5 Reasons Republicans Should Let Go of Health Care (click title to entry - thank you)
I love that picture of the President and Vice President after the vote to the Reconciliation Bill. That is Vice President Biden and President Obama after the vote to the Reconciliation Bill was passed. President Obama spoke to the nation. Of course Vice President Biden will be near the Senate when the Reconciliation Bill comes to the floor for a vote.The Republicans need to change their view of taxes. They always brag about how much they donate to charities. Well, they can think of their additional taxes as a social donation to the health of FELLOW Americans.
The Florida Attorney General, Bill McCollum has absolutely no case against the Health Care Reform Bill which he intends to file a petition to declare it unconstitutional law as soon as it is signed. He stated that the bill is allowing a commerce of taxes and regulation where none exists and does not provide services. He PROTECTED the mandatory car insurance bill the State of Florida has by stating there is an 'exchange' of goods in demanding insurance for all motorists because people have the 'pleasure' of driving their car.
He went on to say the federal health care bill is like saying someone in their easy chair at home is actually engaged in commerce where there is no good exchanged. Right. The argument doesn't hold water. The highest level of bankruptcies occur over health care bills. There is plenty of use of homes in the USA that go to foreclosure due to health care costs. He doesn't have an argument. So while that Florida man is sitting in his 'easy chair' in his home without engaging in health care, there is some point in time when he will need it and seek it and might require it if in an accident with his car, but, it will also keep him sitting in that easy chair in his home.
The size of the document is amazing to most who view it. It is significant. It is also sadly unfortunate the bill has to achieve that volume to mandate regulation of the unthinkable in the USA by the health insurance industry.
‘SEC. 2718. BRINGING DOWN THE COST OF HEALTH CARE COVERAGE.
‘(a) Clear Accounting for Costs- A health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage shall, with respect to each plan year, submit to the Secretary a report concerning the percentage of total premium revenue that such coverage expends--The health care insurance companies have to had the Secretary of Health and Human Services a spread sheet of costs and benefits vs. profits for 'each plan year.'
‘(1) on reimbursement for clinical services provided to enrollees under such coverage;
‘(2) for activities that improve health care quality; and
(3) on all other non-claims costs, including an explanation of the nature of such costs, and excluding State taxes and licensing or regulatory fees.
The Secretary shall make reports received under this section available to the public on the Internet website of the Department of Health and Human Services.
‘(b) Ensuring That Consumers Receive Value for Their Premium Payments-
‘(1) REQUIREMENT TO PROVIDE VALUE FOR PREMIUM PAYMENTS- A health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage shall, with respect to each plan year, provide an annual rebate to each enrollee under such coverage, on a pro rata basis, in an amount that is equal to the amount by which premium revenue expended by the issuer on activities described in subsection (a)(3) exceeds--
In other words, the Secretary of Health and Human Services will review the balance sheets of the insuring companies and determine they have made a ? reasonable ? profit WITHOUT exploitation of costs. Once that profit is realized for each company there will be a determination to the EXCESS of monies paid by the enrollees to provide their care. There is a great deal of incentive to enrollees here as well. The incentive is to stay well and achieve wellness to the extent their physical conditions allow it. If their insuring companies have monies that are in excess of costs and profit then that is to be refunded to the enrollees as a rebate for each 'benefit year.' There is a strong incentive for insurers to 'get it right,' because, to issue checks whenever a benefit year is ended is an additional expense to enrollees and stockholders. They also don't want to get caught with their hand in the 'till and referred by the Secretary to the Justice Department for further investigation.
I really don't expect to hear any criticism about this either, as the health care industry has been corrupt to the core. There was testimony from within their own corporate structure as to how they played god in determining life and death of peasants. End of discussion.
‘(A) with respect to a health insurance issuer offering coverage in the group market, 20 percent, or such lower percentage as a State may by regulation determine; or
The bill makes room for States. There is absolutely no reason for any State to have a court action.
The percentages are generous to the amount the companies can keep in their coffers over and above operating costs. It would be wise to for the State Regulatory Agencies to monitor the compliance with a mandate to maintain health insurance coverage. The reason being that if the costs are too high as opposed to the 'value' they deliver there will higher non-compliance, people will suffer and the cost to the State and Federal government will escalate while the savings to the country will be hurt.
‘(B) with respect to a health insurance issuer offering coverage in the individual market, 25 percent, or such lower percentage as a State may by regulation determine, except that such percentage shall be adjusted to the extent the Secretary determines that the application of such percentage with a State may destabilize the existing individual market in such State.
Some of the more angry lords and ladies of the Republican Right Wing are stating they will sell their shares in the companies that insure the country and/or have unions. They akin it similar to the boycott of apartheid. Imagine that Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandella has boycotting American Health Care Reform. The Right Wing ANYBODY are legitimately 'wackos.' If they boycott go right ahead. It is more stock futures for the rest of us to own and from the look of the insurance stocks these days, I doubt anyone is giving it up. So, for those that want to sell their stocks in companies that have unions, go ahead, do it today ! Don't wait not one more day. The peasants are longing to purchase your shares.
(2) CONSIDERATION IN SETTING PERCENTAGES- In determining the percentages under paragraph (1), a State shall seek to ensure adequate participation by health insurance issuers, competition in the health insurance market in the State, and value for consumers so that premiums are used for clinical services and quality improvements.
This sets up parameters the States need to comply to in order to issue different percentages. It requires participation by the public to add to the dynamics the State Regulators will issue law.
‘(3) TERMINATION- The provisions of this subsection shall have no force or effect after December 31, 2013.
After that date the laws begin on January 1, 2014.
