LF: GOP’s ‘Pledge To America’ Replaces Affordable Care Act With Provisions From Affordable Care Act

Title: GOP’s ‘Pledge To America’ Replaces Affordable Care Act With Provisions From Affordable Care Act
Source: Think Progress
URL Source: http://thinkprogress.org/2010/09/23/gop-pledge-aca/
Published: Sep 24, 2010
Author: Igor Volsky
Post Date: 2010-09-24 10:18:41 by go65
Keywords: None
Views: 589
Comments: 2

GOP’s ‘Pledge To America’ Replaces Affordable Care Act With Provisions From Affordable Care Act

Starting today, insurance companies can no longer discriminate against children with pre-existing conditions, drop coverage because of a simple mistake on an application, institute lifetime caps, limit choice of doctors, charge more for emergency services obtained out of network, or levy deductibles, co-payments or co-insurance for certain preventive benefits. Children will also be able to stay on their parents57; plans until their 26th birthday and everyone will have the right to appeal insurer decisions to an independent third party.

Ironically, today Republicans are also unveiling a new 60;Pledge To America,61; an agenda that promises to 60;repeal61; all of these benefits 52; as well as the entire health care law 52; and replace it with 60;reforms that lower costs for families and small businesses, increase access to affordable, high-48;quality care and strengthen the doctor-48;patient relationship.61; The document provides almost no specifics about what the party would do to control health care spending, improve quality, or pay for its reforms. And at least 7 of the GOP57;s ideas on health care are already included in the health care law:
Affordable Care Act GOP57;s 56;Pledge To America57;
Insurance Across State Lines Allows for the creation of State Health Insurance Compacts – permits states to enter into agreements to allow for the sale of insurance across state lines. (SEC. 1333; p. 100-101) 60;We will allow individuals to buy health care coverage outside of the state in which they live. 61; (p. 15)
High-Risk Insurance Pools The states and the federal government have already established high-risk insurance pools to provide temporary coverage to individuals with pre-existing conditions until 2014. (SEC. 1101; p. 30- 33) 60;We will expand state high-48;risk pools, reinsurance programs and reduce the cost of coverage61; (p. 15)
Pre-Existing Conditions Children cannot be denied coverage starting today, but beginning in 204, insurers must accept everyone who applies. (SEC. 2702-2705; p. 46-51) 60;We will make it illegal for an insurance company to deny coverage to someone with prior coverage on the basis of a pre-48;existing condition.61; (p. 15)
Lifetime and Annual Caps A health insurer cannot impose lifetime limits and will be prohibited from placing annual limits on plans beginning in 2014. (SEC. 2711; p. 14) 60;[E]liminate annual and lifetime spending caps61; (p.15)
Recissions A health insurance issuer cannot rescind a policy except for in cases of fraud. (SEC. 2712; p. 14) 60;[P]revent insurers from dropping your coverage just because you get sick.61; (p.15)
State Innovation States can receive waives from certain requirements if they can cover the uninsured and lower health costs in a more innovative manner. (SEC. 1332; p. 98-100) 60;We will incentivize states to develop innovative programs that lower premiums and reduce the number of uninsured Americans.61; (p.15)
Conscience Protections The law does not affect existing conscience protections or discriminate 60;on the basis of the willingness or refusal to provide, pay for, cover, or refer for abortion or to provide or participate in training to provide abortion.61; (SEC. 1303; p. 67) 60;We will also enact into law conscience protections for health care providers, including doctors, nurses, and hospitals.61; (p.15)

The Wonk Room notices that the document doesn57;t explain how Republicans plan to offset the $140 billion deficit increase that will result from repealing the ACA or what they57;ll do to lower health care spending. Repealing the law would actually bend the cost-curve up.

Obama's first all-by-his-lonesome budget, btw, calls for a $1.17 trillion deficit.