Healthcare Reform to Make America Great Again

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[xzins]

Healthcare Reform to Make America Great Again

Since March of 2010, the American people have had to suffer under the incredible economic burden of the Affordable Care Act—Obamacare. This legislation, passed by totally partisan votes in the House and Senate and signed into law by the most divisive and partisan President in American history, has tragically but predictably resulted in runaway costs, websites that don’t work, greater rationing of care, higher premiums, less competition and fewer choices. Obamacare has raised the economic uncertainty of every single person residing in this country. As it appears Obamacare is certain to collapse of its own weight, the damage done by the Democrats and President Obama, and abetted by the Supreme Court, will be difficult to repair unless the next President and a Republican congress lead the effort to bring much-needed free market reforms to the healthcare industry.

But none of these positive reforms can be accomplished without Obamacare repeal. On day one of the Trump Administration, we will ask Congress to immediately deliver a full repeal of Obamacare.

However, it is not enough to simply repeal this terrible legislation. We will work with Congress to make sure we have a series of reforms ready for implementation that follow free market principles and that will restore economic freedom and certainty to everyone in this country. By following free market principles and working together to create sound public policy that will broaden healthcare access, make healthcare more affordable and improve the quality of the care available to all Americans.

Any reform effort must begin with Congress. Since Obamacare became law, conservative Republicans have been offering reforms that can be delivered individually or as part of more comprehensive reform efforts. In the remaining sections of this policy paper, several reforms will be offered that should be considered by Congress so that on the first day of the Trump Administration, we can start the process of restoring faith in government and economic liberty to the people.

Congress must act. Our elected representatives in the House and Senate must:

1. Completely repeal Obamacare. Our elected representatives must eliminate the individual mandate. No person should be required to buy insurance unless he or she wants to.
2. Modify existing law that inhibits the sale of health insurance across state lines. As long as the plan purchased complies with state requirements, any vendor ought to be able to offer insurance in any state. By allowing full competition in this market, insurance costs will go down and consumer satisfaction will go up.
3. Allow individuals to fully deduct health insurance premium payments from their tax returns under the current tax system. Businesses are allowed to take these deductions so why wouldn’t Congress allow individuals the same exemptions? As we allow the free market to provide insurance coverage opportunities to companies and individuals, we must also make sure that no one slips through the cracks simply because they cannot afford insurance. We must review basic options for Medicaid and work with states to ensure that those who want healthcare coverage can have it.
4. Allow individuals to use Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). Contributions into HSAs should be tax-free and should be allowed to accumulate. These accounts would become part of the estate of the individual and could be passed on to heirs without fear of any death penalty. These plans should be particularly attractive to young people who are healthy and can afford high-deductible insurance plans. These funds can be used by any member of a family without penalty. The flexibility and security provided by HSAs will be of great benefit to all who participate.
5. Require price transparency from all healthcare providers, especially doctors and healthcare organizations like clinics and hospitals. Individuals should be able to shop to find the best prices for procedures, exams or any other medical-related procedure.
6. Block-grant Medicaid to the states. Nearly every state already offers benefits beyond what is required in the current Medicaid structure. The state governments know their people best and can manage the administration of Medicaid far better without federal overhead. States will have the incentives to seek out and eliminate fraud, waste and abuse to preserve our precious resources.
7. Remove barriers to entry into free markets for drug providers that offer safe, reliable and cheaper products. Congress will need the courage to step away from the special interests and do what is right for America. Though the pharmaceutical industry is in the private sector, drug companies provide a public service. Allowing consumers access to imported, safe and dependable drugs from overseas will bring more options to consumers.

The reforms outlined above will lower healthcare costs for all Americans. They are simply a place to start. There are other reforms that might be considered if they serve to lower costs, remove uncertainty and provide financial security for all Americans. And we must also take actions in other policy areas to lower healthcare costs and burdens. Enforcing immigration laws, eliminating fraud and waste and energizing our economy will relieve the economic pressures felt by every American. It is the moral responsibility of a nation’s government to do what is best for the people and what is in the interest of securing the future of the nation.

Providing healthcare to illegal immigrants costs us some $11 billion annually. If we were to simply enforce the current immigration laws and restrict the unbridled granting of visas to this country, we could relieve healthcare cost pressures on state and local governments.

To reduce the number of individuals needing access to programs like Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program we will need to install programs that grow the economy and bring capital and jobs back to America. The best social program has always been a job – and taking care of our economy will go a long way towards reducing our dependence on public health programs.

Finally, we need to reform our mental health programs and institutions in this country. Families, without the ability to get the information needed to help those who are ailing, are too often not given the tools to help their loved ones. There are promising reforms being developed in Congress that should receive bi-partisan support.

To reform healthcare in America, we need a President who has the leadership skills, will and courage to engage the American people and convince Congress to do what is best for the country. These straightforward reforms, along with many others I have proposed throughout my campaign, will ensure that together we will Make America Great Again.

[xzins]

This isn't mentioned much, but the logic behind it is impeccable:

3.Allow individuals to fully deduct health insurance premium payments from their tax returns under the current tax system. Businesses are allowed to take these deductions so why wouldn’t Congress allow individuals the same exemptions? As we allow the free market to provide insurance coverage opportunities to companies and individuals, we must also make sure that no one slips through the cracks simply because they cannot afford insurance. We must review basic options for Medicaid and work with states to ensure that those who want healthcare coverage can have it.

The logic can extend to EVERY activity that is a COST for a household, that it, too, like with business should not even count toward household profit.

[Blood of Tyrants]

It is basically the same plan the GOP has had for years.

[stocksthatgoup]

Yes. But they never got it passed. Vote GOPe to save Obamacare /s

[xzins]

A lot of it but not points #3 and #5, and not the closing paragraphs.

[Blood of Tyrants]

It will have to get through a Senate filibuster, first. And that will depend on how decisive a victory Trump gets.

[D-fendr]

What irks is that Trump supported the democrats in 2008, the ones who rammed through “this legislation, passed by totally partisan votes in the House and Senate”

And Trump touted Obama, his leadership and his team in 2009. He now complains that Obamacare was “signed into law by the most divisive and partisan President in American history.”

And he now supports the same basic plan the republicans have had for years.

[xzins]

see #4

[D-fendr]

The part where he wants to expand medicare? That’s an Obamacare idea isn’t it?

:)

[Vigilanteman]

As long as the plan purchased complies with state requirements, any vendor ought to be able to offer insurance in any state.

I'd delete the underlined part. It gets abused just like the ObaMaoCare mandates.

For example, Pennsylvania requires that all policies sold here includes unlimited substance abuse coverage. One of those rehab places constantly advertises on TV "chemical abuse can happen to anyone at anytime." I feel like shouting back "No it can't you damn morons, not if you don't put that $#*+ in your body."

Then there is Delaware who evidently has a strong homo lobby to get them to mandate unlimited STD treatment to force the heteros to pay for their glorious lifestyle.

There should either be (a)ZERO mandates for illnesses caused by lifestyle chooses or (b)some reasonable limits such as we will give a drunk or druggie three chances at rehab and then they pay out of pocket. Health insurance should not be an enabler.

[eyeamok]

If trump is smart, which I think he is. He just needs to Issue an Executive Order MANDATING ALL Public Employees NATIONWIDE Enroll in the Affordable Care Exchange.

The House and Senate will have the repeal bill on his desk in 24 hours or less! And the President Trump should VETO IT. Let the Government Employees see how great it is First!

[Red Badger]

Allow individuals to use Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). Contributions into HSAs should be tax-free and should be allowed to accumulate. These accounts would become part of the estate of the individual and could be passed on to heirs without fear of any death penalty. These plans should be particularly attractive to young people who are healthy and can afford high-deductible insurance plans. These funds can be used by any member of a family without penalty. The flexibility and security provided by HSAs will be of great benefit to all who participate.

Congress Critters don't like money accumulating if they ain't got it......................

[justlittleoleme]

Duplicate Post: http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3404369/posts

[Red Badger]

We’ve devolved into a country with one set of laws for the governed, and another set for the governors..................kinda like France in 1789...................

[xzins]

Those are states rights regarding what constitutes a legitimate health or auto plan in a given state. I see no reason why legislatures can’t be pushed to change illogical requirements as you’ve mentioned.

There is no reason, though, that these cannot be ‘riders’ that an individual can get through a company rather than an integral part of every plan.

[xzins]

3 hour rule

[xzins]

if they ain't got it...

LOL!

[justlittleoleme]

spam

[Vigilanteman]

Or, at the very least, allow subscribers to opt out of expensive types of coverage they will never use.

[xzins]

hardly

it’s his own plan

[xzins]

Exactly. You’re on the money there.

But, I think that Trump is on record supporting catastrophic health insurance which formerly was acceptable in every state prior to ObamaCare. If OCare is repealed, then the catastrophic plan comes back.

I’m betting they don’t include personal choice coverages.