a maximum of 7620 words would make it more comprehendible, reduce earmarks, foster economy in government, and reduce the need for a line item veto.  The second piece of legislation would state that any bill passed by Congress that affects citizens also affects all members of Congress equally. Such popular legislation would be spotlighted by the media and would make a no vote, even in committee, a major political liability.

We need a new contract with America that acknowledges that poverty is the inability of individuals to create value for themselves and for others.  In this economic society we have both the right and the obligation to create value.  Creating value requires four things:  Motivation, Knowledge, Enterprises, and Health. 

Strengthening motivation includes developing the need to achieve at an early age.  Improving knowledge includes deconsolidating large failing school systems where the real beneficiaries are the administrators and the unions and then fostering competition with public vouchers.  Growing new and strengthening existing enterprises includes negating the incentives of avoiding taxes, safety, and environmental costs that suck enterprises out of this country.  Improving health includes real healthcare reform.

Healthcare reform can start with six pieces of legislation that will not add to the deficit.  1. Minimize those situations where our bodies are held hostage and prices are set carte blanche by enabling websites that contain all prices and outcomes for every health care service for every healthcare provider.   Such websites would become forums for competitive pricing throughout the healthcare industry.  2. Require that all health insurance companies be mutual companies where the policyholders are the owners.  3. Enable a health insurance industry wide fund that will cover the extra costs associated with preconditions.  4. Allow health insurance companies, which meet standards, the ability to issue health insurance head to head in any State.  5. Enable health care unions, similar to credit unions, where individuals can qualify for group rates on health insurance. 6. And finally, reduce malpractice insurance costs by modifying tort law to reduce the maximum awards from jury trials. 

We are hoping that you will represent us on these issues.

Scott Welch

I will agree there are reforms needed. However, the current legislation is not the answer. I suggest that Congress and the White House take a step-by-step approach to this issue. The first step required for healthcare reform is Tort Reform. Period.

Lou Zher

Do you know how the free market system works in the health care system?  I'll give you an example.  Drug companies love products like Lipitor and Viagra, medications for chronic problems.  Antidepressants, cholesterol lowering drugs, things like that.  Meanwhile, we are facing a looming crisis in the area of antibiotics.  Resistance is growing, and very little is being done to research new antibiotics.  Why?  There's not as much profit in a drug that people only use occasionally.  Drug companies are not interested in developing antibiotics.

That's what 'free market' does to health care.

Joseph Kavusak

Our politicians need to read the constitution they swore to uphold! Start with the 10th amendment! Entitlement programe are unconstitutional! Kill this health care bill! Start it over and pass Tort reform, State to State coverage, continue Medical savings accounts and things along this order.

Ian Marks

Why does the U.S. Chamber of Commerce advocate for federally mandated COBRA insurance?

Greg Weatherman

All that's necessary is to protect the consumer against insurance carriers denying coverage. Create a template of coverage that all plans must have. Let consumers go through third party arbitration with government arbitrators who act swiftly. Stop lawsuit abuse through tort reform and make findings against doctors and hospitals public information. The industry would sort through the new rules and deliver a product much faster and more cost effective. We just need a level playing field for consumer, the medical industry and the insurance carriers.

Sean Mathews

I am so tired of seeing commercials trying to install fear and doubt about a government managed health care system. It does not take a very intelligent person to figure out who is behind these commercials.

Insurance companies, small and large businesses that do not currently pay for there employees health care or are looking at canceling health care for its employees to increase profit are clearly trying to defeat national health care.

For over 14 years I have provided health care to my employees. I have watched the prices go higher and higher each year but never have I considered reducing or canceling insurance even if it I had to take a pay cut myself to afford it. Too many businesses including insurance companies only care about profit not about people.

If we had a public option that would provide true competition to insurance companies and by having more people insured and more businesses like my own forced to take care of there employees the overall cost of medical coverage will go down. This is just common sense.

James Gelfand

It's always interesting when people try to compare the US health system to a third world country's, as if most of the world doesn't envy our system and those who can afford it don't fly here for treatment. I think most of these misperceptions come from flawed comparisons like the OECD and UN ratings which are specifically written to punish countries that do not have "universal health care". It doesn't help that in other countries they drive a lot less than Americans do, which seriously hurts our longevity rates - factor out automobile deaths, then look at the numbers. Even worse, the US tries to save premature babies that other countries simply write off and categorize as still-born, which makes it seem as if we have a worse infant mortality rate. Critics usually try to ignore our vastly superior cancer survival and longevity rates.

Overall, I sure prefer having a system that is the pinnacle of world health innovation, saving more babies, and working toward a free market solution to the problems in our system. Don't you?

George Penman

USC couldn't be more wrong on healthcare. The US performs only slightly better than Cuba in overall outcomes...only Cuba spends about 5% what we do. Your position is based on willful Republican ignorance and disregard of the public interest. I DO hold it against you AND your members. http://www.seconnecticut.com/healthcare.htm

Rich Connelly

I contacted my Republican Senators in Texas several times to stop the insanity. They are dead set against the present form of the health care reform bills. But what else is there to do? It is the Democrats that need to be convinced that the present approach is insane. What is the mechanism to do that? They won't take my calls or emails. There must be more that can be done to voice opposition to this bill.

James Gelfand

Wallace makes a good point. Let's talk about proactive solutions. Click this link to see the Chamber's suggestion for how to reform the system: http://www.uschamber.com/NR/rdonlyres/eherdynist32stdkpeiizmeceumgocvbigecojozeiy7kmiblmacqz7aczrlxdt7l52qkqpok3mlcr5olulc7yvkyeg/072409WhatWeAreFor1Pager.pdf

Wallace Stuart

Yes, I am happy with the government-run insurance coverage I have from Medicare. However, I am concerned about much more than about my current coverage. American people with and without insurance (private and government-run) are not well served by the current system. Small Business Nation USA should stop running ads on TV which are sensational and use an emotional appeal to mobilize support against leading legislation in Washington. Lead us, instead, with intelligent advocacy for health care reform that is better than what Congress is now considering.

David Weed

Yes, but I have a good job. People without solid employment, especially the working poor, cannot and do not get preventative care and can be financially devastated by medical problems. The anti-tax, anti-big government forces are controlling the conversation about health care, so everyone seems to be ignoring the fact that the consequence of continuing to do nothing about health insurance in the United States leads to unnecessary suffering by and death of real American citizens.

cara munson

yes, i am very happy with my insurance. my boss is amazing and pays for the whole thing. It can be costly but feel everyone deserves and needs it.

Carol Hearn

Can you get medical health by becoming a member this US Chamber of Commerce? Looking for an plan for me and my family, I am a Realtor in Texas and coverage is costly. any help would be great

Jessica Carlson

Yes, and I definitely wouldn't want any other type of plan.

Ryan Reynolds

Yes, very much so.