ralphsj

A possible way aroujnd the dilema of Public vrs private coverage would be to allow the governmnet picu up catastrophic caare for all medical expenses that exceed 12%of a famlies annual income. See details below. Universal Health Care May I suggest this expansion of a CATASTROPHIC health plan. One that is TAILORED TO A FAMILIES INCOME One that has elements leading to the possibility of achieving bipartisan and industry support 1. The Federal Government would cover CATASTROPHIC HEALTH CARE COSTS to all family units whose necessary medical expenses, including prescription drugs that EXCEED *12% OF THEIR PERSONAL INCOME.. (Personal income should also include all non taxable income such as Roth IRA’s, municipal bonds etc.) One’s previous year’s income could be used to make calculations with adjustments made for the current year at tax time 2.All family units would be issued a medical credit card to pay for, and keep track of, all legitimate medical expenses, and private medical insurance premiums. (Thus incorporating a medical savings account concept) 3. Employers would contribute a fixed amount* (perhaps .50 to $1 per employee hour worked) to their employees medical credit card account instead of funding a health insurance package for employees.* Five percent would also be deducted from the employees salary to be added to his/her family medical account. A federal subsidy of* $100 per year might also beef up the family Medical credit card account. An additional federal subsidy might also be available to pay for certain preventative medical procedures. These incentives should be designed to give low income families a balance in their account and encourage preventative medicine . 4. Employers might also choose to provide a reduced cost health insurance plan for employees, and then charge the employees medical credit card account for the cost of such a plan. (This plan would be less expensive since the Federal Government would be covering the family income based catastrophic expenses) 5. Families might choose to purchase their own health insurance plan paying for it through their medical credit card account. Or families might NOT choose to carry private health insurance. and use their medical credit card to pay for their medical needs knowing that each year their card will be reimbursed for any expenses over *12% of their income. Of course they will have to make minimum monthly payments towards any negative balance just like any credit card.. Interest would be paid on any balance in their account, and interest would be charged for any debit in their account.. 6.Perhaps some modifications of this plan, could be extended to seniors, as a needed Medicare restructuring plan, that would include prescription drugs 7.With such a system in place Medicaid costs would be sharply reduced. The same goes for Veterans Medical costs and many other federal and state medical coverages (A recent studies demonstrated that over 40% of all medical costs on a nation wide basis were currently underwritten by various governmental agencies). Costs involved in subsidizing hospitals for indigent care would be eliminated. Employers would save on their medical costs. .Medical bankruptcies would all but vanish 8. Cost containment could follow either of these possibilities a. Establish cost limits on each procedure as done by medicare and many insurance companies. b. Providers could charge what they want for each procedure, but the average of the payments made to each provider for each procedure would be posted on the internet . ( The Medical Credit Card will have already kept track of these payments) 10. The medical records from an individuals medical credit card account could be accessed (with proper authorization) by a doctor to discover other medications or possible duplication of procedures that may be a part of the patients medical history. 11... When a child leaves the household an equitable plan would be established to transfer a percentage of the Family Medical Account to his own name. Upon death, any balance in an individuals Medical credit card account could be willed to anther persons Medical credit card account. 12. A plan could be established to use the Family Medical Account to pay for the medical portion of a persons expense in a nursing home. 13. Although I do not like a national consumption based tax, I believe that this would be an appropriate funding source for this type of expenditure. This plan should gain both Republican, Democratic, Industry, and Private Medical Insurance support since families would assume more responsibility (based on ability to pay) for their own medical costs. .It would also provide a safety net for families knowing that catastrophic costs (based on income)would be covered. Business would be relieved of higher and higher health insurance costs. Private insurers would continue to offer health insurance with their risks reduced be

lomac9991529

This problem is simple-cut costs. Where? insurance companies, pharmaceutical costs, Doctor / Hospital costs. Where is cost cutting in these areas addressed in your bill???? Too difficult to address because of the lobbying efforts of these groups????? You seemed to be a strait talking statesman fresh from the heartland. I heard your campaigns where funded by insurance companies. Say you are more interested in us than them. We need you now. Please do the right thing. Get this done! Lorraine, retired teacher, NC

davidbkitts

Dear Senator, I was excited by the news in the last two days that you are considering "member-owned" co-operatives" as an option that may be palatable to both sides of the aisle. Very little detail was offered as to what this actually is, so I offer you my idea which, like yours, is very much a work in progress: Practitioners own a for-profit branch of locally based health-membership organizations. The administration of these local organizations is facilitated by a non-profit local corporation that is supported by the local, state and federal governments. This locally based system is the only way that we can really generate the vitality and flexibility that each locality needs. We are a collective of Holistic Health practitioners starting a prototype of this system right now in our own little town of Fairfax California. At this embryonic stage, we are simply offering some of our time and services at a steeply discounted rate starting at $20. We are working in one room to save rent and foster cooperation amongst practitioners. The big vision is a participatory, membership- driven healthcare system in which people can guarantee lifetime coverage by using affordable health-enhancing services on a regular basis. This way they are rewarded for keeping themselves healthy rather than avoiding healthcare because of it's expense. Practitioners are also healthier in this model because they have income they can count on as owners of the system, allowing them to afford rest, regeneration and continuing education. I truly believe that a Holistic understanding that the health of all people and indeed the entire biosphere are crucial to caring for the health of each individual. Will you support me and people like me all over the country who are looking to create healthy vibrant society of the future? Sincerely, David Kitts, Licensed Acupuncturist Lagunitas, California

MDRLIVINGSTON

Duty to reform health care? Perhaps people forget that under Lyndon Johnson health care was "reformed" by Congress and the Senate and now we have the current catastrophic mess. What is the rush to reform health care by July? Is it because of the imminent death of Senator Kennedy to which this legislation will be dedicated? Or is it as Obama said, "the stars are aligned"...(so Ms. Reagan). We have not been able to manage Medicare and it will run out of money in SEVEN YEARS, so what in god's name makes anybody think that you can rush into reformed health care? I think this is precipitous behavior and once again behavior by elected officials that ignores constituents......for example, Senator why is not a one payer system being discussed on your panel? You cannot just stuff this down the throats of millions of Americans without judicious process. I am thoroughly upset by the way this issue is being bulldozed.