Health insurance a hot topic

By MIKE LANDIS

The Register-Mail

GALESBURG - U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., has a great health insurance package. He's not sure why all Americans can't be covered under that same umbrella.
During a roundtable discussion with dislocated workers Tuesday morning at Galesburg Works, health insurance surfaced as the leading issue troubling those temporarily out of the work force while retraining for a new career.

"Health insurance, health insurance, health insurance," said Aaron Kemp, a peer counselor with Galesburg Works. "I couldn't be any more clear about what our people are facing as far as insurance, not only for their children but for themselves."

"Jerry and I are the luckiest people in the room, we are federal employees," said Durbin, referring to Jerry Lack, a staff assistant with Congressman Lane Evans, D-Rock Island. "Everybody should have what we have. There's open enrollment every year and I get to choose from nine different health insurance plans. Why shouldn't everybody in America have insurance as good as a member of Congress?"

Durbin said the plan insures eight million federal employees nationwide.

"I've been at this job for a while and every time I come back to the state and meet with people it's always about health insurance," said Durbin. "Whether it's the labor unions, businesses or individuals families, it's always about health insurance. You wonder when somebody is going to wake up in Washington and say this is a national crisis."

Durbin applauded Gov. Rod Blagojevich's All Kids program, which will provide health insurance to all children in the state at a modest monthly premium for parents. The program officially begins July 1.

Health insurance also is an issue for retirees, Durbin said.

Sears CEO recently told the senator the company was dumping retirees' health benefits. The retirees now have to pay for the benefits and the CEO told Durbin the company "had no choice," adding Sears' competition no longer offers benefit packages, particularly for retirees.

"It's a challenge for us to keep our word here, and we must to the people that have worked a lifetime for these benefits," Durbin said.

The senator said the government needs to help small businesses by providing the tax benefits so they can offer health insurance to employees, and added he would like to see citizens able to buy into Medicare when they reach 55.

"You don't have to pay $800 per month," Durbin said of buying into Medicare. "You can pay a lot less for a program that's not a profit-making program and gives you basic protection for you and your family."