Much speculations evolves around what changes the Trump administration will bring to health care. Although I don’t know why. The basics have been laid out by the Republicans for months. There is some fine tuning that needs to be done, but the core is in place. In addition to the principles that have been laid out, here are a few well thought out suggestions. (For a closer look at what’s been proposed go to my July 13th and 27th blogs, Repealing Obamacare – Individual Tax Credit & The Employer Tax Exclusion.)
What part of the current healthcare reform plan would I keep? Once Obamacare is repealed, it must be repealed, my primary complaint is the ACA was implemented as a regulatory law not a health advocacy tool, I’d reintroduce three things. (1) No one should be denied coverage due to preexisting conditions. However, no one should be allowed to burden the system who carries no insurance, goes to the doctor, learns they need medical care and now applies for insurance. They should be required to apply for insurance, bear a heavy portion of the medical expenses for a year or two (contracted rate), and have the carrier assign a case manager. (2) Keep adult children on the plan until age 26, unless they are employed full-time. Then it’s time to put their big boy & girl pants on and be a responsible adult. (3) The Summary of Benefits & Coverage and Glossary of Health Coverage & Medical Terms make it easier to understand coverages. However changes need to be made.
Whatever happens I hope we’ll see both the introduction of individual tax credits and the continuation of the employer tax exclusion, rightfully so. Both are integral to health care. Why individuals have not been able to deduct health insurance premiums is a mystery. The need to continue the employer tax exclusion is important because the vast majority of Americans receive coverage through their employer. Suddenly thrusting 170 million people into the individual market would be chaotic. Also, the employer resources can be provide health advocacy for the employees (independently contracted, through HR or the broker).
Here are some simple solutions that will make health insurance easier and better.
- Paying for Preexisting Conditions – Every transaction, buying aspirin, medical procedures, hospital stays – anything medical related – should be charged a ‘PreX’ fee of 1 penny. The money would go towards funding preexisting conditions, nothing else. If it raises more than is needed, then cut it back to either ½ penny or only on certain purchases or procedures. (Need to have the bean counters look at this recommendation.)
- All medical expenses (premium included) should be pretax. Do I really have to explain why this is good/fair? If health care is as important as everyone says, and it is, let’s make it as inexpensive and accessible as possible to all. Eliminate all the complex tax regulations around health insurance, especially the need to have 7.5% of income before receiving the current deduction. (Note: It’s a deduction not a tax credit.)
- Everyone should be eligible for HSA accounts and eliminate FSA accounts. Why have the use-it-or-lose-it rule? Makes no sense, except the federal government is overly concerned about the tax revenue. Although medical expenses would be pretax, based on my recommendation above, the HSA account would continue pretax deductions with tax free expenditures for medical care. HSA accounts would incentivize people to finance future medical expenses. What should be the allowable limit for HSA contributions? It’s open for discussion, but a dollar amount equal to the plans out-of-pocket maximum would make sense.
- Any able body, able mind, receiving a government subsidy for health care (Medicaid) should be required to do some form of work, be it ever so menial. Health insurance is expensive, everyone can do their part.
- Major changes to medical liability and malpractice need to be made. I’ll let others suggest specific tort reform recommendations. But we need to get the attorneys to give up their strong hold on the medical market. It’ll help lower costs.
Finally, before you suggest eliminating insurance companies, I hope you’ll think about the import role they play in lowering health care costs. Health insurance companies, just like many items you buy, negotiate rates, buy in bulk, and monitor expenditures. Need proof? Look at your EOB (Explanation of Benefits). Compare the original billed amount to the allowed amount (after discounts).
I’m not saying they are perfect or that changes can’t be made. I’m just saying they play an important role and we need to recognize it. Insurance companies are much better than a bloated government agency with little or no accountability. We tried that with the VA health care and Obamacare. – No thank you!
What ideas do you have?
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