CA members support limited public health plan for small businesses and self-employed Americans

Based on a recent survey, more than 76 percent of the members of Communicating for America (CA) support some form of a public health care plan as a component of any health care reform legislation now being considered in Congress. Two-thirds of those in favor of a public plan back a plan that competes with the private market on a level playing field and is available to the self-employed and employees of small businesses. Approximately 22 percent of those surveyed said the government should have a very limited role in the health care system and there should be no public plan.

The survey also found that more than half (56 percent) of the respondents were opposed to an individual mandate requiring all Americans to carry health insurance. Many of the respondents expressed concerns over a mandate for individuals to be covered without affordable options for those individuals.

“I would only support requiring health insurance for all if there was an affordable plan available to those of us that self pay insurance. My husband and I have struggled greatly to get health insurance that is affordable. I am still unable to get permanent insurance because of prior medical conditions. It makes for a scary existence,” one respondent stated.

“An individual mandate does not make sense if people cannot afford insurance. As a prior small business owner who had to shut down her business do to the economy and escalating costs, how can you burden small business with anymore costs? There just has to be a better way,” another added.

The survey also showed that CA members were split 50-50 on whether or not taxing a portion of an employer’s contribution to employee health insurance should be considered as a possible means of financing health care reform.

“Based on our meetings in Washington, DC, the results of our survey, in many ways, mirror the debate in Congress over a final health care reform bill,” said Wayne Nelson, president of CA. “Our members support a limited public plan that offers an affordable option for self-employed individuals and small businesses, but feel that a public plan should compete with private insurers to ensure that Americans have a choice in what plan is best for their family. Also, while our members are somewhat reluctant to accept an individual mandate, if that mandate is combined with affordable options and refundable tax credits to help pay for insurance, it becomes much more palatable.”

“CA has been a strong advocate for individuals and families without access to health care for more than three decades,” Nelson continued. “In a recent white paper we suggested components of health care reform should include requiring Americans to have health insurance that provides a minimum set of benefits, 100 percent tax deductions for all Americans paying their own health insurance premiums, better access to health-related information, and affordable and accessible insurance through a the combination of a strong private health insurance market and a new public plan.”

Another common concern voiced by respondents was that too many Americans are denied coverage because of pre-existing medical conditions. “I am retired, 62 yrs old and without health insurance due to pre-existing conditions. The mandate to have health care only works if health care is universally available at affordable costs,” said one member. “Pre-existing conditions must be covered. Ill people must be able to get insurance,” another member added.

Communicating for America is a 36-year-old non-partisan and non-profit national association made up of farmers and small businesses all across rural America. For more information on CA, visit the Web site at www.communicatingforamerica.org.

Communicating for America Health Care Survey Results

Which of the following viewpoints do you most agree with concerning the current debate in Congress over health care reform?

A. I agree with the position that the government should play a strong role in our health care system and that a "public plan" styled after Medicare should be a central component to any health care reform.

B. I agree with the position that the government should have a very limited role in our health care system and that there should be no "public plan".

C. I agree with the position that a "public plan" that competes with the private market should be available to self-employed and employees of small businesses, offering an affordable option to those who cannot afford private insurance.

According to a recent Families USA report, the average U.S. family paid an additional $1,017 in health care premiums in 2008 to pay for care of the uninsured. Some members of Congress are advocating an individual mandate requiring all Americans to carry health insurance in an attempt to reduce this cost sharing. Do you support an individual mandate?

Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle have expressed a willingness to look at taxing a portion of employer's contributions to employee health insurance. Many feel this option is the only way to pay for health care reform. Would you support reducing the tax exclusion on employer sponsored health benefits as part of a broader reform bill that would improve the quality and make health care more accessible and affordable to all Americans?