The former RNC Chairman, Michael Steele, spoke about the Republican health care bill. He was extremely reasonable. He made the best sense of the issue than any other Republican I have heard.
He doesn't believe the American people's health care should be a focus of politics.
He also said that the Democrats would have a real reason to win elections in 2018 should this bill pass. It is completely obvious this is a political issue and not a national health care issue.
‘‘(h) SHORT-TERM ASSISTANCE TO ADDRESS COV- 7 ERAGE AND ACCESS DISRUPTION AND PROVIDE SUPPORT 8 FOR STATES.—
‘‘(2) PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS.— 24 ‘‘(A) GUIDANCE.—Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Administrator shall issue guidance to health 7 LYN17709 S.L.C.
1 insurance issuers regarding how to submit a notice of intent to participate in the program established under this subsection
‘‘(B) NOTICE OF INTENT TO PARTICI- 5 PATE.— to be eligible for funding for a calendar year under this subsection, a health insurance issuer shall submit to the Administrator a notice of intent to participate not later than March 31 of the previous fiscal year, in such form and manner as specified by the Administrator, and containing—
Even if the health care insurance issuer notifies the administrator they will participate there is no requirement to do so. It leaves the government wide open to fraud. Cassidy knows it, too, because the following verbiage becomes narrower and narrower about fidelity to the law. Insurers won't participate because of the specificity to participate. The CEOs will worry they will be caught up in bureaucracy that will lead to the dedication of funds to lawyers. They won't do it. Their bonuses are more important and this law will lead to litigation of participation for fraud and potential fines.
‘‘(B) WAIVERS.— 20 ‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—Subject to clause 21 (ii), the Secretary shall waive the requirements of the following Federal statutory provisions with respect to health insurance coverage in a State for a plan year during which the State has an application ap- 13 LYN17709 S.L.C.
1 proved under this subsection and to the extent that such application includes a request for such a waiver and the informaion described in subparagraph (A)(iv):
In order to get participation by insurers every state will file for a waiver. They won't get participation because the costs to these people are higher.
Why would a state accept an enormous amount of money to do as it pleaes and then accept pre-conditions into their insurance law?
‘‘(2) ELIGIBILITY.—Only the 50 States and the 23 District of Columbia shall be eligible
This is racist. NONE OF THE USA TERRITORIES ARE PROVIDED FOR. The ACA provides for all Americans including those in the territories including Gaum. So all the people not displaced from the Caribbean islands will never receive health insurance if they have a pre-condition. There are many people in the territories that have difficult health problems because of IMPROVERISHMENT!
‘‘(B) ALLOTMENTS; AVAILABILITY OF AL- 6 LOTMENTS.—
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—In the case of a State with an application approved under this subsection with respect to a year
Even IF the state voluntarily participates in the program it is not assured to receive allotments because the state has to be approved by the administrator. There will be lawsuits to the Supreme Court for years.
‘‘(G) 2026 REDUCTION FOR STATES RECEIVING ADVANCED PAYMENTS IN 2020.—For 24 calendar year 2026, the amount determined for a State for such year under subparagraph (C) 31 LYN17709 S.L.C. and adjusted under subparagraphs (D), (E), and (F), shall be reduced by the amount of any increase to the State’s allotment for calendar 4 year 2020 under paragraph (9).
What a payoff up front to provide incentive to participate. The states can request ADVANCED PAYMENTS. That means come 2026 the state may not even receive payments.
There is no obligation anywhere in this bill to provide health insurance period, yet alone Americans with pre-condition. After this bill is passed and any time afterward a state can discontinue Medicaid and end all health care insurance programs. While not participating in this law. After this bill is passed and Medicaid is dissolved there is no obligation for a state to provide coverage to anyone. The state can dissolve the insurance administration for health care within it's administration. The entire bill seeks to provide incentive based in money payments and states need for balancing a budget.
There won't be any payments in 2026 because participating states will have received that money in advanced payments. So, this bill actually ends in 2025.
‘‘(I) LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUAL.—In this 10 paragraph, the term ‘low-income individual’ means an individual—
‘‘(i) who is a citizen or legal resident;
‘‘(ii) whose income (as determined under section 1902(e)(14) (relating to modified adjusted gross income)) is greater than 45 percent but less than 133 percent of the poverty line (as defined in section 19 2110(c)(5), subject to subparagraph (O)(ii)) applicable to a family of the size involved.
For familes that are receiving health insurance within the 400 percent of the poverty line will NOT BE ELIGIBLE for help under this program.
This bill, if it passes into law, will be in litigation for years and tie up courts worse than exists for the Undocumented immigrants.
THE BILL DISCRIMINATES BASED ON THE DIAGNOSIS.
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘clinical risk category’ means a grouping of low-income individuals based on their clinical characteristics that is established by the Secretary under this subparagraph.
I need some coffee. This bill is horrible. It sets standards that can permeate laws into the future filed with the redefinition of an American. They currently don't consider the territories as American. The territories, under this bill, has no definition at all as if they don't exist.
HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATION.
I hate it, but, I am going to have to dedicate some time today to read this mess. It is worse than I thought.
Later.
