DeMint proposal S. 1324, the Health Care Freedom Plan

[grruff]

Here's a response I received from Sen. DeMint on a letter I sent pertaining to health care reform. Contrary to what Obama and the press keep saying, the Republicans are offering alternatives - they're just being ignored in the rush to socialism. Senator Conrad has offered a co-op option, which I think could be less costly to all and probably just as effective. DeMint's plan still has tax money flowing from Washington to the states, thus leaving Uncle Sam in control.

"In some ways, the health care system in the United States is broken. We are in need of real reforms that increase access to affordable health insurance and allow individuals to own their own plans. I do not support taking this country down the path to a single-payer, government-run health care system. Americans should have the freedom to choose an affordable, private health insurance policy that best meets their needs, whether they purchase coverage individually or through their employer.

You may be pleased to know that I have introduced a health care proposal that does not force any American off of their current plan, but provides them with the purchasing power and choice to obtain a plan they can afford, own, and keep. On June 23, 2009, I introduced S. 1324, the Health Care Freedom Plan. This bill would reduce the government's grip on the health care market and provide every American with the ability to access and own a health plan that is best for them.

The Health Care Freedom Plan puts individuals back in control of their health care decisions by providing tax credits, $2,000 for individuals and $5,000 for families, to purchase a plan if they are not currently covered by their employer. It allows individuals with employer-sponsored health care to keep their current coverage. Additionally, this bill removes barriers that restrict individuals from purchasing insurance plans in other states by creating a nationwide market. It also allows greater flexibility to use Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) to pay for insurance premiums, encouraging employers to contribute to their employees' HSAs.

To bring down overall health care costs, the Health Care Freedom Plan reduces expensive malpractice lawsuits against physicians and hospitals and brings more transparency to the industry by requiring that true costs of health care are disclosed before patients receive treatment. This bill also ensures that Americans with pre-existing health conditions would be provided access to affordable coverage through Federal block grant funding of state high-risk insurance programs.

At this time, the Health Care Freedom Plan has been referred to the Senate Committee on Finance and will be called to the Senate floor at the discretion of the Majority Leader. You can rest assured that I will continue to push for effective health care reforms that put control into consumers' hands. The time has come for Americans to regain control of their health care choices, and the Health Care Freedom Plan empowers every American with the freedom to choose and own a plan that is best for them.

I appreciate your continued input on meaningful health care reform, and I hope that you will not hesitate to contact me again about anything important to you and your family. It is an honor to serve you and the people of South Carolina.

Sincerely,

Jim DeMint
United States Senator"

[Lary Lemin]

Now we all know that they will never let this bill come to the floor.:D

[grruff]

Call me a dreamer. Sen. DeMint's bill is too late to the party for serious consideration, but Senators Conrad, chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, and Baucus (both Democrats) put forth their co-op option a while ago - and since they're both on the finance committee (Baucus is chair), this one might have a sporting chance. Health co-ops are already working in their states, and credit unions and electric co-ops have been working well all over the nation for decades - it's a proven, cost effective concept. The only risk is if Washington ties too many strings to it.
So I suggest we all contact our senators and congressmen and plead for some common sense and for their support for the Conrad-Baucus co-op option. It's the only one that won't bankrupt the nation just to provide coverage for the 5% of us who have none. Here's a good place you can go to send the same letter to all in one shot: http://www.congress.org/congressorg/officials/congress/ Just enter your zip+4 or address and it'll find your rep's.

[Lary Lemin]

Doubt it. The Dem's control what comes to the floor for vote and this bill goes against what they want control over all of us. This bill which I think would be great for US will never leave committee.:D

[Lary Lemin]

Having said that I say we call, write, and e-mail our Reps ( Republican or Democrat) and tell them to support this bill since they work for us (ha ha). But lets try.:D

[grruff]

That's the spirit. Remember, we surround them. We just need to make enough noise to let them know they're surrounded.

[Debbie.Jeff]

Let's keep on it, especially when we vote in good & new people in during & after 2010 election.

[Airman1stC]

That's the spirit. Remember, we surround them. We just need to make enough noise to let them know they're surrounded.

I hope you don't mind but I passed your letter w/o you being referenced on to others in my email list including all of the news outlets I have listed.

We have heard this suggestion before and it was ignored. Maybe now they will give it the coverage it needs!

[grruff]

Spread it far and wide! Sen. Harry Reid has relented and given us until September to get it turned around.

[grruff]

Here's a summary of Senator DeMint's plan, from his website, and my response to him:

- Protects the right of Americans to keep their employer-based plan if they choose to.
- Provides Americans without employer-based health insurance with vouchers of $2000 for individuals and $5000 for families to purchase health insurance.
- Allows Americans with Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) to use their HSA funds to pay for insurance premiums, encouraging employers to contribute to their employees’ HSAs.
- Creates a national market for health insurance by allowing individuals to purchase health insurance plans in any state.
- Provides block grants to states to develop innovative models that ensure affordable health insurance coverage for Americans with pre-existing health conditions.
- Reduces predatory and frivolous malpractice lawsuits against physicians and hospitals.
- Assures that every health care consumer has access to price information prior to treatment so they can make informed decisions about their care.
- Repeals financial bailouts (TARP) to fund health care vouchers.

Honorable Senator DeMint,

On your website you say that your Health Care Freedom Plan insures us at no cost. That is not true. The vouchers have a cost.

I propose that you merge your plan with Senator Conrad's, replacing your vouchers with his co-op. This could truly cost the taxpayers nothing - maybe some loans for startup, to be paid back with interest. And if credit unions and farm credit co-ops were required to sell this insurance (no need to hire Acorn), for a small commission, the startup cost would be much lower - just a central office (far away from Washington) to issue policies, receive premiums, and pay claims.

Also, I disagree with the block grants. With a nationwide co-op, I don't think we need to study other alternatives - it's a proven success in banking and electricity. We depend too much on largess from Uncle Sam already. If we are to regain our states' rights, we need to stop feeding at Uncle Sam's trough. I'm tired of Washington playing Santa with my grand kids money. THAT's taxation without representation.

I agree with the remainder of your plan, and would like to see the following additions:
1- The co-ops should also sell malpractice insurance so doctors can get some relief too (which hopefully they will pass on to their customers).
2- Stop NIH funding of Drug company research, give this money to the FDA, and stop drug company funding of the FDA. Also, the drug companies spend twice as much on advertising to consumers than on research. Stop this advertising and they'll have more than enough money for all sorts of research.