Legal Commentary

A New Health Assistance Bill Proposal

By Big Tent Democrat

Politico:

There appeared to be serious consideration of a new proposal on the table: a national health plan similar to the Federal Employee Health Benefits Plan, which provides insurance to members of Congress and federal workers. It would be administered by the Office of Personnel Management, which oversees the federal plan, and all of the insurance options would be not-for-profit.

Devil in the detail as always, but this seems a viable way to run an Exchange. The Federal Employee Health Benefits Plans negotiate very well. Should also solve the Stupak Amendment problem. This is not a Public Option of course, but since the federal government could, in theory, negotiate the rates and benefits on par with what federal employees get, the expansion of health insurance to 30 million Americans can be done in a positive way. Of course this is not health care reform, but it could be acceptable health insurance assistance.

It's perfectly obvious that health care reform will not happen with this bill. But this could be an acceptable health insurance assistance bill. Let's see the details.

Speaking for me only

Full post as published by TalkLeft on December 06, 2009 (boomark / email).