Two House GOP members announce their alternative to Obamacare
However, the bill does eliminate the mandates requiring most individuals and employers to purchase health insurance or provide it for their employees. It also removes some of the "minimum essential benefits" health plans are required to provide.
"The only way to repeal Obamacare is to have 60 votes in the
The centerpiece of their bill is a transferable tax credit of
"For years I've had people ask me, 'Where's the Republican health care alternative,' " Sessions said. "That's what we're bringing today. We believe there should be a healthy debate about the options available to those who choose not to participate in Obamacare or who don't qualify for premium subsidies."
Although Obamacare has helped drive the country's uninsured rate to its lowest level in history, there are still millions of Americans who lack health insurance, either because they object to the mandate, don't qualify for premium subsidies or can't afford the deductibles.
Cassidy, who is a physician, said the "World's Greatest Health Care Plan" provides equal tax treatment for everyone, by offering them the same tax credit. It also lets consumers decide for themselves whether to stick with Obamacare, buy private insurance or rely on the health savings account.
In a meeting with reporters, Sessions and Cassidy were vague about how to pay for the plan, although they said budget experts assured them the net cost would be minimal.
Some savings might come from the
Cassidy noted the measure also gives states the ability to opt out of Obamacare. In addition, it gives them authority to create their own "opt-out" catastrophic health program for uninsured individuals.
Under this approach, "passive" individuals who don't want to take control of their own health care decisions would automatically be enrolled in a catastrophic health insurance program and related health savings plan.
"If you don't do anything, that's what you'd have," he said. "If you want to be more proactive, you can (opt out of the catastrophic plan) and pool your resources to buy a different plan."
Opt-out programs typically have much higher participation rates than what states are seeing under Obamacare, Cassidy said, so this could help expand the risk pool and lower costs. States that go this route would receive a payment equal to 25 percent of the individual tax credit to help pay for the catastrophic insurance.
Given that
Spence may be contacted at [email protected] or (208) 791-9168.
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