Trevor Reid ||Law, Tech and Business Blog

The overwhelming majority of insured Americans say they are satisfied with their present plans. That’s why when pushing an overhaul scheme President Obama is careful to say things like, “[I]f you’ve got health insurance, you like your doctors, you like your plan, you can keep your doctor, you can keep your plan.  Nobody is talking about taking that away from you,” (Holmdel, NJ, July 16, 2009).

But, a few minutes ago the House Energy and Commerce Committee voted not to back the President’s pledge. The committee voted 34-20 to proceed with abolition of Medicare Part C, also known as Medicare Advantage. This is the plan that allows beneficiaries a choice to receive their Medicare benefits through private health insurance plans. In some jurisdictions one fifth of recipents choose this form of Medicare. In fact, Medicare Advantage is so popular among recipients that it will be the fastest growing way to receive Medicare until Congress destroys it as an option. It is clear that there is no commitment in the House to let Americans who like what they have keep what they have.