Having more choices is always better than having fewer choices. Everyone knows that. Right?
Some politicians are proposing a government-controlled health insurance system called the “public option,” and claiming it will just be a new health insurance choice for everyone. But the public option will ultimately lead to FEWER health care choices for American families.
“Story” video details how the public option could require a new $2,500 a year payroll tax increase on the average American worker – even if they like their current coverage and care. Worst of all, “Story” highlights how the public option could eventually force all Americans into a one-size-fits-all government health insurance system, leaving us with only one coverage option. Let’s build on what’s working where private coverage, Medicare and Medicaid work together – not start over with a government-controlled health insurance system like the public option. Get the whole story here.
Here’s how:
A public option could be funded by tax dollars, used to keep insurance premiums low for those who choose the public option. Sounds good so far. But that creates unintended consequences.
Fewer Coverage Choices
When the public option offers lower prices subsidized by higher taxes of private premiums, families are going to stop purchasing the more expensive private options. Eventually, most or all of the private plans could be forced out of business, leaving the one-size-fits-all, government-controlled public option as the only option.
Higher Taxes and Private Premiums
Taxpayers and Americans with private coverage could underwrite any government-funded public option. That means you’re going to help pay for the public option through higher taxes or private premiums, whether you use the public option or not. And the more people choose the public option, the more tax and private premium dollars will be needed to pay for it. The eventual cost of this program will be greater than Medicare, which is already at risk.
Fewer Hospital Choices
A public option will keep costs artificially low, in part by forcing hospitals to take less money for their services. The problem: most hospitals American families depend on are already working on tight margins. This would force many hospitals to close, and the families that rely on them would need to travel farther from home to get quality care.
More than 130,000
More than 130,000 Americans would be forced off their existing health plans as private insurers exit the marketplaces within a year of the introduction of a public option. Within less than a decade, 20% of state marketplaces would no longer offer even a single private insurance option.
“Assessing the Impact of a Public Option on Market Stability and Consumer Choice”
Third-Most Expensive
The public option would eventually become the third-most expensive government program, behind only Medicare and Social Security, both of which are at risk for the seniors who rely on them.
20 Percent
Under the public option, 20 percent of state marketplaces would not offer a single private insurance option within a decade
“Assessing the Impact of a Public Option on Market Stability and Consumer Choice”
$800 Billion
A public option could add over $800 billion to the 10 year federal deficit, with dramatically larger losses in subsequent years.
Tax Increases
A public option could require tax increases on most Americans, including middle-income families.
A “Two-Tier” Health System
A public option could create a “two-tier” health system where employer-based insurance provides access to a different set of hospitals or services than others.
“Assessing the Impact of a Public Option on Market Stability and Consumer Choice”
$2,500
The public option could result in a $2,500/year payroll tax increase on the average worker.
Disrupt and Eliminate
The public option could disrupt and eliminate private plans in the individual market.
“Assessing the Impact of a Public Option on Market Stability and Consumer Choice”
So how do we fix the problems in our current health care system? How do we make health care more affordable and accessible to everyone?
We do it by putting patients over politics.
We do it by embracing the very best ideas from policymakers, medical experts, employers, and patients.
We do it by building on and improving what’s working where private coverage, Medicare, and Medicaid work together.
We don’t do it by supporting a public option proposal that’s designed to become a one-size-fits-all, government health insurance system. Because when we all work together as Americans, we are unstoppable.