Letter from Kay Hagan

October 28, 2009
Dear Friend,

Thank you for contacting me regarding your concerns about health care reform. I greatly appreciate hearing your thoughts on these important issues.

Each year, costs associated with our current system increase. North Carolinians are struggling to afford insurance coverage, and the unprecedented economic crisis facing our nation has made it still more difficult for working families to manage medical costs while making ends meet. In North Carolina alone, the number of uninsured has risen to approximately 1.8 million, which represents 22 percent of the state's population.

The United States spends more per capita on health care than any other developed nation, over $2 trillion per year, yet this fact is not reflected in our health outcomes. A Commonwealth Fund report compared the American health care payment and service delivery system with that of six other developed nations. The report found the United States to have poorer health indicators and outcomes, as well as a more fragmented and unstable system with substantial delays, waste, and paperwork.

As you know, there are various opposing views within the health care reform debate, and I would like to address a few here. When crafting the Affordable Health Choices Act, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee bill, we went to great lengths to ensure that if you have a health insurance plan that you like, you can keep it. Moreover, no one will be required to participate in the Community Health Insurance Option, including individuals, employers, and health care providers.

I recognize that medical liability reform has the potential to reduce medical malpractice insurance premiums for health care providers and decrease defensive medicine practices. Accordingly, I am in favor of President Obama's plan to implement demonstration projects to evaluate medical liability models being used and implemented around the United States.

In addition, concern has been raised about illegal aliens being able to receive medical services under health care reform. The Affordable Health Choices Act defines an eligible individual as a citizen or lawfully admitted permanent resident of the United States. Illegal immigrants would be explicitly barred from receiving services under the legislation.

Also, some believe abortion services could be covered under health care reform. This is inaccurate, due to a long-standing federal law that includes a broad prohibition against using federal funds for abortion services. Health care reform would not change that prohibition, which is known as the Hyde Amendment.

Furthermore, it has come to my attention that some believe there would be rationing of health care services under health care reform. The Afforable Health Choices Act would not do anything to limit the ability of your doctor to pursue the course of care he or she believes is most appropriate for you. While the bill would fund research into the comparative effectiveness of various treatments, that information will simply serve as a tool for practioners to use as they see fit. The Affordable Health Choices Act specifically states that any recommendations made under health care reform shall not be construed as mandates for payment, coverage, or treatment of health services.

I will continue to work with my Senate colleagues and stakeholders throughout North Carolina to help pass pragmatic, comprehensive health care reform. For the most up-to-date information on health care reform, I encourage you to follow the Senate HELP and Finance Committee websites, found at www.help.senate.gov and www.finance.senate.gov. There you can find the draft legislation and proposals, bill summaries, press releases, amendments, and a variety of publications.
Again, thank you for contacting my office. It is truly an honor to represent North Carolina in the United States Senate, and I hope you will not hesitate to contact me in the future should you have any further questions or concerns.

Sincerely,



Kay R. Hagan

Please do not reply to this email. Instead, if you have further questions, please visit www.hagan.senate.gov and fill out my web form for your inquiry. Thank you.