Insurers, But Evidently No One Else, Happy with Baucus Health Care Plan

When all is said and done, the best health insurance plan, I always say, is "Don't get sick." But short of that we need to find the best way to insure the greatest number of people at the least cost.Our nation is now immersed in a difficult debate as to how that might come about. The plan released yesterday (Wednesday, Sept. 16) by Senator Max Baucus (D-Mont.), chairman of the Senate Finance Committee has been criticized by both political parties but got a thumbs up from America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP, Washington, D.C.). Of course if the insurance industry likes a plan it is certain that many other groups and analysts will not. In the meantime, here is the statement from AHIP president and CEO Karen Ignagni that was released shortly after Baucus's presentation:

"Senator Max Baucus has led an unprecedented and rigorous bipartisan process to enact health care reform this year and challenged all stakeholders to contribute to this process. The introduction of legislation in the Finance Committee is a very important step in the health care reform process.

"Health plans have stepped up and proposed robust insurance market reforms to ensure nobody falls through the cracks and a complete overhaul of administrative processes that will improve efficiency, reduce paperwork, and free up time for doctors to focus on patient care. We also advocated and support a new reinsurance mechanism to assist in the transition to new market rules.

"We are committed to working with policymakers and stakeholders to find savings in the Medicare program, including Medicare Advantage, but it is important to ensure seniors' health care choices are protected.

"New health insurance reforms and consumer protections will guarantee access for all Americans without the need for a new untested government-created co-op that could disrupt the quality coverage on which millions of Americans rely today. We believe there is an opportunity for additional system-wide cost containment to ensure coverage is more affordable and to put our health care system on a sustainable and fiscally responsible path. New taxes on health care coverage will have the opposite effect by making coverage less affordable for families and employers across the country.

"As the process progresses, health plans will continue working with members of Congress to enact bipartisan legislation this year that will cover all Americans, make coverage more affordable, and improve quality."

The debate continues -- hopefully going forward in a more serious and helpful spirit of cooperation.

Katherine Burger is Editorial Director of Bank Systems & Technology and Insurance & Technology, members of UBM TechWeb's InformationWeek Financial Services. She assumed leadership of Bank Systems & Technology in 2003 and of Insurance & Technology in 1991. In addition to ... View Full Bio