Her main complaint? Health coverage is too expensive. Seriously!
Snowe said that lawmakers cannot expect people to comply with a federal mandate to buy health insurance if affordable plans are not available.“The affordability question is crucial,” said Snowe. “It’s a central component, because at the end of the day people have high expectations they will have access to affordable health insurance.”
Snowe is right to be concerned about insurance costs. Premiums are already going up far faster than inflation, and a new employer survey released this morning says that employers will have to dramatically increase employee costs:
Forty percent of employers surveyed said they are likely to increase the amount their workers pay out of pocket for doctor visits. Almost as many said they are likely to raise annual deductibles and the amount workers pay for prescription drugs.
Nine percent said they plan to tighten eligibility for health benefits; 8 percent said they plan to drop coverage entirely. Forty-one percent of employers said they are “somewhat” or “very” likely to increase the amount employees pay in premiums — though that would not necessarily mean employees would pay a higher percentage of the premiums.
If only there was a cheaper alternative available. A way to bring down costs. for everybody from the customer to the taxpayer. You know, something like, maybe… A PUBLIC OPTION?!
Adding: I’m raising $500 for some investigative journalism. Click here to help!
