Health Care - A Simple Framework

by Brad Peck

The National Journal asks the experts "Scrap Health Care Reform?" the answer to which is (a qualified) no. We need reform and we need to control costs. As James Gelfand tells Congress, it's time to "Scrap Your Bills, Back to Basics"

The people have spoken, clearly. Congress should not pretend they aren’t sure what the MA election was about or that they think Americans want them to move forward with the toxic current bills. The people want Congress to start over.

Health reform should be straightforward, bipartisan, affordable, and fiscally responsible. Don’t spend a trillion dollars, or even half that much – and especially don’t raise taxes in this already tough economy. To this end, we suggest a simple framework for Congress to use:

1. Reform the insurance system.

• Eliminate the use of pre-existing conditions or health status
• Guarantee that any individual or entity will be issued a policy that will not be revoked
• Place reasonable limits on rating differences, but don’t rob the young to fund the old
• Explore ways to prevent free-riding or gaming the system

2. Get costs under control. Use an all-of-the-above strategy.

• Meaningful medical liability reform – not just pilots
• Reform Medicare and keep the money in a real Medicare trust fund
• Comparative effectiveness research
• Wellness and prevention
• Coordination of care and medical homes
• Pay-for-Performance reform and accountable care
• Combat fraud and abuse
• Preserve and expand consumer-driven health options
• Small business pooling
• Real long-term care reform, not a new entitlement
• Tax parity: Let individuals/small business deduct the full cost of insurance expenses

3. Create a vibrant market place.

• Create a connector/exchange that allows individuals and businesses from anywhere in the country to enroll
• Facilitate improved pooling mechanisms, choice, and competition
• Allow any person or business to buy any insurance policy they want

When the business community sees a bill like this – we will help you pass it. If we see more taxing, irresponsible spending, entitlements, rifle-shots, and class warfare, we will fight.

Comments

[Joan Wildermuth]

This is an excellent revised health reform suggestion. May our leaders listen and suggest this kind of reform and may the party in charge look at it and consider it. I would be for health care reform if it had been written up as this suggestion was. Makes a lot of sense but common sense doesn't seem to be the order of the day in this administration.

[Practice Administrator]

Please add
"Standardize coverages in basic and intermediate health insurance plans in the same way coverages are standardized in basic auto and home-owners insurance. This will allow consumers to accurately compare coverages between offerings from different companies. Insurance companies would be allowed to offer MORE but not LESS than the standards."