A free-market, comprehensive reform plan that encourages and frees up private insurance is available now. It reforms Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP and turns it into ONE government program that is:
MEANS-TESTED (affordable)
CATASTROPHIC CARE (encourages patient responsibility)
with a PREVENTION focus (compassionate and cost-effective)
AND it is PHASED OUT in favour of private insurance. Before that, however, it has to PAY FOR ITSELF.
No new individual taxes; no employer-mandates. No fines for the uninsured.
It also produces more qualified US physicians and nurses.
FREE and FAIR Health Care Reform--A Choice Worth Voting FOR

Reform problems of existing government programs which are bankrupting us all.

It rolls Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP into one uniform State Medical Insurance (SMI) plan in all 50 states. Any legal resident may choose to enroll in this program of catastrophic care insurance with a plus. The plus is a physical, extensiveness of which is determined by the physician based on his patient's needs, along with a follow up visit for a modest co-pay. As an added financial protection, one necessary ER visit per year would be covered for a modest co-pay. Prescription medicine prices would be reduced based on negotiation and bulk buying. No fines, no employer mandates, and people may choose a private insurer instead of the State plan. They may cancel the insurance and may have multiple policies and switch between private and State plans at will.

The plan is means-tested so people pay their fair share in this program which pays for itself. Current Medicare, Medicaid, SCHIP, and high-risk insurance pool funds would also be pulled into the plan. The charity designation for hospitals is eliminated and their state taxes go into the pool as well.

All providers are in the SMI database and their standardized charges, which they set, are listed. Provider discounts are eliminated. Providers are free to write off additional charges. States may add riders for additional coverage. There are no pre-existing conditions or caps on procedures. If the person's catastrophic necessary medical expense limit is hit, the insurance covers necessary care.

Reform private insurance:

Private insurance continues and may be sold across state lines. Insurance commits to payment in advance of procedures so patients always know full financial liability. ERISA shield is abolished so all have equal protection of law. Tax credits enable private insurers to cover riskier enrollees and low-income individuals because ultimately the SMI is replaced by private plans.

Reduce governmental interference with health care options:

Barriers to creating specialty clinics, hospitals, and other innovative health centers will be eliminated. This will also reduce costs and allow physicians who invest in such centers to earn more income.

Private insurers will be able to offer insurance without mandated lists of treatment, tailoring plans to the desires of the market.

The number of physicians and nurses will be substantially increased without significant cost to the taxpayer and with rewards for those new PCPs and doctors serving in underserved areas.
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