Do You Want The Same Health Care That Congress Gets?

Then you want the Healthy Americans Act, a bipartisan measure modeled on the health insurance program that members of Congress have. Sound encouraging? Get this -- it not only covers everyone, but the Congressional Budget Office says it pays for itself. That's right, the same CBO that says that Obama's plan will cost billions.

It is being blocked by Senator Kennedy (D-MA) and Senator Baucus (D-MT), among others. Why isn't it being seriously considered? Not enough payoffs, I guess.

It sounds pretty good to me. Why don't you take a look?

Bipartisan Health Bill Still Gets No Respect

What would you say about a health overhaul bill that promises to provide health insurance to virtually every American, to add not a single penny to the federal deficit and to claim supporters ranging from conservative Republican Sen. Judd Gregg of New Hampshire to liberal Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow of Michigan?

On Capitol Hill, they're saying it doesn't have a chance.

That's the dilemma faced by Sens. Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Bob Bennett (R-UT), sponsors of the so-called Healthy Americans Act.

Despite being the darling of health policy bloggers and the first bill to be certified by the Congressional Budget Office as covering nearly everyone and fully paying for itself, the measure is being roundly ignored by those actually trying to put together a health overhaul measure on Capitol Hill and in the White House.

That's frustrating for its sponsors, who spent years refining its finer points.

The concept is fairly simple. The plan would change the tax treatment of health insurance provided by employers in a way that would likely prompt many, if not most, to stop offering coverage. That appeals to Republicans, who say the current tax-free status of employer-provided insurance is unfair and encourages overuse of the health care system.

But the bill would also require employers to give workers back what they're spending now on health insurance in the form of a raise. Workers would also get new tax credits, and those who were previously uninsured or did not have insurance on the job would get government subsidies.

Everyone would then take that money and be required to buy insurance, from a new, government-regulated marketplace offering an array of private plans that would compete on the basis of quality and price.

Healthy Americans Act worth considering

A family earning $40,000 or less would be given a tax deduction that would lower their cost of insurance well below the current level. A direct withdraw from an employee’s paycheck would still pay the insurance premiums, but the paychecks would be higher due to the tax relief. Those making more than $40,000 would experience a slight increase that grows larger along with the income level. Wyden’s estimates put these numbers at about $7 more per month for those in the $40-50,000 income bracket. Those making $150,000 would be paying about $28 more per month.

The Healthy Americans Act would make individuals, instead of employers, owners of the insurance policy. Individuals would be able to keep their insurance regardless of where they are employed or even whether or not they are employed. The insurance policy would be non-cancelable by the insurance company. Insurers would not be allowed to cancel the policy due to a person’s health problems or other cost issues. The quality of the plans available would be comprehensive in nature per government mandate.

Costs for the Healthy Americans Act would be kept down through a streamlined process (elimination of the employer component for one) and the encouragement of healthy lifestyle choices. Exercise, diet, and smoking cessation programs would be an example.

While the government mandating some of these things is something with which I am uncomfortable, the Healthy Americans Act seems to be a reasonable compromise between a free market solution and fully nationalized healthcare. The empowerment of individuals who would not be bound to a job due to health insurance could allow more people to take chances with their careers and restore the pursuit of the American dream to many.

Here's an overview: Click at the link for a more detailed summary.

The Healthy Americans Act would guarantee every American universal, affordable, comprehensive, portable, high-quality, private health coverage that is as good or better than Members of Congress have today.

The Act includes tough cost containment measures - and would save Americans $1.45 trillion over the next decade.

All 46 million uninsured Americans would be covered, for the same funds currently spent by Americans on health care. And every American will feel secure, knowing that your health care won't ever go away.

Click here for a draft of the legislation. So you will know what is in it. Which is more than anyone can say for the current Congressional healthcare proposals.

Here is a good Wikipedia article: Healthy Americans Act