US President Barack Obama wants to reform healthcare to balance out the huge differences between those who can afford health insurance and those who cannot.
He also wants to reduce the rapidly escalating costs to US citizens, which in some cases have risen three times faster than wage increases over the last nine years.
The United States spends nearly twice the average of other developed nations on healthcare… each person spends more on healthcare than on housing or food.
So, Obama has stated that he wants to “assure high-quality, affordable health care for all Americans.”
Here are the key points of his plan…
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For those without health insurance :
- People would get access to more affordable plans, with small businesses encouraged to provide cover for their employees.
- Tax credits would be given to individuals and small businesses to help them afford cover.
- Those who really can't afford insurance would be covered by a public health insurance option.
For those with health insurance :
- There will be an end to discrimination for people with pre-existing conditions, and the risk of insurance companies dropping cover when people become ill.
- Out-of-pocket expenses and extra charges will be capped or eliminated, so people don't end up with huge extra bills on top of their insurance.
- Premiums will be kept down, in part by an overhaul of unnecessary costs in the healthcare system and through investment in health education and preventative medicine.
Essentially, anyone who can afford insurance will have to have it, with large employers arranging cover for their employees, while everyone else will be assured cover through public health insurance.
Find out more on the American Government's dedicated healthcare reform website.
