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UNT expert discusses proposed changes to healthcare system
By UNT News Service
Jul 31, 2009

DENTON (UNT), Texas – President Obama is encouraging each chamber of Congress to approve a healthcare bill before the August recess begins on August 7.  The Senate made positive strides toward that goal when the Senate Health Committee passed the “Affordable Health Choices Act” recently.

University of North Texas professor Dr. James Swan says that he believes that the bill that seems to be emerging is generally positive.  Swan is a professor in the Department of Applied Gerontology.  One of 10 applied social science and professional training programs in UNT’s College of Public Affairs and Community Service, the Department of Gerontology studies aging and the needs of America’s aging population.

Prior to joining the UNT faculty in 2004, Swan served on the faculty at Wichita State University where he did extensive research on the Clinton Administration’s attempts to push healthcare reform through Congress.  Swan co-wrote a paper title “Harry and Louise and Healthcare Reform: Romancing Public Opinion,” which analyzed the effect of the Health Insurance Association of America’s “Harry and Louise” ad campaign on public opinion toward healthcare reform.

Swan is closely following the Obama Administration’s attempts at healthcare to see if lessons were learned from the failed effort in the 1990s. He says that the emerging plan may be particularly positive for the country’s older citizens. 

“It limits rate dispersion by age, so that the aged would pay no more than double what younger enrollees do, which is a real improvement over current practices,” says Swan.  “It also seems unlikely that the new plan would adversely affect Medicare.”

Swan also says that the inclusion of a government run healthcare option is a step in the right direction.

“It looks like Congress’ plan is going to include a public option, which is necessary if any real reform is to occur,” says Swan. “However, I am concerned that access to the public plan is likely to be very limited—perhaps available only to those without employer-covered insurance. Not only would this mean less choice for consumers but also less competitive pressure from a public plan that might help keep costs in check.”

Swan says that access may not be the plan’s only drawback.

“Unfortunately it has high co-pays and deductibles.  Worse, it sets plan standards at average prevailing employer-sponsored coverage, so that employer practices could potentially ratchet down minimum coverage standards,” says Swan.  “Further, it does not supersede state laws, so standards will vary nationally and the healthcare industry will have a chance to shape them on state levels.”