This ain't a game of Pictionary, man!

In the game of pictionary,  teams attempt to draw the answer to some question on a whiteboard in a specified, limited amount of time. If they get it right, they get a point. If they can't get it right, the other team gets a free guess and a point if they get it right.

There are a lot of people in Congress who are drawing on paper these days as well. They have refilled their hourglass several times already and every time they present their picture to the American people, we still can't figure out what they have drawn. Unfortunately, there isn't another side who can come in and save the day by telling us what Congress is doing and so we all will end up losing in the game that is called Health Care Reform. Price Waterhouse Coopers (one of the Big 4 accounting firms) has leveled some serious charges about the impact of the Max Baucus Bill being voted on today in the Senate.


The President and members of Congress have routinely claimed that the health care reform they propose will allow people to keep plans that they are happy with, while increasing coverage and benefits to those who don't have insurance, or cannot afford it. Price Waterhouse Coopers (PWC), that directly contradicts the assertions made in the bill being voted on today in the Senate.

According to the review, there are significant potential problems in the conceptual language bill by the Senate Finance Committee, chaired by Senator Max Baucus (D-MT).  A summary from the executive summary is contained herein for ease of reading (click the link to download a pdf of the report).

Among the Key Findings Section:

• Health reform could have a significant impact on the cost of private health insurance coverage.
• There are four provisions included in the Senate Finance Committee proposal that could increase private health insurance premiums above the levels projected under current law:
• Insurance market reforms coupled with a weak coverage requirement,
• A new tax on high-cost health care plans,
• Cost-shifting as a result of cuts to Medicare, and
• New taxes on several health care sectors.

• The overall impact of these provisions will be to increase the cost of private insurance coverage for individuals, families, and businesses above what these costs would be in the absence of reform.
• On average, the cost of private health insurance coverage will increase:
• 26 percent between 2009 and 2013 under the current system and by 40 percent during this same period if these four provisions are implemented.
• 50 percent between 2009 and 2016 under the current system and by 73 percent during this same period if these four provisions are implemented.
• 79 percent between 2009 and 2019 under the current system and by 111 percent during this same period if these four provisions are implemented.

What's more, the audit indicates that despite the plan's promise to lower costs, the rate of increase in health care expenditures is projected to increase more than twice the rate of inflation. The PWC audit also the excise taxes currently planned for the so-called Cadillac Plans could also raise premiums for lesser value plans. It also noted the financial realities of passing on the value of increase taxes on health care companies will be passed on through to consumers. These increases will have the following impact on family costs as described below:

FAMILY Currently $12,300 per year

• $15,500 in 2013 under current law and to $17,200 if these provisions are implemented.
• $18,400 in 2016 under current law and to $21,300 if these provisions are implemented.
• $21,900 in 2019 under current law and to $25,900 if these provisions are implemented.

INDIVIDUAL Currently $4,600 per year

• $5,800 in 2013 under current law and to $6,400 if these provisions are implemented.
• $6,900 in 2016 under current law and to $7,900 if these provisions are implemented.
• $8,200 in 2019 under current law and to $9,700 if these provisions are implemented.

The following information reflect some of the comparative data PWC evaluated in its audit. The report also indicates that there are other provisions in the bill which were not evaluated. The report also said that if certain provisions in the Max Baucus bill were effective at reducing costs over the long term, that there would be a positive effect on the numbers above. The specific language used was mitigated, not net positive.

The Whitehouse quickly effected damage control yesterday by firing back at the report, saying that it was a desperate attempt by the insurance industry to scare the American people away from reforms so desperately needed. That argument was made somewhat irrelevant this morning when members of the Senate Finance Committee made assertions that under the bill being considered that current health care plans held by millions of Americans would, "likely change."

Here is the picture Max Baucus and crew are drawing up for your amusement:

• Increase the revenues to the government
• Increase revenues to the health insurance companies
• Less money in the American tax payer's pocket.
• Less disposable income to send your child to college, to buy a home or invest in a company that creates jobs for other people. 
• The same kind of efficiency the government has in administering the current social welfare programs.
• Exploding health care costs and taxes over 18% of the US economy.

You don't need an hourglass to see what they have drawn up. It isn't amusing, and it certainly isn't going to cover every American. It will not reduce costs, but it will redistribute your wealth into the hands of the government who has clearly demonstrated that they know what's best for you and your family. Mr. Baucus and Mr. Obama, this ain't no game of pictionary. It's our lives and we respectfully ask you to leave us alone with your socialist health and other governmental policies.