And no, it isn’t using taxpayer money to pay for abortions. This hopefully will put to rest the meme that those against ObamaCare don’t have ideas. Actually there has been ideas out there, but today House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) lays out four reforms today that will “lower health care costs and expand access to quality care without a government takeover” of our health care system. They are:
· Number one: let families and businesses buy health insurance across state lines;
· Number two: allow individuals, small businesses, and trade associations to pool together and acquire health insurance at lower prices, the same way large corporations and labor unions do today;
· Number three: give states the tools to create their own innovative reforms that lower health care costs; and
· Number four: end junk lawsuits that contribute to higher health care costs by increasing the number of tests and procedures that physicians sometimes order not because they think it’s good medicine, but because they are afraid of being sued.
Read his whole address here, and learn details behind this plan here. Will this be a game changer? We’ll see.
11 Responses to “Common Sense Health Care Reforms”
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Yeah.. we are going to get real reform from big businesses and the insurance industry. Just enrolled for next year health benefits and had no real choices.. all three “options” were United Health Care managed and the only difference in each option is premiums and out-of-pocket expenses.. no real choice. Of course I am thankful that my retirement package included health insurance even if it has gone up over the years.
Ever see the move “The Rainmaker”? IMO it is a good depiction of the ways that insurance companies work. They have policies that regularly deny claims and try to push payments out as much as possible. They would love to see laws enacted that would keep them out of court.. they are rooting for Boehner’s plan for sure.
Ever wonder why we have those restrictions that Boehner is trying to overturn.. just ask those insurance industry lobbyists.. I am sure that they wrote the initial legislation.. and are probably still influencing the (LOL) reform efforts.
I don’t know about the public option (although I like the idea of a nonprofit health insurance company) but I do know that forcing people to buy insurance form corrupt insurance companies is not the answer.
What do you think? Will Boehner’s approach help your healthcare expenses go down? I am pretty sure they will not affect mine.
Kansas Bob´s last blog ..Here I Stand
@Kansas Bob, I’m sure you are right about who pushed for the restrictions, but these still are some common sense reforms that need to be looked at.
“from corrupt insurance companies” – that’s a pretty blanket statement, I’ve got friends in the insurance industry (pretty big in Des Moines), a big part of the problem is health care costs – which is why insurance premiums are going up.
Something that you should read – http://www.usnews.com/money/blogs/flowchart/2009/08/25/why-health-insurers-make-lousy-villains.html It would see that they don’t have the outlandish profit margin that we are constantly led to believe.
I’m also curious how a “non-profit” insurance company would sustain itself… also don’t we have a form of these in coops already?
@Shane Vander Hart – What do you think? Will Boehner’s approach help your healthcare expenses go down? If so – how?
Kansas Bob´s last blog ..Here I Stand
@Kansas Bob, CBO has already stated that tort reform will help.
And it would depend on what states decide to do – some states may come up with some great ideas, while other states bankrupt themselves. Federalism at work there I guess.
Regarding insurance cost – #1 & #2 will allow competition… supply and demand dictates that it will help with costs.
You didn’t answer my question about the non-profit insurance company
I’d like to see tax incentives/credits for people purchasing insurance. Also health savings accounts that would help people pay for a doctor’s visit out of pocket rather than going to the ER when they are sick. That would help as well. Actually people getting emergency care when it isn’t needed is a huge problem for health care costs. Also Huckabee talks a lot about preventative care which if we took some personal responsibility with our lifestyles we’d see health care costs go down as well.
I don’t think Democrats will bend though… they are too dead set on a public option, and they are the majority party. But they’ll also get all the blame if it goes badly.
@Shane Vander Hart – you might want to look at the second feedback comment on that US News article you link to Shane. Of course my comment didn’t address profit-margin.. just stuff like insurance company practices that regularly deny claims and try to push payments out as much as possible.. and I didn’t even mention their practice of denying coverage due to preexisting conditions.
Kansas Bob´s last blog ..Here I Stand
@Kansas Bob, I don’t want to defend those things, but again… why are they done?
What would happen if suddenly insurance companies had to accept any and all pre-existing conditions?
That is something I struggle with since my wife is in that boat currently w/o health insurance coverage having rheumatoid arthritis.
Now if they are able to do it under a company plan, then perhaps there could be regulations in place under #2 with the health insurance pools.
@Shane Vander Hart – You seem to be making the argument for universal health care Shane. I am appalled that insurance companies skate by without covering your wife.. and.. I hope this doesn’t offend you.. I am kind of appalled that you are defending them.. help me out.. how can you defend folks that treat your family so badly.. is it about loving your enemies?
Kansas Bob´s last blog ..Living to Learn
@Kansas Bob, Didn’t I say I don’t want to defend them?
I said that I understand why that is done. I didn’t say I agreed with it.
No I’m not making the argument for universal health care – that is single payer, I’m not in favor of single payer insurance. I think that having insurance pools of individuals could buy insurance like what companies do with regulations that disallow pre-existing condition exemptions, like what happens with companies would be a good idea. That isn’t universal health care.
My question about what would happen… insurance companies can’t provide coverage if they are bankrupted. Also some pre-existing conditions are based on lifestyle choices, and that is something that needs to be considered.
For my wife’s sake I would like regulations in that area – it just needs to be done thoughtfully.
@Shane Vander Hart – It seems that, like many conservatives, you are defending Insurance Companies.. or at least you seem to be ambivalent about them and are not wanting to say anything that could be construed as anti-insurance-companies.
My conservatism has been tested over the years as I have watched people with no health insurance have to beg hospitals and health providers for help.. it is a disgrace that our country has so many cases of bankruptcy due to inability to pay medical bills. I think that the insurance lobby has helped create this kind of atmosphere in our country.
I feel that we need to advocate for these uninsured and sometimes uninsurable folks and not the insurance companies who can, but will not, help them. I mean really.. what is preventing insurance companies today from insuring folks with pre-existing conditions? Just greed I guess.
That said.. I wish you well in getting insurance for your wife and I am sorry if I came across as judgmental on that last comment.. didn’t mean to.
Kansas Bob´s last blog ..Living to Learn
I like the idea of allowing people to purchase insurance in any state. It would definitely help with high premiums.
Senator Jim DeMint also had another good proposal in the last several years. He proposed that a tax credit (up to $5000 for families) be given to people to pay their monthly premiums and medical costs.
The funny part, Obama and Democrats voted down every Republican proposal in the last several years that would make health insurance more affordable and available. Dems then turn around and along with the main stream media say that the Republicans have no solutions. Not true. The Democrats are more concerned with taking over more of the private sector. Why else do you turn down the 72 hour waiting period that give the American people and Republicans time to review this health care bill? Its because they want to pass it before people can see what is in it! Wake up!
Sure, there is still the problem of insurance companies denying people based on pre existing health conditions. However, past Republican proposals could have helped the health care system tremendously. Not only that but if people took more responsibility by eating right and exercising, there would be a lot less people with pre existing conditions. Diabetes and heart disease are preventable most of the time and they kill millions!
Jeremy´s last blog ..Public Insurance Option Choices Being Developed