Tuesday, August 18, 2009
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This Bill modifies the existing healthcare system by removing barriers to competition, extending healthcare to all residents, controlling federal spending on healthcare, funds a new network of healthcare for those who can't pay, focuses on the patient/doctor relationship, builds an internet based healthcare marketplace that automates administration, fosters competition, and allows online prescriptions and appointment scheduling.
Five areas will be changed:
HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNT
Every valid social security number will have a health savings account opened (HSA).
A new payroll tax of .2% is implemented and deposited into the individuals HSA (including employer match).
Additional tax free contributions by employers may also be placed in the employee's account.
Individuals may add additional TAX free contributions to their HSA.
The HSA may only be used for healthcare expenses or health insurance and becomes a death benefit.
A sales tax is placed on all payments from the HSA and this money is dedicated to a network of free healthcare.
School curriculums are required to teach management of healthcare resources including health improvement.
FREE HEALTHCARE FOR THE POOR (FHP Inc.)
A system of free healthcare facilities are built and maintained with the revenue from the tax on HSA spending.
This system will provide emergency care to anyone without charge based on triage.
Its management will set eligibility requirements for any additional "non-emergency" offerings.
Additional service offerings may include free medical procedures, tests, devices, drugs, therapy or education.
The system is managed as a non-profit organization similar to the Cleveland Clinic model.
Loans from the public sector are allowed but not backed by the government.
The OMB will provide forecasts for the anticipated revenue available to the clinic.
Annual budgets must forecast a profit greater than zero.
Actual net income will be added (subtracted) to the next years budget.
All new graduates from medical and nursing schools must serve 2 years working for FHP Inc.
HEALTH INSURANCE REVAMP
Federal government sets minimum requirements for coverage nationwide.
States add additional requirements for their residents.
Any insurance company can write policies that meet state requirements.
Medical malpractice suits will be replaced with Death and Disability Insurance.
Negligence by healthcare professionals and organizations will be handled through criminal courts.
Health insurance policies list "standard costs" for all covered procedures, tests, devices, drugs and therapies.
Individuals receive the "standard cost" for all approved coverages.
Overages and underages are deducted/added to their HSA.
MEDICARE
Medicare will become optional.
Individuals who opt out of medicare will have their 1.5% medicare tax deposited in their HSA.
Employer match will continue to be paid to Medicare for 10 years after opting out then it will go to the HSA.
INTERNET HEALTHCARE MARKETPLACE
National Health Board will maintain a database of definitions for medical procedures, tests, devices, and drugs.
Congress will accept bids from Consortiums of Internet companies to build an internet based medical marketplace.
The medical marketplace will provide for doctor selection, patient monitoring, transaction processing, online prescriptions, appointment scheduling, transaction history, feedback, security, and privacy.
An example might be a medical marketplace with enhanced and modified versions of Twitter, Facebook and Ebay.
Twittter for patients, Facebook for providers, and Ebay for transaction processing and feedback.
