Posted on 01/08/2014 10:08:04 AM PST by SeekAndFind
If Republicans are successful at replacing the Affordable Care Act, or "Obamacare," what would they replace it with? Two bills introduced in the U.S. House provide clues to what health care reform might look like under Republican government.
One of the bills was developed the Republican Study Committee, a group of House Republicans that tends to represent the more conservative wing of the Republican Party. That bill, H.R. 3121, American Health Care Reform Act of 2013 (AHCRA), was introduced last September by Rep. Phil Roe (R-Tenn.). The other bill, H.R. 2300, Empowering Patients First Act of 2013 (EPFA), was introduced by Rep. Tom Price last June. Both Price and Roe are former doctors.
The bills have many aspects in common, and Price is a cosponsor of Roe's bill. Both bills begin by repealing the ACA, then replace the current law with alternatives aimed at expanding health coverage and lowering health costs.
The central feature of the EPFA is a refundable tax credit for low income Americans to purchase health insurance and a tax deduction for health insurance for others.
The credit or deduction is for those not already receiving some other form of government provided health care, such as Medicaid, Medicare, or a Veteran's Administration plan.
Those earning up to 200% of the poverty level would get a full credit equal to the average insurance rate and tied to inflation. The credit would then be on a sliding scale up to 300% of the poverty level. Insurance companies can get an advance payment so the credit can be used right away.
Those above 300% of the poverty level and not on some other government health plan would not have to pay taxes on their insurance premiums. The deduction would be capped at an amount equal to the average for employer health plans.
The EPFA provides the tax deduction to the individual, rather than, as in current law, through an employer. This means that all Americans would get the same tax deduction, regardless of whether or not they get their insurance through their employer. Additionally, health plans would stay with the individual. So, health insurance purchased through an employer would stay with an individual even if they left their job or moved to another state.
The bill's efforts to reduce health care costs would mostly come from increased competition in the health insurance marketplace. Companies would be able to sell policies across state lines. Small businesses and other associations would be able to enter insurance pools across state lines. And, states would be provided grants to establish high-risk pools to keep insurance costs lower for everyone else.
The EPFA also seeks to save money by reforming lawsuits in the health care industry and eliminating certain types of waste and fraud in Medicare and Medicaid.
Douglas Holtz-Eakin, a conservative economist and former head of the Congressional Budget Office, estimates that Price's bill would lower federal spending by $479 billion over 10 years.
Like the EPFA, the AHCRA would include tort reform, state grants for high-risk pools, allow insurance to be sold across state lines, and provide support for health insurance premiums through the tax code.
The AHCRA would provide a single deduction, $7,500 for individuals or $20,000 for families, to purchase health insurance. That deduction would be the same for everyone, regardless of how much they spend. So, if a family spends $15,000 on health insurance, they still get a $20,000 deduction. (This is to eliminate an incentive to spend more on health insurance.)
The deduction would also be applied to both the income tax and payroll taxes. This means that lower income workers, who usually do not pay income tax but do pay payroll taxes, would still benefit.
The amount that individuals can contribute to a health savings account would also be increased.
Both bills would prohibit federal funds for abortion coverage, except in cases of rape, incest and the life of the mother.
RE: ability to sell policies across state lines
From the article:
Companies would be able to sell policies across state lines. Small businesses and other associations would be able to enter insurance pools across state lines. And, states would be provided grants to establish high-risk pools to keep insurance costs lower for everyone else.
There are a number of alternatives to the Obamacare exchanges.
Alternatives to Obamacare
http://tamarawilhite.hubpages.com/hub/Alternatives-to-Obamacare
RE: portability
From the article:
Additionally, health plans would stay with the individual. So, health insurance purchased through an employer would stay with an individual even if they left their job or moved to another state.
RE: tort reform
From the article:
the AHCRA would include tort reform, state grants for high-risk pools, allow insurance to be sold across state lines, and provide support for health insurance premiums through the tax code.
A tax credit is more personal freedom, but we still need reforms like ending the mandated services health insurance must cover (massages for stress, abortion, fertility drugs, chiropractic, mental health, etc), tort reform so doctors don’t have to perform defensive medicine and the free rides illegal immigrants get at the ER.
>> If Republicans are successful at replacing the Affordable Care Act
Replace? Repeal. Period.
This is the Uniparty in action. They dicker over methods but the agenda moves forward.
Why do we try to use the tax code as the tool to cure all of society's ills?
There are already plenty of medical resources for low income or indigent people.
What is it we are trying to provide anyway?
Health insurance is no more health care than car insurance is a car.
We need free enterprise health care.
TWO WORDS... FREE MARKET!
In 2014:
1.) Repeal Obamcare, entirely.
2.) Abolish, foever, any Mandated “Insurance.”
3.) Privatize Medicaid.
4.) Privatize Medicare.
5.) Privatize Disability payments.
6.) Privatize Aid to dependent children.
7.) Privatize Rent subsidies.
8.) Privatize Student Loans.
9.) Abolish Medical Emergency Hospital Care Laws.
10.) Put a low cap on medical lawsuit damages.
11.) Have an automatic Show-Cause, Pass-Fail Impeachment Review every 6 months for all Federal Politicians.
12.) Privatize Social Security.
13.) Abolish the IRS, Department of Socialist Education, and the NSA.
14.) Restrict all Executive Orders to their original restrictions: instructions to the White House gardeners and cooks.
RE: Replace? Repeal. Period.
Repeal, yes. But the status quo still needs to be improved upon.
You can’t just say repeal and not propose anything better. That’s a political dead end.
Status quo four years ago was far better. Status quo, but with insurance companies allowed to sell policies across state lines is far better. Status quo, except with reduced restrictions on the practice of medicine and on innovation would be far better. There are lots of conservative proposals, and almost anything would be better than ObamaCare. Libs are lying when they pretend there are no GOP proposals that are better than ObamaCare; all proposals are better, which is how Pelosi designed ObamaCare when she wanted it as a bridge to SinglePayer.
The federal government should withdraw completely from any matters involving health with the exception of public health hazards across state lines.
The federal government should transition out of Medicare and Medicare by promoting a transition of physicians into retainer fee medicine with legislation binding on ***states*** that clinics and hospitals are to provide a minimum of 10% pro bono service to the indigent population. That means for example one 4-hour morning or one 4-hour afternoon per week by each clinic or hospital will be dedicated to those with the inability to pay.
Further federal legislation binding on states should restrict state insurance commissioners from prohibiting clinics and hospitals from purchasing reinsurance direct for referrals to specialists.
Further legislation binding on states should allow clinics and hospitals to set up their own reserves for monthly coverage plans that is audited and confirmed by a Certified Public Accountant as meeting standards of accounting practice.
The above points are designed to allow doctors to break free of the grip that health insurance companies have on their ability to practice.
Physicians who operate under retainer fee agreements without Medicare, Medicaid or insurance company reimbursments report that they have much more quality time with their patients and as a consequence are able to make better medical decisions and dispense better medical advice.
The goal if to bring patient and physiciian closer together with minimal third party interference.
Um - My alternative to Obamacare?? How about just LEAVE US ALONE? And get those folks who need it some sort of assistance? That doesn’t take too awfully much thinking does it?
Free enterprise.
No cartels (HMO PPO etc).
Communism, in any guise or degree, does not work.
Communism has been enforced by the most murderous regimes ever endured, and failed
Communism is contrary to nature.
Free enterprise has done more to eliminate poverty than any other system.
Free enterprise has built the US.
Free enterprise put a super computer in your pocket (smart phone).
Tort Reform would help!
WINNER!!!
What are the alternatives to ObamaCare?
How about;
Free enterprise
Liberty
Freedom
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