Post by unlawflcombatnt on Jan 4, 2011 2:19:27 GMT -6
HR 4789 was a bill introduced by former Congressman Alan Grayson of Florida which would have allowed any US citizen or permanent resident to buy in to Medicare by paying an actuarially-adjusted premium base on age.
It had 82 co-sponsors.
This would have been the best possible single-step solution to solving the health insurance and affordability problem. It would have provided a privately paid, government administerd health insurance program for anyone willing to pay the predicted cost for their age group.
The result would have been to decrease demand for private insurance, thus decreasing private insurance pricing power and ultimately private insurance premiums. Private insurers would have been put in direct competition with a plan that has only 1% administrative costs, and whose premiums and co-pays cost no more than the actual cost of medical care.
The competition it provided would have forced private insurance to either provide better coverage for the same price, or the same coverage for a lower price.
These are exactly what the stated goals of health care reform were.
Unfortunately, the real goal of health care reform was always to improve the profits and profitability of private health insurance companies and Big Pharma, by subsidizing them through taxpayer handouts and the demand-induced price increases from mandated enrollment.
In fact, these were always the goals of the Obama administration, despite claims to the contrary. And Obama got exactly what he wanted--another Corporate welfare scheme that enriched his new rich friends--this time in the health insurance and pharmaceutical industries.
Below is a copy of the HR 4789
from the GPO:
111TH CONGRESS
2ND SESSION
H. R. 4789
"To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for an option for any citizen or permanent resident of the United States to buy
into Medicare.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
MARCH 9, 2010
Mr. GRAYSON (for himself, Mr. FILNER, Mr. POLIS of Colorado, Ms. PINGREE of Maine, Ms. SHEA-PORTER, Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts, Mr. KUCINICH, Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland, Ms. WATSON, and Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means
A BILL To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for an option for any citizen or permanent resident of the United States to buy into Medicare.
1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
3 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
4 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Public Option Act’’
5 or the ‘‘Medicare You Can Buy Into Act’’.
6 SEC. 2. UNIVERSAL MEDICARE BUY-IN OPTION.
7 (a) IN GENERAL.—Part A of title XVIII of the Social
8 Security Act is amended—
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1 (1) in section 1818(a), by striking ‘‘or 1818A’’
2 and inserting ‘‘, 1818A, or 1818B’’; and
3 (2) by inserting after section 1818A the fol-
4 lowing new section:
5 ‘‘UNIVERSAL BUY-IN
6 ‘‘SEC. 1818B.
7 ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—(a) Every individual who—
8 ‘‘(1) is a resident of the United States;
9 ‘‘(2) is either (A) a citizen or national of the
10 United States, or (B) an alien lawfully admitted for
11 permanent residence; and
12 ‘‘(3) is not otherwise entitled to benefits under
13 this part or eligible to enroll under this part;
14 shall be eligible to enroll in the insurance program estab-
15 lished by this part. An individual may enroll under this
16 section only in such manner and form as may be pre-
17 scribed in regulations, and only during an enrollment pe-
18 riod prescribed in or under this section.
19 ‘‘(b) ENROLLMENT; COVERAGE.—The Secretary shall
20 establish enrollment periods and coverage under this sec-
21 tion consistent with the principles for establishment of en-
22 rollment periods and coverage for individuals under sec-
23 tion 1818, except that no entitlement to benefits under
24 this part shall be effective before the first day of the first
25 calendar year beginning after the date of the enactment
26 of this Act.
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1 ‘‘(c) PREMIUMS.—
2 ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The provisions of sub-
3 sections (d)(1), (d)(2), and (d)(3) of section 1818
4 insofar as they apply to premiums (including collec-
5 tion of premiums) shall apply to premiums and col-
6 lection of premiums under this section, except
7 that—
8 ‘‘(A) paragraphs (4) and (5) of section
9 1818 shall not be applicable; and
10 ‘‘(B) the estimate of the monthly actuarial
11 rate under section 1818(d) shall be computed
12 and applied under this paragraph based upon
13 costs incurred for individuals within each age
14 cohort specified in paragraph (2) rather than
15 for all individuals age 65 and older.
16 ‘‘(2) AGE COHORTS.—The age cohorts specified
17 in this paragraph are as follows:
18 ‘‘(A) Individuals under 19 years of age.
19 ‘‘(B) Individuals at least 19 years of age
20 but not more than 25 years of age.
21 ‘‘(C) Individuals at least 26 years of age
22 and not more than 35 years of age.
23 ‘‘(D) Individuals at least 36 years of age
24 and not more than 45 years of age.
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1 ‘‘(E) Individuals at least 46 years of age
2 and not more than 55 years of age.
3 ‘‘(F) Individuals at least 56 years of age
4 and not more than 64 years of age.
5 ‘‘(d) TREATMENT.—An individual enrolled under this
6 part pursuant to this section shall not be treated as en-
7 rolled under this part (or any other part of this title) for
8 purposes of obtaining medical assistance for m
111TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. R. 4789
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for an option
for any citizen or permanent resident of the United States to buy
into Medicare.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
MARCH 9, 2010
Mr. GRAYSON (for himself, Mr. FILNER, Mr. POLIS of Colorado, Ms. PINGREE
of Maine, Ms. SHEA-PORTER, Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts, Mr. KUCINICH, Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland, Ms. WATSON, and
Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means
A BILL
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide
for an option for any citizen or permanent resident of
the United States to buy into Medicare.
1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
3 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
4 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Public Option Act’’
5 or the ‘‘Medicare You Can Buy Into Act’’.
6 SEC. 2. UNIVERSAL MEDICARE BUY-IN OPTION.
7 (a) IN GENERAL.—Part A of title XVIII of the Social
8 Security Act is amended—
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1 (1) in section 1818(a), by striking ‘‘or 1818A’’
2 and inserting ‘‘, 1818A, or 1818B’’; and
3 (2) by inserting after section 1818A the fol-
4 lowing new section:
5 ‘‘UNIVERSAL BUY-IN
6 ‘‘SEC. 1818B.
7 ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—(a) Every individual who—
8 ‘‘(1) is a resident of the United States;
9 ‘‘(2) is either (A) a citizen or national of the
10 United States, or (B) an alien lawfully admitted for
11 permanent residence; and
12 ‘‘(3) is not otherwise entitled to benefits under
13 this part or eligible to enroll under this part;
14 shall be eligible to enroll in the insurance program estab-
15 lished by this part. An individual may enroll under this
16 section only in such manner and form as may be pre-
17 scribed in regulations, and only during an enrollment pe-
18 riod prescribed in or under this section.
19 ‘‘(b) ENROLLMENT; COVERAGE.—The Secretary shall
20 establish enrollment periods and coverage under this sec-
21 tion consistent with the principles for establishment of en-
22 rollment periods and coverage for individuals under sec-
23 tion 1818, except that no entitlement to benefits under
24 this part shall be effective before the first day of the first
25 calendar year beginning after the date of the enactment
26 of this Act.
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1 ‘‘(c) PREMIUMS.—
2 ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The provisions of sub-
3 sections (d)(1), (d)(2), and (d)(3) of section 1818
4 insofar as they apply to premiums (including collec-
5 tion of premiums) shall apply to premiums and col-
6 lection of premiums under this section, except
7 that—
8 ‘‘(A) paragraphs (4) and (5) of section
9 1818 shall not be applicable; and
10 ‘‘(B) the estimate of the monthly actuarial
11 rate under section 1818(d) shall be computed
12 and applied under this paragraph based upon
13 costs incurred for individuals within each age
14 cohort specified in paragraph (2) rather than
15 for all individuals age 65 and older.
16 ‘‘(2) AGE COHORTS.—The age cohorts specified
17 in this paragraph are as follows:
18 ‘‘(A) Individuals under 19 years of age.
19 ‘‘(B) Individuals at least 19 years of age
20 but not more than 25 years of age.
21 ‘‘(C) Individuals at least 26 years of age
22 and not more than 35 years of age.
23 ‘‘(D) Individuals at least 36 years of age
24 and not more than 45 years of age.
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1 ‘‘(E) Individuals at least 46 years of age
2 and not more than 55 years of age.
3 ‘‘(F) Individuals at least 56 years of age
4 and not more than 64 years of age.
5 ‘‘(d) TREATMENT.—An individual enrolled under this
6 part pursuant to this section shall not be treated as en-
7 rolled under this part (or any other part of this title) for
8 purposes of obtaining medical assistance for medicare
9 cost-sharing or otherwise under title XIX.’’."
It had 82 co-sponsors.
This would have been the best possible single-step solution to solving the health insurance and affordability problem. It would have provided a privately paid, government administerd health insurance program for anyone willing to pay the predicted cost for their age group.
The result would have been to decrease demand for private insurance, thus decreasing private insurance pricing power and ultimately private insurance premiums. Private insurers would have been put in direct competition with a plan that has only 1% administrative costs, and whose premiums and co-pays cost no more than the actual cost of medical care.
The competition it provided would have forced private insurance to either provide better coverage for the same price, or the same coverage for a lower price.
These are exactly what the stated goals of health care reform were.
Unfortunately, the real goal of health care reform was always to improve the profits and profitability of private health insurance companies and Big Pharma, by subsidizing them through taxpayer handouts and the demand-induced price increases from mandated enrollment.
In fact, these were always the goals of the Obama administration, despite claims to the contrary. And Obama got exactly what he wanted--another Corporate welfare scheme that enriched his new rich friends--this time in the health insurance and pharmaceutical industries.
Below is a copy of the HR 4789
from the GPO:
111TH CONGRESS
2ND SESSION
H. R. 4789
"To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for an option for any citizen or permanent resident of the United States to buy
into Medicare.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
MARCH 9, 2010
Mr. GRAYSON (for himself, Mr. FILNER, Mr. POLIS of Colorado, Ms. PINGREE of Maine, Ms. SHEA-PORTER, Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts, Mr. KUCINICH, Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland, Ms. WATSON, and Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means
A BILL To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for an option for any citizen or permanent resident of the United States to buy into Medicare.
1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
3 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
4 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Public Option Act’’
5 or the ‘‘Medicare You Can Buy Into Act’’.
6 SEC. 2. UNIVERSAL MEDICARE BUY-IN OPTION.
7 (a) IN GENERAL.—Part A of title XVIII of the Social
8 Security Act is amended—
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1 (1) in section 1818(a), by striking ‘‘or 1818A’’
2 and inserting ‘‘, 1818A, or 1818B’’; and
3 (2) by inserting after section 1818A the fol-
4 lowing new section:
5 ‘‘UNIVERSAL BUY-IN
6 ‘‘SEC. 1818B.
7 ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—(a) Every individual who—
8 ‘‘(1) is a resident of the United States;
9 ‘‘(2) is either (A) a citizen or national of the
10 United States, or (B) an alien lawfully admitted for
11 permanent residence; and
12 ‘‘(3) is not otherwise entitled to benefits under
13 this part or eligible to enroll under this part;
14 shall be eligible to enroll in the insurance program estab-
15 lished by this part. An individual may enroll under this
16 section only in such manner and form as may be pre-
17 scribed in regulations, and only during an enrollment pe-
18 riod prescribed in or under this section.
19 ‘‘(b) ENROLLMENT; COVERAGE.—The Secretary shall
20 establish enrollment periods and coverage under this sec-
21 tion consistent with the principles for establishment of en-
22 rollment periods and coverage for individuals under sec-
23 tion 1818, except that no entitlement to benefits under
24 this part shall be effective before the first day of the first
25 calendar year beginning after the date of the enactment
26 of this Act.
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1 ‘‘(c) PREMIUMS.—
2 ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The provisions of sub-
3 sections (d)(1), (d)(2), and (d)(3) of section 1818
4 insofar as they apply to premiums (including collec-
5 tion of premiums) shall apply to premiums and col-
6 lection of premiums under this section, except
7 that—
8 ‘‘(A) paragraphs (4) and (5) of section
9 1818 shall not be applicable; and
10 ‘‘(B) the estimate of the monthly actuarial
11 rate under section 1818(d) shall be computed
12 and applied under this paragraph based upon
13 costs incurred for individuals within each age
14 cohort specified in paragraph (2) rather than
15 for all individuals age 65 and older.
16 ‘‘(2) AGE COHORTS.—The age cohorts specified
17 in this paragraph are as follows:
18 ‘‘(A) Individuals under 19 years of age.
19 ‘‘(B) Individuals at least 19 years of age
20 but not more than 25 years of age.
21 ‘‘(C) Individuals at least 26 years of age
22 and not more than 35 years of age.
23 ‘‘(D) Individuals at least 36 years of age
24 and not more than 45 years of age.
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1 ‘‘(E) Individuals at least 46 years of age
2 and not more than 55 years of age.
3 ‘‘(F) Individuals at least 56 years of age
4 and not more than 64 years of age.
5 ‘‘(d) TREATMENT.—An individual enrolled under this
6 part pursuant to this section shall not be treated as en-
7 rolled under this part (or any other part of this title) for
8 purposes of obtaining medical assistance for m
111TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. R. 4789
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for an option
for any citizen or permanent resident of the United States to buy
into Medicare.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
MARCH 9, 2010
Mr. GRAYSON (for himself, Mr. FILNER, Mr. POLIS of Colorado, Ms. PINGREE
of Maine, Ms. SHEA-PORTER, Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts, Mr. KUCINICH, Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland, Ms. WATSON, and
Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means
A BILL
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide
for an option for any citizen or permanent resident of
the United States to buy into Medicare.
1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
3 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
4 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Public Option Act’’
5 or the ‘‘Medicare You Can Buy Into Act’’.
6 SEC. 2. UNIVERSAL MEDICARE BUY-IN OPTION.
7 (a) IN GENERAL.—Part A of title XVIII of the Social
8 Security Act is amended—
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1 (1) in section 1818(a), by striking ‘‘or 1818A’’
2 and inserting ‘‘, 1818A, or 1818B’’; and
3 (2) by inserting after section 1818A the fol-
4 lowing new section:
5 ‘‘UNIVERSAL BUY-IN
6 ‘‘SEC. 1818B.
7 ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—(a) Every individual who—
8 ‘‘(1) is a resident of the United States;
9 ‘‘(2) is either (A) a citizen or national of the
10 United States, or (B) an alien lawfully admitted for
11 permanent residence; and
12 ‘‘(3) is not otherwise entitled to benefits under
13 this part or eligible to enroll under this part;
14 shall be eligible to enroll in the insurance program estab-
15 lished by this part. An individual may enroll under this
16 section only in such manner and form as may be pre-
17 scribed in regulations, and only during an enrollment pe-
18 riod prescribed in or under this section.
19 ‘‘(b) ENROLLMENT; COVERAGE.—The Secretary shall
20 establish enrollment periods and coverage under this sec-
21 tion consistent with the principles for establishment of en-
22 rollment periods and coverage for individuals under sec-
23 tion 1818, except that no entitlement to benefits under
24 this part shall be effective before the first day of the first
25 calendar year beginning after the date of the enactment
26 of this Act.
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1 ‘‘(c) PREMIUMS.—
2 ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The provisions of sub-
3 sections (d)(1), (d)(2), and (d)(3) of section 1818
4 insofar as they apply to premiums (including collec-
5 tion of premiums) shall apply to premiums and col-
6 lection of premiums under this section, except
7 that—
8 ‘‘(A) paragraphs (4) and (5) of section
9 1818 shall not be applicable; and
10 ‘‘(B) the estimate of the monthly actuarial
11 rate under section 1818(d) shall be computed
12 and applied under this paragraph based upon
13 costs incurred for individuals within each age
14 cohort specified in paragraph (2) rather than
15 for all individuals age 65 and older.
16 ‘‘(2) AGE COHORTS.—The age cohorts specified
17 in this paragraph are as follows:
18 ‘‘(A) Individuals under 19 years of age.
19 ‘‘(B) Individuals at least 19 years of age
20 but not more than 25 years of age.
21 ‘‘(C) Individuals at least 26 years of age
22 and not more than 35 years of age.
23 ‘‘(D) Individuals at least 36 years of age
24 and not more than 45 years of age.
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1 ‘‘(E) Individuals at least 46 years of age
2 and not more than 55 years of age.
3 ‘‘(F) Individuals at least 56 years of age
4 and not more than 64 years of age.
5 ‘‘(d) TREATMENT.—An individual enrolled under this
6 part pursuant to this section shall not be treated as en-
7 rolled under this part (or any other part of this title) for
8 purposes of obtaining medical assistance for medicare
9 cost-sharing or otherwise under title XIX.’’."