Official Word

HCAN put out its official statement a couple hours ago on the FEHBP-style "compromise" under consideration right now in the Senate. Here it is in full:

HCAN Statement on FEHBP-style Nonprofits as “Compromise”

Washington, DC – In response to news accounts that one possible compromise on the public option is having national nonprofit insurance plans regulated under the Office of Personnel Management, similar to the Federal Employees Health Benefit Plan, Health Care for America Now (HCAN) put out the following statement on behalf of its Steering Committee:

“To meet the goals of lowering health care costs and keeping insurance companies honest, a public option must be publicly established and accountable and operating nationally when the Exchanges start. Using nonprofits to replace a public option won’t work. In fact, with half of people in private insurance currently enrolled in nonprofit plans, they are part of the problem.

As for FEHBP, it too has failed to control health care costs, doing just as badly as private insurance and with much higher costs than Medicare. HCAN urges the Senate to enact legislation that includes a national public health insurance option, which is now part of the legislation introduced by Majority Leader Reid, H.R. 3590.

We have said from day one that we believe the best way to create competition, lower prices, and ensure Americans get the quality, affordable health care they deserve is for Congress to pass comprehensive health care reform including the choice of a public health insurance option.”

Health Care for America Now
AFL-CIO
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)
American Federation of Teachers (AFT)
Campaign for America’s Future
Campaign for Community Change (CCC)
Communications Workers of America (CWA)
MoveOn.org
NAACP
National Education Association (NEA)
Service Employees International Union (SEIU)
United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW)
United Auto Workers (UAW)
USAction
Working America