What my Health Care Reform Bill would include

I know that I have been doing a lot of talking lately about health care, so I decided I would put forth my version of what this reform should look like. I acknowledge that most of these ideas are not my own, but they aren’t necessarily being considered together.

1) Allow for people to buy insurance across state lines. If it is cheaper in one state than it is in another, then people should be allowed to get the most bang for their buck.

2) Tort reform should be built off of what some states, such as Missouri, have already passed

3) Discrimination (monetary and coverage) due to age, health history, current (preexisting) conditions, etc should be banned.

4) The creation of health insurance coops should be encouraged. (I find this one and amusing compromise being considered because coops in their very nature “socialist”)

5) The government should be allowed to negotiate for cheaper drug prices and heavily utilize generic drugs whenever possible

6) Any company. doctor, hospital, etc that is caught defrauding ANY government program or agency, including Medicare and Medicaid, will lose ALL tax breaks and tax deductions for one year. A second offense will result in revocation for five years, a third for ten years, etc.

7) ANYONE making between $25,000 and $150,000 can apply to be covered by both Medicare A AND Medicare B (perhaps having to pay a premium between $25-$100 depending on income)

8) Anyone who makes less than $25,000 can apply for Medicaid

9) Anyone making over $150,000 are ineligible to apply

10) A dramatic increase in government support for preventative health care as well as healthy living

*numbers 7 and 8 would be the “public option”