AZ’s Member of Obama Panel Rejects Medicare-style National Health Plan
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June 11, 2009
Phoenix, AZ - Assistant House Democratic leader Kyrsten Sinema is one of 32 state lawmakers recently selected to help President Obama craft his health care reform plan. Sinema says she'll carry the message that Arizonans like having choices in their health plans, and aren't keen on health care reform that would create Medicare-style national health insurance.
"I don’t think that would fly in Arizona. We’re not a single-payer kind of a state. We really value individuality and freedom of choice."
However, Sinema would favor a national health plan as an additional choice for consumers who can't afford plans through work or the private market, or who have been rejected by insurers because of pre-existing conditions, like diabetes.
Her biggest concern involves the increasing deductibles and co-pays, along with shrinking coverage for Arizona working families who already have insurance.
"Small businesses, individuals and families are just being crushed by the weight of this. The idea behind this program is to establish a system where everybody receives, at minimum, a decent standard of care, and that those who like their current plan can stay with it if they want."
Polling shows Arizonans want all children to have health coverage, as well as people for whom insurance is either unavailable or unaffordable, adds Sinema.
"We know that Arizonans believe that people with pre-existing health conditions should have the same right and ability to get access to affordable health care as other individuals. That’s a growing issue in Arizona."
Under the Obama plan, nobody should have to pay more for health care than they are paying now, she adds, and many could pay less. Sinema will host a statewide series of public forums this summer to get input on the specific health needs and concerns of Arizonans. An Obama spokeswoman says the President is committed to enacting health care reform this year.