GOP releases its own health care reform plan (price tag: $700 billion)

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

WASHINGTON — House Republicans on Wednesday unveiled a $700 billion health care plan.

...

The GOP plan was drafted by Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga., a physician ... It would allow individuals to use the Internet to purchase lower-cost coverage available anywhere in the country. That idea won't please insurance commissioners from states with strong consumer protections, who have argued it will set off a "race to the bottom" that undermines coverage for those in frail health.

The plan would offer tax deductions and tax credits to help make the purchase of health insurance more affordable for individuals. It would provide grants to states to help set up high-risk pools for people with medical problems who are denied coverage by commercial insurers. And it would allow employers to automatically sign workers up for the company's coverage — similar to what's done with 401(k) retirement plans.

The GOP bill would take on medical malpractice, limiting jury awards for pain and suffering and creating new health courts in which a specially trained judge would hear and decide cases involving medical negligence.

It would give doctors what amounts to veto power over recommendations from a new federal board that's been assigned to compare the benefits of new treatments, tests and medications.

...

[The] plan hasn't been assessed yet by the Congressional Budget Office, the official scorekeeper for the costs of legislation.

It's also unclear how far the plan would go in reducing the number of uninsured, now nearly 50 million. Most independent analysts — and the insurance industry — say some sort of requirement to purchase insurance is needed to ensure coverage.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/articl...xsS1bgD99OB19G1

[mawilson 2,133]

It would allow individuals to use the Internet to purchase lower-cost coverage available anywhere in the country.

It's a terrible idea - letting insurers sell across state lines would undermine the patient

safeguards that exist in many states. For instance, some states require that insurers provide

coverage to all new customers and not set higher rates for people who are already sick.

If insurers could sell across state lines, they would all charter in states with scarce regulations -

they would have no incentive to continue doing business in highly regulated states.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

It would allow individuals to use the Internet to purchase lower-cost coverage available anywhere in the country.

It's a terrible idea - letting insurers sell across state lines would undermine the patient

safeguards that exist in many states. For instance, some states require that insurers provide

coverage to all new customers and not set higher rates for people who are already sick.

If insurers could sell across state lines, they would all charter in states with scarce regulations -

they would have no incentive to continue doing business in highly regulated states.

Bingo.

This would kill sick people.

Now you know why I call them Rethuglicans.

[Otto 83]

Tax deductions and tax credits don't help folks living paycheck to paycheck and/or don't own a home (which is a lot of people).

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Tax deductions and tax credits don't help folks living paycheck to paycheck and/or don't own a home (which is a lot of people).

Rethugs don't care about the poor. They never have.

[Ban Hammer 13,677]

It would allow individuals to use the Internet to purchase lower-cost coverage available anywhere in the country.

It's a terrible idea - letting insurers sell across state lines would undermine the patient

safeguards that exist in many states. For instance, some states require that insurers provide

coverage to all new customers and not set higher rates for people who are already sick.

If insurers could sell across state lines, they would all charter in states with scarce regulations -

they would have no incentive to continue doing business in highly regulated states.

Bingo.

This would kill sick people.

Now you know why I call them Rethuglicans.

however inaccurate you wish to be.

[mawilson 2,133]

Tax deductions and tax credits don't help folks living paycheck to paycheck and/or don't own a home (which is a lot of people).

Tax deductions and tax credits help anyone who pays income taxes, including those living paycheck to paycheck and renters/savers.

[Otto 83]

Tax deductions and tax credits don't help folks living paycheck to paycheck and/or don't own a home (which is a lot of people).

Tax deductions and tax credits help anyone who pays income taxes, including those living paycheck to paycheck and renters/savers.

Not in the real world they don't..(in the 'On-Paper' world maybe)

Edited July 31, 2009 by Otto und Karin

[mawilson 2,133]

Tax deductions and tax credits don't help folks living paycheck to paycheck and/or don't own a home (which is a lot of people).

Tax deductions and tax credits help anyone who pays income taxes, including those living paycheck to paycheck and renters/savers.

Not in the real world they don't..(in the 'On-Paper' world maybe)

Explain why not.

Tax credits translate to cash back from the government. Tax deductions reduce your tax liability

which translates to cash back from the government.

[Otto 83]

Explain why not.

Tax credits translate to cash back from the government. Tax deductions reduce your tax liability

which translates to cash back from the government.

I just find it difficult to believe that people living paycheck to paycheck will rush out and purchase health insurance (over the internet or otherwise) with this new-found 'wealth' at the end of the year.

What it will do is possibly give people a bit more cash Jan-Apr but still no health insurance.

[mawilson 2,133]

Explain why not.

Tax credits translate to cash back from the government. Tax deductions reduce your tax liability

which translates to cash back from the government.

I just find it difficult to believe that people living paycheck to paycheck will rush out and purchase health insurance (over the internet or otherwise) with this new-found 'wealth' at the end of the year.

What it will do is possibly give people a bit more cash Jan-Apr but still no health insurance.

So when you said that "tax deductions and tax credits don't help folks living paycheck to paycheck",

you only meant it in the context of buying health insurance?

If so, I agree.

[Otto 83]

So when you said that "tax deductions and tax credits don't help folks living paycheck to paycheck",

you only meant it in the context of buying health insurance?

If so, I agree.

Yes - it was just one point I picked up out of the above 'plan.'

[mawilson 2,133]

So when you said that "tax deductions and tax credits don't help folks living paycheck to paycheck",

you only meant it in the context of buying health insurance?

If so, I agree.

Yes - it was just one point I picked up out of the above 'plan.'

Ok, because generally speaking, tax deductions and tax credits do help them.

[GaryC 7]

It would allow individuals to use the Internet to purchase lower-cost coverage available anywhere in the country.

It's a terrible idea - letting insurers sell across state lines would undermine the patient

safeguards that exist in many states. For instance, some states require that insurers provide

coverage to all new customers and not set higher rates for people who are already sick.

If insurers could sell across state lines, they would all charter in states with scarce regulations -

they would have no incentive to continue doing business in highly regulated states.

Bingo.

This would kill sick people.

Now you know why I call them Rethuglicans.

The solution to that is uniform minimum requirements.