Universal Private Health Insurance?

Nashville’s own Congressman Jim Cooper (D-TN) is stepping up to the plate on the healthcare debate.  He’s one of 18 bi-partisan sponsors of the Healthy Americans Act, officially introduced in the House last week.

Normally when a Blue Dog conservative like Cooper signs up with a bunch of Republicans on allegedly bi-partisan legislation, that’s a pretty big red flag.  On the other hand, GOP golden boy John McDole hates it -- and on healthcare, that’s a very good sign.

The Healthy Americans Act is something Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Sen. Bob Bennett (R-UT) have been kicking around since 2006.  “The result -- as Wyden cheerfully acknowledges -- would be to blow up the existing health insurance system,” reports the Washington Post.  Okay, now we’re talking.

Under the Bill, the government would automatically take a small chunk out of your paycheck every week like Social Security.  But unlike Social Security, health insurance would remain privatized. You’d get to pick a private plan, which the government would use that money to pay for.

Private insurance.  Universal coverage.

What’s the cost?  If you make more than $40,000, you’ll pay a little more – about $7 per month on average.  If you make over $50,000 it goes up about $25 per month or more.  However, no one can be turned down for any reason.  And it costs the same for everyone, no matter what your age or medical situation.

Another benefit: your health insurance plan is completely unrelated to your employer, so you don’t have to change plans when you change jobs – and you’re not at risk of losing your health insurance if you’re unemployed.

Is this the perfect solution?  No.  Is it a thousand times better than what we have?  Yes.

I can get behind this plan. 

McDole can’t.  Another reason to make sure the Democrats win the White House this year.

- Calvin Rye