House GOP Offers 230-Page Health Bill

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Posted: 11:10 AM Nov 3, 2009 House GOP Offers 230-Page Health Bill House Republicans have produced a health care bill to offer as an alternative to legislation by majority Democrats, focusing more on lowering costs than expanding coverage. Reporter: Associated Press

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House Republicans have produced a health care bill to offer as an alternative to legislation by majority Democrats, focusing more on lowering costs than expanding coverage.

The bill is 230 pages long, compared with Democrats' 1,990-page measure. Unlike the Democrats' legislation it has no requirement for people to buy insurance and no prohibitions against insurance companies denying coverage to people with pre-existing medical conditions.

The Republican bill caps non-economic damages in medical malpractice cases, increases incentives for people to use health savings accounts and encourages creation of insurance pools for high-risk individuals.

The Associated Press obtained a draft of the bill. Aides to Minority Leader John Boehner cautioned the measure was not final and changes were being made.

Latest Comments

Posted by: Angel Location: Colorado Springs on Nov 5, 2009 at 10:57 PM

Well Robert if you read at least some of the standing bill going through Congress by the dems at this point, you'd find out that your preexisting condition wouldn't be approved anyway because you'd have to have been without insurance for at least six months and you'd have had to pass a series of questions and conditions by the medical czar to qualify. How much would your surgery cost? What is your age compared to someone who would need it who is younger and has a better outcome? How about relatives you have? Did they die young or have problems at a young age? Do you do things that put your life at risk? Hiking, biking, eating high fat foods? How much are you a benefit to society? You're out of work, so not much at this point. Read your dem bill before you say you are all for it. You may find more than you realize and decide the other doesn't look so bad. BTW, beer companies made more money than the insurance industry. I hope you don't drink that stuff to help them make that profit.
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Posted by: Robert Location: UCCS on Nov 3, 2009 at 06:45 PM

So, if I want health insurance, I just need to make more money so I can get a "health savings account" and an "insurance pool". Well, that is a problem since I was laid off. And according to this bill, I can't really get health insurance because there are "no prohibitions against insurance companies denying coverage to people with pre-existing medical conditions." So I guess I'm on my own. Thanks Republicans. I feel so much better now. Those 230 pages really cheered me and my ankles, which need surgery, right up. :D
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Posted by: Keb Location: Colo Spgs on Nov 3, 2009 at 03:50 PM

Well, at least they are finally contributing some ideas to the mix. I would vote against any plan that does not exclude a pre-existing condition ban, as well as an arbitrary cap of maximum expenses unless it applies to all plans. Furthermore, if we must keep the ridiculous insurance model, at least force the insurers to be not-for-profit organizations. I don't want to have shareholders receiving money that should be going to patients. All states should follow Maryland's lead and require that all medical procedures be billed at the same rate (within that state or region) regardless if it is a single payer, a small group, or a large insurance company. I think the billing code numbers should be standardized over all insurers. These few steps alone would make a tremendous difference in the cost of future medical care and are far as I know, are not opposed by anyone - except perhaps greedy wall street and insurance executives. OK, govt - Write a bill in 10 pages or less like I can.
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