Consumers Union backs the House health reform bill

With millions of Americans desperate for affordable, quality health care, Consumers Union has chosen to endorse H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act. This bill would greatly expand coverage of the uninsured and provide new protections for the insured. "Health care is a consumer crisis with its crippling costs, its unreliability, and lack of access for too many Americans," said Jim Guest, president of Consumers Union, the nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports. "By creating a more secure, affordable health care system, the House bill goes a long way towards solving the crisis."

Consumers Union has advocated for health reform since the organization was founded in 1936, and last month our advocates ran their first-ever ad pressing for better health care for all consumers. In addition, CU believes the health reform bill would:

• prohibit insurance companies from denying coverage for pre-existing medical conditions
• create a one-stop "exchange" where all insurers present their information in the same format, so you can easily compare the price and quality of different insurance plans
• allow small companies to easily offer their employees coverage through the exchange
• allow Medicare to negotiate with the drug companies to get lower prices for prescription drugs
• provide good insurance options if you lose your job, change employers, start your own business, go back to school or develop a medical condition

While it's anticipated that some reforms will be revised as implementation unfolds, CU holds that H.R. 3962 is a strong bill that comprehensively addresses the flaws in a health care system that leaves too many families on the brink of poor health and financial ruin.
Read more on how the Affordable Health Care for America Act will improve health care for all Americans and find out how reform directly impacts you and your family.

Comments

[Chris Donald]

I am cancelling all subscriptions to CU publications immediately. They have either sold out, or are imbeciles, neither lends them honor. Most MDs find this approach preposterous, as do many RNs. There is NO plan to create more MDs or RNs, which are ALREADY in critically short supply, especially in poor areas. In short, one needs the intellectual genius of Nancy Pelosi to find this plan credible.

Chris Donald, RN

[Stan Misiewicz]

Look where CU's was last year:

"An array of consumer groups quickly lined up in support of Daschle as secretary of a department that oversees nearly a quarter of federal spending.

“Someone with his stature and clout, combined with his passion and expertise in health care, is an exciting choice,” said DeAnn Friedholm, Consumers Union's campaign director for health care reform."

[Willie Bennett]

I am impressed with your courage and willigness to state the truth despite the predictable chicken little like responses you are getting. People, when you call this Socialist, you are immediately rendering your voice ineffective. Name calling is not debate and is not an argument. As someone who has actually led a group that has talked to 4,000 people in small groups about healthcare, this is a very, very serious issue that affects us all. The house bill is not perfect, far from it, but it is a move in the right direction. This is loooong overdue. We cannot let the best get in the way of the good. I am enthusiastically keeping my subscription.

[evansgood]

I am also concerned with the endorsement of the House reform bill. I believe that we do need to reform our health coverage; however, I do not have faith in a bill that has so many back door deals and leads us down the road of socialism. This bill is being rammed down the throat of the public without good public debate.

[Jerry]

What did CR/CU give in return for your endorsement of the Obama health care plan? Or it might be better to ask what did you receive? Consider me a former subscriber.

[Norman Stoner]

Legislative Tyranny

I am stunned and disillusioned that Consumers Union has taken a politcal position on health care insurance reform. I have lost confidence in the Consumers Union as an unbiased impartial voice. I am immediately canceling my subscription to Consumers Report because I can no longer trust your judgment.

Major health insurance reform bills are pending in Congress. One example is H.R. 3962, the so-called Affordable Health Care for America Act, is 1,990 pages long, plus amendments. It was being rushed to a vote in the House of Representatives. But before any meaningful consideration of the possible merits or flaws that may exist within this monstrous proposal to reform the nation’s health care systems, the manner in which this proposal is being advanced must be taken into account.

Any legislation devised in the dark, behind closed doors, and then rushed urgently forward towards passage without the bright sunlight of open, public discourse is no less vile than the imperial tyranny that was enacted by a distant parliament, 244 years ago. That tyranny spawned the first American Revolution. The current tyranny of the rush to pass gargantuan legislative bills without a full public disclosure will spark a second American Revolution if it is not stopped.

The first revolution freed our forefathers from the bonds of tyranny of the British Empire and gave birth to the world’s greatest democracy. Then it was: “No Taxation without representation.” Now it is: “No legislation without the bright sunlight of full and open public discourse.”

Legislative complexity of this magnitude enacted in haste breeds once again a new kind of tyranny. Once born, Democracy will surely die if it tolerates the new oppression of an arrogant legislature bent on its own imperial agenda.

To support any legislation without full understanding is a dereliction of duty.

To support any legislation without fully exploring its intent and consequences is a breach of one’s oath of office.

To support any legislation without an open public hearing is a betrayal of the trust in those elected to represent the people’s will.

To support any legislation without complete understanding is a betrayal that will not be forgotten.

Democracy is about the unchanging value of integrity and an open process of governance. I urge you to reconsider your position on this legislative tyranny.

[Steve L]

This is the same organization that has given American-made autos low ratings for years. You could argue they were the driving force behind the exposure of the lack of quality coming out of Detroit very early on. If they were politically biased, don't you think they'd be cozying up to the Auto unions just a little?

I don't agree with their decision, but at least they took a stance based on the consumer's best interest in their view.

Truth is, it's one of the last truly unbiased publications left. Never took advertising, hopefully never will. In my opinion still the gold standard for consumer product testing.

BTW, no one cares that you're canceling your subscriptions!

[J Taylor]

Taking a position on healthcare reform isn't a political statement, it is a moral one.

I don't know that the bill in it's current state is going to be as effective as we need it to be, but I applaud your position that no one should trade life or financial stability for lack of being able to pay for health care services. Too many of us are in that position now, and there is no justification for not taking care of our own - only empty rhetoric about the coming "socialist" state.

People first. Ideology second.

Thank you.

[M. McBride]

I called yesterday and cancelled my subscription to CR and CU. I think they have already been taken over by the government. No one even tried to get me to stay a member. Seemed they didn't care.

After CR's misguided support for Socialized Medicine, I now have to question each and every product/recommendation they give. Have we all been duped over these many years? If they are wrong on such an important issue, certainly all reviews now have to be questioned.

Goodby, CR...one of the changes I cannot live with.

[Lucy]

I've got to agree with the majority, I'm canceling my subscription immediately....I'll miss you guys...but not as much as I miss the America I grew up in...Good Ole USofA, Apple pie & Cars......I'm very sorry to say that President Obama and has made a disaster not only of this Health Care Reform but Cap & Trade is next and try asking a college student to share their "A" grade with an "F" grade student so neither will fail and see how well they like the "Redistribution Concept". President Obama's rally cry is "Fired Up" - "Ready to Go".......Mine is ... "We're Fired Up" - "We'll VOTE You Out" - "Get Ready To GO!" I'm starting with you and I must wish an early "Merry CHIRSTMAS" to all! PS-I'm not a radical, I'm not a racist...I'm a very hard working mother of 5 who's taught her children to be hard working, productive adults and responsilbe for their actions good or bad. No Whining allowed!

[Eric]

Dear Robert Jensen, I have to wonder why, when conservatives actually get a voice in the Republican party they are labeled as the "extremist" that are taking over the entire party. Also, why is that NEVER used when a far-left liberal like Obama, Hillary, Reid, Pelosi have power in the Democratic party? They would turn our nation into a socialist state in a heartbeat. Is that what you want? Examples would be: lowest common denominator (health care, standard of living, consumable goods, etc), staggering taxes to pay for ever-increasing govt programs, failing economy due to idiotic decisions, etc. What do conservatives offer in contrast to that? Let's see - choice, freedom, ability for each to succeed on their own effort, ability to fail if so chosen, ability to keep more of the money we earn at our jobs, etc. So, tell me again why conservatives are so "extreme" but truly extremists liberals are totally fine?

[Eric]

I think the OVERWHELMING number of posts disagreeing with your stance say it all. But I do want to add that this statement is misleading: "By creating a more secure, affordable health care system, the House bill goes a long way towards solving the crisis." It may be affordable for those who had issues before, but for all of us who are going to have to foot this bill with higher taxes, it isn't so affordable. Maybe my health care costs won't go up, but my overall income will go down thanks to the govt taking more of my money to add more people to the govt teet.

I think too many Americans have forgotten that America was founded to give people an equal chance, not equal results. Our politicians all seem to want to play Robin Hood today, but that fairy tale is dangerous in the real world.

[Russ Roberts]

As a long time subscriber, I have usually felt that CR is fair and thorough in its reporting. I have relied on many reports over the years.

However:
I am VERY DISAPPOINTED to see my subscription money going to support political subjects!!! It seems that CR has joined most of the rest of the media in supporting liberal causes. I do not support the effort. I would not support CR money or ANY political causes. I do not agree with this decision!

I also do not agree with the "sound bite" type of reporting that has begun to take up much of the space. If this continues I will be asking for a refund of my subscription as it is cancelled.

PLEASE - Go back to in-depth evaluations and fair and balanced reporting.

[James Chapman]

I am glad to see CU state the facts about this health care bill and how it will help all Americans. Once this bill has passed and after the insurance company propaganda has died down, people will begin to see the benefits under the new plan. CU will be one of the few proud and unbiased publications who did no cave in to the lies and hate mongering that has spread fear into the hearts of our elderly and misinformed. Thank you very much!

[bob bradshaw]

I have been a long time subscriber to Consumers Reports (as well as an online subscriber) and am very, very disturbed that you would take such a biased stand although your recent articles were all biased as well. This certainly is a contridiction to what I have come to trust in your unbiased product ratings. I cancelled my AARP because of their liberal left wing stance. I will think long and hard about Consumer's insensitive position to all of your subscribers. I do not understand why, when there is disagreement on both sides of the issue, you have taken the arrogant position that you know what is the best way to fix the health insurance crisis.

[Teresa Brown]

I, too, am a long-time supporter of CR. I've always felt I could trust their opinion because they were unbiased. I guess that's a bygone way of life; with CR's endorsement, CR is taking a very biased - and very political - position. Regardless whether or not this bill is right or wrong for our country, CR should not be endorsing anything political, at least not if it intends on maintaining its "unbiased" claim. I really feel that CR has let me down. Before CR became biased, I would have expected them to present the tens of thousands of pages in the bill and explain pro/cons and then let *me* decide what's right for me rather than taking the politician approach and tell me what's right for me.

[Renata]

I have subscribed to Consumer Reports for years. I thought that the organization was about consumer products. I don't think that your magazine has any right to use the money of its subscribers to push a political agenda, whatever it may be. I don't care if it was Democrat or Republican. While I was researching something, I came across your health magazine with an ad trying to get people to back Obama's health care. Sorry, but everything has become so polluted with politics-so I have already canceled my subscription.

[Carl McDonald]

While I agree, to a degree, with the comments made by the Democracticreformparty.com, what relevance does it have to do with your endorsement of the health bill? How can you be impartial and still allow pure political comments to be posted?

I get the feeling you have an agenda that doesn't agree with your stated claims of being "fair and impartial".

[Carl McDonald]

I have always respected and recommended your efforts to be impartial with all of your testing and recommendations--UNTIL NOW! As a Senior who will be affected by the Medicare cuts included in the proposed bill, I strongly resent your endorsements of this proposed fiasco of a bill. I have been a loyal supporter and subscriber for more years than I care to remember but that will come to a halt effective immediately. I'm not canceling my subscription at this time but if a retraction of support for this bill is not published by the end of the year, I will cancel. Also, let's see if you're "impartial" enough to publish the results of the comments, pro and con, that you receive as a result of your endorsement.

[Sol]

I applaud CU's endorsement of the health care bill, which is aligned with the group's mission: to help protect consumer rights.

[Wesley E. Lively]

Stick with testing blenders and stay out of politics. Health care costs can be drastically lowered by openining up competition across state lines, tort reform and allowing companies to create insurance pools as unions, etc are permitted to do.
There is no reason to back HR 3962, a bill that will bankrupt America while simultaneously degrading the quantity and quality of health care now available in this country. One has only to ask a Canadian or Brit about their appaling experiences with socialized medicine in their countries to understand the enormous mistake we would be making by emulating their failed systems.

[Richard Lynch]

Your opinion on product safety etc. is always welcome, but to use your customer base in approving this Pelosi/obama disaster is not. Don't bother sending a renewal to me. CU, AARP and Congress all the same, a snake wriggling about not worrying if the body follows.

[M. McBride]

I too have been a long-time member of Consumer Reports and I will call tomorrow morning to cancel my subscription. Consumer Reports has always protected consumers and with this action, has decided to support lower medical standards, healthcare rationing and higer costs for medical care? WTF are you thinking?

[Jim Northcutt]

I canceled AARP and now I am canceling you all, CR. You and AARP BOTH sold out my health care.

All you democrats go stew in your on juice.

[Steve L]

I agree with "Robert Jensen", my fellow Republicans have turned into everything they've despised for years. Essentially we've become the new hippies. Rather than argue our points and hear out other opposing views, we've turned to tea parties and protests and financial threats.

The saddest part is it's mostly because of Glenn Beck and his paranoid delusions. Too bad free speech includes letting him get into the heads of millions of ignorant automatons.

[M Rivera]

I also will be canceling my subscription. I have totally lost all respect for Consumer Reports for CU's decision to endorse the House bill to "destroy health care" just for the sake of government gaining more power in our lives. We've started on this slippery path towards socialism and the people have a right to be heard. Americans do not have a right to health care. Let's pass real reform by tort law changes, portability, and open pricing. Congress is totally ignoring it's constituents - look at the polls and the outcry this past summer. Where does the constitution give the government the right to impose fines on those not wanting to purchase something (health insurance)? Consumer Reports is definitely not looking out for us!

[John Weidgans]

I cannot believe that this organization supports the socialist takeover of the United States of America beginning with the unconstitutional takeover of health care. I have cancelled my membership with AARP and I Will cancel my subsciption to Consumer Reports.
American taxpayers will punish politicians and organizations that support ObamCare!

[Carole Kelly]

I, too, cannot believe your organization would back this ridiculous bill. This is using nazi tactics to make EVERYONE participate in this bill. Is our country becoming a socialist country? I work and pay for my husband and myself to pay for our own health care and we are happy with it. Why should we be forced to pay for coverage we do not need or want. This will be another government run plan which will go bankrupt. A really big question is: If this plan to so great, why does Congress not enroll in it also?? Will they be penalized also if they do not join???? Cancelling my subscription also.

[Charles G]

I have been a subscriber since the late '50s, and an AARP member for 19 years. I canceled my ARRP membership since they sold out to the Democrat (Socialist?) party, and my wife and I are discussing whether we should do the same with CU. For sure, whether we cancel or not, we will never contribute another dime to CU. How can you possibly have read a house bill that is 2000 pages long, and only passed last night. Your political bias is quite transparent, totally unlike this Democratic administration. You have not read the bill, yet you endorse it....is this how you write your product reviews also....do you just make them up and phone them in? This makes me question everything that has your stamp of approval on it. And since your 'moderators' must approve all comments before they are posted, how do we know you have not received thousands that are negative and you do not approve?

I am afraid you have destroyed your credibility, so what else do you have left??????????

[David Scudder]

Echoing most of the above,I an canceling my subscription immediately.If I find myself in the market for a blender in the future I'll just go to the library.I am thoroughly disgusted with your organization.

[JR]

I purchased this subscription as part of a school fundraiser. I was totally caught off-guard that this was yet another socialist propoganda rag. I will be canceling this subscription come Monday morning. For all of you fed up with the socialist take-over of our country... The best way to fight for our country right now is to vote with your pocketbooks. Boycott all those who seek to destroy our country by taking away what a person has rightfully earned and re-distribute to those who have not earned it.

[Lawrence Love]

I join the list of those who will cancel subscriptions to Consumer Reports. The Health Care Bill is a disaster in so many ways, not the least of which being the public funding of abortions, other programs that do not respect life, and the specter of end-of-life issues that are patently immoral and frightening.

[Robert Jensen]

One more thing, as a moderate Republican I hate to see all these other fake 'I'll cancel my subscription to your magazine and AARP' empty threats. Its becoming embarrassing to be a Republican when the party is being turned into a laughing stock by the so-called 'religious' extreme. I bet if you did a 'whois' of these other posts you'll find them all originating from the same place.

Most American's are like me, middle of the road. I'm not a fan of the far right or left viewpoints. I see President Obama's health care reform a step in the right direction (no pun intended) and most American's agree with me.

[Robert Jensen]

As someone who'd seen their heath insurance increase by 50% last year and suffered another 10% increase this year I applaud your endorsement of the health reform bill. I'm going to renew my prescription to your website. (now, if you only included the health section when someone subscribes)

[GHReese]

Thank you for endorsing H.R. 3962, I believe it is a good plan, especially for those who cannot afford insurance. Fortunately, I am a retiree who is currently insured; however there are thousands of people who are not so fortunate. Unfortunately, many people complained when Social Security and Medicare was endorsed and they are the same type of people who are fighting H.R. 3962. Most of the people, who are carrying signs and complaining about H.R. 3962, are currently using both Social Security and Medicare. Keep up the good work.

[BG]

When I discovered that Consumer Reports endorsed the Health Care Bill, it left me numb with disbelief. It is impossible to comprehend that any rational person or organization would endorse the most flawed piece of legislation in the history of the United States. This bill will end quality healthcare as we know it, kill jobs and soak the middle class . . . It will create a cradle to grave social welfare state. It is my intent to cancel my subscription (and encourage others to as well) as CR clearly is a politically motivated and biased organization . . . CR can no longer be trusted as a reputable organization. This is a sad day.

[Richard V.]

Union must be the key word and clue to your endorsement. Is Consumer Reports a natural organization? Not any more ---

[Richard V.]

You have failed to properly "test" (read) the bill you support. If you product quality tested this proposed legislation you would have to conclude it is a recall. For sure it is not a "Best Buy" and existing similar products are broken. On what basis did you make your recommendation?

I have lost my respect for your organization...

[Stan Misiewicz]

Consumers Union has taken unprecedented step – endorsed health care bill pushed by the House. This endorsement caused me to not renew my CR magazine subscription and not to seek any services from CU ever again.
The union just took ownership of its own destiny. Use your own money for this!

Good bye.

[G Hicks]

I must agree with most of the other commenters; you have lost another subscriber as a result of this decision.

First, you cannot possibly have read the bill you endorsed - no one has, not even the so-called 'authors' in Congress. How do you know it will accomplish any of the things being claimed? You don't. Perhaps you're just 'hoping' the government will do the right thing. I don't.

Second, even if - and I do mean IF - the bill would do all sorts of wonderful, benign things for the U.S. health care system, IT IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL. There is NO authority for Congress or the Executive Branch to do ANY of this.

Third, we already have government-run health care: Medicare, Medicaid and the Veterans Administration. All are riddled with waste, fraud, abuse, substandard care and rationing - and both Medicare and Medicaid are bankrupt. Why should anyone believe dumping ALL of us on a government plan will 'change' things? More 'hope'?

For the gentleman who warns of 'scammers', I am neither victim nor scammer, sir. I'm an average American citizen who loves her country and her freedom. Both are worth fighting for no matter where, when or by whom they are threatened.

[Larry Bowls]

It is hard to imagine that you have endorsed HR 3962 Health Reform Act. You have surely gone off the deep end with this endorsement. You are helping usher in a socialist society where what used to be General Motors and is now Government Motors. You soon wont be free to do your testing and point out the down side of a product. The Government will own you! With this remark being posted, I cancel my account and wont return to these pages.

[Ronald Schreiner]

I agree with everyone above who has spoken negatively about a magazine I have subscribed to for many years and now can no longer trust because to me your organization has been bought off by the socialist leaning powers to be. Its amazing to me that the bill is over 2,000 pages long and it hasn't been released to anybody hardly and you have the audacity to recommend it to your buying public and the general public without a real analysis of it, just like supposedly you do for all other things you recommend. - Incredible !!! Today I will write a note of cancellation of my subscription and no longer subscribe to your magazine.

[G DeKoning]

I cannot believe you have been suckered in to this Socialist BULL. Of course, you have not read the bill, don't actually know what's in it. You have jumped into the muck pool! This bill will take away the freedoms that America enjoys. Choices? Don't make me laugh! My subscription will most certainly not be renewed. If this is the way you investigate, I can no longer trust in anything you "supposedly" test.

[Todd]

It's apparent that UNION is the key word in Consumers Union.....

[John McLaughlin]

Please check and see. I am a subscriber to the magazine and the web site. I am will cancel immediately and you will never get another buck from me. You have crossed a line. Being unbiased and nuetral has always been your selling point. You have nothing to offer now. You are for sale. I am shocked to see you support this. Have you read through and carefully considered the thousands of pages that this bill has? No you couldn't have. You are definetly getting some political kick back on this that is how they are buying the support. Shame on you.

[D. Zinnecker]

I have to echo W Abbott. "I've canceled my AARP membership, looks like you guys are next." Can't believe an organization that calls themselves unbiased would take such a stand.

[ROBERT TEAL]

UNMUCKING BELIEVABLE! TAKE ME OFF YOUR MAILING LIST BEGGING FOR MONEY. YOU GET NOT A NICKEL FROM ME.

THIS COUNTRY IS SUPPOSEDLY FREEDOM OF CHOICE. WITH THIS HEALTHCARE MONSTROSITY OF A BILL WE ARE HEADED FOR SOCIALISM.

[Harvey Elmore]

I can not believe that the Consumer Union can support a bill in it's current stage. I expect more from CU.

It is very disappointing that CU evens jumps into the political areas without facts to evaluate.

If any CU should have provided facts (not opinions) on points of the Bill that are positive moves for the all of us.

I have lost faith in the CU unfortuately.

Harvey Elmore (long time supporter)

[Craig Newmark]

Guys, I completely endorse what you're saying, you have the best record I've heard of for fact-checking and integrity, and have earned the trust you have.

When you get hit by victims of scammers, just ignore 'em. They're easy prey for the scammers, but there are very few, and it's quite possible that all of them are the same person.

Your integrity is the reason I've joined up with you.

[jcasanave]

This organization just lost all credibility with me.