Dodd on Health Care

Chris Dodd knows that we need a health care system that provides universal, affordable coverage. Under Chris Dodd's leadership, every American will have affordable health coverage, regardless of their employment status, health status or income level. America deserves a health care system that provides universal, affordable coverage through universal responsibility shared by employers, individuals, insurance companies and the government.

• The Dodd plan will ensure all Americans will have quality, affordable health coverage.
• The Dodd plan will create a health insurance marketplace called Universal HealthMart that is based on, and parallel to, the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan (FEHBP).
• Individuals and businesses will contribute to Universal HealthMart based on their ability to pay.
• Premiums will be affordable based on leveraged negotiating power, spreading risk, reduced administrative costs, and incentives for technology and preventive care.
• Coverage will be portable – insurance purchased in Universal HealthMart will follow individuals, not jobs.
• The Dodd Health Care plan will phase in universal, affordable coverage to all Americans over four years.

The Dodd Plan:

• Universal HealthMart. The Dodd plan will create a health insurance marketplace called the Universal HealthMart that is based on, and parallel to, the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan (FEHBP). Individuals and businesses will pay for coverage within Universal HealthMart based on their ability to pay. Universal HealthMart will offer a variety of comprehensive plans and entitle every American to the same benefits and types of plans as Members of Congress.
• Universal, Affordable Coverage. Coverage will flow automatically to all Americans and will follow people, not their jobs. Enrollment will be automatic or individuals and employers can directly enroll in Universal HealthMart or their existing arrangements. Coverage will be phased in over four years. As more and more Americans participate, Universal HealthMart will gain increasing leverage to negotiate premiums and lower costs. Price and coverage discrimination based on condition will be eliminated.
• Lower Costs for Employers. In addition to realizing the benefits of reduced premiums made possible by the bargaining power of Universal HealthMart, employers who participate in Universal HealthMart will no longer be required to negotiate insurance premiums or shoulder the costly task of administering health plans.
• Focus on Prevention. People who make personal choices to improve their health through smoking cessation, weight loss, and improved fitness will have access to plan rewards and incentives. The savings realized as a result of better health will further reduce premium costs.
• The Power of Technology. The Dodd plan will lower administrative costs and eliminate inefficiency by investing in information technology and data collection for better care. In addition to improving quality and enhancing the coordination of care, incentives for using technology will also result in further cost savings and lower premiums.
• Better Care for Kids: Under the Dodd Plan, every child in America will have guaranteed health insurance equivalent to health coverage Members of Congress have for their children. All children will have access to preventive health screenings including vision, hearing, autism and other neurological disorders.
• Funding. Universal coverage will not require a new tax. Instead, much of the plan can be paid for by eliminating the existing inefficiencies in the system. Universal HealthMart will be financed primarily by employer and individual premiums and contributions. Other revenue streams such as those that would result from ending the war in Iraq will be identified for transition costs.