What is the Public Option?
The U.S. Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 is a bill in the U.S. Congress that's being promoted as a way to reduce the cost of health insurance premiums, provide health care choices and make health care affordable to millions more Americans. One section included in the act is the public option that was recommended by President Barack Obama.
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The Public Option
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The public option is a health care plan that would be offered by the U.S. government. The suggested health care plan would provide insurance to members of the public who are not already insured. This particular health care plan would be funded by its premiums. The public option is thought to be adequate enough to compete with private insurance carriers. Participating in the program is voluntary to insurance providers and they have the option to opt out.
Identification
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The public option is referred to by a couple of different names: public health insurance option and the public insurance option.
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Who's Excluded
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If you are in the military or a veteran, insured by your employer or old enough to receive Social Security, you are not eligible for the public option. If you are on Medicaid, a health insurance program funded by the federal government and individual states, you would not be eligible for the public option.
Features
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The public option would be required to have the same benefit requirements and follow the same laws that are required of private insurance companies. The premiums for the public option will vary according to region, but the cost must be affordable for participants. The Department of Health and Human Services would be responsible for running the public option.
A Baby Step
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On Oct. 14, 2009, the Senate Finance Committee approved legislation that requires everyone in the United States to be covered by health insurance. However, labor unions criticized the legislation for not having a health care plan that could compete with private insurance companies. In addition, insurance companies say the new regulation will cause premiums and other health-related expenses to go up in price.
Theories/Speculation
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More than 80 percent of doctors--members of the Union of American Physicians & Dentists--revealed in a survey that they support the public option.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Robert S. Donovan
