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President Obama releases health care reform proposal

In advance of the health care summit on February 25, President Obama has released his health care reform proposal, which includes a targeted set of changes to the Senate-passed health insurance reform bill and reflects policies from both the House-passed bill and the President's priorities.

The President's proposal includes:

• increasing tax credits for health insurance premiums
• closing the Medicare Prescription Drug "donut hole"
• investing in Community Health Centers
• strengthening oversight of insurance premium increases
• extending consumer protections against health insurer practices
• improving individual responsibility
• strengthening employer responsibility

The President's proposal is consistent with the Senate bill in that it does not impose a mandate on employers to offer or provide health insurance, but does require them to help defray the cost if taxpayers are footing the bill for their workers.

The proposal also builds on the waste, fraud, and abuse prevention policies contained in the House- and Senate-passed bills.The President's proposal incorporates a number of additional proposals that are either part of the Administration’s FY 2011 Budget Proposal or were included in Republican plans. These proposals include a comprehensive Medicare and Medicaid sanctions database and registration and background checks of billing agencies and individuals, among others.

For more informaiton, visit http://www.whitehouse.gov/health-care-meeting/proposal.

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