11-04-2009, 06:13 PM
Clarification: Yes, I think the article and the health bill exemption only concern the part of the bill that requires Hawaiian Employers (with a certain number of employees) to provide insurance.
That said, I think this bill is far from excellent and far from reform.
Anybody here actually have a copy of the almost 2000 pages and read it?? I don't and haven't. Someone can post a link?
I have read much of the CBO document: http://www.cbo.gov/doc.cfm?index=9925
A sampling of CBO Healthcare Budget OPTIONS:
Raise the Age of Eligibility for Medicare to 67
Restrict Medigap Coverage of Medicare’s Cost Sharing
Levy an Excise Tax on Medigap Plans
Increase the Fraction of Beneficiaries Who Pay an Income-Related Premium for Part B of Medicare
Increase the Payroll Tax Rate for Medicare Hospital Insurance by 1 Percentage Point
Increase the Basic Premium for Medicare Part B to 35 Percent of the Program’s Costs
Increase Health Care Cost Sharing for Family Members of Active-Duty Military Personnel
Introduce Minimum Out-of-Pocket Requirements Under TRICARE For Life
Increase Medical Cost Sharing for Military Retirees Who Are Not Yet Eligible for Medicare
Disallow New Contributions to Health Savings Accounts
Increase the Payroll Tax Rate for Medicare Hospital Insurance by 1 Percentage Point
Expand Medicaid Eligibility...
Seems like a lot of cost shifting and benefit reduction from those that pay or paid to those that don't or wouldn't. NO, these OPTIONS aren't from the actual bill, but I fear many will find their way there..
David
Ninole Resident
That said, I think this bill is far from excellent and far from reform.
Anybody here actually have a copy of the almost 2000 pages and read it?? I don't and haven't. Someone can post a link?
I have read much of the CBO document: http://www.cbo.gov/doc.cfm?index=9925
A sampling of CBO Healthcare Budget OPTIONS:
Raise the Age of Eligibility for Medicare to 67
Restrict Medigap Coverage of Medicare’s Cost Sharing
Levy an Excise Tax on Medigap Plans
Increase the Fraction of Beneficiaries Who Pay an Income-Related Premium for Part B of Medicare
Increase the Payroll Tax Rate for Medicare Hospital Insurance by 1 Percentage Point
Increase the Basic Premium for Medicare Part B to 35 Percent of the Program’s Costs
Increase Health Care Cost Sharing for Family Members of Active-Duty Military Personnel
Introduce Minimum Out-of-Pocket Requirements Under TRICARE For Life
Increase Medical Cost Sharing for Military Retirees Who Are Not Yet Eligible for Medicare
Disallow New Contributions to Health Savings Accounts
Increase the Payroll Tax Rate for Medicare Hospital Insurance by 1 Percentage Point
Expand Medicaid Eligibility...
Seems like a lot of cost shifting and benefit reduction from those that pay or paid to those that don't or wouldn't. NO, these OPTIONS aren't from the actual bill, but I fear many will find their way there..
David
Ninole Resident
Ninole Resident