I'm in same boat as you Chad.
Isn't anyone that knows much about it as much has been done in secret--but my guess is (if it follows past 9 months) when they emerge-there will be 2000 plus pages and they to vote immediately on it.
I don't think anyone is against reforming healthcare--but to have vast changes immediately especially in these times is scarey.
I'd be all for it if they'd start with all these saving and cuts they have talked about--then maybe take a few more steps--if they prove to be successful they'll have 4 more years to work on the rest.
--my personal 1st cut would be-
GW's RX Medicare drug benefit--followed by cuts to medicaid.
Then add tort reform and a few others.
Biggest question I have is how are they going to make everyone participate in any program (unless it's free). If they don't get most to participate- there is no way that you can have no pre ex conditions with prices skyrocketing-its impossible.
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Irony--I just got this from BC BS in email of their projected increase on cost-with most of reform madates being implemented
Individual Market Case #2: 40-Year Old Family with 2 Children, Average Health Status in Louisville, KY
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[FONT=Arial,Arial]Product:
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[/FONT]Lumenos $3000 ded, 100% Coins[FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]Contract Type, Gender and Subscriber Age:[/FONT][/FONT]Family with 2 Children Age 40[FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]Underwriting Class:[/FONT][/FONT]20% Rate UpFamily Monthly Premium% Increase[FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]Current premium[/FONT][/FONT]$355 [FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]Impact of guaranteed issue and no effective individual mandate, resulting in many waiting to purchase until services are needed$533 50%Limiting age discount to 3:1; eliminating gender rating$628 18%Eliminating health status discount$676 8%Requiring higher benefit level (70% actuarial value and required new benefits)$757 12%Health insurer $6.7B annual tax$779 3%Pharmaceutical tax and medical device tax[/FONT][/FONT]$787 [FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]1%[/FONT][/FONT]Total Impact$355 to $787122%
[FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]Notes:
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[FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]Methodology for each element presented in the Appendix.
Impact for guaranteed issue with no effective mandate expected to be in the range of 20% to 80%; the midpoint of 50% is shown.
Display reflects costs for new sales; to the extent that pre-reform benefits and rating rules are grandfathered, existing members will initially experience minimal impacts post-reform. However, new purchasers will face these pricing changes.
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[FONT=Arial,Arial]New Costs due to ReformCurrent Costs$0$100$200$300$400$500$600$700$800$900Monthly Premium
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[FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]Taxpayer Subsidy Offset
The table above shows the underlying cost of the premium, which is representative of the cost charged to the insurance exchange. The following table shows the extent to which this individual may be eligible for premium assistance in the Exchange (which is available for individuals up to 400% of the federal poverty level).
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Federal Poverty Level: Premium SubsidyReform Premium after SubsidyTotal Impact after Subsidy
[FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]100% - 150%: 93% subsidy$55 -84%150% - 200%: 82% subsidy$142 -60%200% - 250%: 67% subsidy$260 -27%250% - 300%: 48% subsidy$409 15%300% - 350%: 32% subsidy$535 51%350% - 400%: 22% subsidy$614 73%400%+: 0% subsidy$787 122%
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[FONT=Arial,Arial]Some proposals also include reinsurance that would subsidize a portion of the costs for high-risk individuals purchasing coverage. However, these proposals phase-out after three years and the total amount available amounts to $20B, which is less than 10% of the expected premium cost over this period.
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