- NHF members reside in these countries:
Another Reason for the Senate to VOTE NO on Mandatory Health Insurance: Insurers Could Require Gatekeepers under Senate Amendment
By Institute for Health Freedom
December 21, 2009
The Senate is expected to begin voting TONIGHT at 1:00 AM (Monday, Dec. 21) on the first of several procedural votes to pass a health-reform bill in the Senate.
While there remain MANY serious concerns regarding how the legislation infringes on Americans' freedom and privacy, a NEW major concern is that Americans could be forced to go through a gatekeeper (primary-care provider) before seeking the care of their choice.
The following provision is cloaked in language that sounds good, but look closely at the fine print and consider its implications:
“SEC. 2719A. Patient Protections. (a) Choice of Health Care Professional.—If a group health plan, or a health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage, requires or provides for designation by a participant, beneficiary, or enrollee of a participating primary-care provider, then the plan or issuer shall permit each participant, beneficiary, and enrollee to designate any participating primary-care provider who is available to accept such individual.” [Emphasis added.]
Concern: Once the federal government REQUIRES people to buy health insurance, health insurers are then able to REQUIRE beneficiaries to follow the plans' dictates. This is the beginning of a very slippery slope, one that could lead to the loss of freedom to seek care WITHOUT first needing to go through a gatekeeper – a “participating” primary-care provider.
ACT NOW!
Your voice is needed more than ever. Please contact your Senators – AGAIN – and tell them to “vote NO on mandatory health insurance.” Tell them (1) you don't want to be forced to buy insurance; and (2) you don't want insurers forcing you to have a primary-care provider who could act as a gatekeeper. Rather, you wish to select your physicians (and other health-care providers) and the care of YOUR choice without third-party interference from government or private insurers.
- The Senate's MAIN number: (202) 224-3121
- You can find your Senators' DIRECT office phone numbers here: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
- You can also email Senators at their homepages (find here): http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
