01-20-2010, 08:40 PM
J Marston wrote:
Well, here's the Republican plan http://www.gop.gov/solutions/healthcare:
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.
Number three: give states the tools to create their own innovative reforms that lower health care costs.
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.
Note that there's no requirement for accepting pre-existing conditions, and that tort "reform" is one of the main points. It also leaves the insurance companies free to decide what is and isn't medically necessary.
Some "plan"! It does NOTHING to address any of the problems we have (as elucidated by TLB above)
Number 1: "Allowing" people to buy insurance across state lines is a red herring. The insurance companies themselves are the ones restricting coverage because they want to hold semi-monopolies. Buying across state lines would allow insurance companies to escape state consumer protection laws. This is simply a way to skirt consumer protections. I have heard no rational explanation of how it would reduce prices in the antitrust-exempt insurance industry.
Number 2: There is no restriction on doing this now as far as I know. Are we going to force insurers to have guaranteed issue insurance to these groups? If so, why not require it for everybody...the "group" idea is not needed. What about those who can't get into a group...allow them to continue with no choices? This "idea" makes no sense to me at all.
Number 3: i.e. "not our problem...let the states do it". This is the way it is already.
Number 4: Will have almost no impact on medical costs since this the total dollar amount is microscopic compared to the healthcare budget (but it sure makes for a good soundbite....repubs standing up to them slimey ambulance chasers).