The Commonwealth Club of San Francisco: Nancy Pelosi - Tuesday, April 6th
San Francisco's Pelosi is in her second term as speaker of the House of Representatives, having made history in 2007 when she was elected first woman to serve in this capacity. President Obama has lauded her as "an extraordinary leader for the American people," and following the passage of the Affordable Health Care for America Act, England's Guardian observed that "Pelosi is being heralded as the most powerful woman in American history and the most powerful speaker of the House of Representatives in a century." Come and ask your questions of one of Washington's most powerful insiders.
Location: Mark Hopkins-Peacock Ct., 1 Nob Hill Circle
Time: 11 a.m. check-in, noon program
Cost: See complete listing for pricing
Also know: Attendees may be subject to search.
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Healthcare Reform: Why it's a big win for Americans.
Speaker Pelosi started her presentation by talking about the President's methodology for establishing the budget and how he distilled his three top budget initiatives by thinking about American values. Healthcare was at the top of the list because unlike other countries, American businesses are weighed down by the cost of care.
When asked about the three things she is most proud of in this bill, Speaker Pelosi referred to the AAA rating:
1. Accountability - Insurance companies can no longer deny coverage to those with pre-existing conditions which is a huge win for women and children. Women pay as much as 50% more for healthcare coverage and she joked, women are often thought to have a pre-existing conditions if they have children, if they don't have children or if they are victims of abuse.
2. Affordability - Tax credits and other subsidies for the middle class will make healthcare more affordable.
3. Accessibility - Entrepreneurs, artists and others aspiring to start businesses or pursue other passions will no longer be bound to their employer for healthcare. Healthcare coverage will be accessible to all.
When asked if she ever doubted that the bill would pass, the answer was no. The biggest issue dividing Republicans and Democrats was the insurance reform initiatives needed to make insurers more accountable. She explained the "Public Option" was one way to spur competition to keep premiums down, but most realized that it wasn't the only way. The bill was delayed until the end of November so that Republicans could forward more ideas on that issue, but when no viable alternatives were offered up, the bill was pushed forward without Bipartisan support.
Speaker Pelosi ended her presentation by talking about some of the differences between the Senate and House bills. She acknowledged that the Senate version was punative to the states but that the House Budget Reconciliation Bill fixed those issues. In short, the fixes include more funding for Medicaid/Medi-Cal programs, primary care doctors serving Medicaid/Medi-Cal patients and wellness centers that serve the indigent population. In addition to covering those without insurance now, the big winners of healthcare reform are:
1. Middle Americans because subsidies and tax credits will make coverage will be more affordable and consequently, care more accessible.
2. Seniors because efforts to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse will make Medicare solvent for at least another 9 years.
3. Children because those with pre-existing conditions can no longer be denied coverage and those under the age of 26 can stay on their parent's policy.
4. Small Businesses because entrepreneurs bound to their employers now for healthcare insurance will be freed to innovate and create new businesses that will drive our economy.
For more information about healthcare reform, go to www.healthreform.gov