After months spent criticizing Democrats' health overhaul plans, House Republicans have produced a draft proposal of their own. It's much shorter and focuses on bringing down costs rather than extending coverage to nearly all Americans.
A 230-page draft was obtained Tuesday by The Associated Press. A spokeswoman for Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, said changes were still being made before the bill would be finalized in time to offer as an alternative when Democrats begin floor debate on their bill, possibly at the end of this week.
The bill leaves out a number of the key features of the Democrats' 1,990-page legislation, such as new requirements for employers to insure their employees and for nearly all Americans to purchase insurance. It also doesn't block insurers from denying coverage to people with pre-existing health conditions, as Democrats would do.
Instead, the Republican plan increases incentives for people to use health savings accounts, caps non-economic jury awards in medical malpractice cases at $250,000, provides various incentives to states with the aim of driving down premium costs and allows health insurance to be sold across state lines.
Democrats immediately dismissed the Republican plan as insubstantial.
The GOP alternative "does little to provide security and stability to all Americans, doesn't provide insurance availability for all Americans, does little to expand access to coverage," House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., told reporters.
"Ours is vastly superior and we think the American public will think that," Hoyer said.
It also doesn't block insurers from denying coverage to people with pre-existing health conditions, as Democrats would do.
Well I see your point kind of...but it seems the Republicans are using bandaids to help and the Progressive Dems are using a bat to the skull to put the patient (the USA) out of its misery.
Guys, you have no idea how alien this discussion sounds to the rest of the civilised world. Like, no offence or smarminess meant, but really!
Originally posted by ProfEmeritus
reply to post by JohnnyCanuck
Guys, you have no idea how alien this discussion sounds to the rest of the civilised world. Like, no offence or smarminess meant, but really!
So your solution is....?
Frankly, our system works well for us...it is by no means perfect, but it works well, and I see no reason the US couldn't adopt a similar one. I am not looking to re-open debate on the subject, but simply making the observation.
Originally posted by ProfEmeritus
reply to post by JohnnyCanuck
Frankly, our system works well for us...it is by no means perfect, but it works well, and I see no reason the US couldn't adopt a similar one. I am not looking to re-open debate on the subject, but simply making the observation.
The question isn't whether everyone should have access to health care, at least in my mind. I made it very clear that must be done. The question is how to PAY for it, when the country has a national debt equal to it GDP.
I don't see where the two wars are helping you out much...and as I have told my MP, our medical system could be better served if we got out of Afghanistan. It's a start...
The PM may brag about comparisons to G7 nations where Canada is third out of seven. However, when compared to the 30 nations of the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Canada ranks 22nd. According to the Intelligence Unit at The Economist magazine Canada's total public debt for 2009 approaches $1.1 trillion and is climbing. Total debt levels stand at 72% of GDP. This amounts to approximately $33,000 of public debt for each man woman and child in Canada.
Originally posted by JohnnyCanuck
reply to post by jibeho
Guys, you have no idea how alien this discussion sounds to the rest of the civilised world. Like, no offence or smarminess meant, but really!
