Talking Points 

• We want a public health insurance option to provide the uninsured and those who can't find affordable coverage with a real choice.   This option is needed to promote competition, hold insurance companies accountable and assure affordable choices. It would be completely voluntary.  The public option would operate like any private insurance company - it would be self-sufficient and rely on the premiums it collects. 
  
  
• We want health reform to work - for the country, for our community, for the families in our neighborhoods.  For reform to be successful in the eyes of voters, families actually need to be able to afford coverage.
  
  
• The number one reason that people lack health care coverage is that they cannot afford it. 
  
  
• If our leaders are going to make having health insurance mandatory under the new health reform plan, our leaders need to make sure people can afford it.  With the majority of Maine's uninsured making 400% above the federal poverty level, it is clear we need to offer subsidies to people with incomes at least to that income level to help them buy insurance.  
  
  
• We need to have a health reform plan that includes coverage with sliding scale rates based on income for lower and middle-income families. 
  
  
• We also need to make sure that benefits cover the care people need to stay healthy and prevent illness. If we address cost but don't effectively address affordability for families then reform won't do what we truly want it to do-help all Americans get the health care they need when they need it.

Thank you!