Which phrase best describes Democrats鈥� ideas on overhauling the health care system:听a) a听government takeover of health care, or b) a way to lower costs and improve the quality of care delivered? Is the proposal a) a package of tax hikes that will cripple small businesses, or b) a way to save families $1,800 a year?
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KHN鈥檚 Eric Pianin talks with Rep. Chris Van Hollen, head of the House Democrats鈥� campaign committee, and Education and Labor Committee Chairman George Miller about what rank-and-file members should be saying about their party鈥檚 health care legislation during the August recess.
Those are just a few of the talking points crafted by Democratic and Republican leaders for听Congress members to use during the August recess.听They鈥檙e designed to help lawmakers explain the complexities of the ongoing health care debate in simple terms that could sway the public their way.
Democrats: Health insurers are clearly the target of a 鈥減ocket card鈥� distributed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. Overhauling the nation鈥檚 health care system will 鈥渉old insurance companies accountable鈥� and guarantee 鈥渟tability, lower costs, higher quality and more choice of plans.鈥� Taming health care costs will also help businesses, the economy and the federal budget, according to the document. Consumers also won鈥檛 be able to lose coverage if they get sick and insurers won鈥檛 be allowed to charge 鈥渆xcessive鈥� out-of-pocket expenses, deductibles or co-payments.
Republicans: A recess packet distributed by House Republican Conference Chairman Mike Pence, R-Ind., says the Democrats鈥� health plan includes more than $800 billion of new taxes that will eliminate up to 5.5 million jobs. A one-page description says听the Republican version of health care legislation will 鈥渆xpand access to affordable health care鈥� and allow families 鈥渢he freedom to choose the health care that bests fits their needs.鈥� The GOP recess packet also includes an 鈥溾�� of the Democrats鈥� health plan that highlights Republicans鈥� views of how complex the legislation is.
Republican Talking Points (click to read full text)
Democratic Talking Points (click to read full text)
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