We continue to advocate our plan as having real, substantive, financially prudent and politically feasible grounds.
Go to http://realhealthreform.wordpress.com/the-plan/details-on-the-plan/ to read about this in more detail.
The idea of medical bankruptcy occurring to insured families is morally repugnant. The fact is, that as is pointed out in this study, that the reason for these bankruptcies was primarily related to insurance companies dropping coverage once a subscriber became ill. A practice which goes on daily in this nation and is a scandal. We have, in the most strong terms, advocated that health insurance should not be denied based on pre-existing conditions, previous illnesses or surgery. Also, coverage should never be terminated for any reason in the private sector other than failure to pay premiums.
Please read these excerpts from “details of the plan”.
(9) As a regulated utility, the prices set should be wholly market based and not risk stratified for individuals or select groups
Basically, this is no different than offering any other product for sale. The price is not based on WHO is doing the buying, but based on the value of the product being offered as set by the overall buyers in the marketplace. By offering coverage to ALL individuals, the risk is shared and a proper premium structure, along with surcharges if needed, can be arrived at. The current system allows for some of this. However, all to often the result is denial of coverage from the get go or limitations on coverage, such as pre-existing condition exclusions.
(10) Adoption of item 9 means pre-coverage physicals, pre-existing condition exemptions and the like will no longer be necessary – the premium is set and if I can afford it I buy it. I cannot be denied coverage for non-financial reasons. Companies will have to compete on efficiency of their systems and overall quality of their services.
As an outgrowth of item 9, this is perhaps among the most important of all tenants of this proposal. The major obstacles to health insurance access are limitations imposed by insurers on who they will cover and financial resources. The former can be EASILY remedied by adoption of national standards prohibiting discrimination in the purchase of health insurance. The latter can be dealt with through the current programs in place (as discussed above in item 4) as well as adjustments in the minimum wage and tax credits as needed.
(11) The base package of services required to be offered is pre set and supplements can be offered. Minimum basic policy defined (like auto insurance) with individual deciding on increased benefits. However, the base must be very broad to make sure the pricing factors in overall gross population risks, as opposed to sub group risks. Minimum basic policy defined (like auto insurance) with individual deciding on increased benefits.
What should be in the base package? First, all aspects of a major medical policy should be included. Second, emergent care. Third, preventative services (vaccinations, screenings, etc.). Deductibles can be varied to adjust price, as they are now, however, there should be limits on how high deductibles can be set for primary policies.
(12) Fine of $100,000 to any insurance company that denies writing the policy (basic) regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, race, genetic assessment, pre-conditions, etc. Policies are not cancelable except by death or lack of financial qualification of coverage under item (1) above.
This site does not like onerous enforcement tools. Again, however, insurers need to know that there are penalties which will be applied if they discriminate against policy seekers for ANY reason other than inability to afford premiums. Individuals must be able to purchase coverage regardless of their health status which can and will vary from time to time.
. . . obi jo and jomaxx
Medical bills are behind more than 60% of U.S. personal bankruptcies,
Researchers reported that healthcare reform is on the wrong track. More than 75% of these bankrupt families had health insurance but still were overwhelmed by their medical debts, the team at Harvard Law School, Harvard Medical School and Ohio University reported in the American Journal of Medicine. Nationally, a quarter of firms cancel coverage immediately when an employee suffers a disabling illness; another quarter do so within a year, the report reads.
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/703948?sssdmh=dm1.482806&src=nldne
Over 60% of All US Bankruptcies Attributable to Medical Problems – http://www.amjmed.com/webfiles/images/journals/ajm/AJMMedicalBankruptcyJun09FINAL2.pdf
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