We’ve all been hearing for months now the ongoing, and controversial, debate going on in Washington regarding health care reform. At times, the debate has been raucous, especially at many town hall meetings across the country this past August.
The Republican minority though will release their proposal sometime this week.
Basically, the purpose of the GOP alternative seeks to lower health care costs and increase access to health insurance coverage without:
- Raising taxes
- Cutting Medicare benefits for senior citizens
- Adding to the budget deficit
- Intervening in the doctor/patient relationship
- Instituting a government takeover of health care
The GOP asserts the 250-page bill will lower health care premiums for families and small businesses while being far less costly and intrusive than proposals from the Democratic majorities in the House and Senate.
Basically, their approach will expand state-based high-risk insurance pools for those with pre-existing conditions, allow trade associations to organize and purchase group health insurance, cap medical liability lawsuits and allow insurance companies to sell policies across state lines. Other provisions in the bill include:
- Allowing dependants to stay on their parents policies until age 25
- Expand Health Savings Accounts
- Give employers more flexibility to incentivize healthy living
- Encourage programs at the state level to reduce costs and numbers of uninsured
House Minority Leader John Boehner dubbed the Democratic proposals as “unaffordable”, saying his caucus’ plan will not raise taxes or impose cumbersome mandates during a recession.