Benemax

Democracy…a novel concept. Since ancient Athens the idea of popular rule has flickered on and off across the global political landscape. But the current Health Care Reform debate is a great advertisement for self-government: the American people are WAY AHEAD of their political leaders when it comes to understanding the current health care crisis and supporting policies that would actually make things better.

For example, recent Rassmussed polling shows:

(1) 74% favor rules that would prevent insurance carriers from denying coverage based on pre-exisiting conditions. This is the single reform that is most urgently needed…and the people overwhelmingly agree.

(2) 57% favor increased subsidies to help lower-income people buy health insurance.

(3) 57% favor tort reform, a key element in any possible solution but an element entirely absent from the bills currently pending in Congress.

(4) On the other hand, less than 50% of the people favor either the individual or the employer mandate.

(5) Finally, and most perceptively, only 24% think that people should be prohibited from buying low premium/high deductible health plans. Such a prohibition is a key feature in pending legislation but it enjoys almost no support among the American public.

All in all, what people are saying is that increased competition, more personal choice and responsibility, a stronger safety net and a level regulatory playing field are the keys to expanding coverage and holding down costs. We couldn’t have said it better ourselves!