| Like their party leaders, Nebraska's Republican Congressmen continue to offer no real solutions - nor even constructive debate - on fixing our country's growing health care crisis. Sadly, we can almost be certain they will vote the party line and oppose whatever plan is ultimately put forward by the Democratic majority.
But, this isn't about politics. This is about people - real people who can no longer afford the crushing costs of a broken health care system and may already be unable to provide health insurance for their families. It's these people who are at the heart of House Democrats' reform efforts as their health care legislation - H.R. 3200, America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 - continues its long march to a floor vote.
That vote may still be a while off. Until then, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce has provided an important analysis of the scope of the health care crisis and the impact of H.R. 3200 in each Congressional district. Here are the figures provided for Nebraska:
Nebraska's 1st Congressional District(Rep. Jeff Fortenberry)
* In 2008, there were 1,000 health care-related bankruptcies
* In 2008, there was $98 million worth of uncompensated care by health care providers
* There are currently 62,000 uninsured individuals - 10% of the district's population. This is significantly more than the combined population of its 2nd and 3rd largest cities (Fremont and Norfolk, respectively).
With passage of H.R. 3200:
*44,000 people will receive coverage who currently do not have health insurance
*14,700 small businesses will qualify for tax credits up to 50% of the costs of providing health insurance for their employees
*10,600 senior citizens would see immediate relief up to 50% off the costs of their prescription drugs
*Only the wealthiest 1,820 households will pay the new health care surtax - 99.3% of taxpayers will not be affected
Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District(Rep. Lee Terry)
* In 2008, there were 1,200 health care-related bankruptcies
* In 2008, there was $64 million worth of uncompensated care by health care providers
* There are currently 72,000 uninsured individuals - 12% of the district's population. This is significantly more than the population of its 2nd largest city (Bellevue).
With passage of H.R. 3200:
*54,000 people will receive coverage who currently do not have health insurance
*14,700 small businesses will qualify for tax credits up to 50% of the costs of providing health insurance for their employees
*7,300 senior citizens would see immediate relief up to 50% off the costs of their prescription drugs
*Only the wealthiest 3,400 households will pay the new health care surtax - 98.8% of taxpayers will not be affected
Nebraska's 3rd Congressional District(Rep. Adrian Smith)
* In 2008, there were 800 health care-related bankruptcies
* In 2008, there was $179 million worth of uncompensated care by health care providers
* There are currently 85,000 uninsured individuals - 15% of the district's population. This is significantly more than the combined population of its two largest citites (Grand Island and Kearney).
With passage of H.R. 3200:
*69,000 people will receive coverage who currently do not have health insurance
*16,800 small businesses will qualify for tax credits up to 50% of the costs of providing health insurance for their employees
*13,600 senior citizens would see immediate relief up to 50% off the costs of their prescription drugs
*Only the wealthiest 1,120 households will pay the new health care surtax - 99.6% of taxpayers will not be affected
It's also important to note that, under H.R. 3200, uncompensated care will be virtually eliminated, while out-of-pocket health care costs are capped at $10,000 per year. This will prevent costs being passed onto consumers while ensuring that no citizen has to face financial ruin because of the crushing burden of health care.
These are figures to which Jeff Fortenberry, Lee Terry, and Adrian Smith can not turn a blind eye. But, we can be certain they're damn well going to try. Democrats in the House are putting forward a real plan for reform that would have real benefits for the people of Nebraska. That's more than we have seen or can expect to see from our own Congressmen - whose easy votes of "No" are the best they can do and all they really have to offer. |
