From the State President

An aggressive agenda to scrap and remake America's healthcare system is being planned in Washington right now. It could have a substantial affect on our lives, both as taxpayers and as health insurance brokers.

President Obama and members of Congress are holding discussions about establishing a public health care system, which would compete directly with the private insurance market in all 50 states.

As health insurance brokers, we work with small business owners every day and are aware that increases in health insurance premiums hit New Jersey businesses especially hard in this economy. But the best way to keep health insurance costs down is to keep the cost of healthcare down. A public health insurance plan is not the answer.

A public plan would reimburse providers at lower rates. Currently, Medicare merely reimburses providers based on what the government is willing to pay for any given procedure. The shortfall in cost is passed on to private insurers.

What I have learned as a health insurance broker is that unequal competition does not work in this industry. Innovation and quality drive success. Over time, having a public plan square off against private insurance will lead to limited selection and further America's health care crisis.

Please join us in working to craft healthcare reform that does not include a public plan which will cost taxpayers billions of dollars, jeopardize the top-notch healthcare that Americans are accustomed to and put our livelihoods at risk.

Sincerely,
Rick Wheeler
President of the NJAHU