Costs of Coverage
Today’s article in The New York Times is titled, “No Big Cost Rise in U.S. Premiums is Seen in Study.” It describes the latest analysis by the Congressional Budget Office, a non-partisan organization, on the effects of the Democrats’ health insurance legislation on the cost of premiums.
The analysis stated that the legislation could significantly reduce the cost of premiums for many people while leaving others relatively unaffected. It represents a major victory for supporters of President Obama’s effort to enact national health insurance.
The report reassured centrist Democratic Senators such as Evan Bayh who had been beset by a Republican misinformation campaign on the effects of the legislation. Not surprisingly, Republicans such as Mitch McConnell and Charles Grassley tried to cherry pick items from the report to justify their continuing opposition.
Meanwhile, according to the article, the White House is now reaching out to moderate Republicans such as Senator Sue Collins, who met with the director of the White House Office of Health Reform, Nancy-Ann DeParle, for 45 minutes yesterday.
The Democrats are finally being rewarded for their persistent efforts on behalf of the American people while the Republicans are being exposed for their obstructionist tactics. Even when the C.B.O. comes out with a favorable report, the Republicans seem unable to acknowledge anything positive about the legislation.
