BCBSA supports Obama on maintaining health insurance reforms for affordable coverage

Scott P. Serota, president and chief executive officer of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA), released the following statement regarding President Obama's address to the joint session of Congress:

"The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association has long advocated for many of the healthcare reforms President Obama outlined tonight. Many months ago we brought to the table proposals to expand access to everyone, regardless of pre-existing conditions, and to no longer base premiums on a person's health status or gender. We agree with the president that a personal responsibility requirement to obtain and maintain health coverage is critical so that these insurance reforms result in affordable coverage.

"We also agree that reining in costs must be a central component to comprehensive healthcare reform, and we are pleased to see the president moving forward on medical malpractice reforms that will help address rising costs.

"But we are disappointed that at a time when there is so much consensus on so many of the reforms being discussed, insurance companies - rather than reforms themselves - are the focus of the debate.

"We remain firmly opposed to the creation of a new government plan, which would cause millions of people to lose the private coverage they enjoy today. The reality is that the built-in advantages of a government-run plan - underpaying providers, along with a myriad of exemptions from health plan regulations and state and federal tax assessments - will result in millions of people losing their existing private coverage.

"And we are joined in our concerns by a diverse group of hospitals, doctors, employers, and consumers. Just today, thousands of local chambers of commerce, businesses, and national associations sent a letter to Congress stating their strong opposition to a government-run plan. The letter states, 'Because of the increased costs and lack of competition caused by a government plan, employers will not be able to continue offering their current plans, which cover more than 170 million Americans.'

"We are serious in our commitment to comprehensive, bipartisan reform this year. This is a once-in-generation opportunity that we cannot let pass."