Let's Be Realistic

Edit: Bonus about the proposal I mention? It's only 11 pages long. Concise!

For right now, I just don't have the time to finish my giant post on health care. I'm sorry and I'm sure you're all weeping at the news, but you'll handle it. So where do we go from here?

Not far. Today, the White House released their recommendations and outline for a revised health care bill to be agreed upon by the Republicans and Democrats at the upcoming televised meeting on the 25th. So what's happening now? Well, here's an article and I've included a summary. Considering the current progress of our Congress and the circus with everything, I think it'd be great if we could pass this.

Outline:

• The secretary of health and human services would work with a seven-member board of doctors, economists and consumer and insurance representatives to review premium hikes. This Health Insurance Rate Authority would provide an annual report to recommend to states whether certain rate increases should be approved, although the secretary could overrule state insurance regulators.

• New health insurance subsidies would be provided to families of four making up to $88,000 annually, or 400 percent of the federal poverty level. Compared with the Senate bill, Obama's proposal lowers premiums for families making between $44,000 and $66,000, according to the White House. Compared with the House legislation, it lowers premiums for families making between $55,000 and $88,000.

• A 40 percent tax would be imposed on insurance companies providing so-called "Cadillac" health plans valued at more than $27,000 for families. The tax would kick in starting in 2018 for all plans. In contrast, the Senate bill would apply the tax to plans valued at more than $23,000 for families. The House bill does not include the tax, which labor unions vehemently oppose.

• Health insurance exchanges would be created to make it easier for small businesses, the self-employed and the unemployed to pool resources and purchase less expensive coverage.

• Total out-of-pocket expenses would be limited, and insurance companies would be prevented from denying coverage for pre-existing conditions. Insurers would be barred from charging higher premiums based on a person's gender or medical history.

While I post this and get back to learning about PUD, let me know what you think.