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Throughout the health care debate, President Obama has insisted that Americans who liked their health insurance could keep it.

“If you like your health care plan, you’ll be able to keep your health care plan, period,” he declared in a speech to the American Medical Association last June. “No one will take it away, no matter what.”

While a number of provisions in the existing House and Senate health care bills would undermine that pledge, the proposal Obama unveiled today takes a sledgehammer to it.

The Senate bill has a measure to protect so-called “grandfathered plans,” which would allow policy holders to maintain coverage in plans that may not abide by all of the requirements imposed on new individual plans offered on the government-run exchanges.   

But Obama’s new proposal changes all of that. Here’s how the White House explains the new provisions:

The Senate bill includes a “grandfather” policy that allows people who like their current coverage, to keep it. The President’s Proposal adds certain important consumer protections to these “grandfathered” plans. Within months of legislation being enacted, it requires plans to cover adult dependents up to age 26, prohibits rescissions, mandates that plans have a stronger appeals process, and requires State insurance authorities to conduct annual rate review, backed up by the oversight of the HHS Secretary. When the exchanges begin in 2014, the President’s Proposal adds new protections that prohibit all annual and lifetime limits, ban pre-existing condition exclusions, and prohibit discrimination in favor of highly compensated individuals. Beginning in 2018, the President’s Proposal requires “grandfathered” plans to cover proven preventive services with no cost sharing.

All of the new requirements proposed by Obama would increase premiums, and by definition, alter the composition of those insurance plans. The White House would argue that it is changing the policies for the better. But the entire point of having “grandfathered plans” was to protect a class of policies from changes imposed by the new legislation. Put another way, the provision to allow people to keep their “grandfathered plans” is rendered meaningless when the federal government is dictating what is in them.

View all comments (71) |

Grzmlyk| 2.22.10 @ 12:53PM

I have never in my life known of someone, in or out of politics, who lies with such insouciant aplomb as Obama. And I've worked with at least three sociopaths.

Obama is UNHINGED. He is a WHACK JOB. He literally thinks that if he says it, it is so. He is UNABLE to DISCERN REALITY.

I think that's why we never hear from anyone who worked with him or attended school with him or was one of his students. I think they've all been bought off or threatened, because the thugs who are pulling the strings know anyone who's dealt with Obama knows he is literally delusional.

He makes Carter look like a realist, and Clinton look like a paragon of virtue.

The dude belongs in a nuthouse.

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Pingback| 2.22.10 @ 12:55PM

obama health care plan | TrendyTwits links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…9;Cornhusker Kickback' deal The Hill (blog) President Barack Obama's healthcare reform proposal released Monday eliminates controversial funds given to Nebraska … Obama Destroys Pledge to Allow Americans To Keep Their HC PlansAmerican Spectator (blog) Obama Wants To Expand Coverage To 31 Million Uninsured People In Health Care Plan The Consumerist (blog) Obama Lays Out New Health Care Proposal…

Pete| 2.22.10 @ 12:59PM

With a mainstream media that had ANY integrity, this clown would have been run out of town a long time ago. As it is, however, he is so over the top radical/progressive that he will eventually succeed in running himself and the rest of his party out of town. We just need to minimize the damage before that day comes.

David Thomas | 2.22.10 @ 1:55PM

"Beginning in 2018, the President’s Proposal requires “grandfathered” plans to cover proven preventive services with no cost sharing." There should always be a co-pay or massive fraud will occur. Any co-pay should not be insurable by an ancillary policy.

Flame| 2.23.10 @ 12:32PM

So, I have busted my a$$ for over thirty years to ensure that I have medical coverage which allows me to not have co-pays and now Obamao wants to make me pay them. IOW he is adding another tax to my limited income because I worked hard.

Bill| 2.22.10 @ 1:55PM

It is simple people, we all have religious objections to using their health care insurance, and as such, are not required to pay for it.

I know I do, and I won't.

Mike| 2.22.10 @ 2:08PM

Put simply, Obama's government intends to take over our lives. I was planning to take my travel trailer up to the 11 acres of land I own in North Florida and relax for a few years....I've earned it. Now my accountant tells me that my modest health insurance plan probably won't meet Obama's insurance mandate requirements. Meaning that my premium rate would rise enough to destroy my dream. Of course once my bank account is emptied the government will increase my subsidies......what a pile of BS. We work hard and save our whole lives so that we can eventually have some version of the American dream. And then the government steps in and destroys it with taxes and mandates. I don't mind losing when its my own fault, I do take offense when I'm punished for someone elses mistakes.

Dan Han| 2.22.10 @ 2:36PM

BO is a committed liar with a brain doner for VP. He can lie, cheat, mislead with aplomb. Not only will we not be able to keep our health insurance, insurance companies will go broke under his plan in just a few years. Now, where will all those people find jobs?

Pingback| 2.22.10 @ 2:40PM

Obama Destroys Pledge to Allow Americans To Keep HC Plans | HealthCareDaily.info links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…changes all of that. All of the new requirements proposed by Obama would increase premiums, and by definition, alter the composition of those insurance plans. See more here: Obama Destroys Pledge to Allow Americans To Keep HC Plans Share this on del.icio.us Digg this! Post this on Diigo Share this on Reddit Stumble upon something good? Share it on StumbleUpon Share this on Technorati Share this on Mixx…

Pingback| 2.22.10 @ 2:55PM

Picking Apart Obama’s Proposal – Blog Watch links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…saying, “Wow, this is the biggest news of the week: even the White House is now admitting that their massive health spending bill won’t do anything about rising premiums.” The American Spectator’s Philip Klein says Obama is taking a “sledgehammer” to one of his promises to consumers that they could keep their current insurance, if they like it. “The Senate bill has a…

Pingback| 2.22.10 @ 9:26PM

Patterico's Pontifications » ObamaCare: The White House proposal links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

Patterico and DRJ have covered the basics, Pat asked me for additional comment.  Substantively, I would add that the White House version of ObamaCare hikes the mandate penalty and bulldozes existing health insurance policies more that the versions passed by each chamber of Congress.  However, it is not clear that the substance of the White House draft matters (yet). It is obvious to anyone paying attention…

Pingback| 2.22.10 @ 9:27PM

The Greenroom » Forum Archive » ObamaCare: The White House proposal links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…Although Allahpundit covered the basics, Patterico asked me for additional comment. Substantively, I would add that the White House version of ObamaCare hikes the mandate penalty and bulldozes existing health insurance policies more that the versions passed by each chamber of Congress. However, it is not clear that the substance of the White House draft matters (yet). It is obvious to anyone paying attention…

Pingback| 2.22.10 @ 9:31PM

All you need to know about Obama’s new ‘healthcare reform’ proposal « Sister Toldjah links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

All you need to know about Obama’s new ‘healthcare reform’ proposal « Sister Toldjah All about life, liberty and the pursuit of hopeiness. Home About Contact Site Policy Media Retro “Fanmail” Endorsements Links The Fix…

CHUMP| 2.22.10 @ 10:31PM

You guys are part of the problem with our current sad state of affairs. You don't think we're going/gone broke already? Republicans didn't lift a finger to improve the sad state of healthcare.

Andrew P| 2.23.10 @ 5:35AM

Don't be complacent about this. Obama will have the votes. Obama has 65 new judgeships to hand out, and what shaky Dem in the House wouldn't trade running and losing for a lifetime job. He will get his 218, and he will get 50+Biden in the Senate. The only constraint on Obi is time. Once interest rates start to soar, new expensive entitlements will go nowhere in Congress. He has to get this done before the Bond Market puts the kibbosh on it.

Pingback| 2.23.10 @ 12:11PM

The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : Obama Destroys Pledge to … « Top Health Insuran links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…our health insurance , insurance companies will go broke under his plan in just a few years. Now, where will all those people find jobs? Reply to this … Read more: The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : Obama Destroys Pledge to … Share and Enjoy: February 22nd, 2010 | Tags: Health Insurance, running-himself | Category: Health Insurance, Insurance, Uncategorized Leave a Reply Cancel   Name…

Pingback| 2.23.10 @ 12:50PM

Political Digest 23 Feb 2010 « The Republican Heretic links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…of interest: White House Accused of Federal Crime in Specter, Bennet Races, American Spectator Senate GOP: Dems lack votes to use partisan tactic on health reform, The Hill Obama Destroys Pledge to Allow Americans To Keep Their HC Plans, American Spectator The Politics of Giving, Reason Magazine Categories: Digest Comments (0) Trackbacks (0) Leave a comment Trackback No comments yet. No trackbacks yet. Name…

Pingback| 2.23.10 @ 3:37PM

The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : Obama Destroys Pledge to … | Drakz Free Online links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…insurance mandate requirements. Meaning that my premium rate would rise enough to destroy my dream. Of course once my bank account is emptied the .. Read more: The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : Obama Destroys Pledge to … Share and Enjoy: Related Articles Bookmarks Tags Get Healthy, Stay Healthy: Men's He... Men's Health shows you how to get and stay healthy with help for allergies and…

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The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : Obama Destroys Pledge to … | Drakz Free Online links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…Pledge to … All of the new requirements proposed by Obama would increase premiums, and by definition , alter the composition of those insurance plans. Visit link: The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : Obama Destroys Pledge to … Share and Enjoy: Related Articles Bookmarks Tags Specialty Insurance Blog: Definition of... A summary by Wiley Rein & Fielding LLP discusses a recent case involving…

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ObamaCare 2.0 (UPDATED) | The Quantum Conservative links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…from the Senate are considered political parties.” RELATED VI: Three Different Provisions to Fund Abortion in Obama’s Health Care Plan, by John McCormack. *RELATED VII: Obama Destroys Pledge to Allow American’s to Keep Their HC Plans, by Phillip Klein. ALSO by Klein: More Spending, Higher Taxes Than Senate Bill. RELATED VIII: ObamaCare and Political Theater, by Peter Wehner. “In redoubling his efforts to…

Bob Belvedere | 2.23.10 @ 10:35PM

Quoted from and Linked to at:
Who's To Blame, Harry?

-----
It's Time To ROC 'N' ROLL:
Restore Our Constitution & Restore Our Lost Liberties

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The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : Obama Destroys Pledge to … Mobile links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : Obama Destroys Pledge to … Mobile About Mobile The Sponsors The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : Obama Destroys Pledge to … The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : Obama Destroys Pledge to … Pam's House Blend:: Sec. Def. Robert Gates: it's time to allow … Miadhu News – Civil societies and opposition angered by Government … suggestions:…

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Americans Relocating To Western And Southeastern States | North Dakota Real Estate links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…in your new destination. Related Blogs on Americans 1/3 of Americans don't use fast Internet Supreme Court and Free Speech: Can Americans support terrorist … The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : Obama Destroys Pledge to … Related Posts A Third Of Us Real Estate Still Appreciating Where Are The Safest Places To Live In The United States? | Boise … Increased Unemployment in 43 States |…

Pingback| 2.25.10 @ 3:00PM

Mystery Political Theater 3000: The Health Care Summit (open thread) : America's Rig links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…He’s right.  And that’s all I have to say about that. The president brought up how his plan will allow people to keep their own health care insurance and providers.  Take a look at THIS PIECE, from American Spectator. Tags: Barack Hussein Obama, Congress, Democrats, GOP, Harry Reid, Healthcare, Nancy Pelosi, U.S. Senate Comments 7 Responses to “Mystery Political Theater 3000: The…

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Health Care's Final Countdown Begins - Hit & Run : Reason Magazine links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…line, "If you like your plan, you can keep your plan.  If you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor." He's been saying this since the beginning of the debate; it wasn't true last summer, and it's not true now. And then there was this: And my proposal says that if you still can’t afford the insurance in this new marketplace, even though it's going to provide better deals for people than they can get right…

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Mark | 4.22.10 @ 8:58PM

As far as the pledge “If you like your health care plan, you'll be able to keep your health care plan, period,” keep in mind the fact that premium subsidies will only be available to people who buy insurance through the exchanges. I have an individual Blue Cross health plan so I would need to change plans to benefit from the premium subsidy. On the other hand, health care reform is preventing me from changing to another Blue Cross plan. I just received my annual 15% premium increase from Blue Cross which is a non-profit company in Florida and I wanted to change to a higher deductible to reduce the premium. I was informed by Blue Cross that they don't know if I would still be grandfathered in which case the reform changes (lower co-pays, etc.) would significantly increase the premium for non-grandfathered policies. They are still waiting for guidance on the definition of grandfathered from HEW.

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More Blog Posts by Philip Klein

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