Wisconsin for Healthcare Reform

This comes from the Wisconsin Democratic Party:

Why we need reform:

Over 46 million Americans have no medical coverage at all, millions more are under-insured or fear losing coverage. If we continue on our current path health care costs will continue to soar and within the next decade one out of every five dollars will be spent on health care.

This is unacceptable, the system is broken and we cannot postpone meaningful reform any longer.

What's in it for you:

Everyone will benefit from eight protections that will ensure stability and security for families across the country.

1) Coverage Regardless of Pre-Existing Conditions
Insurance companies will be prohibited from refusing coverage because of medical history.

2)An end to Exorbitant Out-of-Pocket Expenses, Deductibles or Co-Pays
Insurance companies will have to abide by yearly caps on how much they can charge for out-of-pocket expenses.

3)Full Coverage for Preventive Care
Insurance companies must fully cover - without charge - regular checkups and tests that help prevent illness, including mammograms or eye and foot exams for diabetics.

4)No Dropped Coverage for Seriously Ill
Insurance companies will be prohibited from dropping or lessening coverage for people who become seriously ill.

5)No Gender Discrimination
Insurance companies will be prohibited from charging people more because of their gender.

6)No Annual or Lifetime Caps on Coverage
Insurance companies will be prevented from placing annual or lifetime caps on the coverage people receive.

7)Extended Coverage for Young Adults
Children will be eligible for family coverage through the age of 26.

8)Guaranteed Insurance Renewal
Insurance companies will be required to renew a policy as long as the policyholder pays their premium in full.

Insurance companies won’t be allowed to refuse renewal if someone becomes sick.

Your choice of doctors and plans will be protected, those that are happy with their current coverage can keep it or choose a new plan - including a public option.

How to pay for it:

President Obama knows covering more Americans will not be cheap, but he has promised that health care reform will not add to our deficits over the next decade, and will reduce it in the long term. Hundred of billions of dollars worth of savings and efficiencies have already been identified which will cover about two-thirds of reform. The other third will be paid for by raising revenue and Congress is currently debating the best way to do this.

The President has already formed a coalition, unlike anything that has ever existed before - hospitals, doctors, nurses and pharmaceutical companies have all agreed the status quo is unsustainable and are committed to bringing health care costs down.

Fact Sheets:

Download our Fact Sheets on health care reform and share them with friends, family and anyone that wants to learn more about what real reform looks like. (All are PDFs)

Download the Health Care Reform Overview Fact Sheet

Download the Health Care Reform and Medicare Fact vs. Fiction

How Health Care Reform Will Benefit Senior Citizens

How Health Care Reform Will Benefit Rural Americans

How Health Care Reform Will Benefit Small Businesses


Take Action:

Call, email or fax Wisconsin's Congressional Republicans and let them know it's time to stop obstructing health care reform and begin working to improve the lives of the millions of under and uninsured Americans.

* Representative Paul Ryan. (1st Congressional District)
o 202-225-3031 (Phone) 202-225-3393 (Fax)

* Representative F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr. (5th Congressional District)
o 202-225-5101 (Phone) 202-225-3190 (Fax)

* Representative Tom Petri (6th Congressional District)
o 202-225-2476 (Phone) 202-225-2356 (Fax)

Download a one-page handout with contact information for Wisconsin's entire Congressional delegation.