1. Recognize that the “individual mandate” was a REPUBLICAN IDEA, going back to ’93. 2. “I the government” is well “Patriot Act”, and the creation of “Homeland Security”. Gee, MORE Republican initiatives!
In November, 1993, Sen. John Chafee, R-R.I., introduced the “Health Equity and Access Reform Today Act of 1993,” it had 21 co-sponsors, including two Democrats (Sens. Boren and Kerrey). It bears similarity to the Democratic bill passed by the Senate Dec. 24, 2009, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
Sen. John Chafee’ Bill provided access to health insurance coverage under a qualified health plan for every citizen and lawful permanent resident of the United States. Further it (Sec. 1003) established a program under which persons with low incomes (and who are not eligible for Medicaid) will receive vouchers to buy insurance through purchasing groups and further requires (Sec. 1004) each employer to make available, either directly, through a purchasing group, or otherwise, enrollment in a qualified health plan to each eligible employee.
So, there is the “nut” of it. No one is blaming the GOP; they simply extracted and used some of the GOP ideas. See Kaiser Heath News for summary of cited Bill or go to http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/103/hr3704 to review/read entire Bill.
Jason Allen about 12 years ago
^ You should. That was a compromise the Republicans insisted on.
leweclectic about 12 years ago
2nd That.
Dtroutma about 12 years ago
1. Recognize that the “individual mandate” was a REPUBLICAN IDEA, going back to ’93. 2. “I the government” is well “Patriot Act”, and the creation of “Homeland Security”. Gee, MORE Republican initiatives!
runar about 12 years ago
That’s a whole lot better than “We the CEOs, Bean Counters and Dividend Recipients of the HMOs and Insurance Companies”.
leweclectic about 12 years ago
Sen. John Chafee’ Bill provided access to health insurance coverage under a qualified health plan for every citizen and lawful permanent resident of the United States. Further it (Sec. 1003) established a program under which persons with low incomes (and who are not eligible for Medicaid) will receive vouchers to buy insurance through purchasing groups and further requires (Sec. 1004) each employer to make available, either directly, through a purchasing group, or otherwise, enrollment in a qualified health plan to each eligible employee.
So, there is the “nut” of it. No one is blaming the GOP; they simply extracted and used some of the GOP ideas. See Kaiser Heath News for summary of cited Bill or go to http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/103/hr3704 to review/read entire Bill.
Dtroutma about 12 years ago
Lew: thanks for saving me the trouble of posting that data.