国际英语新闻：Drastic healthcare overhaul poses many challenges for U.S.

CHICAGO, March 26 (Xinhua) -- Although there are some positive parts in the new healthcare bill signed by President Barack Obama on Tuesday, the drastic healthcare overhaul poses many challenges for the United States, a health insurance expert has said.

In a Thursday interview with Xinhua in Chicago, Butch Zemar, president of Elite Benefits of America, said: "There are bits and pieces inside the new health care bill that are very valuable. The Obama administration should just focus on those areas and try to cut down more cost, instead of packaging on whole bunch of stuff which is going to cost more."

Zemar stated: "Basically the Obama administration overhauled the whole healthcare system just for 15 percent of the people who don't have health insurance, and it will affect all Americans in different ways."

Regarding the effect of this bill on average Americans, the health insurance expert said: "It is going to be a mix across the board. Average working class will be able to have easier access to health insurance while the upper classes are just going to have to face the fact that they are going to pay more than they currently do."

As an independent business owner himself, Zemar believes that many business owners will suffer more from the bill because of higher tax and premium.

In addition, he said: "According to the bill, business owners will be forced to provide benefits to employees or force their employees to buy their own health insurance. The employees will have complete control of costs and benefits and this could become a major problem."