TN Group: Areas of Agreement Found in Health Reform Legislation
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March 18, 2010
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Health care reform was first proposed by President Teddy Roosevelt almost 100 years ago. Later this week, a Congressional vote is expected that could overhaul insurance coverage, rein in Medicare costs and help small businesses provide coverage.
Tennessee Health Care Campaign executive director Tony Garr says people who support reform are being drowned out by those who don't.
"It appears that we do have an enthusiasm gap, that the opposition is much more passionate than those in support. For that reason we really do have to turn up our passion, our enthusiasm button."
Opponents say the bill would be too costly and invites government interference in health care decisions. But many aspects of the legislation have earned a lot of popular support, Garr says, such as stopping insurance companies from denying coverage for pre-existing conditions, strengthening Medicare and closing the "donut hole" in drug-benefit plans for seniors.
Garr points out that a recent Kaiser Family Foundation poll shows people are in favor of changes to insurance coverage and efforts to make medical insurance more affordable.
"If you ask 'Are you in support of insurance reform?' or 'Are you in support of trying to make if more affordable for folks and for small business?', then all of a sudden, rather than the 60 percent against, you have 70 percent for."
The Kaiser Family Foundation poll is available at www.kff.org.