The status quo is not sustainable. We cannot afford more years of 20 percent premium increases or continue to subject Americans to the risk of losing health insurance. Well crafted reform can provide the following benefits.

Affordable coverage through competition, cost savings and tax credits

Tax credits would be provided for health insurance costs on a sliding income scale up to $88,000. The greatest assistance will go to those with the greatest need. If your credit exceeds the tax you owe, you get a check. Small employers also receive credits if they provide insurance to employees, though it’s not mandated. An online insurance marketplace would enhance competition and provide the information to compare the cost and value of health insurance plans.

To control costs, health insurance companies will be required to spend a greater amount of premiums on medical care. There will be incentives to promote prevention of health problems, coordinate care, and reduce medical errors. Other measures like creating incentives for more primary care physicians relative to highly-paid specialists and paying providers for health outcomes versus each treatment or test provided have even more potential to tame runaway costs.

Secure coverage

All major proposals give you the option of keeping your current coverage. New rules will prohibit health insurance companies from denying coverage due to pre-existing conditions, age or gender and from canceling your health insurance if you get sick. New rules will cap out-of-pocket costs, the leading cause of medical debt and individual bankruptcies. Annual and lifetime insurance limits will be prohibited. The trade off is that everyone will be required to purchase insurance.

Access to care in your community

New programs such as college loan forgiveness will provide incentives to increase the number of medical providers in rural communities.

Find out more about what health reform means for you here. You can also sign up for the Center’s Blog for Rural America, where we explore health care and other rural issues.