Re: How Does the New Health Care Reform Bill Affect Your Business ???

["Robert L Bass" <Sales@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

"Crash Gordon" wrote:
>
> It's impossible to read. One section refers you to another then another then
> another...it'd would take weeks to really read and understand it.

That's not really true.  That's just what some Repugnant on the Hill said to
Faux news.  The bill is more than 99% paragraph text.  Following are typical
examples:

----------

SEC. 347. NO FEDERAL PAYMENT FOR UNDOCUMENTED ALIENS.
Nothing in this subtitle shall allow Federal payments for affordability credits
on behalf of individuals who are not lawfully present in the United States.

SEC. 211. PROHIBITING PREEXISTING CONDITION EXCLUSIONS.
A qualified health benefits plan may not impose any preexisting condition
exclusion (as defined in section 2701(b)(1)(A) of the Public Health Service Act)
or otherwise impose any limit or condition on the coverage under the plan with
respect to an individual or dependent based on any of the following: health
status, medical condition, claims experience, receipt of health care, medical
history, genetic information, evidence of insurability, disability, or source of
injury (including conditions arising out of acts of domestic violence) or any
similar factors.

Here is Leuck's favorite part:

Subtitle B - Public Health Insurance Option

SEC. 321. ESTABLISHMENT AND ADMINISTRATION OF A PUBLIC HEALTH INSURANCE OPTION
AS AN EXCHANGE-QUALIFIED HEALTH BENEFITS PLAN.

(a) ESTABLISHMENT.?For years beginning with Y1, the Secretary of Health and
Human Services (in this subtitle referred to as the ??Secretary??) shall provide
for the offering of an Exchange-participating health benefits plan (in this
division referred to as the ??public health insurance option??) that ensures
choice, competition, and stability of affordable, high quality coverage
throughout the United States in accordance with this subtitle. In designing the
option, the Secretary?s primary responsibility is to create a low-cost plan
without compromising quality or access to care.

(b) OFFERING AS AN EXCHANGE-PARTICIPATING HEALTH BENEFITS PLAN. - (1) EXCLUSIVE
TO THE EXCHANGE.?The public health insurance option shall only be made available
through the Health Insurance Exchange.

(2) ENSURING A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD.?Consistent with this subtitle, the public
health insurance option shall comply with requirements that are applicable under
this title to an Exchange-participating health benefits plan, including
requirements related to benefits, benefit levels, provider networks, notices,
consumer protections, and cost-sharing.

(3) PROVISION OF BENEFIT LEVELS.?The public health insurance option -

(A) shall offer basic, enhanced, and premium plans; and

(B) may offer premium-plus plans.

(c) ADMINISTRATIVE CONTRACTING.?The Secretary may enter into contracts for the
purpose of performing administrative functions (including functions described in
subsection (a)(4) of section 1874A of the Social Security Act) with respect to
the public health insurance option in the same manner as the Secretary may enter
into contracts under subsection (a)(1) of such section. The Secretary has the
same authority with respect to the public health insurance option as the
Secretary has under subsections (a)(1) and (b) of section 1874A of the Social
Security Act with respect to title XVIII of such Act. Contracts under this
subsection shall not involve the transfer of insurance risk to such entity.

(d) OMBUDSMAN.?The Secretary shall establish an office of the ombudsman for the
public health insurance option which shall have duties with respect to the
public health insurance option similar to the duties of the Medicare Beneficiary
Ombudsman under section 1808(c)(2) of the Social Security Act.

(e) DATA COLLECTION.?The Secretary shall collect such data as may be required to
establish premiums and payment rates for the public health insurance option and
for other purposes under this subtitle, including to improve quality and to
reduce racial, ethnic, and other disparities in health and health care. Nothing
in this subtitle may be construed as authorizing the Secretary (or any employee
or contractor) to create or maintain lists of non
medical personal property.

(f) TREATMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH INSURANCE OPTION. - With respect to the public
health insurance option, the Secretary shall be treated as a QHBP offering
entity offering an Exchange-participating health benefits plan.

(g) ACCESS TO FEDERAL COURTS. - The provisions of Medicare (and related
provisions of title II of the Social Security Act) relating to access of
Medicare beneficiaries to Federal courts for the enforcement of rights under
Medicare, including with respect to amounts in controversy, shall apply to the
public health insurance option and individuals enrolled under such option under
this title in the same manner as such provisions apply to Medicare and Medicare
beneficiaries.

----------

The whole bill is readable online and most of it has been available in various
outlets all during the process.  You sometimes needed to dig a bit to get at the
stuff that wasn't settled, but every amendment, Democratic or Repugnant, is a
matter of public record.  Don't believe it when some Repugnant Senator tells
Faux Noise (and their whole "panel" heartily agrees) that something is being
done behind closed doors or that Repugnants have not had an opportunity to
participate in the design of the bill.  These guys lie almost as much as Leuck.
It's disgusting.

--

Regards,
Robert L Bass

==============================>
Bass Home Electronics
DIY Alarm and Home Automation Store
http://www.bassburglaralarms.com
Sales & Service 941-870-2310
Fax 941-870-3252
==============================>