Heidi Alexander: “The one-size-fits-all provision in the Democratic bill says all individual and small group policies must have an…”

“The one-size-fits-all provision in the Democratic bill says all individual and small group policies must have an actuarial value of 60 percent. Senator Susan Collins of Maine, who was the insurance commissioner of Maine, made a speech on the Senate floor on December 18, and pointed out that 87 percent of the individual policies that are purchased in Maine today would cost more under the Reid bill. I commend to my colleagues the Senator's testimony of December 18, 2010. Senator Collins used the example that the most popular individual market policy sold in Maine costs a 40-year-old about $185 a month. Under the Senate bill that 40-year-old would have to pay at least $420 a month, more than twice as much for the policy that meets the new minimum standard, or face a $750 penalty. It is true Maine citizens, as is true for all Americans--about half of them--would receive subsidies to help them buy that policy, but the average premium for the other half of the 87 percent is going to go up under the Democratic bill. We believe Americans ought to have more choices than that. That is a fundamental difference of opinion. Should Washington decide you need to buy a richer policy, or should you decide that for yourself based upon the other needs of your family?”