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.

[D-fendr]

HSAs, created under Bush, were original intended to be just this. Obamacare made some significant changes and the Dems in general want to kill it.

[xzins]

Go to Cruz’s site and post his healthcare plan. I don’t think it’s ever been posted on FR.

[DoughtyOne]

[DoughtyOne]

[datura]

Cruz has no healthcare plan - only to repeal Obamacare. Just like his plan to “eliminate” the IRS with no specifics.

[Cobra64]

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

You made Trump's point. Plans are great but worthless if not implemented successfully.

If y'all think Trump is all bluster and BS, take a look at a result of one of his plans.

Can anyone name a current candidate who has accomplished in building anything in the private sector?

.

This is Ivanka Trump's renovation poject of "the old post office" in Washington, DC. It is a few blocks down the street from the capital building and is scheduled for completion prior to the election. Personally, I believe his winning the extremely competitive bid on this very visible project is part of his campaign strategy.

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[xzins]

That’s pretty shoddy, complaining about others not giving details of their plans and not having one himself.

And you say he’s done the same with IRS?

[Sacajaweau]

http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/234499-cruz-unveils-obamacare-alternative

[Sacajaweau]

You’re absolutely correct. Cruz has no health plan. He’s just going with the party plan...more or less.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

What irks is that Trump supported the democrats in 2008

Yeah well, is he supporting them now?

When you can find archives of Trump elected into office and working with Democrats on some Gang of 8 panel designed to undercut conservatives as Republicans have for decades, get back to me.

[D-fendr]

>>>Yeah well, is he supporting them now?

Says he’s not now, but he’s been all over the place on the issue just within the last year.

And when it counted, when Obamacare could of been stopped from every becoming law, he was playing on the wrong team.

[norwaypinesavage]

It's missing a couple of important points:

Tort Reform. There needs to be several important tort reforms: looser pays, Reduce payout to "medical lottery winners", and more.

Reduced government intrusion into medical records so they don't require so much doctor time.

Improved and streamlined drug approvals. Drug companies still need to make enough profit to fund development of new drugs.