Dr. Mary Headrick, candidate for Congress in the Tennessee Third District, spoke in favor of the Affordable Care Act at a forum at Erlanger Hospital.
She noted there are "many good things" about the law that have broad appeal with voters, specifically provisions: allowing children to remain on their parent’s insurance until they’re 26 years old, barring health insurance companies from excluding patients with pre-existing illness, allowing individuals and very small businesses to buy health insurance through cooperative exchanges, and regulating that an insurance company must spend over 80% of the premium dollar for actual patient care.
While she said the law is not perfect, Dr. Headrick said she thinks those things that are ‘wrong’ can, over time, be remedied. She favors adding a public option, such as Medicare, to give individuals and small businesses more options in selecting affordable health insurance. “Most people would benefit from having an option to choose a product like Medicare, which is single payer with low administrative cost that covers the full range of services at very good rates.”
She said, "What would be wrong is to repeal the law and start from scratch. We have a solid foundation. Let’s build on that. Half a loaf is better than no loaf at all.”