Back to Basics

As I initially read and took notes throughout this section I really didn’t grasp the absurdity of the program.  When I started writing this column I was overwhelmed by the stupidity of the thought that someone would actually think this was health care reform and not just a government take over of the health industry.  The public option is based on the same business model (if you could actually call it that) of the Medicare system – the system that is currently failing and going bankrupt today!  So why would one think that applying the same standards of a failing business to another model is going to create success.  Did any of the members participating in the creation of this bill have any business background?  Failure x 2 does not equal success.  With that said, I will continue on my quest at reporting on bill H.R. 3200.

The Public Health option is the portion of the bill allowing the government to sell insurance.  The Public Option is basically a Medicare type program offered to those who do not quality for Medicare, operating concurrently and competing against the private plans offered in the Health Insurance Exchange.  The government controls the Health Insurance Exchange, controls the policies offered within the exchange, and would now be able to sell government policies.  Try side stepping this all you want, but this is a government take over of health care.

Some of the bill’s BS (sorry) just could not be reworded or interpreted, so I had to quote the bill so you could fully understand the vague references and enthusiastic goals of the Public Option.

The Magic Wand of Health Care

The bill establishes the administration of a Public Health Insurance Option, an exchange qualified plan, which is supposed to “ensure choice, competition and stability of affordable, high quality coverage.”  The Secretary of Health & Human Services is responsible to create a “low-cost plan without compromising quality or access to care.”  WOW!  Apparently the magic formula has been discovered to have low-cost insurance premiums that will give accessible and quality care, and if you listen to Obama’s promises, this will not raise taxes.  Since this is similar to Medicare, one would have to wonder why this magic wand hasn’t already been applied to Medicare to ensure the same quality of care without bankrupting the system.

The Public Option will only be made available through the Health Insurance Exchange, so if you cannot obtain insurance through the exchange for whatever reason, you will also not be able to obtain the Public Option insurance either.  (For further information, please visit article H.R. 3200 – The Health Insurance Exchange.)

The Public Option must comply with the requirements that apply to an exchange plan, including benefits, benefit levels, provider networks, notices, consumer protections and cost-sharing.  Different levels of plans will also be offered.  The Secretary enters into the contracts for the public option.  This is similar to that of the Commissioner on the Health Insurance Exchange.

The Secretary sets the premiums for the public option and may allow for geographic adjustments.  The rates must be set at a level sufficient to fully finance the cost of the health benefits provided by the public options and all administrative costs related to operating the public option.