Conference call with the White House
2009 group photo of the Young Elected Officials at the convening in Atlanta,GA.
Last week I was fortunate enough to be invited to participate in a conference call in conjunction with the Young Elected Officials Network and the White House. The call was focused on health care reform.
Those participating in the call were: young elected officials from around the country, staff from the Young Elected Officials Network, Karen Richardson-Outreach Director for the White House Office of Health Reform/Assistant Director of White House Office of Public Liaison, Michael Block- Intergovernmental Affairs, Mike Hash- Senior Advisor in the White House Office of Health Reform, and David Simas- White House Office of Communication.
We were first given a debriefing on what is going on in Washington D.C. when it comes to a new health care plan. The White House staff stated that there were some key elements to the health care reform. One of the elements dealt directly with insurance companies. The staff said insurance companies need to review and reform their policies when it comes to pre-existing conditions, amounts paid based on health status, prevention & wellness programs and making insurance affordable for lower income families.
The White House staff also brought up the much debated public option. They said the public option would create more competition with insurance companies thus making costs lower. They also said that public programs such as Medicaid, need to be expanded. David Simas- White House Office of Communication said that the public option would bring stability for those with insurance and would help those without insurance.
After the debriefing, those participating in the conference call had the opportunity to ask questions directed to the White House staff. A staff member of a young elected official asked what the timeline would be until an actually bill would be up for debate. White House staff said that it is unpredictable, however, leadership is pushing for late September or early October for something to be passed. One young elected official asked about the feelings of leadership about a health care reform and staff said there is mostly consensus and that the Democrats are unified on the principles of health care but the small details need to be worked out. Staff also said that a health care reform is about 80% done and that the President’s stance on the issue will be clear before a bill is passed.
I was the lucky one that got to ask the last question of the conference call. My question was focussed solely on college students and health care. I asked if there was anything in any of the bills that was directed toward college students. David Simas- White House Office of Communication said that many insurance companies are increasing the age of when they kick students off of their parents’ insurance. The age is currently around 23, they are increasing the age to 26. He said that this will allow ample time for students to graduate, get up on their feet, find a job, and start their adult life. He said that other students that are not covered under their parents, could fall into the benefits of the public option.
Mike Hash- Senior Advisor in the White House Office of Health Reform said that we are closer to a reform than we have ever been before and that we just need to continue the momentum. The staff said that there are currently 5 bills being worked on to reform health care. There are 3 completed bills in the House, 1 completed bill in the Senate, and 1 bill still being worked on in the Senate.
With this conference call and all of the health care townhall meetings taking place all around the nation, we should be making progress in the near future.
