Rudy on Healthcare Reform

As I’ve stated in previous posts, the republicans aren’t down for the universal healthcare spill that we are hearing from the democrats which would result in big government. Instead they are putting forth a lot of practices that can be put in place to reform health care. Here are some of the practices Rudy hopes to implement while in office.


Expand Choice Through Tax Code Reform: Rudy proposes an income exclusion of up to $15,000 for those without employer coverage to make insurance more affordable. (America's tax system penalizes millions of citizens without access to employer health care, including 40 percent of employees at small firms. This would allow Americans without employer-based insurance to have tax benefits like those with employment-based coverage.)


Help Low-Income Individuals and Families Secure Health Insurance: Rudy proposes a Health Insurance Credit to low-income Americans that can be coupled with other revenue sources such as Medicaid and employer contributions to make coverage more affordable to millions of the uninsured.


Drive Quality and Price Transparency: Rudy would make the price visible and the provider qualifications. (This would basically pressure the industry to be more transparent in its practices, expand competition and open up new motivation for improving quality and reducing cost.)


Reform the Medical Liability Legal System: Defensive medicine is a tremendous burden on our nation with liability insurance in some states costing over $200,000 for OB/GYNs. Rudy’s plan is to end frivolous lawsuits without limiting compensation for real economic loss.


Reward States For Innovative Solutions: Rudy will encourage states to improve health care quality and make health insurance more affordable by offering block grants to encourage innovation, reduce health costs, enroll eligible uninsured, and solve adverse selection issues. (He’s basically putting the burden on local government. However, unlike another plan I outlined there are funds attached.)



Require Availability of Low-Cost Insurance Options: Regulation must not deny access to affordable coverage. If a state’s mandates prevent affordable health care coverage, citizens should be allowed to purchase coverage through interstate markets.


Save Lives and Reduce Costs by Streamlining the FDA Process: Rudy will bring greater accountability and efficiency to the evaluation process for new drugs by ensuring that government regulation does not delay new cures or needlessly cost lives. (Currently it takes a new drug 12-15 years to get to the market and become regulated.)


Invest In Health IT to Reduce Medical Errors, Improve Efficiency, and Detect Health Threats: Would require public-private partnerships to improve and set standards for health IT without overbearing regulations can play a major role in improving care and reducing costs.


Improve and Expand Health Savings Accounts: Health savings accounts provide incentives for consumers to maximize the value of services tailored to their needs. Rudy will expand access to these accounts by simplifying the rules and regulations so that insurance coverage will meet the health care goals of individuals and families.


Infuse Incentives in Insurance Markets That Promote Wellness and Better Outcomes for Chronic Diseases: Health insurance must be redefined to cover wellness as well as sickness. In conjunction with recommendations from doctors and nurses, Rudy will propose new initiatives to promote healthy lifestyles and wellness programs, and tie Medicaid payments to a state's success in promoting preventative care and tracking obesity for children. (This appears to be a theme in every candidate’s healthcare plan. It sounds like a no-brainer to me, I’m not sure why we didn’t reach this conclusion years before this.)