Politicians and pundits are opining about the Senate's approval of health reform legislation Thursday morning. Depending on your political slant, the bill is somewhere between a forward step toward improving healthcare and an expensive plan that will lead to more government intrusion.
But what do health leaders think of the final bill? Here are comments from five health stakeholders:
J. James Rohack, MD
President
American Medical Association
"The Senate bill will improve choice and access to affordable health insurance coverage and eliminate denials based on pre-existing conditions. It will increase coverage for preventive and wellness care that can lead to better disease prevention and management, and further the development of comparative effectiveness research that can help patients and physicians make informed treatment decisions. Patients will no longer face lifetime limits on health coverage or higher premiums based on medical conditions or gender.
"While this vote closes one chapter of the legislative process, the hard work is not yet done. The AMA will stay constructively engaged throughout the House and Senate conference process to continue to improve the final bill and assure the best outcome for patients and physicians.
"Important issues that need to be resolved in the House-Senate conference committee include the scope, authority, accountability, and transparency of a payment advisory board. The details of several cost control and quality improvement initiatives also need to be refined so that they do not have unintended consequences for patients and physicians.
"Separate action is needed early next year to permanently repeal the current Medicare physician payment formula to preserve access to care for America's seniors, baby boomers, and military families by creating a stable physician payment system."
Rebecca M. Patton, MSN, RN, CNOR
President
American Nurses Association
"This is a victory for advocates of meaningful healthcare reform. We are poised to see the most significant piece of legislation passed in a generation; legislation that ensures millions of Americans receive coverage, strengthens the nation's preventive and wellness care, and addresses critical shortages in the healthcare workforce."
Karen Ignagni
President and CEO
America's Health Insurance Plans
"Providing all Americans with healthcare coverage is crucial for the country. Health plans support legislative changes that would provide guaranteed access to all Americans, with no pre-existing condition limitations and no health-status-based premiums. These reforms are essential to giving all Americans greater peace of mind and health security.
"At the same time, specific provisions in this legislation will increase, rather than decrease, healthcare costs; reduce coverage options; and disrupt existing coverage for families, seniors, and small businesses—particularly between now and when the legislation is fully implemented in 2014.
"These issues can and should be addressed if healthcare reform is going to fulfill the promise of providing all Americans with guaranteed access to affordable, portable health care coverage."
Ken Johnson
Senior Vice President
Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America
"We applaud the Senate for taking an important and historic step toward expanding high-quality, affordable healthcare coverage and services to tens of millions of Americans, many of whom are struggling today financially. While considerable work remains to be done in reconciling differences between the Senate and House bills, we remain convinced that comprehensive healthcare reform, if done in a smart way, will benefit patients, our economy and the future of our nation.
"Most importantly, the Senate bill recognizes the importance of medical progress in America. Innovative, cutting-edge medicines have dramatically increased life expectancy rates in the United States and have allowed patients with cancer, heart disease, diabetes and other devastating chronic diseases to live longer, healthier, and more productive lives. We strongly believe that everyone in America should benefit from promising new advances in medical care…
"Our commitment to comprehensive healthcare reform is evident by our $80 billion pledge to reduce healthcare costs over 10 years. To that end, our companies agreed back in June to help most eligible seniors and disabled Americans who hit the so-called 'donut hole' in Medicare Part D cut their out-of-pocket expenses on brand-name medications in half as part of the Senate's healthcare reform legislation. The remainder of our commitment will help the government expand healthcare coverage to millions of Americans."
A. Barry Rand
CEO
AARP
"The bill passed by the Senate makes needed progress to prevent coverage denials due to health status and limit insurance companies from charging older Americans much more for coverage because of their age. It also begins to close the dangerous gap in Medicare drug coverage known as the doughnut hole, and Senate leaders have committed that a final bill will close the gap entirely by 2019, in keeping with the President's pledge.
"In addition, the Senate bill adds important new Medicare benefits, like free preventive care, and encourages states to provide more home and community-based long-term care services and supports instead of costlier institutional care."