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For Immediate Release
February 11, 2008 |
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LANGEVIN, SHAYS UNVEIL
UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE PLAN
WARWICK, R.I. – Congressmen Jim Langevin (RI-2) and Christopher
Shays (CT-4) announced today their legislative proposal to reform
the nation’s health care system. The American Health Benefits
Program (AHBP) Act, based on the existing Federal Employees
Health Benefits Program, would offer affordable health coverage
to all Americans.
“My vision is that all Americans will one day have access
to the same level of care as Members of Congress,” said
Langevin. “The time has long passed to open a dialogue
on reforming the nation’s health care system. Such constructive,
bipartisan conversations will require a great deal of time,
study, and work by many parties, but I am confident it can be
done. This proposal introduces a viable concept and leaves room
for further discussion.”
“Cost and access to health care remains among the top
concerns of residents of the Fourth District," said Shays.
"In addition, the cost of providing health care to employees
is a growing a matter of competitiveness to American employers
because many of their worldwide competitors have health care
systems that limit costs through a national payer system. Our
health care plan will extend the benefits federal employees
receive to the rest of our constituents, while maintaining the
private health plans that many Americans enjoy today.”
AHBP is a proposed system of managed competition, which recognizes
that any successful health insurance program must be based on
three principles:
· Choice - A system of managed competition
that encourages private insurance companies to develop a range
of health care packages based on quality, efficiency, service
and price.
· Shared Responsibility - Individuals,
health care providers, the business community, and the government
all have key roles to play in providing meaningful reforms to
America’s ailing health care system.
· Affordability - By spending health
care dollars more efficiently, we can make coverage affordable
for all.
AHBP mirrors the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program,
which is a successful template that insures over 8 million federal
employees, retirees and their dependents. AHBP would leverage
the negotiating power of the Federal government to extend a
range of affordable health coverage options through private
insurance carriers to every American. Americans not covered
by Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE/CHAMPUS, Indian Health Services,
or Veterans programs will be able to choose a health care package
through AHBP or an equivalent employer-sponsored plan.
The total cost of the bill will be evaluated by the Joint Committee
on Taxation and the Congressional Budget Office. However, coverage
costs will be primarily paid through a trust fund financed by
a payroll tax. The Federal Government will pay 72 percent of
the total premium. Individuals will be responsible for 28 percent
of their premium, with low income individuals eligible for a
sliding scale subsidy.
AHBP is designed to be a system of portable, continuous coverage
that is not tied to an individual’s employment. Once in
the system, enrollees will be better able to receive long-term,
preventative care from a doctor of their choice.
Link to AHBP Charts
Link to AHBP White
Paper
Link to AHBP
Short Summary
Link to
AHBP Guiding Principles
Link to AHBP Payroll
Handout
Link to
AHBP Commission Handout
Link to
Federal Employee Benefit Table
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Contact: Dave Natonski , 202/225-5541
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