Op-Ed: Moving Forward On Health Care

Op-Ed

Moving Forward On Health Care

Letter to the Editor of the St. Petersburg Times

September 11, 2009

Re: Obama sets details; now it's time to act | Sept. 10, St. Petersburg Times editorial

You were right to commend President Barack Obama for providing some clear answers in his speech Wednesday night about his views on health care reform — and, to call on Congress to get back to work on the issue.

I found it interesting that what the president described is pretty close to the draft of a bill I'm helping prepare as a member of the Senate Finance Committee. That legislation is due to be unveiled next week.

In essence, it will let folks happy with their insurance keep it. But it also will create an exchange, a marketplace, where those without coverage, or those who are unhappy with what they have, can get it at an affordable price.

The bill also will hold insurers' feet to the fire by requiring them to cover everyone and preventing them from dropping someone if they get sick. Additionally, it will contain several measures aimed at reducing overall medical and prescription drug costs and eliminating waste and fraud in the system.

I still intend to offer several significant amendments to the legislation, which, among other things, will help pay for the improvements and expansion of health care reforms. One of my amendments would require drugmakers to provide rebates to Medicare, just like they do to Medicaid. This would save Medicare a ton of money. Further, by eliminating the tax break drugmakers get for TV advertising, we would see another $37 billion over the next years to pay for health care.

The St. Petersburg Times is to be commended for recognizing the president's contribution, and for calling on Congress to take action.

Bill Nelson, U.S. senator, Washington, D.C.

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