POTUS releases 8 principles of health insurance reform

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

If they can make all this happen, I'd be happy even without a government-run plan or a mandate.

THE SECURITY YOU GET from health insurance reform:

* No Discrimination for Pre-Existing Conditions

Insurance companies will be prohibited from refusing you coverage because of your medical history.

* No Exorbitant Out-of-Pocket Expenses, Deductibles or Co-Pays

Insurance companies will have to abide by yearly caps on how much they can charge for out-of-pocket expenses.

* No Cost-Sharing for Preventive Care

Insurance companies must fully cover, without charge, regular checkups and tests that help you prevent illness, such as mammograms or eye and foot exams for diabetics.

* No Dropping of Coverage for Seriously Ill

Insurance companies will be prohibited from dropping or watering down insurance coverage for those who become seriously ill.

* No Gender Discrimination

Insurance companies will be prohibited from charging you more because of your gender.

* No Annual or Lifetime Caps on Coverage

Insurance companies will be prevented from placing annual or lifetime caps on the coverage you receive.

* Extended Coverage for Young Adults

Children would continue to be eligible for family coverage through the age of 26.

* Guaranteed Insurance Renewal

Insurance companies will be required to renew any policy as long as the policyholder pays their premium in full. Insurance companies won't be allowed to refuse renewal because someone became sick.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/health-insurance...er-protections/

[jundp 191]

I especially like children being covered through age 26. Some insurance companies already do that, but most do not.

[luckytxn 2,265]

Since all this will become a lot more expensive and the costs be passed on to all the other people in the plans then is this a Tax or just a pass along? Mandates always cost money and someone has to pay so if the government makes one does things and it costs money we should just call it what it is.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

My favorite is the combination of "yearly caps on how much they can charge for out-of-pocket expenses" and "no annual or lifetime caps on coverage".

Although for those points, I'd be happier to see government partner with the insurance industry to help them out with those added expenses. It's for a worthy cause and fits right in with the general welfare clause of the Preamble.

Edited July 30, 2009 by w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r

[luckytxn 2,265]

My favorite is the combination of "yearly caps on how much they can charge for out-of-pocket expenses" and "no annual or lifetime caps on coverage".

Although for those points, I'd be happier to see government partner with the insurance industry to help them out with those added expenses. It's for a worthy cause and fits right in with the general welfare clause of the Preamble.

If the government helps out the industry then that is corporate welfare and still has to be paid with public money so that is a tax too.

[natty bumppo 297]

any excuse for the insurance companies to jack the rates ... they will.

[luckytxn 2,265]

My favorite is the combination of "yearly caps on how much they can charge for out-of-pocket expenses" and "no annual or lifetime caps on coverage".

Although for those points, I'd be happier to see government partner with the insurance industry to help them out with those added expenses. It's for a worthy cause and fits right in with the general welfare clause of the Preamble.

If the government helps out the industry then that is corporate welfare and still has to be paid with public money so that is a tax too.

[mawilson 2,133]

I think these points address some of the most critical complaints about the US health care system.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I think these points address some of the most critical complaints about the US health care system.

Precisely.

If Obama focuses on these points and these points alone, the reform will pass and opposition will be difficult. Even most Rethugs will be on board most of this.

[Ban Hammer 13,677]

I especially like children being covered through age 26. Some insurance companies already do that, but most do not.

are they really children at that age?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I especially like children being covered through age 26. Some insurance companies already do that, but most do not.

are they really children at that age?

Dependents is the more accurate description and yes, many of them are still dependent through their early 20's.

[Otto 83]

Mandates always cost money and someone has to pay so if the government makes one does things and it costs money we should just call it what it is.

When most (if not all) states began requiring we all carry a minimum of liability auto insurance policies - most folks saw a reduction in premiums, not an increase. (as an example of mandated insurance coverage)

[mawilson 2,133]

I think these points address some of the most critical complaints about the US health care system.

Precisely.

If Obama focuses on these points and these points alone, the reform will pass and opposition will be difficult. Even most Rethugs will be on board most of this.

I'd like to see a cap on premiums too. Maybe not an absolute cap, but something along

the lines of what Obama suggested earlier - that the ratio of the highest premium to the

lowest should not exceed 2 to 1 for the same type of coverage.

[Ban Hammer 13,677]

I especially like children being covered through age 26. Some insurance companies already do that, but most do not.

are they really children at that age?

Dependents is the more accurate description and yes, many of them are still dependent through their early 20's.

i guess the idea of leaving the house after turning 18 is lost on today's youth.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I especially like children being covered through age 26. Some insurance companies already do that, but most do not.

are they really children at that age?

Dependents is the more accurate description and yes, many of them are still dependent through their early 20's.

i guess the idea of leaving the house after turning 18 is lost on today's youth.

Leaving the house at 18 doesn't make one necessarily financially independent from their parents. In fact, most of them off to college thanks to mom and pop.