Trump releases seven-point health care reform plan

[Flopper]

A couple of things that are missing:

8. Remove barriers to interstate competition among health insurance companies and providers.

9. Malpractice tort reform (a la what is working in Texas) so that scum sucking lawyers can't prey on honest doctors.

Those two points have been the mainstay of Republican healthcare plans for years and neither offers patients much reduction in healthcare costs.

Exactly what are the barriers to interstate completion? I think you will find that those barriers are not federal but are state. There have been a number of studies on tort reform that have shown little savings in healthcare costs. Medical care providers have spent a lot of money fighting for tort reform at the state level. In states that have limited torts, malpractice insurance has gone down but with little cost savings for patients. The fact is no healthcare provider wants to face lawsuits so they will always practice defensive medicine regardless of the limits the state puts on torts.

 

[candycorn]

how does the plan reduce the cost of helth care ?

Theoretically, you’ll pay less for your insurance and pay less for pharm because you would be able to buy from a wider range of suppliers.

What isn’t stated is that healthcare costs increase every year so lets say you pay $150 for the coverage you get from work for you and your family every paycheck. On your own, you may be able to drop that down to paying less in 2017. By 2019, you’ll likely be back to $150.

Tax deductions are great for premiums….but what hurts most people is the costs outside of the premiums. The Health Savings accounts are jokes.

 

[bripat9643]

What I really like is the emphasis on expanded Health Savings Accounts, and the shift in tax deductibility to individuals. Another excellent proposal is price transparency.

Congress must act. Our elected representatives in the House and Senate must:

1. Completely repeal Obamacare. Our elected representatives must eliminate the individual mandate. No person should be required to buy insurance unless he or she wants to.

2. Modify existing law that inhibits the sale of health insurance across state lines. As long as the plan purchased complies with state requirements, any vendor ought to be able to offer insurance in any state. By allowing full competition in this market, insurance costs will go down and consumer satisfaction will go up.

3. Allow individuals to fully deduct health insurance premium payments from their tax returns under the current tax system. Businesses are allowed to take these deductions so why wouldn’t Congress allow individuals the same exemptions? As we allow the free market to provide insurance coverage opportunities to companies and individuals, we must also make sure that no one slips through the cracks simply because they cannot afford insurance. We must review basic options for Medicaid and work with states to ensure that those who want healthcare coverage can have it.

4. Allow individuals to use Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). Contributions into HSAs should be tax-free and should be allowed to accumulate. These accounts would become part of the estate of the individual and could be passed on to heirs without fear of any death penalty. These plans should be particularly attractive to young people who are healthy and can afford high-deductible insurance plans. These funds can be used by any member of a family without penalty. The flexibility and security provided by HSAs will be of great benefit to all who participate.

5. Require price transparency from all healthcare providers, especially doctors and healthcare organizations like clinics and hospitals. Individuals should be able to shop to find the best prices for procedures, exams or any other medical-related procedure.

6. Block-grant Medicaid to the states. Nearly every state already offers benefits beyond what is required in the current Medicaid structure. The state governments know their people best and can manage the administration of Medicaid far better without federal overhead. States will have the incentives to seek out and eliminate fraud, waste and abuse to preserve our precious resources.

7. Remove barriers to entry into free markets for drug providers that offer safe, reliable and cheaper products. Congress will need the courage to step away from the special interests and do what is right for America. Though the pharmaceutical industry is in the private sector, drug companies provide a public service. Allowing consumers access to imported, safe and dependable drugs from overseas will bring more options to consumers.

Full Health Care reform plan can be read here >>> Healthcare Reform

Most of these recommendation have been around for years. Take for example removing barriers that keep insurance companies from operating across state lines. Currently 70% of health insurance companies do operate across state lines although none operates in every state. The number has increased since Obamacare which forced state regulators to take a backseat to federal regulations. There are a number of barriers that keep insurance companies within state lines, none of which are federal laws and regulation. State laws and regulations are still a major barrier. The only way the federal government can solve that problem is to usurp the power of the states to regulate insurance.

Increasing competition between insurance companies will have little effect on healthcare cost because the profit margin of health insurance companies are typically 4% to 5% and insurance companies have never been successful at forcing lower cost on providers. The real cost is delivering healthcare, not insurance.

And those of us who didn't like Obamacare, and who wanted to involve the marketplace wanted to do away with much of the insurance market. Basically, use the tax expenditures of employer sponsored and Obamacare to GIVE people the money the employers will just keep under TrumpyourCare in the form of tax credits. Doctors and hospitals would be encouraged to advertise prices and success rates for procedures, and people could use their own judgment.

What I really like is the emphasis on expanded Health Savings Accounts, and the shift in tax deductibility to individuals. Another excellent proposal is price transparency.

Congress must act. Our elected representatives in the House and Senate must:

1. Completely repeal Obamacare. Our elected representatives must eliminate the individual mandate. No person should be required to buy insurance unless he or she wants to.

2. Modify existing law that inhibits the sale of health insurance across state lines. As long as the plan purchased complies with state requirements, any vendor ought to be able to offer insurance in any state. By allowing full competition in this market, insurance costs will go down and consumer satisfaction will go up.

3. Allow individuals to fully deduct health insurance premium payments from their tax returns under the current tax system. Businesses are allowed to take these deductions so why wouldn’t Congress allow individuals the same exemptions? As we allow the free market to provide insurance coverage opportunities to companies and individuals, we must also make sure that no one slips through the cracks simply because they cannot afford insurance. We must review basic options for Medicaid and work with states to ensure that those who want healthcare coverage can have it.

4. Allow individuals to use Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). Contributions into HSAs should be tax-free and should be allowed to accumulate. These accounts would become part of the estate of the individual and could be passed on to heirs without fear of any death penalty. These plans should be particularly attractive to young people who are healthy and can afford high-deductible insurance plans. These funds can be used by any member of a family without penalty. The flexibility and security provided by HSAs will be of great benefit to all who participate.

5. Require price transparency from all healthcare providers, especially doctors and healthcare organizations like clinics and hospitals. Individuals should be able to shop to find the best prices for procedures, exams or any other medical-related procedure.

6. Block-grant Medicaid to the states. Nearly every state already offers benefits beyond what is required in the current Medicaid structure. The state governments know their people best and can manage the administration of Medicaid far better without federal overhead. States will have the incentives to seek out and eliminate fraud, waste and abuse to preserve our precious resources.

7. Remove barriers to entry into free markets for drug providers that offer safe, reliable and cheaper products. Congress will need the courage to step away from the special interests and do what is right for America. Though the pharmaceutical industry is in the private sector, drug companies provide a public service. Allowing consumers access to imported, safe and dependable drugs from overseas will bring more options to consumers.

Full Health Care reform plan can be read here >>> Healthcare Reform

Most of these recommendation have been around for years. Take for example removing barriers that keep insurance companies from operating across state lines. Currently 70% of health insurance companies do operate across state lines although none operates in every state. The number has increased since Obamacare which forced state regulators to take a backseat to federal regulations. There are a number of barriers that keep insurance companies within state lines, none of which are federal laws and regulation. State laws and regulations are still a major barrier. The only way the federal government can solve that problem is to usurp the power of the states to regulate insurance.

Increasing competition between insurance companies will have little effect on healthcare cost because the profit margin of health insurance companies are typically 4% to 5% and insurance companies have never been successful at forcing lower cost on providers. The real cost is delivering healthcare, not insurance.

And those of us who didn't like Obamacare, and who wanted to involve the marketplace wanted to do away with much of the insurance market. Basically, use the tax expenditures of employer sponsored and Obamacare to GIVE people the money the employers will just keep under TrumpyourCare in the form of tax credits. Doctors and hospitals would be encouraged to advertise prices and success rates for procedures, and people could use their own judgment.

Doctors and hospitals advertising prices would at best be misleading because there is no way knowing what the total cost will be of treatment and patients would not be able to compare costs. There are many tools available now for patient estimate costs.

Comparison shopping is complex for patients, as well as confusing and nearly impossible, because outcomes are variable, success isn't guaranteed (compare your expectations for medical care to the purchase of a car or refrigerator) and different therapeutic approaches have different outcomes for different patient populations.

Yeah, and we can't shop for car repairs for the same reasons . . . . . . er, no, that's not right.

 

[Flopper]

You mean like what's happening under Obamacare RIGHT NOW?

You're forgetting that the penalty for NOT adhering to the mandate will soon reach the same amount as buying a HC policy.

The schedule for the penalties maxed out in 2016, so we're already at that point (2.5% of household income maximum per person yearly cost of a "bronze" plan or $695 per adult/$347.50 for children under 18 whichever is higher, maximum $2,085 ), and the situation with respect to the balance in the risk pools appears to be getting worse not better, so apparently young, healthy people are either confident that they can circumvent the penalties OR are going to wait until they get sick to sign up OR they just don't want to bother with insurance (probably because the law and the red tape that surrounds it is so confusing that nobody in their right mind wants anything to do with it) and are opting instead to pay either the yearly cost of the "bronze" plan as a maximum penalty or the $695 person/$2085 family.

Still paying $695 person/$2085 family is lot a pay for nothing. Waiting till you get sick to sign up for healthcare is not a good idea because you can only sign up for health insurance during open enrollment, usually about a one month period. I certainly would not want to have to deal with a serious heart problem, cancer, or accident for up to a year with no insurance.

For those with very low income, they can sign for Medicaid at no cost. For those with low incomes they take advantage of subsidies that significantly lower costs. For those in higher income brackets, going without health insurance can mean financial disaster. Unless, you have the financial means to pay for your healthcare, going without insurance is irresponsible and foolish.

I'm not a huge Obamacare supporter, but it's not without some benefit. That $695 is roughly the cost of a comprehensive internist annual visit. And Obamacare requires that, and other cancer screening (obgyn), be covered without meeting deductibles. And, there's contraceptives too. Obviously, some 25 year old healthy kid with no dependents isn't too worried about his annual heart and blood pressure and his basic cancers screenings. Not to mention the ten year colonoscopies. But, that's where the savings are in providing care to all. Keep us old fatties from having so many strokes.

If we are going to have mandatory insurance, it should be mandatory for all. The foundation for health insurance is based on collecting premiums from both the healthy and the not so healthy. If the young people don't participate, then that leaves only the not so healthy and premiums will rise sharply. Obamacare is an attempt to maintain private health insurance in lieu of a single payer. It's better than than nothing but not what it should be.

 

[bripat9643]

Wrong. It's still not the government's job to provide anything but the safety and security of its citizens.

If We the People say it is their job.....it is their job

The constitution enumerates governments limited duties. You hate it and libs hate it. The founders knew how fouled up govt was.

Founders knew that future generations would have needs they couldn't dare anticipate

Yeah right.... like constant sucking off the tit. If the founders would have known we would have become this pussified and dependent on the govt they would have said screw it and surrendered to cornwallis.

18th century aristocrats had no perceptions of what a 21st century society would be like

If they had known, they would have put more obstacles in the document to prevent exactly the kind of agency like the FAA.

 

[Crixus]

how does the plan reduce the cost of helth care ?

Theoretically, you’ll pay less for your insurance and pay less for pharm because you would be able to buy from a wider range of suppliers.

What isn’t stated is that healthcare costs increase every year so lets say you pay $150 for the coverage you get from work for you and your family every paycheck. On your own, you may be able to drop that down to paying less in 2017. By 2019, you’ll likely be back to $150.

Tax deductions are great for premiums….but what hurts most people is the costs outside of the premiums. The Health Savings accounts are jokes.

thanks much.

 

[Flopper]

What I really like is the emphasis on expanded Health Savings Accounts, and the shift in tax deductibility to individuals. Another excellent proposal is price transparency.

Congress must act. Our elected representatives in the House and Senate must:

1. Completely repeal Obamacare. Our elected representatives must eliminate the individual mandate. No person should be required to buy insurance unless he or she wants to.

2. Modify existing law that inhibits the sale of health insurance across state lines. As long as the plan purchased complies with state requirements, any vendor ought to be able to offer insurance in any state. By allowing full competition in this market, insurance costs will go down and consumer satisfaction will go up.

3. Allow individuals to fully deduct health insurance premium payments from their tax returns under the current tax system. Businesses are allowed to take these deductions so why wouldn’t Congress allow individuals the same exemptions? As we allow the free market to provide insurance coverage opportunities to companies and individuals, we must also make sure that no one slips through the cracks simply because they cannot afford insurance. We must review basic options for Medicaid and work with states to ensure that those who want healthcare coverage can have it.

4. Allow individuals to use Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). Contributions into HSAs should be tax-free and should be allowed to accumulate. These accounts would become part of the estate of the individual and could be passed on to heirs without fear of any death penalty. These plans should be particularly attractive to young people who are healthy and can afford high-deductible insurance plans. These funds can be used by any member of a family without penalty. The flexibility and security provided by HSAs will be of great benefit to all who participate.

5. Require price transparency from all healthcare providers, especially doctors and healthcare organizations like clinics and hospitals. Individuals should be able to shop to find the best prices for procedures, exams or any other medical-related procedure.

6. Block-grant Medicaid to the states. Nearly every state already offers benefits beyond what is required in the current Medicaid structure. The state governments know their people best and can manage the administration of Medicaid far better without federal overhead. States will have the incentives to seek out and eliminate fraud, waste and abuse to preserve our precious resources.

7. Remove barriers to entry into free markets for drug providers that offer safe, reliable and cheaper products. Congress will need the courage to step away from the special interests and do what is right for America. Though the pharmaceutical industry is in the private sector, drug companies provide a public service. Allowing consumers access to imported, safe and dependable drugs from overseas will bring more options to consumers.

Full Health Care reform plan can be read here >>> Healthcare Reform

Most of these recommendation have been around for years. Take for example removing barriers that keep insurance companies from operating across state lines. Currently 70% of health insurance companies do operate across state lines although none operates in every state. The number has increased since Obamacare which forced state regulators to take a backseat to federal regulations. There are a number of barriers that keep insurance companies within state lines, none of which are federal laws and regulation. State laws and regulations are still a major barrier. The only way the federal government can solve that problem is to usurp the power of the states to regulate insurance.

Increasing competition between insurance companies will have little effect on healthcare cost because the profit margin of health insurance companies are typically 4% to 5% and insurance companies have never been successful at forcing lower cost on providers. The real cost is delivering healthcare, not insurance.

And those of us who didn't like Obamacare, and who wanted to involve the marketplace wanted to do away with much of the insurance market. Basically, use the tax expenditures of employer sponsored and Obamacare to GIVE people the money the employers will just keep under TrumpyourCare in the form of tax credits. Doctors and hospitals would be encouraged to advertise prices and success rates for procedures, and people could use their own judgment.

What I really like is the emphasis on expanded Health Savings Accounts, and the shift in tax deductibility to individuals. Another excellent proposal is price transparency.

Congress must act. Our elected representatives in the House and Senate must:

1. Completely repeal Obamacare. Our elected representatives must eliminate the individual mandate. No person should be required to buy insurance unless he or she wants to.

2. Modify existing law that inhibits the sale of health insurance across state lines. As long as the plan purchased complies with state requirements, any vendor ought to be able to offer insurance in any state. By allowing full competition in this market, insurance costs will go down and consumer satisfaction will go up.

3. Allow individuals to fully deduct health insurance premium payments from their tax returns under the current tax system. Businesses are allowed to take these deductions so why wouldn’t Congress allow individuals the same exemptions? As we allow the free market to provide insurance coverage opportunities to companies and individuals, we must also make sure that no one slips through the cracks simply because they cannot afford insurance. We must review basic options for Medicaid and work with states to ensure that those who want healthcare coverage can have it.

4. Allow individuals to use Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). Contributions into HSAs should be tax-free and should be allowed to accumulate. These accounts would become part of the estate of the individual and could be passed on to heirs without fear of any death penalty. These plans should be particularly attractive to young people who are healthy and can afford high-deductible insurance plans. These funds can be used by any member of a family without penalty. The flexibility and security provided by HSAs will be of great benefit to all who participate.

5. Require price transparency from all healthcare providers, especially doctors and healthcare organizations like clinics and hospitals. Individuals should be able to shop to find the best prices for procedures, exams or any other medical-related procedure.

6. Block-grant Medicaid to the states. Nearly every state already offers benefits beyond what is required in the current Medicaid structure. The state governments know their people best and can manage the administration of Medicaid far better without federal overhead. States will have the incentives to seek out and eliminate fraud, waste and abuse to preserve our precious resources.

7. Remove barriers to entry into free markets for drug providers that offer safe, reliable and cheaper products. Congress will need the courage to step away from the special interests and do what is right for America. Though the pharmaceutical industry is in the private sector, drug companies provide a public service. Allowing consumers access to imported, safe and dependable drugs from overseas will bring more options to consumers.

Full Health Care reform plan can be read here >>> Healthcare Reform

Most of these recommendation have been around for years. Take for example removing barriers that keep insurance companies from operating across state lines. Currently 70% of health insurance companies do operate across state lines although none operates in every state. The number has increased since Obamacare which forced state regulators to take a backseat to federal regulations. There are a number of barriers that keep insurance companies within state lines, none of which are federal laws and regulation. State laws and regulations are still a major barrier. The only way the federal government can solve that problem is to usurp the power of the states to regulate insurance.

Increasing competition between insurance companies will have little effect on healthcare cost because the profit margin of health insurance companies are typically 4% to 5% and insurance companies have never been successful at forcing lower cost on providers. The real cost is delivering healthcare, not insurance.

And those of us who didn't like Obamacare, and who wanted to involve the marketplace wanted to do away with much of the insurance market. Basically, use the tax expenditures of employer sponsored and Obamacare to GIVE people the money the employers will just keep under TrumpyourCare in the form of tax credits. Doctors and hospitals would be encouraged to advertise prices and success rates for procedures, and people could use their own judgment.

Doctors and hospitals advertising prices would at best be misleading because there is no way knowing what the total cost will be of treatment and patients would not be able to compare costs. There are many tools available now for patient estimate costs.

Comparison shopping is complex for patients, as well as confusing and nearly impossible, because outcomes are variable, success isn't guaranteed (compare your expectations for medical care to the purchase of a car or refrigerator) and different therapeutic approaches have different outcomes for different patient populations.

Yeah, and we can't shop for car repairs for the same reasons . . . . . . er, no, that's not right.

The cost of repairing a car can be determining accurately enough that the shop can give you a fixed price before the work starts which makes cost comparison relatively easy. Unfortunately, that's not possible with most serious diseases. In fact, the healthcare provider often can't even guarantee a fix at any price.

 

[rightwinger]

Founders knew that future generations would have needs they couldn't dare anticipate

Yep, I always wondered why the Founders didn't include some provision about the Federal Aviation Administration...LOL

Thomas Jefferson, who last time I checked, was a founder...said it best

I am not an advocate for frequent changes in laws and constitutions, but laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind. As that becomes more developed, more enlightened, as new discoveries are made, new truths discovered and manners and opinions change, with the change of circumstances, institutions must advance also to keep pace with the times. We might as well require a man to wear still the coat which fitted him when a boy as civilized society to remain ever under the regimen of their barbarous ancestors."

Jefferson would have laughed at our current buffoon govt. You should be ashamed of throwing out a quote attributed to jefferson.

Jefferson understood the nature of government
That the needs of a society evolve over time. He helped create a government that was flexible enough to provide for those needs

A wise man

 

[bripat9643]

What I really like is the emphasis on expanded Health Savings Accounts, and the shift in tax deductibility to individuals. Another excellent proposal is price transparency.

Congress must act. Our elected representatives in the House and Senate must:

1. Completely repeal Obamacare. Our elected representatives must eliminate the individual mandate. No person should be required to buy insurance unless he or she wants to.

2. Modify existing law that inhibits the sale of health insurance across state lines. As long as the plan purchased complies with state requirements, any vendor ought to be able to offer insurance in any state. By allowing full competition in this market, insurance costs will go down and consumer satisfaction will go up.

3. Allow individuals to fully deduct health insurance premium payments from their tax returns under the current tax system. Businesses are allowed to take these deductions so why wouldn’t Congress allow individuals the same exemptions? As we allow the free market to provide insurance coverage opportunities to companies and individuals, we must also make sure that no one slips through the cracks simply because they cannot afford insurance. We must review basic options for Medicaid and work with states to ensure that those who want healthcare coverage can have it.

4. Allow individuals to use Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). Contributions into HSAs should be tax-free and should be allowed to accumulate. These accounts would become part of the estate of the individual and could be passed on to heirs without fear of any death penalty. These plans should be particularly attractive to young people who are healthy and can afford high-deductible insurance plans. These funds can be used by any member of a family without penalty. The flexibility and security provided by HSAs will be of great benefit to all who participate.

5. Require price transparency from all healthcare providers, especially doctors and healthcare organizations like clinics and hospitals. Individuals should be able to shop to find the best prices for procedures, exams or any other medical-related procedure.

6. Block-grant Medicaid to the states. Nearly every state already offers benefits beyond what is required in the current Medicaid structure. The state governments know their people best and can manage the administration of Medicaid far better without federal overhead. States will have the incentives to seek out and eliminate fraud, waste and abuse to preserve our precious resources.

7. Remove barriers to entry into free markets for drug providers that offer safe, reliable and cheaper products. Congress will need the courage to step away from the special interests and do what is right for America. Though the pharmaceutical industry is in the private sector, drug companies provide a public service. Allowing consumers access to imported, safe and dependable drugs from overseas will bring more options to consumers.

Full Health Care reform plan can be read here >>> Healthcare Reform

Most of these recommendation have been around for years. Take for example removing barriers that keep insurance companies from operating across state lines. Currently 70% of health insurance companies do operate across state lines although none operates in every state. The number has increased since Obamacare which forced state regulators to take a backseat to federal regulations. There are a number of barriers that keep insurance companies within state lines, none of which are federal laws and regulation. State laws and regulations are still a major barrier. The only way the federal government can solve that problem is to usurp the power of the states to regulate insurance.

Increasing competition between insurance companies will have little effect on healthcare cost because the profit margin of health insurance companies are typically 4% to 5% and insurance companies have never been successful at forcing lower cost on providers. The real cost is delivering healthcare, not insurance.

And those of us who didn't like Obamacare, and who wanted to involve the marketplace wanted to do away with much of the insurance market. Basically, use the tax expenditures of employer sponsored and Obamacare to GIVE people the money the employers will just keep under TrumpyourCare in the form of tax credits. Doctors and hospitals would be encouraged to advertise prices and success rates for procedures, and people could use their own judgment.

What I really like is the emphasis on expanded Health Savings Accounts, and the shift in tax deductibility to individuals. Another excellent proposal is price transparency.

Congress must act. Our elected representatives in the House and Senate must:

1. Completely repeal Obamacare. Our elected representatives must eliminate the individual mandate. No person should be required to buy insurance unless he or she wants to.

2. Modify existing law that inhibits the sale of health insurance across state lines. As long as the plan purchased complies with state requirements, any vendor ought to be able to offer insurance in any state. By allowing full competition in this market, insurance costs will go down and consumer satisfaction will go up.

3. Allow individuals to fully deduct health insurance premium payments from their tax returns under the current tax system. Businesses are allowed to take these deductions so why wouldn’t Congress allow individuals the same exemptions? As we allow the free market to provide insurance coverage opportunities to companies and individuals, we must also make sure that no one slips through the cracks simply because they cannot afford insurance. We must review basic options for Medicaid and work with states to ensure that those who want healthcare coverage can have it.

4. Allow individuals to use Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). Contributions into HSAs should be tax-free and should be allowed to accumulate. These accounts would become part of the estate of the individual and could be passed on to heirs without fear of any death penalty. These plans should be particularly attractive to young people who are healthy and can afford high-deductible insurance plans. These funds can be used by any member of a family without penalty. The flexibility and security provided by HSAs will be of great benefit to all who participate.

5. Require price transparency from all healthcare providers, especially doctors and healthcare organizations like clinics and hospitals. Individuals should be able to shop to find the best prices for procedures, exams or any other medical-related procedure.

6. Block-grant Medicaid to the states. Nearly every state already offers benefits beyond what is required in the current Medicaid structure. The state governments know their people best and can manage the administration of Medicaid far better without federal overhead. States will have the incentives to seek out and eliminate fraud, waste and abuse to preserve our precious resources.

7. Remove barriers to entry into free markets for drug providers that offer safe, reliable and cheaper products. Congress will need the courage to step away from the special interests and do what is right for America. Though the pharmaceutical industry is in the private sector, drug companies provide a public service. Allowing consumers access to imported, safe and dependable drugs from overseas will bring more options to consumers.

Full Health Care reform plan can be read here >>> Healthcare Reform

Most of these recommendation have been around for years. Take for example removing barriers that keep insurance companies from operating across state lines. Currently 70% of health insurance companies do operate across state lines although none operates in every state. The number has increased since Obamacare which forced state regulators to take a backseat to federal regulations. There are a number of barriers that keep insurance companies within state lines, none of which are federal laws and regulation. State laws and regulations are still a major barrier. The only way the federal government can solve that problem is to usurp the power of the states to regulate insurance.

Increasing competition between insurance companies will have little effect on healthcare cost because the profit margin of health insurance companies are typically 4% to 5% and insurance companies have never been successful at forcing lower cost on providers. The real cost is delivering healthcare, not insurance.

And those of us who didn't like Obamacare, and who wanted to involve the marketplace wanted to do away with much of the insurance market. Basically, use the tax expenditures of employer sponsored and Obamacare to GIVE people the money the employers will just keep under TrumpyourCare in the form of tax credits. Doctors and hospitals would be encouraged to advertise prices and success rates for procedures, and people could use their own judgment.

Doctors and hospitals advertising prices would at best be misleading because there is no way knowing what the total cost will be of treatment and patients would not be able to compare costs. There are many tools available now for patient estimate costs.

Comparison shopping is complex for patients, as well as confusing and nearly impossible, because outcomes are variable, success isn't guaranteed (compare your expectations for medical care to the purchase of a car or refrigerator) and different therapeutic approaches have different outcomes for different patient populations.

Yeah, and we can't shop for car repairs for the same reasons . . . . . . er, no, that's not right.

The cost of repairing a car can be determining accurately enough that the shop can give you a fixed price before the work starts which makes cost comparison relatively easy. Unfortunately, that's not possible with most serious diseases. In fact, the healthcare provider often can't even guarantee a fix at any price.

Car repairs can be determined accurately because there is competition in the car repair industry. Costs can't be determined accurately in the healthcare industry because there is no competition. There's no motive for a provider to determine it's costs accurately. It simply bills the insurance company after the fact.

 

[rightwinger]

If We the People say it is their job.....it is their job

The constitution enumerates governments limited duties. You hate it and libs hate it. The founders knew how fouled up govt was.

Founders knew that future generations would have needs they couldn't dare anticipate

Yeah right.... like constant sucking off the tit. If the founders would have known we would have become this pussified and dependent on the govt they would have said screw it and surrendered to cornwallis.

18th century aristocrats had no perceptions of what a 21st century society would be like

If they had known, they would have put more obstacles in the document to prevent exactly the kind of agency like the FAA.

FAA?

You are fucking nuts

 

[bripat9643]

Founders knew that future generations would have needs they couldn't dare anticipate

Yep, I always wondered why the Founders didn't include some provision about the Federal Aviation Administration...LOL

Thomas Jefferson, who last time I checked, was a founder...said it best

I am not an advocate for frequent changes in laws and constitutions, but laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind. As that becomes more developed, more enlightened, as new discoveries are made, new truths discovered and manners and opinions change, with the change of circumstances, institutions must advance also to keep pace with the times. We might as well require a man to wear still the coat which fitted him when a boy as civilized society to remain ever under the regimen of their barbarous ancestors."

Jefferson would have laughed at our current buffoon govt. You should be ashamed of throwing out a quote attributed to jefferson.

Jefferson understood the nature of government
That the needs of a society evolve over time. He helped create a government that was flexible enough to provide for those needs

A wise man

Yeah, he understood its nature alright. That's why he insisted that it be kept as small and weak as possible.

"In questions of power, then, let no more be heard of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief by the chains of the Constitution." --Thomas Jefferson: Draft, Kentucky Res., 1798.
​

The purpose of government is to protect our equal rights, and Jefferson reiterated this on many occasions.

"It is to secure our rights that we resort to government at all." --Thomas Jefferson to M. D'Ivernois, 1795.
​

Moreover, everyone in a free society is limited by the respect for the equal rights of everyone else, and it is government's obligation to protect the equal rights of us all.

"The equal rights of man and the happiness of every individual are now acknowledged to be the only legitimate objects of government." --Thomas Jefferson to M. Coray, 1823.
​

Where does the FAA fit into that understanding of government?

 

[Timmy]

Health savings accounts ! ?! People don't save for retirement , but they'll save for health emergencies ?

 

[kaz]

1. Completely repeal Obamacare. Our elected representatives must eliminate the individual mandate. No person should be required to buy insurance unless he or she wants to.

I know, I know that right wingers simply HATE the individual mandate....but that's because no one will ever assume that they're too bright.....

Without the mandate, ONLY sick people will sign up, mitigating the healthy pool's input into the overall ACA...It's like requesting a car insurance policy only AFTER you've had a car accident.

With the mandate, only sick people will show up ...

 

[kaz]

Health savings accounts ! ?! People don't save for retirement , but they'll save for health emergencies ?

You won't, will you wheelchair boy?

 

[Kondor3]

Why not repeal ObamaCare and replace it with 'nothing'?

 

[Timmy]

Health savings accounts ! ?! People don't save for retirement , but they'll save for health emergencies ?

You won't, will you wheelchair boy?

I have health insurance through work . How about you ?

We have a mandate to treat the sick, why not a health mandate .

 

[rightwinger]

Founders knew that future generations would have needs they couldn't dare anticipate

Yep, I always wondered why the Founders didn't include some provision about the Federal Aviation Administration...LOL

Thomas Jefferson, who last time I checked, was a founder...said it best

I am not an advocate for frequent changes in laws and constitutions, but laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind. As that becomes more developed, more enlightened, as new discoveries are made, new truths discovered and manners and opinions change, with the change of circumstances, institutions must advance also to keep pace with the times. We might as well require a man to wear still the coat which fitted him when a boy as civilized society to remain ever under the regimen of their barbarous ancestors."

Jefferson would have laughed at our current buffoon govt. You should be ashamed of throwing out a quote attributed to jefferson.

Jefferson understood the nature of government
That the needs of a society evolve over time. He helped create a government that was flexible enough to provide for those needs

A wise man

Yeah, he understood its nature alright. That's why he insisted that it be kept as small and weak as possible.

"In questions of power, then, let no more be heard of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief by the chains of the Constitution." --Thomas Jefferson: Draft, Kentucky Res., 1798.
​

The purpose of government is to protect our equal rights, and Jefferson reiterated this on many occasions.

"It is to secure our rights that we resort to government at all." --Thomas Jefferson to M. D'Ivernois, 1795.
​

Moreover, everyone in a free society is limited by the respect for the equal rights of everyone else, and it is government's obligation to protect the equal rights of us all.

"The equal rights of man and the happiness of every individual are now acknowledged to be the only legitimate objects of government." --Thomas Jefferson to M. Coray, 1823.
​

Where does the FAA fit into that understanding of government?

No seriously...you are fucking nuts

Jefferson opposed the FAA?

 

[rightwinger]

Why not repeal ObamaCare and replace it with 'nothing'?

Let em die

 

[Kondor3]

Why not repeal ObamaCare and replace it with 'nothing'?

Let em die

Naahhhhh... merely a return to fiscal sanity.

 

[Crixus]

Why not repeal ObamaCare and replace it with 'nothing'?

way to simple. not enough waxing philosophical and shit.