Health care bill

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-25-2006
Health care bill
283
Thu, 01-22-2009 - 11:16pm

Medicare for all....check it out and contact your legislators encouraging them to support it.

Today, January 22, 2009, the new, improved version of H.R. 676 is introduced to congress with four differences.

It will not be modeled after the Canadian plan. Instead will be similar to a Medicare for All (not socialized medicine, can pick own docs)

It will be administered by Health and Human Services

The plan is for ALL residents. H & HS will define resident.

2 years of salary up to $100K offered to displaced health insurance workers

Transition from profit hospitals to not-for profit hospitals will be accomplished in the private sector over 15 years.

http://pdamerica.org/misc/676%20Fact%20Sheet%20-%20FINAL.pdf < What the plan offers

Get the additional legislators needed to sponsor it right away. Can't wait until mid-session. Write a sentence or two supporting H.R. 676 and send to your congressional district's legislators. Spread the word. Congress.org - Congressional Directory Find and contact your federal, state, and local officials. www.congress.org/congressorg/directory/congdir.tt

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http://www.pnhp.org/news/2009/october/meet_the_new_health_.php

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQTBYQlQ7yM

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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-25-2006
In reply to: janetlz
Fri, 01-23-2009 - 7:49pm

<>

Cmon....There's no way my 90 yo mom, if she were insured by BCBS rather than by Medicare, would say, "Oh, you won't reject me? You'll just make me pay triple what everyone else pays because my insurance plan does not consider you a preferred provider? How KIND of you doc!"

A doctor rejecting a patient is the same as a doctor refusing to accept either Medicare's or an insurance company's fee schedule as the maximum amount they will bill participants in those plans. THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE!

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http://www.pnhp.org/news/2009/october/meet_the_new_health_.php

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQTBYQlQ7yM

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-05-2008
In reply to: janetlz
Fri, 01-23-2009 - 7:50pm

<>


If only they were putting

 

 

Guild Member since 2009

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-04-2009
In reply to: janetlz
Fri, 01-23-2009 - 7:51pm


How does that work?

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-05-2008
In reply to: janetlz
Fri, 01-23-2009 - 7:54pm
I am still waiting for the link on the 2/3 assertion.

 

 

Guild Member since 2009

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-25-2006
In reply to: janetlz
Fri, 01-23-2009 - 7:56pm

<>

Who says so? Did you bother to read the fact sheet? It DOES include dental.

H.R. 676 Fact Sheet
Printer version (.pdf)

Brief Summary of Legislation

H.R. 676, the United States National Health Insurance Act (USNHI), establishes a unique American universal health insurance program with single payer financing. The bill would create a publicly financed, privately delivered health care system that improves and expands the already existing Medicare program 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 care status. With 47 million uninsured Americans, and another 50 million who are underinsured, the time has come to change our inefficient and costly fragmented non-system of health care.

Eligibility

Every person living or visiting in 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.


Health Care Services Covered

This program will cover all medically necessary services, including primary care, inpatient care, outpatient care, emergency care, prescription drugs, durable medical equipment, hearing services, 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 permissible under this act.


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. Those not rehired would receive 2 years unemployment benefits. The conversion to a not-for- profit health care system will take place over a 15 year period, through the sale of U.S. treasury bonds.

Cost Containment Provisions/ Reimbursement

The USNHI program will negotiate reimbursement rates annually with physicians, allow for Aglobal budgets @ (monthly lump sums for operating expenses) for hospitals, and negotiate prices for prescription drugs, medical supplies and equipment. A “Medicare For All Trust Fund” will be established to ensure a dedicated stream of funding. An annual appropriation is also authorized to ensure optimal levels of funding for the program


Families Will Pay Less

Currently, the average family of four covered under an employee health plan spends a total of $4,225 on health care annually – $2,713 on premiums and another $1,522 on medical services, drugs and supplies (Employer Health Benefits 2006 Annual Survey, Kaiser Family Foundation and Health Research and Educational Trust; U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Expenditure Survey.) This figure does not include the additional 1.45% Medicare payroll tax levied on employees. Under H.R. 676, a family of four making the median family income of $56,200 per year would pay about $2,700 for all health care costs, including the current Medicare tax.

Business Will Pay Less

In 2006, health insurers charged employers an average of $11,500 for a health plan for a family of four. On average, the employer paid 74% of this premium, or $8,510 per year. This figure does not include the additional 1.45% payroll tax levied on employers for Medicare. Under H.R. 676, employers would pay a 4.75% payroll tax for all health care costs, including the current Medicare tax. For an employee making the median annual family income of $56,200, the employer would pay about $2,700 per year.


The Nation Will Pay About the Same, While Covering All Americans

Savings from reduced administration, bulk purchasing, and coordination among providers will allow coverage for all Americans while reducing health care inflation in the long term. Annual savings from enacting H.R. 676 are estimated at $387 billion (Baker).

Proposed Funding For USNHI Program

* Maintain current federal and state funding for existing health care programs
* Establish employer/employee payroll tax of 4.75% (includes present 1.45% Medicare tax)
* Establish a 5% health tax on the top 5% of income earners, 10% tax on top 1% of wage earners
* ¼ of 1% stock transaction tax
* Close corporate tax loopholes
* Repeal the Bush tax cuts for the highest income earners

http://cthealth.server101.com/h_r__676_fact_sheet.htm

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http://www.pnhp.org/news/2009/october/meet_the_new_health_.php

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQTBYQlQ7yM

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-12-2009
In reply to: janetlz
Fri, 01-23-2009 - 8:04pm

"Now isn't it the idea of Obama's economic advisor, Robert Reich to hire the unskilled for his economic stimulus? "


Yea, and it's Obama's head cabinet member Rahm (and Obama himself) who thinks we should have compulsory national service of high school students.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-14-2008
In reply to: janetlz
Fri, 01-23-2009 - 8:05pm
I also noted that it specifically prohibits using Social Security numbers on the ID cards.
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-25-2006
In reply to: janetlz
Fri, 01-23-2009 - 8:07pm

<>

Thanks for joining in here. You're posting so many of the thoughts running through my head but which I'm too weary to type out for those who refuse to remove their blinders.

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http://www.pnhp.org/news/2009/october/meet_the_new_health_.php

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQTBYQlQ7yM

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-10-2008
In reply to: janetlz
Fri, 01-23-2009 - 8:08pm
"It is almost impossible to watch TV without seeing a motorized scooter ad for a senior. Guess which government program pays for those motorized scooters?"

~I'm sure my folks would like to know. My parents are on medicare, they wouldn't pay for my mom's scooter.~


My understanding is that your

Kate

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-10-2008
In reply to: janetlz
Fri, 01-23-2009 - 8:09pm

Welcome back, Laura :)


("kathleen-mary-hot-water")

Kate

Kate

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