Sunday's working family funny on health care

[Omaha Steve]

[IndyOp]

1. I am opposed to universal health insurance, I am for universal health care...

BIG difference -- 30% of health care dollars right now go to paying expenses & profits for health insurance companies.

The insurance agencies are loving Hillary Clinton because her plan funnels taxpayer dollars directly into their pockets.

Edwards' plan is better because he allow for MedicarePlus for everyone who wants it immediately - though he does allow for people to stay with health insurance companies if they want to in order to alleviate fears about "not having any choice"...

[papau]

2. Right on about the good in Edwards plan - but Hillary's is not out yet - and 30% refers to

the margin in the not large group insurance policies (like individual purchased health insurance) which is about half of the market( and some of those policies have a 45% expense margin). The large group cases run with a near 20% margin, with very large around 15%.

Single payer can be expected to run with a 3 to 6 percent margin above actual claim dollars paid out.

[IndyOp]

3. Thank you for the clarification re: group size and the margin.

I know I saw a post around here a few weeks ago from Edwards claiming that Hillary's plan would be more dependent on health insurance companies...

Perhaps he was making an assertion based on what she has said in past?

[papau]

4. Mandated insurance company plans was Hillary 93 and is Mitt08 in Mass only

In contrast W/o mandate - and therefor not universal - is Obama 08 where he provides guaranteed availability but does not force purchase

It will be interesting which way Hillary falls - I hope it is toward an Edwards approach if she is unable to go single payer.

Meanwhile Richardson's Medicare begins at 55, Senate health choices for everyone below 55 is simple, albeit not universal because it has the same out to not buy anything that Obama's plan has.

DK of course has real single payer - but polls less than 1% so far.

[Omaha Steve]

5. John Conyers has a better plan

http://www.house.gov/conyers/news_hr676_2.htm

The United States National Health Insurance Act, H.R. 676
(“Expanded & Improved Medicare For All”)

In 2003, Rep. Conyers first introduced HR 676, the United States National Health Insurance Act. Under HR 676, Medicare would be extended and improved so that all individuals residing in the United States would receive high quality and affordable health care services. They would receive all medically necessary services by the physicians of their choice, with no restrictions on what providers they could visit. If implemented, the United States National Health Insurance Act would cover primary care, dental, mental health, prescription drugs, and long term care.


Summary of HR 676 - Who is Eligible
Health Care Services Covered
Conversion To A Non-Profit Health Care System
Cost Containment Provisions/ Reimbursement
Proposed Funding For USNHI Program

Brief Summary of HR 676
* The United States National Health Insurance Act establishes an American national health insurance program. The bill would create a publicly financed, privately delivered health care system that uses the already existing Medicare program by expanding and improving it to all U.S. residents, and all residents living in U.S. territories. The goal of the legislation is to ensure that all Americans will have access, guaranteed by law, to the highest quality and most cost effective health care services regardless of their employment, income, or health status.

# With over 45-75 million uninsured Americans, and another 50 million who are under- insured, the time has come to change our inefficient and costly fragmented non health care system.

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Who is Eligible

# Every person living in or visiting the United States and the U.S. Territories would receive a United States National Health Insurance Card and ID number once they enroll at the appropriate location. Social Security numbers may not be used when assigning ID cards.

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Health Care Services Covered

# This program will cover all medically necessary services, including primary care, in patient care, outpatient care, emergency care, prescription drugs, durable medical equipment, long term care, mental health services, dentistry, eye care, chiropractic, and substance abuse treatment. Patients have their choice of physicians, providers, hospitals, clinics and practices. No co-pays or deductibles are permitted under this act.

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Conversion To A Non-Profit Health Care System

# Private health insurers shall be prohibited under this act from selling coverage that duplicates the benefits of the USNHI program. Exceptions to this rule include coverage for cosmetic surgery, and other medically unnecessary treatments. Those who are displaced as the result of the transition to a non- profit health care system are the first to be hired and retrained under this act.

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Cost Containment Provisions/ Reimbursement

# The National USNHI program will set reimbursement rates annually for physicians, allow for "global budgets" (annual lump sums for operating expenses) for health care providers; and negotiate prescription drug prices. The national office will provide an annual lump sum allotment to each existing Medicare region; each region will administer the program.

# The conversion to a not-for-profit health care system will take place over a 15 year period. U.S. treasury bonds will be sold to compensate investor-owned providers for the actual appraised value of converted facilities used in the delivery of care; payment will not be made for loss of business profits. Health insurance companies could be sub-contracted out to handle reimbursements.

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Proposed Funding For USNHI Program:

# Maintaining current federal and state funding of existing health care programs. A modest payroll tax on all employers of 3.3%. A 5% health tax on the top 5% of income earners. A small tax on stock and bond transfers. Closing corporate tax loop-holes, repealing the Bush tax cut.

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*For more information, contact Joel Segal and Alexia Smokler, Rep. John Conyers, at [phone].

H.R. 676, United States National Health Insurance Act
Text of Bill
Section by section Summary of Bill

Congressional Seal.


This is an official web site of the U.S. House of Representatives
The Honorable John Conyers, Jr
Representing Michigan's 14th District
[e-mail]