PRAY TELL: What are the top 3 things wrong with the House Bill?!?

[uponit7771]

I don't understand the anguish...

Thx in advance for any input

[tridim]

1. No ponies, no ponies and no ponies.

DK is pissed because he didn't get single-payer, something we all know would not happen in this early phase of reform.

[uponit7771]

3. Yeap, no one is really explaining WTF they are made about. Listenting to Big Ed and they're sounding

...like paid complainers with talking points

[lumberjack_jeff]

9. Heh

:thumbsup:

[damntexdem]

17. No, I'm sure there's a pony in there.

Keep digging.

[Whisp]

30. no pwnies?

awwwwwwww.......

[Armstead]

35. He;s pissed that Americansd atre going to be forced to buy shitty private insurance

he's got a point there

[ramapo]

2. Pre-existing condition exclusion not banned until 2013

This is BS pure and simple. No reason for it. The high-risk pool is a last minute stopgap for all us poor suckers denied coverage.

I see no reason for this gift to the insurance companies (except all that lobbyist money).

[uponit7771]

4. HRP's open in 2 months, what now?!?!?!

[ramapo]

10. HRP not the same...not even close

The HRP does not provide anything close to the choices offered "healthy" individuals by the private insurance market.

There is NO REASON why insurers should get to cherry-pick for another 3+ years. We have been sold-out, pure and simple.

The HRP is better than nothing. It is not clear if it will be an improvement over what some states offer. How much better remains to be same since there is no detail in the bill.

[uponit7771]

12. undestands HRPs aren't the same but they weren't offered in all states either and is a stop

...gap between now and 2013.

I can understand the angst though in regards to after 2013

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

6. I presume "never" would be better for you? (nt)

[Ozymanithrax]

5. It is 1990 pages long...

I mean, seriously, http://docs.house.gov/rules/health/111_ahcaa.pdf it is really long. But if you listen, this is what is going on.

Health Care seekers at their computer screens
Just keyboard creepers with no time to read
These young fighters screaming with no time for doubt
With the pain and anger can't see a way out
It ain't much I'm asking I heard them say
Gotta find me single payer move out of my way
I want it all I want it all I want it all and I want it now
I want it all I want it all I want it all and I want it now

(My appology to queen)

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

8. Unfortunately, laws have to be long because nothing is cut and dried as it seems.

Believe me - I've written them. Even on short bills, you can have a few dozen pages for just definitions. And then another few dozen pages just to close loopholes, and then the loopholes on the loopholes. It's soul-sucking, arcane work (and yet strangely satisfying too).

[Bluenorthwest]

18. Queen members all have and had Single Payer

By way of fact, as opposed to snot boxishness.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

19. If you want to download iTunes, you get 10 pages of legalese you have to agree to.

And that's just to use a piece of software.

It does not surprise me at all that the health care bill is so long.

[T Wolf]

7. 1) There is nothing to prevent insurers from NOT PAYING FOR any medical care they want.

They cannot prevent you from signing up (no pre-existing block out to buying the policy) but nothing mandates that they actually pay for a particular medical event.

2) They can set co-pays and deductibles so high that most will not be able to afford the care they need, even if it is "covered."

3) The corporate leeches are still in control and will remain so. THEY will determine what care they will pay for, and therefore, what care you can get.

[uponit7771]

11. 1.) So you're saying there's NO claim denial provisions in the house bill at all?

Thx

2.) Great, isn't that gonna get us to single payer faster!??! If you can't pay the deductibles why in the world would I want to pay for premiums?!?!?!

[lumberjack_jeff]

13. Your expectation is that any and every procedure is immediately available on request?

The house bill sets a maximum out of pocket level that ends medical bankruptcies, and in the interest of standardizing offerings, the copays and deductibles are established by exchange administrator.

[uponit7771]

14. The MORE I hear about the house bill the more I like it !! TIA for this info

[SpartanDem]

15. Alot of that will be done through federal rulemaking

not every aspect will codified there will be a recommendation report due to HHS within one year of passage to further define coverage requirements.

) Duties-

(1) RECOMMENDATIONS ON BENEFIT STANDARDS- The Health Benefits Advisory Committee shall recommend to the Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this subtitle referred to as the `Secretary') benefit standards (as defined in paragraph (4)), and periodic updates to such standards. In developing such recommendations, the Committee shall take into account innovation in health care and consider how such standards could reduce health disparities.

(2) DEADLINE- The Health Benefits Advisory Committee shall recommend initial benefit standards to the Secretary not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act.

(3) PUBLIC INPUT- The Health Benefits Advisory Committee shall allow for public input as a part of developing recommendations under this subsection.

(4) BENEFIT STANDARDS DEFINED- In this subtitle, the term `benefit standards' means standards respecting--

(A) the essential benefits package described in section 122, including categories of covered treatments, items and services within benefit classes, and cost-sharing; and

(B) the cost-sharing levels for enhanced plans and premium plans (as provided under section 203(c)) consistent with paragraph (5).

[CrispyQ]

16. Here are three:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8722187#8722233

[uponit7771]

20. THANK YOU! I can tell from the lack of response that the failers are out in force

[vaberella]

21. From what I'm hearing, I like it. n/t

[uponit7771]

23. Me too, I don't think it'll drive down cost as much but my understanding is it wont need to because.

...the private HCI's wont be able to compete if denials and precondition discrimination are outlawed.

[vaberella]

24. Yup...exactly. n/t

[Life Long Dem]

22. What's wrong with every bill?

Our constituents don't represent us.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

25. Kicking, because I still haven't heard a good, fact-based reason.

[mkultra]

26. As i have said before, the only argument the howlers ever have comes down to speed.

[uponit7771]

27. Yeap, they're are becoming the "...are we there yet"-ers....

[mkultra]

29. We will get there when we GET there

:)

[msallied]

28. The only thing I don't like is waiting 4 years.

But only because I just lost my insurance. However, if the pre-existing conditions clause kicks in sooner, I'll be happy.

And FTR, I am not unhappy with the House bill. Frankly, I would have been happy with ANY progress on this issue because I realize that sweeping changes is not going to happen overnight. So really, you'll get no complaining from me. :)

[mecherosegarden]

31. K&R N/T

[harun]

32. My beefs and after reading the bill, my hopes...

1. The Public Plan has "benefit levels". They should give the same benefits to everyone:

Pg. 117 of 1017
(3) PROVISION OF BENEFIT LEVELS.—The public health insurance option—
(A) shall offer basic, enhanced, and premium plans; and
(B) may offer premium-plus plans.

2. Public Plan has geographically adjusted premium rates. Should be a reasonable amount, the same everywhere.

Pg. 119 of 1017
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish
geographically-adjusted premium rates for the public health insurance option in a manner

3. Individuals who cannot afford the Public Plan have to apply for credits with the Commissioner. A repuke President can appoint a Commissioner who punishes the poor by denying all their claims.

Pg. 129 of 1017

4. Limits on amounts of premiums and limits on credits are determined by ones income, not ones wealth.

Pg. 137 of 1017

(POSITIVE: I had listed mandates as a negative but after reading the penalty limits I no longer am against them)
(POSITIVE: Employers not providing coverage are held to account)

After reading a good amount of H.R. 3200 I think this would actually open many doors for real reform later. I actually think it makes it impossible for reform not to eventually happen. I was impressed by how it really helps people who are eligible for the Public Plan and get in to the plan, stay in that plan. Well it won't be as many people as we want right away, it should grow over time. It will grow and reform in to what we want. At least it will with the correct political pressure and work on our part.

After reading, I would sum this proposal up as "Yes we know real reform is impossible in a Congress funded by private health insurers but at least we can craft a resolution that will give a massive toolbox and massive resources to the next generation to fix this system for good."

So I don't see this bill as the Health Reform bill of today but instead the Health Reform Tools for tomorrow.

[Cha]

33. Thank for that,

harun.

[johnaries]

34. Excellent post, but the "new" bill is 3962.

I haven't read the bill, but I liked most of what I read in the CBO report. I couldn't tell you if any of your concerns are addressed, but I kinda doubt it.

I do have to disagree with your geographically adjusted rates statement. The Cost of Living varies greatly by region. Also I have to agree with the tiered benefit levels in the bill - especially if insurance is to be mandated.

The rest of your concerns are pretty much dead-on, IMHO.