Author Topic: HR 676 National Health Insurance Act  (Read 1823 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Lanya

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3300
    • View Profile
  • Liked:
  • Likes Given: 0
HR 676 National Health Insurance Act
« on: January 26, 2007, 01:35:58 PM »
http://www.house.gov/conyers/news_hr676_2.htm#1

The United States National Health Insurance Act, H.R. 676
(“Expanded & Improved Medicare For All”)

In 2003, Rep. Conyers first introduced HR 676, the United States National Health Insurance Act. Under HR 676, Medicare would be extended and improved so that all individuals residing in the United States would receive high quality and affordable health care services. They would receive all medically necessary services by the physicians of their choice, with no restrictions on what providers they could visit. If implemented, the United States National Health Insurance Act would cover primary care, dental, mental health, prescription drugs, and long term care.


Summary of HR 676 - Who is Eligible
Health Care Services Covered
Conversion To A Non-Profit Health Care System
Cost Containment Provisions/ Reimbursement
Proposed Funding For USNHI Program

      Brief Summary of HR 676
    * The United States National Health Insurance Act establishes an American national health insurance program. The bill would create a publicly financed, privately delivered health care system that uses the already existing Medicare program by expanding and improving it to all U.S. residents, and all residents living in U.S. territories. The goal of the legislation is to ensure that all Americans will have access, guaranteed by law, to the highest quality and most cost effective health care services regardless of their employment, income, or health status.

  # With over 45-75 million uninsured Americans, and another 50 million who are under- insured, the time has come to change our inefficient and costly fragmented non health care system.



    Who is Eligible

  # Every person living in or visiting the United States and the U.S. Territories would receive a United States National Health Insurance Card and ID number once they enroll at the appropriate location. Social Security numbers may not be used when assigning ID cards.


    Health Care Services Covered

  # This program will cover all medically necessary services, including primary care, in patient care, outpatient care, emergency care, prescription drugs, durable medical equipment, long term care, mental health services, dentistry, eye care, chiropractic, and substance abuse treatment. Patients have their choice of physicians, providers, hospitals, clinics and practices. No co-pays or deductibles are permitted under this act.


    Conversion To A Non-Profit Health Care System

  # Private health insurers shall be prohibited under this act from selling coverage that duplicates the benefits of the USNHI program. Exceptions to this rule include coverage for cosmetic surgery, and other medically unnecessary treatments. Those who are displaced as the result of the transition to a non- profit health care system are the first to be hired and retrained under this act.


    Cost Containment Provisions/ Reimbursement

  # The National USNHI program will set reimbursement rates annually for physicians, allow for "global budgets" (annual lump sums for operating expenses) for health care providers; and negotiate prescription drug prices. The national office will provide an annual lump sum allotment to each existing Medicare region; each region will administer the program.

  # The conversion to a not-for-profit health care system will take place over a 15 year period. U.S. treasury bonds will be sold to compensate investor-owned providers for the actual appraised value of converted facilities used in the delivery of care; payment will not be made for loss of business profits. Health insurance companies could be sub-contracted out to handle reimbursements.



    Proposed Funding For USNHI Program:

  # Maintaining current federal and state funding of existing health care programs. A modest payroll tax on all employers of 3.3%. A 5% health tax on the top 5% of income earners. A small tax on stock and bond transfers. Closing corporate tax loop-holes, repealing the Bush tax cut.


Planned Parenthood is America’s most trusted provider of reproductive health care.

Plane

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 26993
    • View Profile
  • Liked:
  • Likes Given: 0
Re: HR 676 National Health Insurance Act
« Reply #1 on: January 26, 2007, 01:44:47 PM »

Lanya

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3300
    • View Profile
  • Liked:
  • Likes Given: 0
Re: HR 676 National Health Insurance Act
« Reply #2 on: January 26, 2007, 02:46:35 PM »
I don't think so.
I think it may just create a huge pool of entrepreneurs, people who now stay in jobs simply because they have health coverage.   
Planned Parenthood is America’s most trusted provider of reproductive health care.

Amianthus

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7574
  • Bring on the flames...
    • View Profile
    • Mario's Home Page
  • Liked:
  • Likes Given: 0
Re: HR 676 National Health Insurance Act
« Reply #3 on: January 26, 2007, 02:59:48 PM »
I think it may just create a huge pool of entrepreneurs, people who now stay in jobs simply because they have health coverage.   

Don't know why you think that.

Currently, the US leads the world with entrepreneurship - nearly 50% of the world's entrepreneurs come from the US, with only 5% of the world's population. Most of the other countries have nationalized health care. If your thoughts were true, the US should have 5% or less of the world's entrepreneurs.

Can you explain the differential? Why does the US pretty much equal the whole rest of the world in entrepreneurship, if we're holding back entrepreneurs by not having nationalized health care?
Do not anticipate trouble, or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunlight. (Benjamin Franklin)

sirs

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 27078
    • View Profile
  • Liked:
  • Likes Given: 0
Re: HR 676 National Health Insurance Act
« Reply #4 on: January 26, 2007, 03:34:17 PM »
I think it may just create a huge pool of entrepreneurs, people who now stay in jobs simply because they have health coverage.   

Currently, the US leads the world with entrepreneurship - nearly 50% of the world's entrepreneurs come from the US, with only 5% of the world's population. Most of the other countries have nationalized health care. If your thoughts were true, the US should have 5% or less of the world's entrepreneurs.

Can you explain the differential? Why does the US pretty much equal the whole rest of the world in entrepreneurship, if we're holding back entrepreneurs by not having nationalized health care?


Respectfully asked.  No uncivil or demeaning tone in asking the question.  Let's sit back and watch
"The worst form of inequality is to try to make unequal things equal." -- Aristotle

_JS

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3500
  • Salaires legers. Chars lourds.
    • View Profile
  • Liked:
  • Likes Given: 0
Re: HR 676 National Health Insurance Act
« Reply #5 on: January 26, 2007, 04:29:01 PM »
Quote
Won't cause a rise in unemployment?

There are many variables that lead to unemployment increases, I don't believe this will be one. Are we blaming the current job losses at Ford and GM on the Bush tax cuts?

Quote
Currently, the US leads the world with entrepreneurship - nearly 50% of the world's entrepreneurs come from the US, with only 5% of the world's population. Most of the other countries have nationalized health care. If your thoughts were true, the US should have 5% or less of the world's entrepreneurs.

Huh? She is talking about a specific situation and a bill that has nothing to do with nationalised health care.

Quote
Can you explain the differential? Why does the US pretty much equal the whole rest of the world in entrepreneurship, if we're holding back entrepreneurs by not having nationalized health care?

Having nominally more entrepreneurs isn't necessarily a great thing. Moreover, the bill is not nationalised health care. The question is moot.
I smell something burning, hope it's just my brains.
They're only dropping peppermints and daisy-chains
   So stuff my nose with garlic
   Coat my eyes with butter
   Fill my ears with silver
   Stick my legs in plaster
   Tell me lies about Vietnam.

Amianthus

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7574
  • Bring on the flames...
    • View Profile
    • Mario's Home Page
  • Liked:
  • Likes Given: 0
Re: HR 676 National Health Insurance Act
« Reply #6 on: January 26, 2007, 04:35:41 PM »
Huh? She is talking about a specific situation and a bill that has nothing to do with nationalised health care.

Here is the header from her post (my emphasis).

"The United States National Health Insurance Act, H.R. 676 ('Expanded & Improved Medicare For All')

"In 2003, Rep. Conyers first introduced HR 676, the United States National Health Insurance Act. Under HR 676, Medicare would be extended and improved so that all individuals residing in the United States would receive high quality and affordable health care services. They would receive all medically necessary services by the physicians of their choice, with no restrictions on what providers they could visit. If implemented, the United States National Health Insurance Act would cover primary care, dental, mental health, prescription drugs, and long term care."

Please explain why this act is not nationalized health care.
Do not anticipate trouble, or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunlight. (Benjamin Franklin)

Lanya

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3300
    • View Profile
  • Liked:
  • Likes Given: 0
Re: HR 676 National Health Insurance Act
« Reply #7 on: January 26, 2007, 07:30:30 PM »
Ami, I can't explain the difference.
I know people who have said they'd love to follow their dream and do something completely different, but---they and their families depended on their very good health insurance, whcih they got through the hospital, or the factory, etc.

I didn't say we don't have an entrepreneurial spirit now, we do. But we would have more, I think (I cannot prove it however) because we would not be tied to jobs to receive health care, as I understand it.

But this bill is just a start.   
Planned Parenthood is America’s most trusted provider of reproductive health care.

Amianthus

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7574
  • Bring on the flames...
    • View Profile
    • Mario's Home Page
  • Liked:
  • Likes Given: 0
Re: HR 676 National Health Insurance Act
« Reply #8 on: January 26, 2007, 08:13:50 PM »
I know people who have said they'd love to follow their dream and do something completely different, but---they and their families depended on their very good health insurance, whcih they got through the hospital, or the factory, etc.

And yet, there are people all over who do just that. Without nationalized healthcare.

Besides, you can pay for your own coverage, and federal law requires that your previous employer allow you to continue your "very good health insurance" at the company's rate for 18 months.
Do not anticipate trouble, or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunlight. (Benjamin Franklin)