Posted by Kristie Arslan - The House Democrats released their new and improved health reform bill (H.R. 3962). Summary: House Health Bill Summary- Oct2009.

Leadership is clamoring to get the votes it needs to pass the bill out of the House this month. A big feat since many are concerned about the cost (over $1 trillion dollars), the inclusion of a government-run, public insurance option and other contentious issues.

Due to the limited provisions providing immediate cost savings or assistance for the self-employed in the House legislation, as well as in the other Senate reform bills, the NASE is concerned that coupled with the new benefit requirements, micro-businesses and the self-employed could pay more for health insurance post-reform than they do currently.

According to comments sent by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to Congress on Monday, the average premium that citizens would pay based on the three lowest-cost plans under the House bill would be:

$5,300 for an individual (single) policy
$15,000 for a family policy

The House reform legislation includes a tax credit to assist those who decide to purchase health coverage through the new Exchange or health marketplace the bill creates. The tax credit would be available on a sliding scale for those making below 400% of the poverty level. Thus, a single person making below $43,320 or a family of four with a household income below $88,200 would qualify for some percentage of the tax credit.

Based on CBO estimates:

A single person making $38,300 could pay around $6,100 annually for health insurance after any government assistance.
A family of four making $66,000 could pay $10,000 per year for coverage after assistance.

Is this more or less than what you are currently paying for health coverage?

Your benefit packages will likely be richer and more comprehensive after reform. Are you willing to pay the costs projected for coverage after reform if you receive more comprehensive insurance?

Remember, under reform all Americans will be required to purchase coverage or pay a tax or fee -- Will you be able to afford health coverage if this reform bill is passed?

Share your thoughts with us here on our blog or send your comments to advocacy@nase.org.

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Comments 2

Tracy Archibald 04 Nov
The proposed bill needs to sink, the senators need to be replaced in 2010, and Obama needs to be ousted in 2012. Sure there are insurers that take advantage of people by raising the rates. Maybe the reform should come in form of "max" rates from our private insurer's if a private insurer is cited for abusing the rate hikes. I mean come on Washington, you want to re-invent the wheel because you say it is Broken. Washington D.C. is broken, yet I do not see any calls for reform or threats to move it to the West Coast. Get real politicians!!!
Pam 07 Nov
The proposed bill would have more people on goverment-run health care because they cannot afford what the goverment would have them pay. I as a tax payer do not want to buy someone else health insurance because they cannot afford it under the new government plan. I do not want the goverment telling me what health care/insurance I can or cannot have.