Another Georgia congressman proposes possible Obamacare replacement
Last week, I looked at U.S. Rep. Tom Price’s bill to repeal and replace Obamacare. His bill includes a section on tort reform authored by Congressman Phil Gingrey, who, like Price, was a physician before entering politics.
Well, Gingrey and Price aren’t the only doctors-turned-congressmen from Georgia. Paul Broun, who represents much of northeast Georgia in Congress, has submitted his own repeal-and-replace bill, the OPTION Act. It caught the attention of Avik Roy, a health-policy blogger for Forbes, who gave it a fairly positive review as “The Tea Party’s Plan for Replacing Obamacare.”
Some of the OPTION (Offering Patients True Individualized Options Now) Act’s provisions are similar to Price’s Empowering Patients First Act. Both provide for repealing the Affordable Care Act, a.k.a. Obamacare; both change the tax treatment of health care to put those buying coverage in the individual market on equal tax footing with people in employer-sponsored plans; and both allow for interstate insurance purchases and ways to let small businesses band together to form larger risk pools.
But whereas Price’s bill includes Gingrey’s tort reform measures and goes farther in establishing risk pools and addressing Medicaid, Broun would leave reforms of malpractice laws and Medicaid to other bills (he has proposed a separate bill to block-grant Medicaid funds to the states). Instead, he focuses on a premium-support model for Medicare, a la the Paul Ryan plan, and would change the law mandating emergency-room care, known as EMTALA. Roy summarizes those changes:
The OPTION Act includes two significant reforms to our charity care system. First, it gives physicians a tax credit (i.e., a subsidy) of between $2,000 and $8,000 a year for engaging in charity care, depending upon the amount of charity care they offer. “Today, I could be put in jail for giving charity care to a Medicare patient for free,” explains Broun. “What we’re doing is we’re taking all of those regulations out of the system.”
Second, it would allow emergency rooms to turn away patients, under EMTALA, that don’t have actual emergencies. “I had the experience of what every ER physician sees in this country,” says Broun, “which is people who aren’t having emergencies using the ER. They should be seeing their regular doctors.” This simple reform could do a lot to ensure that uninsured people with actual emergencies would get treated faster, with better outcomes, than they do today.
One thing is clear: This trio of congressmen with medical backgrounds stand to put Georgia front and center in the health policy debate whether or not the Supreme Court overturns part or all of Obamacare.
– By Kyle Wingfield
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176 comments Add your comment
UGA 1999
April 10th, 2012
10:37 am
Inside Out….I actually agree with you.
HDB
April 10th, 2012
10:40 am
With conservatives railing about government spending, the cuts in human services are affecting health care costs. By this, I mean, for those without access to a regular doctor, the neighborhood health centers are the only places that the poor and unemployed can get some semblance of health care. What needs to be done – IMHO – is this:
1) Better funding of neighborhood health centers
2) A governmental baseline HMO that everyone can get into
3) Insurance companies cover the catastrophic illnesses
All could be profitable…and a hybrid of universal coverage would be in place 9 note how much profit AFLAC makes on just cancer insurance alone!)….
Facts
April 10th, 2012
10:59 am
Here are some things that cause U.S. health care to be so expensive:
Prescription drugs
Defensive medicine
Fraud
Obesity
Lack of coordination among providers
The health care reform law is an insurance industry, business and populace regulation instrument. It doesn’t tackle in any substantial way any of the above.
If you took away the profits of the insurance industry and made their leadership work for free, costs would go down less than 2-percent. About half of the health insurance industry is not-for-profit, so that portion of the industry isn’t motivated by Wall Street. Health insurers have already been spending 85 percent of premiums directly on care and for large groups its more than 90 percent. It’s a very efficient industry.
Time to quit scapegoating one player and reform the entire system.
Also
Jefferson
April 10th, 2012
11:01 am
Medical professionals will look at heath care without the ability to be objective, due to their experiences and the fact it puts bread on their table. In some cases excessive costs are caused by Drs, no matter if it is fear of suit based or greed based. Not only Drs, administrators work in some cases with the premise, the higher the budget, the smaller my salary looks. Cost is the problem and much of the cost is not for services performed.
Furious Styles
April 10th, 2012
11:11 am
The only thing Georgia needs to be front and center on is Education and Traffic, otherwise there’s too much confusion.
snoqualmiepass
April 10th, 2012
11:13 am
Love all the comments here concerning today’s issue of health care, a livley discussion, however pizzaman, carlosgvv, y’all are wasting your time attempting to convince T-Rod of anything counter to T-Rods world view. reminds me so much of the Chinese Red Guards during the Cultural Revolution… its called tunnel vision… T-Rod only sees what he wants… another cultural warrior and I am sure very proud of his “knowledge”. the thing is… I make money off quotations from T-Rod the orical from the South and no I’m not going to pay him a percentage… so keep your pie hole wide open T-Rod, I’m laughing all the way to the bank.
Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!
April 10th, 2012
11:21 am
Of course, they’re all wasting their time, snoqualmiepass.
They, like you, are wrong on this issue, so convincing me of that which cannot be true would certainly constitute a waste of time.
Kinda like expecting something of substance on the actual issue from any of your posts.
snoqualmiepass
April 10th, 2012
11:25 am
Hey T-rod your intellengence is only surpassed by your arrogence, but then… again I’m the guy making money off your eloquent KRAZY, not you.
Substance from you… HA HA HA
Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!
April 10th, 2012
11:28 am
And yet another post not on subject by snoqualmiepass.
What a shocker!
Common sense
April 10th, 2012
11:33 am
Imagine that. A doctor trying to figure out how best to do things in health care as opposed to a professional politician like a Pelosi or Obama who have ZERO actual experience in the health care field.
Common sense
April 10th, 2012
11:35 am
“T-Rods world view. reminds me so much of the Chinese Red Guards during the Cultural Revolution… its called tunnel vision…”
Never mind that these tunnel visionists were leftists of course. The irony is not lost on us. Leftists are pretty much like sheep. They just follow and do what they are told.
Oblama
April 10th, 2012
11:39 am
On a lighter note “The Donald” has announced that he will allow artificial (transgender) women to enter the “Miss Universe” Pageant. That’s ironic since just a couple of years ago they disqualified a contestant for getting a boob job. Will Oblama force the tax payers to cover the cost of these artificial womens surgeries and hormone replacements? Will we have t pay for “The Beverly Hills Housewives to get botoxed? I guess that will make the ratings go up if she/he makes it to the final 10. Never watched “Miss Universe” anyway as it seemed kind of artificial so I don’t care but will transvestites be allowed in next year – to boost ratings?
Hillbilly D
April 10th, 2012
11:42 am
First, it gives physicians a tax credit (i.e., a subsidy) of between $2,000 and $8,000 a year for engaging in charity care,
This doesn’t sound too realistic to me. Depending on what kind of doctor he is, he could do that much charity care in a couple of days.
All these plans, including Affordable Care have one thing in common, protect the insurance industry’s golden goose.
Jefferson
April 10th, 2012
11:48 am
National health care tax, national health care. Even generals max out rank and pay.
UGA 1999
April 10th, 2012
11:49 am
Hillbilly….you are assuming that a Doctor would not make any charitable contributions. That is completely up to them it is a credit. Some give more, some give zero.
UGA 1999
April 10th, 2012
11:53 am
“Police car in Martin’s neighborhood attacked.” Hmmmm now who do you think could have done that?
Hillbilly D
April 10th, 2012
11:55 am
UGA 1999
My point was that he could use up his tax credit, real quick.
Oblama
April 10th, 2012
11:57 am
Healthcare? Is medicaid working? Is medicare working? Are they within budget? Is the inept Fed government capable of this responsibility? Is there unbiased, independent oversight of these programs to remove fraud, corruption and waste? If the answer is NO to all of the above Oblamacare will be a failure for the same reason these other programs have failed. The Fed government has no clue.
Facts
April 10th, 2012
11:58 am
The insurance industry doesn’t have a golden goose. And, just try paying health care bills without it. You can’t, the care costs too much. Get it? The CARE costs too much.
Hillbilly D
April 10th, 2012
12:05 pm
In my opinion, third party paying helps drive up the cost of healthcare. I’d just as soon see something like Medicare for everybody, or something similar. Talk to any doctor and they’ll tell you how many hours are spent dealing with insurance companies, each of which has different rules.
Real Athens
April 10th, 2012
12:07 pm
Rafe:
Europe is not a country. It is a continent. And yes, you can buy a firearm on the continent. People there enjoy hunting, skeet shooting, etc. etc.
UGA 1999
April 10th, 2012
12:08 pm
Real Athens…You can also buy a weapon in New York but the red tape is so cumbersome that it makes it nearly impossible.
Hillbilly D
April 10th, 2012
12:10 pm
You can also buy a weapon in New York but the red tape is so cumbersome that it makes it nearly impossible.
Only if you buy one in a store.
yuzeyurbrane
April 10th, 2012
12:10 pm
Kyle, again, look at the numbers. None of these so-called alternatives would do more than make a small dent in the 50 million citizens without health insurance or other coverage. Indeed, some are outright inhumane such as some of Broun’s proposals. Turn people away from emergency rooms who should be seeing a doctor in the regular course!! Well, that would certainly improve the horrific emergency room situation we all now face but it begs the question of providing health insurance coverage to enable those emergency room users to see a doctor. Additionally, blockgranting Medicaid would simply lead to funds being diverted away from patients in many states. Why? Because some (Ga. included) have always looked for ways to divert funds for the poor to other budget uses. So what we will end up with is many more people dieing earlier than necessary and an increased risk of health threats to all of us.
Inside Out
April 10th, 2012
12:15 pm
Just for you UGA….
http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/04/09/11099867-two-held-on-9-million-bail-in-tulsa-rampage?lite
UGA 1999
April 10th, 2012
12:16 pm
Inside Out….Your point?
Inside Out
April 10th, 2012
12:16 pm
Nearly is not the same as impossible……
Kyle Wingfield
April 10th, 2012
12:18 pm
yuze: Where do you get your numbers? And re: the “inhumane” — see my 10:13.
As for block-granting, you assume that the federal stipulations that go with Medicaid dollars are resulting in the optimum care for the poor. I say that’s a very bad assumption.
Kyle Wingfield
April 10th, 2012
12:19 pm
snoqualmiepass @ 11:13 and 11:25: If you’re “making money” off what Tiberius or anyone else posts on this blog, I need to introduce you to our copyright attorneys.
Inside Out
April 10th, 2012
12:20 pm
UGA….Hatred has no race…The two guys in OK. should be prosecuted for thrir crimes just and Zimmerman should, and whoever shot up the cars in whatever neighborhood….This has become about black and white when it should be about right and wrong……
Facts
April 10th, 2012
12:20 pm
Hillbilly, you are right, third party paying does drive up the cost of care … i.e. those who have insurance pay through jacked up charges for the uncompensated care the uninsured get. However, again, the ACA does very little that will affect cost. Access, sure. Cost, no. And, that’s what the biggest problem is.
Real Athens
April 10th, 2012
12:21 pm
It is cumbersome to buy a handgun in NYC. Not all firearms are handguns. ‘Handguns were made for killing, that ain’t no good for nothing else.”
I flew into JFK with a 30.06 in checked baggage last year, picked it up at baggage claim, got into a cab and drove straight into the city.
You really should get out of Dacula more.
Oblama
April 10th, 2012
12:21 pm
True Europe varies from country to country. France is socialist as are many of the other countries on the continent but others, being former members of the Soviet Union revile socialism /communism. I have talked to people from England, France, etc. and their system works fine for small things like check ups and colds but not so good for major surgeries. Canada, not European of course, has the same problems. That is why places like M/D. Anderson in Houston, Texas are flooded with foreigners when they need serious medical care such as cancer treatment. If you have a cold (which can’t be cured any way) then Oblamacare is for you. If you have cancer or heart disease – good luck!
Kyle Wingfield
April 10th, 2012
12:23 pm
Hillbilly D @ 12:05: You’re right about third-party paying being a big part of the problem. But what do you think Medicare is?
Also, if everyone were on Medicare, there’d be no one to subsidize the cost of providing care to Medicare recipients at below-market rates. Which means the new universal Medicare would start to look like Medicaid awfully quick.
Facts
April 10th, 2012
12:24 pm
Also, Hillbilly, Medicare is third party paying. Don’t come back, with, yeah but their administrative cost is just 2 percent. That’s accounting tricks … because much of their administration is done by the IRS and other agencies and can be shown as not a Medicare expense.
Real Athens
April 10th, 2012
12:25 pm
The best roadmap I have seen for transforming our healthcare system was published in consumer reports in 2009. It did not include Romney’s individual mandate – a giveaway to insurance lobbyists – but does include a public option. Really, check it out. It’s common sense.
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine-archive/august-2009/viewpoint/5-common-fears-about-health-reform/reform-5-common-fears.htm
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine-archive/august-2009/viewpoint/overview/our-prescription-for-health-care-ov.htm
Hillbilly D
April 10th, 2012
12:26 pm
Facts
Well my Canadian friends seem to think their single payer system works, pretty well. It’s not perfect, as they’ll readily admit but they say they sure wouldn’t want to trade it for what we have. And yes they’ve lived in both countries and dealt with both systems.
Oblama
April 10th, 2012
12:31 pm
Oblamacare – more layers of government ineptness, waste, expense and corruption. Ever since the government got involved in health care costs have spiraled. There is now a health care “bubble” being supported by Fed government checks. It’s bigger than the real estate bubble. What’s in common with these two bubbles? The Fed government got involved and supported the bubble with their checks. The Fed government spending caused the bubble. We don’t need any more Fed government involvement in health care.
Oblama
April 10th, 2012
12:33 pm
Gone today – here tomorrow.
Facts
April 10th, 2012
12:34 pm
I don’t disagree. We need to go one way or the other, probably. All I’m saying is that the current law doesn’t address the biggest problem … cost of services.
mountain man
April 10th, 2012
12:36 pm
“Sooo………Tiberius…..if you had surgery and a Quack Dr. left a surgical sponge inside of you…You would be ok with the hospital paying totake it out and throwing you a couple of free checkups as punishment for the Dr.s screwup????”
A REASONABLE solution would be for the hospital to pay for the sponge to be taken out and any resulting medical bills AND the physician should lose his license, if he has made a serious error – THAT would be a better incentive to not make mistakes! Why give the “victim” a lottery win (actually the “victim” and their lawyer) in order to “punish” the Doctor? All that does is increase malpractice insurance premiums and costs for the rest of us. The Doctor doesn’t get “punished” at all.
How about you at your work? If you make a mistake, should you be fined millions of dollars?
Real Athens
April 10th, 2012
12:38 pm
i’ve personally been treated for kidney stones all over the world — not a lot you can do except, take fluids, manage pain and wait.
The best and most inexpensive treatment I received was in Denmark (FREE!), followed by Sweden (20 euros with DR. visit to hotel), then Canada ($50 US). The most expensive, useless treatment I’ve received was here in the U.S. — hospitalization, x-rays, barium i.v.’s etc, etc. — thousands of dollars in treatment — even after I told them what was happening. A shot of Demerol, 2 gallons of water and a straw would have worked.
I don’t even go to the doctor anymore when one comes on — just the liquor store.
UGA 1999
April 10th, 2012
12:39 pm
Inside Out…Zimmerman was protecting himself. Those two guys were not.
Hillbilly D
April 10th, 2012
12:39 pm
Facts @ 12:34
Well, then we agree on that.
Hillbilly D
April 10th, 2012
12:43 pm
Real Athens
Been down the kidney stone route, too. If you can pass it, you’re right in it mainly just being a waiting game but sometimes they have to go in and get them and that ain’t no fun at all. And by the way, if there is anything that hurts any worse, I don’t want to know what it is.
Hillbilly D
April 10th, 2012
12:53 pm
Kyle @ 12:23
See my 12:26.
BW
April 10th, 2012
12:53 pm
Kyle
The only thing I like about this bill is changing EMTALA. If people don’t want to buy insurance, then they should not be allowed to shift their costs onto the responsible ones. As said before in last week’s discussion, they are doing the same thing as “Obamacare” and making you buy insurance whether through preferential tax code, law, or instant bankruptcy in the case of castrophic injury. And we are still not addressing the real issue: the increase in medical spending. If we cannot control costs, then coverage is really irrevelant as the spending in Medicare and Medicaid will continue to put pressure on the deficit and debt.
Real Athens
April 10th, 2012
12:54 pm
Hillbilly — You can now be submersed in water and the stones can be crushed via ultrasound waves. People rarely go under the knife. Never had the treatment but my old man has. Pretty amazing.
I can attest to the pain thing. Female Dr. in Denmark (6 ft., buxom, redhead — my kind of Dr.) told me the stones hurt her worse than childbirth.
I can attest that if I had a handgun within reach when I’ve been struck I wouldn’t be typing you now.
Joe Mama
April 10th, 2012
1:00 pm
Tiberius — “Why do you persist in ignoring the thousands of excessive judgments handed down by juries despite having the facts and ignoring them?”
“Tort reform is not about denying the plaintiff due process or the right to seek redress, despite the bleating of you and your ilk to make it so. It is an attempt to corral out-of-control juries and lawyers who seek astronomical judgments for nebulous “pain and suffering” over and above the actual cost of treatment.”
If you maintain that a jury of our peers is not competent to come to an accurate and fair judgment with regard to a malpractice case, then I have to wonder if you feel that such a jury would also not be competent to come to an accurate and fair judgment with regard to a death penalty case.
Hillbilly D
April 10th, 2012
1:02 pm
Real Athens
I have a relative who has had kidney stones for nearly 40 years. Hers is an extreme case but in order to do lithotripsy, which she thinks she’s had 17 times but isn’t sure of the count, they have to know the exact location of the stone, which isn’t always possible. She’s had surgery so many times, she’s lost count of that, too. And she too says having a baby is a piece of cake compared to that (and she had 3, including one over 9 lbs).
Since I’ve evidently inherited whatever it is that causes them, I have quit drinking anything but water and fruit juice and as I told the doctor, I’d eat dog poop if it would guarantee that I’d never have another one. I myself have had the “roto-rooter” thing ( I forget the actual medical term) and it ain’t no day at the beach, for sure.