"Bipartisan Summit" What are Republican ideas to lower costs and expand access? Bayshore Courier News Posted:02/25/10
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Obama claims he'll take GOP ideas if they're better than his. "The Republicans say that they've got a better way of doing it. ... If you show me that you can do the things we just talked about... and you can do it cheaper than me, then why wouldn't I do that? I'll just grab your idea and say, great, and take all the credit. I'd be happy to do it."
Republican health care reform bills, will it lower costs?
CBO confirms house republican alternative would have lowered premiums for Americans by up to 10 percent. "CBO estimates that the combination of provisions included in the amendment would reduce average private health insurance premiums per enrollee in the United States relative to what they would be under current law. The average reductions would be larger in the markets for small group and individually purchased policies, which are the focus of many of the legislation's provisions. In the small group market, which represents about 15 percent of total private premiums, the amendment would lower average insurance premiums in 2016 by an estimated 7 percent to 10 percent compared with amounts under current law." (Douglas W. Elmendorf, Congressional Budget Office, Letter To Honorable John A. Boehner, 11/4/09)
Legislation from Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) and Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) creates tax credits to help pay for coverage. "(The Patients' Choice Act) would shift health care tax benefits to individuals and families in the form of a 'Medi-Choice' tax rebate worth about $2,200 for individuals and $5,700 for families. Under our plan, if you like the health care you have, you can keep it - but you'll have more money in your pocket because you will still receive a tax rebate." (Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK), Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) and Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA), "An Alternative To Obamacare," Real Clear Politics, 5/20/09)
CBO says GOP tort reform bill could save $54 billion over 10 years. "Congressional budget analysts said Friday that lawmakers could save as much as $54 billion over the next decade by imposing an array of new limits on medical malpractice lawsuits - 10 times more than previously estimated." (Lori Montgomery, "Tort Reform Could Save $54 Billion, CBO Says," The Washington Post, 10/10/09)
And Republican ideas will increase access... House Republicans sent letter to Obama pushing for expansion of health savings accounts. "House Republicans sent a letter to President Barack Obama today (to)... tout various members' proposals that would: Give small businesses a tax deduction equal to 20% of their income; Let small businesses band together in associations to buy health insurance more cheaply; Curb civil lawsuits; Lower individual income tax rates; Expand health savings accounts, which are being squeezed in some of the current health-care reform proposals; Increase businesses' ability to recover current losses by re-filing prior tax returns." (John D. McKinnon, "House Republicans Press Obama On Jobs Creation," The Wall Street Journal's "Washington Wire" Blog, 10/7/09)
Legislation from Rep. John Shadegg (R-AZ) will make insurance more portable by allowing Americans to keep coverage when changing jobs. "The Improving Health Care for All Americans Act takes a radically different approach in contrast to what has been discussed by President Obama as well as Democrats in both chambers. It gives people choice and places American families back in control of their plans and their health care. This legislation will reduce the cost and improve the quality of health care while expanding access and portability." (Rep. Shadegg (R-AZ), "Republicans Introduce: The Improving Health Care For All Americans Act," Press Release, 7/14/09)
And expand opportunities to join insurance pools. "The Improving Health Care for All Americans Act dramatically expands the insurance pools Americans can select to join by allowing churches, alumni associations, trade associations and other civic groups to set up new insurance pools and offer affordable health care packages to their members. Instead of having only one group policy to choose from, under this bill, every American will be able to choose from a number of 'group plans.' This will make health care more affordable and portable while not locking individuals into staying at a job simply to keep their health coverage." (Rep. John Shadegg (R-AZ), "Republicans Introduce: The Improving Health Care For All Americans Act," Press Release, 7/14/09)
GOP plan to expand state high-risk pools would guarantee access and affordable care for people with pre-existing conditions. "The House Republican bill would offer $15 billion to states to establish high-risk pools, for people who could not otherwise obtain coverage, and reinsurance programs, under which states act as a backstop to private insurers. Under a reinsurance program, a state pays a large share of the cost if claims - for an individual or a group - exceed some threshold.... Health policy experts say insurers can lower premiums if state reinsurance programs protect them against the risk of catastrophic costs." (Robert Pear & David Herszenhorn, "G.O.P. Counters With A Health Plan Of Its Own," The New York Times, 11/4/09)
Without a big spending, Washington take-over
Republican proposals focus on bottom-up solutions where states drive reform, and allowing insurance to be bought and sold across state lines. "The Republicans rely more on the market and less on government. They would not require employers to provide insurance ... Republicans say they can make incremental progress without the economic costs they contend the Democratic plans pose to the nation. As one way to encourage competition and drive down costs, Republican members of Congress want to make it easier for insurance companies to sell their policies across state lines..." (Robert Pear & David M. Herszenhorn, "On Health Bill, G.O.P.'s Road Is a New Map," The New York Times, 2/9/10)
Chicago Tribune: "GOP proposals contain smart ideas... and ruling Democrats need to give them s full and fair hearing." "Over the summer and fall, Republicans in the House and Senate have introduced six - yes, six - health care reform proposals. ... The GOP proposals contain smart ideas to increase choice and competition in the health insurance market - a powerful Republican counterpoint to the Democrats' expensive plans.... These excellent ideas could expand coverage for the uninsured without cratering the federal budget or curbing the competition and innovation that drive the U.S. health care system. Republicans should keep pushing them - and ruling Democrats need to give them a full and fair hearing." (Editorial, "A GOP Health Plan," The Chicago Tribune, 10/28/09)
