HEALTHCARE IN POLITICS
With the election five days away, it is hard to get away
from the political banter. While this blog is not of a political but a
healthcare nature it seems this election has a lot to do with two visions of
America’s healthcare. I want this post to be a side by side comparison of what
the current Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) allows currently and what
Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney has planned for his healthcare plan; and see
if there are many differences.
MITT
ROMNEY HEALTHCARE PLAN
o STATE HEALTHCARE PLANS:
‘Give each state the
power to craft a health care reform plan that is best for its own citizens.’
o FEDERAL GOVERNTMENT ROLE:
‘The federal government’s role will be to help markets work
by creating a level playing field for competition.’
o BLOCK GRANT PAYMENTS:
‘Block Grant Medicaid and other payments to states.’
o PREVENT DISCRIMINATION:
‘Prevent discrimination against individuals with pre-existing
conditions who maintain continuous coverage.’
o LIMIT FEDERAL REGULATION:
‘Limit federal standards and requirements of private
insurance and Medicaid coverage.’
o CONSUMER CHOICE CHANGES:
‘Purchase insurance across state lines’
‘Promote alternatives for “fees for service”’
‘Encourage “consumer reports”- types ratings of alternative
insurance plans’
BARACK
OBAMA : Affordable Care
Act
o FEDERAL
REGULATIONS:
STATE FLEXIBILITY
Federally
established regulations, State flexibility in operation and enforcement of
insurance exchanges.
o NEW
TAX CREDITS & PURCHASE OF INSURANCE:
Tax
credits for families making less than 250k annually; which can help families reduce
their premiums and purchase insurance.
o PREEXSISTING
CONDITIONS:
Allow
for coverage regardless of pre-existing conditions. Eligibility not based on
income.
o PUBLIC
PROGRAM ACCESS:
Extends
Medicaid and allows for more access to Medicaid. Additional federal financial
participation for CHIP (Children’s Medicaid).
o REVENUE
PROVISIONS:
‘Inclusion cost of employer-sponsored health coverage
on W-2 (Sec. 9002).’
‘Imposition of annual fee on medical device manufacturers
and importers. (Sec. 9009).
What do you think of the upcoming election’s effect on
Healthcare? Is it important to you?
Thank you to Baylor University Healthcare MBA for a great education and willingness to let their students think critically.
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