The 'What's in it for me?' factor

The vast majority of Americans, some 250 million people, have health insurance. That includes 85 percent of Nebraskans.

While many Nebraskans have health insurance, most of those with coverage face steep increases in premiums every year. They want to contain those costs, but don't want to sacrifice what they have so that coverage may be extended to others. That was one of the main themes I heard over and over again at public meetings statewide during August.

Up until the President spoke last week, those proposing health care reform have failed to tell the majority of Americans who have insurance what reform holds for them and how they would benefit from it.

The Lost Message

Previously, the message had been all about how to cover the uninsured and not addressed to those who have worked hard and paid their share to obtain health insurance. The value of reform for those who have insurance had been lost and the absence of this important message crippled the debate.

The President spoke directly to these Americans on how health reform would make their coverage work better for them and become more secure. This is why I said his speech was a bit of a game changer. He regained control of the message for the 250 million people who have insurance and what's in it for them.

Controlling Costs for the Insured

Their premiums are going up an average of 9 percent a year which most families cannot sustain because they're going up two to three times faster than wages. While I need to see details and cost estimates, on the surface, I agree with the President that reform should help keep costs down for those who have insurance while not adding more deficit spending.

I will be looking for a plan which stresses prevention and wellness, quality improvement in the delivery of health care, yet not raise taxes, increase the deficit, ration care, or fund abortions. These are some of the basic principles that are guiding me as we work our way through this difficult issue.

Listening to Nebraskans

Swing votes, those of us in the middle, the centrist and conservative Democrats and moderate Republicans, were a target of the President's speech, but the people I will continue to listen to on this important issue are Nebraskans.

They will be the ones who influence my vote. As a result I plan to be holding more public meetings across the state on health care reform. Now that we are starting to get much needed details, additional meetings are more important than ever.