The Republican Plan for Health Care Reform

[Wry Catcher]

"Americans want a step-by-step, common-sense approach to health care reform, not Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s costly, 1,990-page government takeover of our nation’s health care system. Republicans’ alternative solution focuses on lowering health care premiums for families and small businesses, increasing access to affordable, high-quality care, and promoting healthier lifestyles – without adding to the crushing debt Washington has placed on our children and grandchildren. Following are the key elements of Republicans’ alternative plan":

^^^ Preamble to the Republican Plan posted here:

http://camp.house.gov/uploadedfiles/summary_of_republican_alternative_health_care_plan.pdf

My take on it:

I wonder, how they plan to Lower health care premiums? Writing it is easy, do they plan to have the Congress pass price controls and direct private business to lower their fees? Or, provide insurance companies with subsidies, using our tax dollars?

Next, the plan is for Establishing Universal Access Programs to guarantee access to affordable care for those with pre-existing conditions. Well, in what form? Will the government establish such programs and run them, and if so isn't that "Socialism" in the broad sense used today? Or, will they require insurance companies - as in Obamacare - to provide insurance to those with already diagnosed serious illnesses (diabetes, cancer, heart disease) without the subsidies guaranteed by the PPACA?

Ending junk lawsuits. What is one man's junk is another's treasure. Seems to me this is a legal issue to be determined by the judiciary.

Prevents insurers from unjustly canceling a policy or instituting annual or lifetime spending caps. Why wasn't this passed by the Congress when GWB was President and the Republicans held the H. of Rep. majority and Sen. and Doctor Bill Frist was Senate Majority Leader? That said, isn't this a requirement in Obamacare?

Encouraging Small Business Health Plans, Easy to say, how easy will it be to 'encourage' owners of McDonald's Franchises to come together and provide health care to worker's already the lowest paid in the nation? What is a small business? 50 Employees? Or more or less.

Encouraging innovative state programs. Fine and dandy. How and in what form? What if Democratic Governors simply say F off to the Federal Government simply because the ideas came from the GOP?

Allowing Americans to buy insurance across state lines. Does the phrase "too big to fail" ring any bells?

Codifying the Hyde Amendment. Oh, goody. Politicize the entire 'plan' with red meat for the crowd who hope to overturn Roe v. Wade.

Promoting healthier lifestyles. LOL, sure, all those who hate Obama and complain about the "nanny state" are going to embrace the ideas of Bloomberg and his war against 64oz sodas.

Enhancing Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). Have any of you looked at bill after someone, for example, has a serious leg break and needs surgery? Oh, and where will this saving account be stored, in the safe keeping of a Wall Street firm (for a fee no doubt) which may or is too big to fail. Dumb idea. People don't earn enough to save for retirement let alone for an accident or illness which may not occur.

Allowing dependents to remain on their parents’ policies. Gee, what a novel idea. Obamacare already includes this, yet the big change is to lop of one year. And to what effect: it gives the insurance industry another year of premiums from thousands of generally healthy 26 year olds.

This 'plan' is ridiculous. What do you think?

 

[Coloradomtnman]

There wasn't an option for "Not Adequate and Overlaps with Some Principles of the ACA".

 

[Wry Catcher]

There wasn't an option for "Not Adequate and Overlaps with Some Principles of the ACA".

True. I wish I had thought of that.

 

[Stephanie]

You really have to love, Democrats say the system is broke so we need all these non EXPERTS ON health care or anything else TO REFORM IT

so what do they come up it, INSURANCE scam and crow it's health care, and a BRAND NEW guberment fascist ENTITLEMENT, which of course YOU LITTLE PEOPLE will have to pay for it, while they sit on their millions laughing their asses off...and Ofailcare doesn't reform shit

the people who didn't vote for Obama evidently didn't feel it was so broken or they would voted for sky is falling President and party...

that they can sell this to people in this country...you know we have gone hopeless

they do know to play people for suckers, about the only thing most of these worthless elected conniving lying politicians are good at

 

[Procrustes Stretched]

snore zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz, where were they when they held the Congress and the White House?

 

[TheOldSchool]

*bump* for the night crowd

 

[Dont Taz Me Bro]

snore zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz, where were they when they held the Congress and the White House?

They were knowing that 80% of Americans were happy with the insurance plans they had at the time.

 

[Wry Catcher]

snore zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz, where were they when they held the Congress and the White House?

Trying to end Social Security and Medicare, of course.

 

[Quantum Windbag]

"Americans want a step-by-step, common-sense approach to health care reform, not Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s costly, 1,990-page government takeover of our nation’s health care system. Republicans’ alternative solution focuses on lowering health care premiums for families and small businesses, increasing access to affordable, high-quality care, and promoting healthier lifestyles – without adding to the crushing debt Washington has placed on our children and grandchildren. Following are the key elements of Republicans’ alternative plan":

^^^ Preamble to the Republican Plan posted here:

http://camp.house.gov/uploadedfiles/summary_of_republican_alternative_health_care_plan.pdf

My take on it:

I wonder, how they plan to Lower health care premiums? Writing it is easy, do they plan to have the Congress pass price controls and direct private business to lower their fees? Or, provide insurance companies with subsidies, using our tax dollars?

Next, the plan is for Establishing Universal Access Programs to guarantee access to affordable care for those with pre-existing conditions. Well, in what form? Will the government establish such programs and run them, and if so isn't that "Socialism" in the broad sense used today? Or, will they require insurance companies - as in Obamacare - to provide insurance to those with already diagnosed serious illnesses (diabetes, cancer, heart disease) without the subsidies guaranteed by the PPACA?

Ending junk lawsuits. What is one man's junk is another's treasure. Seems to me this is a legal issue to be determined by the judiciary.

Prevents insurers from unjustly canceling a policy or instituting annual or lifetime spending caps. Why wasn't this passed by the Congress when GWB was President and the Republicans held the H. of Rep. majority and Sen. and Doctor Bill Frist was Senate Majority Leader? That said, isn't this a requirement in Obamacare?

Encouraging Small Business Health Plans, Easy to say, how easy will it be to 'encourage' owners of McDonald's Franchises to come together and provide health care to worker's already the lowest paid in the nation? What is a small business? 50 Employees? Or more or less.

Encouraging innovative state programs. Fine and dandy. How and in what form? What if Democratic Governors simply say F off to the Federal Government simply because the ideas came from the GOP?

Allowing Americans to buy insurance across state lines. Does the phrase "too big to fail" ring any bells?

Codifying the Hyde Amendment. Oh, goody. Politicize the entire 'plan' with red meat for the crowd who hope to overturn Roe v. Wade.

Promoting healthier lifestyles. LOL, sure, all those who hate Obama and complain about the "nanny state" are going to embrace the ideas of Bloomberg and his war against 64oz sodas.

Enhancing Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). Have any of you looked at bill after someone, for example, has a serious leg break and needs surgery? Oh, and where will this saving account be stored, in the safe keeping of a Wall Street firm (for a fee no doubt) which may or is too big to fail. Dumb idea. People don't earn enough to save for retirement let alone for an accident or illness which may not occur.

Allowing dependents to remain on their parents’ policies. Gee, what a novel idea. Obamacare already includes this, yet the big change is to lop of one year. And to what effect: it gives the insurance industry another year of premiums from thousands of generally healthy 26 year olds.

This 'plan' is ridiculous. What do you think?

How is that other plan working out again?

 

[Stephanie]

Millions of people are losing their insurance policies because Obama and his party put in new rules in Obamacare of what Insurance companies are now FORCED to cover and you are now FORCED to have and PAY FOR ...

I don't know about you, but I call that FASCISM...But hey just ignore all that and sit down shut up and PAY FOR IT, as we should know, Obama Our Dear leader and his saintly party know's what is best for us and what we need to pay and not pay for...



and enjoy these types threads telling us it's the Republicans fault for supposedly not having a plan

dear gawd help us all, we have a nation of government subjects who is voting for party and government over you and country

 

[Wry Catcher]

The thread posted the Republican alternative to Obamacare, something anyone with reading comprehension understood. I simply pointed out how ridiculous their 'plan' was; sadly, and as usual, it went way over the head of poor Stephanie.

Instead of reading the R plan, and my critique, she chose to go all MichelleBachmann.

 

[Stephanie]

Of course you would find it ridiculous

for one, it didn't come from Democrats
two, it probably doesn't include enough for you this government making all our decision for us
and three, it was more geared to us making our OWN CHOICES, it called for tort reform and you all can't have that when your party is filled with worthless scum sucking lawyers...
like I said, we now have a nation filled with government subjects...who want government to take care and make all their decisions for them in their lives
not much we can do but go down with the lose your freedom ship

 

[auditor0007]

You really have to love, Democrats say the system is broke so we need all these non EXPERTS ON health care or anything else TO REFORM IT

so what do they come up it, INSURANCE scam and crow it's health care, and a BRAND NEW guberment fascist ENTITLEMENT, which of course YOU LITTLE PEOPLE will have to pay for it, while they sit on their millions laughing their asses off...and Ofailcare doesn't reform shit

the people who didn't vote for Obama evidently didn't feel it was so broken or they would voted for sky is falling President and party...

that they can sell this to people in this country...you know we have gone hopeless

they do know to play people for suckers, about the only thing most of these worthless elected conniving lying politicians are good at

If you can ever get to the point that you can wrap your head around the idea that it is now costing every single person living in the US over $700,000 for their healthcare over their lifetime, it really does make you think WTF? Very few families spend this much on purchasing a home, but every single person will spend this on healthcare over their lifetime. Not only has healthcare become the largest expense a person will face in their lifetime, it doubles and triples any other expenses including home, food, and transportation. Actually, it is about equal to all three of those combined.

The biggest problem with healthcare in the US is that most people just do not understand how much we are actually paying. People think they can buy insurance for $200 per month and that should cover most of their medical expenses, but that is not at all realistic. $2400 per year and a few out of pocket expenses for medical bills does equate to what we are actually spending, which is between $8500 and $9000 per year. People just don't see it because much of it is covered by other parties, either through employers and/or taxes. The federal government pays out almost 45% of total healthcare spending between Medicaid, Medicare, the VA, and a number of other programs.

 

[whitehall]

The republican plan seems to be the same as the president's plan, "let people keep the health care they like". The problem is that we are stuck with a 5,000 word law and a little army of armed IRS agents hired to enforce it.

 

[Stephanie]

You really have to love, Democrats say the system is broke so we need all these non EXPERTS ON health care or anything else TO REFORM IT

so what do they come up it, INSURANCE scam and crow it's health care, and a BRAND NEW guberment fascist ENTITLEMENT, which of course YOU LITTLE PEOPLE will have to pay for it, while they sit on their millions laughing their asses off...and Ofailcare doesn't reform shit

the people who didn't vote for Obama evidently didn't feel it was so broken or they would voted for sky is falling President and party...

that they can sell this to people in this country...you know we have gone hopeless

they do know to play people for suckers, about the only thing most of these worthless elected conniving lying politicians are good at

If you can ever get to the point that you can wrap your head around the idea that it is now costing every single person living in the US over $700,000 for their healthcare over their lifetime, it really does make you think WTF? Very few families spend this much on purchasing a home, but every single person will spend this on healthcare over their lifetime. Not only has healthcare become the largest expense a person will face in their lifetime, it doubles and triples any other expenses including home, food, and transportation. Actually, it is about equal to all three of those combined.

The biggest problem with healthcare in the US is that most people just do not understand how much we are actually paying. People think they can buy insurance for $200 per month and that should cover most of their medical expenses, but that is not at all realistic. $2400 per year and a few out of pocket expenses for medical bills does equate to what we are actually spending, which is between $8500 and $9000 per year. People just don't see it because much of it is covered by other parties, either through employers and/or taxes. The federal government pays out almost 45% of total healthcare spending between Medicaid, Medicare, the VA, and a number of other programs.

well gee, I wished all these years I could of called you to help pay for my medical bills...silly me I took responsibility no MATTER the cost and paid for my own...
you become sold on with living off the backs of other's with ObamafailNocare..You need to live with that and enjoy that the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT will be in Control of your health care..

 

[Quantum Windbag]

The thread posted the Republican alternative to Obamacare, something anyone with reading comprehension understood. I simply pointed out how ridiculous their 'plan' was; sadly, and as usual, it went way over the head of poor Stephanie.

Instead of reading the R plan, and my critique, she chose to go all MichelleBachmann.

Actually, it didn't do any such thing. What you posted was a one page outline for of the reforms that Republicans proposed when the debate about Obamacare started. (The proof of that is the reference to the 1,990 bill proposed by Pelosi. You know the one I am talking about, the one that didn't pass?) Anyone with the reading comprehension I exhibited in 5th grade would know that without me explaining it, which is why I didn't respond to your fake thread.

 

[Quantum Windbag]

You really have to love, Democrats say the system is broke so we need all these non EXPERTS ON health care or anything else TO REFORM IT

so what do they come up it, INSURANCE scam and crow it's health care, and a BRAND NEW guberment fascist ENTITLEMENT, which of course YOU LITTLE PEOPLE will have to pay for it, while they sit on their millions laughing their asses off...and Ofailcare doesn't reform shit

the people who didn't vote for Obama evidently didn't feel it was so broken or they would voted for sky is falling President and party...

that they can sell this to people in this country...you know we have gone hopeless

they do know to play people for suckers, about the only thing most of these worthless elected conniving lying politicians are good at

If you can ever get to the point that you can wrap your head around the idea that it is now costing every single person living in the US over $700,000 for their healthcare over their lifetime, it really does make you think WTF? Very few families spend this much on purchasing a home, but every single person will spend this on healthcare over their lifetime. Not only has healthcare become the largest expense a person will face in their lifetime, it doubles and triples any other expenses including home, food, and transportation. Actually, it is about equal to all three of those combined.

The biggest problem with healthcare in the US is that most people just do not understand how much we are actually paying. People think they can buy insurance for $200 per month and that should cover most of their medical expenses, but that is not at all realistic. $2400 per year and a few out of pocket expenses for medical bills does equate to what we are actually spending, which is between $8500 and $9000 per year. People just don't see it because much of it is covered by other parties, either through employers and/or taxes. The federal government pays out almost 45% of total healthcare spending between Medicaid, Medicare, the VA, and a number of other programs.

Let me put it to you succinctly, as long as people can pay for their health care, I don't give a fuck if it costs them $25 or $25 million. It is none of my, or your, business how much people spend on things they want and/or need.

In other words, come up with a real argument.

 

[LTCArmyRet]

snore zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz, where were they when they held the Congress and the White House?

not fucking up something that was working better than it was under ACA

 

[JakeStarkey]

No, the old plan was not working better for 20% of Americans, more than 60 million.

I am glad my GOP is now involved in making ACA better.

 

[NYcarbineer]

The Republican plan was to end Medicare, remember? The Republican plan was that you, someday, in your senior years, would get to add to whatever other woes and worries you were coping with in that period of your life,

the pleasure of fighting for your life with some private insurance company whose sole function as a business is to get as much money out of you as it can and to give the least possible back.

Put enough Republicans in power and that will be your fate.