Aetna Health Reform - Health Care in America
A weekly compilation from Aetna of health care-related developments in Washington, D.C. and state legislatures across the country Week of June 8, 2009 President Obama once again jumped into the Congressional health care reform process last week when he met with key Senators on health care and then sent Senators Kennedy and Baucus a letter outlining his priorities for health care reform. In the letter, the President says he is open to an individual coverage requirement, as long as the poor are excluded from the mandate. His position is very similar to that adopted by Aetna several years ago. But if some were energized by the letter, others were disappointed. President Obama calls for any reform package to include a public health insurance option alongside private plans, an idea that many Republicans strongly oppose. Based on the response of some to the letter last week, the process this summer (see below) could become a contentious one. The President has asked the House and Senate to fi...