Harry Reid Op Ed: Uninsured in Nevada is “morally wrong”
Reno Gazette Journal, 12/22/09 - There are many reasons that I’ve been working day and night to pass historic health insurance reform in the United States Senate. Some say that stopping the cruel practice of insurance companies dropping your coverage when you get sick is the number one reason for reform, so we’re doing that. Others have told me that we have to stop insurance companies from discriminating against those with preexisting conditions, and that’s in the bill as well. I have also gotten requests from many Nevadans to reduce the number of uninsured Americans, so we are no longer forced to pay for the uninsured through higher premiums and taxes. These were all good reasons that I have fought for health insurance reform in the Senate, but let me be clear, nothing has been more important to me than the simple fact that Nevada needs this bill more than almost any other state.
It’s no secret that while we’re beginning to dig our way out of this economic recession, times are still very tough in Nevada, and we have a long way to go. Our state has the 2nd highest rate of uninsured in the nation according to the Associated Press, and thousands of Nevada business are struggling with the costs of providing healthcare to their employees. I crafted this bill with Nevada’s uninsured, underinsured, seniors and small business owners at the forefront of my conscience.
One of the many ways this bill benefits Nevada is it provides affordable coverage for the more than 500,000 Nevadans who lack health insurance, and tax credits for 300,000 Nevadans to help them purchase coverage. I can’t stress enough the importance of this part of the bill. As I mentioned, our state has the 2nd highest rate of uninsured in the country. Not only is this morally wrong, but it drives up the cost of premiums for those of us who do have insurance.
Another way this bill benefits Nevada is by making our most vulnerable citizens eligible for Medicaid and extending Nevada Check-Up for an additional two years. Under the bill, our state will receive three years of full funding for the expansion of Medicaid to new groups. As the national economy suffered under the Bush years, our state’s economy has gotten into some trouble. This Medicaid funding will ensure that our state budget doesn’t go broke while providing the services that those who need Medicaid will depend on.
This bill also saves and strengthens Medicare, especially in Nevada. We are a small state, yet we have 328,000 Medicare beneficiaries. Under this bill they will receive lower premiums and lower prescription drug costs. In fact, this bill extends the solvency of Medicare by almost a decade. We also provide tax credits to 24,000 Nevada small business which will allow them to provide their employees healthcare, without worrying about how to remain competitive.
As this process moves closer to the finish line, let there be no doubt that Nevada is a state that desperately needs health insurance reform. I’ve worked day and night to ensure that this bill saves lives, saves money, and saves Medicare for all Nevadans. The benefits I discussed here are just a few of the many ways that Nevada’s health insurance system will improve tremendously, and while I’m thrilled this bill has won the support of The American Heart Association, The American Diabetes Association, The American Hospital Association, the Federation of American Hospitals, the American Medical Association, the AARP, and the American Cancer Society; it was the thousands of Nevadans who called my office, wrote me letters, and spoke to me on the phone and in person, demanding we fix our broken system, that weighed most heavily on my mind during this process.
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Harry Reid Op Ed: Uninsured in Nevada is “morally wrong”
Reno Gazette Journal, 12/22/09 - There are many reasons that I’ve been working day and night to pass historic health insurance reform in the United States Senate. Some say that stopping the cruel practice of insurance companies dropping your coverage when you get sick is the number one reason for reform, so we’re doing that. Others have told me that we have to stop insurance companies from discriminating against those with preexisting conditions, and that’s in the bill as well. I have also gotten requests from many Nevadans to reduce the number of uninsured Americans, so we are no longer forced to pay for the uninsured through higher premiums and taxes. These were all good reasons that I have fought for health insurance reform in the Senate, but let me be clear, nothing has been more important to me than the simple fact that Nevada needs this bill more than almost any other state.
It’s no secret that while we’re beginning to dig our way out of this economic recession, times are still very tough in Nevada, and we have a long way to go. Our state has the 2nd highest rate of uninsured in the nation according to the Associated Press, and thousands of Nevada business are struggling with the costs of providing healthcare to their employees. I crafted this bill with Nevada’s uninsured, underinsured, seniors and small business owners at the forefront of my conscience.
One of the many ways this bill benefits Nevada is it provides affordable coverage for the more than 500,000 Nevadans who lack health insurance, and tax credits for 300,000 Nevadans to help them purchase coverage. I can’t stress enough the importance of this part of the bill. As I mentioned, our state has the 2nd highest rate of uninsured in the country. Not only is this morally wrong, but it drives up the cost of premiums for those of us who do have insurance.
Another way this bill benefits Nevada is by making our most vulnerable citizens eligible for Medicaid and extending Nevada Check-Up for an additional two years. Under the bill, our state will receive three years of full funding for the expansion of Medicaid to new groups. As the national economy suffered under the Bush years, our state’s economy has gotten into some trouble. This Medicaid funding will ensure that our state budget doesn’t go broke while providing the services that those who need Medicaid will depend on.
This bill also saves and strengthens Medicare, especially in Nevada. We are a small state, yet we have 328,000 Medicare beneficiaries. Under this bill they will receive lower premiums and lower prescription drug costs. In fact, this bill extends the solvency of Medicare by almost a decade. We also provide tax credits to 24,000 Nevada small business which will allow them to provide their employees healthcare, without worrying about how to remain competitive.
As this process moves closer to the finish line, let there be no doubt that Nevada is a state that desperately needs health insurance reform. I’ve worked day and night to ensure that this bill saves lives, saves money, and saves Medicare for all Nevadans. The benefits I discussed here are just a few of the many ways that Nevada’s health insurance system will improve tremendously, and while I’m thrilled this bill has won the support of The American Heart Association, The American Diabetes Association, The American Hospital Association, the Federation of American Hospitals, the American Medical Association, the AARP, and the American Cancer Society; it was the thousands of Nevadans who called my office, wrote me letters, and spoke to me on the phone and in person, demanding we fix our broken system, that weighed most heavily on my mind during this process.
Read the whole article >>
