What is the GOP plan for healthcare reform?

[Biscuit]

To all those seeking the defunding of the Affordable Care Act and threatening to shut down the government at great detriment to the economy, society, and millions of Americans,

What's your plan? What would you like healthcare in America to look like?

The ACA means real change and opportunity for millions of Americans. I am a small business owner with chronic back problems. About a decade ago I had to have 2 surgeries and will need care for the rest of my life. Ever since I quit my job and struck out on my own I have been unable to secure insurance that would cover any back issues. It was not a matter of price, the insurance companies simply will not take the risk as my need for future care is almost certain. This care could be as simple as physical therapy, a cost I could bear on my own, or surgery, my last one cost over 20K and I simply do not have that kind of cash reserves. I have been waiting for October 1st for years now. The ACA will make it possible for me to secure the coverage and peace of mind I have not had for the last 3 years as I attempt to fulfill my American dream.

We are the only 1st world country that would put entrepenuaers, or anyone, in this type of situation. Health care in America needs reform, it needs change, it needs to be more accessible. The benefits of the ACA will be seen in our economy and our society, not just in health care. It is not the final step but it is the first step in the right direction. Tomorrow is going to be a game changer for millions of Americans.

Just saying "no" to the ACA is not a solution. Tearing down the federal government is not an answer. What do you propose millions of Americans do if the ACA is defunded and we are back to being without insurance?

 

[TimCallahan]

The Republican plan for healthcare reform is all the traffic can bear.

 

[thaiboxerken]

The GOP has no plan for reform. They got theirs and don't care if anyone else has insurance. This is because those without insurance are lazy.

 

[ponderingturtle]

Their old plan was the affordable care act. Now their big idea is to block that.

So basicly their plan is that nothing is wrong with a side of capping damages.

 

[A'isha]

The Affordable Care Act was the GOP plan for healthcare reform.

 

[theprestige]

Sadly I don't speak for the GOP, but here's my plan, in three easy steps:

1. Don't just do something, sit there!

2. If something must be done, let each state experiment with its own solutions. If Massachusetts-care works so well, let California decide whether or not to adopt it. Fifty social laboratories for the win!

3. If the federal government must step in, let it do the least amount necessary to address the most dire needs. Let it take great care not to impose sweeping changes that risk costly, irreversible unintended consequences.

 

[Unabogie]

Sadly I don't speak for the GOP, but here's my plan, in three easy steps:

1. Don't just do something, sit there!

2. If something must be done, let each state experiment with its own solutions. If Massachusetts-care works so well, let California decide whether or not to adopt it. Fifty social laboratories for the win!

3. If the federal government must step in, let it do the least amount necessary to address the most dire needs. Let it take great care not to impose sweeping changes that risk costly, irreversible unintended consequences.

So your plan is to sit back and let a few states try...some stuff? And if the feds must step in, they should do...something...just not too much?

How can such a plan possibly fail?

 

[Biscuit]

Sadly I don't speak for the GOP, but here's my plan, in three easy steps:

1. Don't just do something, sit there!

2. If something must be done, let each state experiment with its own solutions. If Massachusetts-care works so well, let California decide whether or not to adopt it. Fifty social laboratories for the win!

3. If the federal government must step in, let it do the least amount necessary to address the most dire needs. Let it take great care not to impose sweeping changes that risk costly, irreversible unintended consequences.

Having 50 different healthcare policies is about as sane as having 50 different currencies in America. Would states be required to honor each others policies? Would you need special travel insurance to cross state lines?

There are countries all over the planet that have effective, sustainable, and accessible healthcare plans in place. Why on earth would we need to conduct 50 different experiments?

How on earth would this be a solution for someone in my shoes, a situation millions of Americans face?

 

[Joecool]

Don't most people need actual healthcare rather than healthcare insurance?

 

[DavidJames]

Don't most people need actual healthcare rather than healthcare insurance?

True, and then they actually avail themselves of the health care and need to pay for it, at which point healthcare insurance becomes important.

 

[Biscuit]

Don't most people need actual healthcare rather than healthcare insurance?

Well I can afford the health care I may need, that's why I would like to buy insurance that will cover my back. I can't really have one without the other.

If we went to a UHC system I would over the moon.

 

[Joecool]

True, and then they actually avail themselves of the health care and need to pay for it, at which point healthcare insurance becomes important.

In my state, over a billion dollars is spent on medical for needy people annually. (And I live in a small state)

It might be cheaper to open up clinics or hospitals for the needy rather than paying for insurance which may never be used. i.e. if a client passes away or leaves the country and it's not reported, we may have paid for their insurance and are unlikely to recoup the money.

 

[theprestige]

So your plan is to sit back and let a few states try...some stuff? And if the feds must step in, they should do...something...just not too much?

How can such a plan possibly fail?

I find it makes a pleasing policy counterpoint to the Democratic plan:

1. Big government must do something!

2. This is something!

3. Big government must do this!

 

[DavidJames]

In my state, over a billion dollars is spent on medical for needy people annually. (And I live in a small state)

It might be cheaper to open up clinics or hospitals for the needy rather than paying for insurance which may never be used. i.e. if a client passes away or leaves the country and it's not reported, we may have paid for their insurance and are unlikely to recoup the money.

This problem has been solved in numerous other countries. Countries who provide better and cheaper health care (assuming you go by facts and not anecdotes). There is no reason to reinvent this wheel. We just need to put our xenophobia aside for a bit and look around the world and pick the best solution in use elsewhere and move towards it here.

Hell, there are a dozen countries to choose from. In terms of health care value, we suck.

 

[Magyar]

Sadly I don't speak for the GOP, but here's my plan, in three easy steps:

2. If something must be done, let each state experiment with its own solutions. If Massachusetts-care works so well, let California decide whether or not to adopt it. Fifty social laboratories for the win!

Why dont we have 50 armies, i mean surely kansas knows far better then MA as to what it needs to protect itself?

3. If the federal government must step in, let it do the least amount necessary to address the most dire needs. Let it take great care not to impose sweeping changes that risk costly, irreversible unintended consequences.

Funny how the whole free market horse manure is always the fall back of the corporate appoligists when it comes to doing something for the middle and lower class, but goes right out the window when its in the interest if said corp overlords.

"obamacare" is socialist. But a 100% republican backed law making it ILLEGAL to negotiate on the open market to buy medicine is A OK with rightwing nuts

 

[Upchurch]

The Affordable Care Act was the GOP plan for healthcare reform.

^ This
^ This
^ A Thousand Times, This.

The GOP won. They got the healthcare reform they wanted as a concession from a Democratic President who really wanted UHC. They got the "free market solution" they had proposed. But instead of crowing their victory from the rooftops, they're sabotaging their own plan in an attempt to get political advantage over the President.

 

[Mister Earl]

I suspect the GOP plan is "Give favorable regulation to insurance providers to prevent competition that may lower prices and profit."

 

[Alt+F4]

What do you propose millions of Americans do if the ACA is defunded and we are back to being without insurance?

First of all I don't think that ACA will be defunded, neither the Senate or the President will let that happen. In theory if it did happen then I guess the Republicans would have us go back to Band-aids and asking Sky Daddy for divine intervention.

 

[Biscuit]

I find it makes a pleasing policy counterpoint to the Democratic plan:

1. Big government must do something!

2. This is something!

3. Big government must do this!

The ACA is specific and available to be read by you at anytime. It is not a vague "something." It address rising costs, access, and benefits in a positive and constructive manner. Millions of Americans. myself included, will be better off.

But back to my question - what should someone like me do if the ACA is dismantled? Am I just SOL?

 

[Unabogie]

I find it makes a pleasing policy counterpoint to the Democratic plan:

1. Big government must do something!

2. This is something!

3. Big government must do this!

1. This is the GOP, small government, market based plan.
2. This is not big, it's simply a) regulated insurance, b) guaranteed issue c) personal mandate to insure a large enough risk pool, and d) subsidies for the poor.
3. It's not anything exotic at all, and it's been working in Massachusetts for a decade, almost.
4. It's a policy, with CBO support, and years of proof that it works. It saves us money and covers almost everyone. In contrast, your ideas are...gibberish. How about you try again?