Actually, I’m very ambivalent about this. First, afaik the Senate bill already allows for states to enter groups where plans can apply across borders. The main difference is that the states should approve of the plans first, making sure they are compatible with their level of regulation. By forcing states to accept any plan from any other state, you effectively eliminate the state’s right to regulate healthcare plans, which isn’t necessarily a good thing.
A few other proposals from the linked article that may already exist:
“Republicans should further propose that Medicare strengthen its capacity to provide data and measure patient outcomes” - Sure, and I think this actually existed as an agency in a previous plan. I think the GOP actually criticized the idea, but I’m not 100% sure. BTW, such an agency would also cover the topic of unnecessary procedures that featured heavily in Mr. Gingrich’s ideas.
“Rather, it should introduce competition to the insurance market by creating a system of regional exchanges, similar to the one now operated by the federal government for its employees, to allow everyone the opportunity to choose an insurance plan” - these exchanges are I believe featured in the current plans.
Tort reform - I believe the last plan included an option for states to do that on their own, if they consider it necesary. Personally, I think that you can go too far in that direction - how’d you feel if a doctor messed up and you lost an index finger, and you get 2000 bucks?
Actually, I’m very ambivalent about this. First, afaik the Senate bill already allows for states to enter groups where plans can apply across borders. The main difference is that the states should approve of the plans first, making sure they are compatible with their level of regulation. By forcing states to accept any plan from any other state, you effectively eliminate the state’s right to regulate healthcare plans, which isn’t necessarily a good thing.
A few other proposals from the linked article that may already exist:
“Republicans should further propose that Medicare strengthen its capacity to provide data and measure patient outcomes” - Sure, and I think this actually existed as an agency in a previous plan. I think the GOP actually criticized the idea, but I’m not 100% sure. BTW, such an agency would also cover the topic of unnecessary procedures that featured heavily in Mr. Gingrich’s ideas.
“Rather, it should introduce competition to the insurance market by creating a system of regional exchanges, similar to the one now operated by the federal government for its employees, to allow everyone the opportunity to choose an insurance plan” - these exchanges are I believe featured in the current plans.
Tort reform - I believe the last plan included an option for states to do that on their own, if they consider it necesary. Personally, I think that you can go too far in that direction - how’d you feel if a doctor messed up and you lost an index finger, and you get 2000 bucks?