Another one of Jersey's Democratic Washington Lawmakers comes up to bat to help promote the proposed federal health care reform legislation making its way through capital hill.
12th District Congressman Rush Holt, who's district covers parts of Monmouth, Middlesex, Mercer and Somerset Counties, fielded anywhere from commonly asked questons to charged questions about the "America's Affordable Health Choice Act" during last nights telephone listening session.
One of the most frequently asked questions came from a Somerset County woman who wanted to know if there was any truth to what she's heard about the possibility of employeers opting to drop their health coverage to employees in mass because it would be cheaper than having to pay the penalty? Congressman Holt says very likely not.
"If employeers don't insure their employees ... they would be taxed. In other words, they would have to pay 8 percent of their total payroll in taxes if they choose not to provide health care. He says for most of them, that would be enough incentive to lead them to continue the health care they have or to provide the health care they don't now provide."
Other callers asked if they could choose to go back to their employeers plan if they didn't like the public plan? To which Holt said yes. A man from East Brunswick asked why the enormus Health Choice Act was needed in the first place?
Holt's answer, "We have the choice of doing this reform or condemning Americans to live sicker, die younger and to pay more than they have to".
Holt explained to callers that the reforms would change our approach to health care by moving the emphasis away from paying for proceedures and a shift toward paying for wellness and total patient care.
Holts tele-conference follows a efforts by President Barack Obama to tout the importance of the Health care reform act while stumping for Governor Jon Corzine. It was also promoted by 6th District Congressman Frank Pallone.
By: Rosetta Key
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