Concerns Over Loss of Private Insurance Said to be Unfounded

ABC World News (8/11, Gibson) reported, "Opponents of healthcare reform insist the proposed changes would put private insurance companies out of business. That's false."

Drew Altman, The Kaiser Family Foundation, said, "So, if anything, this expands private health insurance options for people." ABC continued, "But at contentious town-hall meetings across the country, the issue keeps coming up. ... This is really a crucial question, because polls show that most Americans are perfectly happy with their own doctor, and they're wary that any reform might force them to make a change. The President has been unequivocal."

President Obama said, "If you've got health insurance, you keep your plan. You keep your doctor. I don't want to take it over." However, according to ABC, the CBO "estimated nine million people who currently have insurance through their jobs would end up changing their insurance plans, but not necessarily changing doctors."