The 9-12 Project of Central PA

"You Are NOT Alone!"

Hi all - Seriously lacking from all of this hubbub about healthcare is any real discussion of alternative solutions. Most American's have a pretty good idea of what they are against (gov't run bureaucratic nightmare) - but perhaps they have not heard a lot of ideas they can support. Let's identify healthcare reforms/improvements we can support. To get started, check out this interesting Op-ed from Thad McCotter of Michigan:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ynews/20091101/ts_ynews/ynews_ts962

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Original page here.

In the spirit of looking for constructive solutions... During the last Washtenaw County meeting, I got the task of reporting back on Ron Paul's proposals in Congress for improving the health care system. Wow -- much more than I expected to find! Our favorite congressman has been busy. Too bad more people are not aware; if they were, Paul would lose his "Dr. No" nickname for good.

This information comes from a website called GovTrack.us:

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billsearch.xpd?PostFormID=billsearc...

What I did not see here, but might also be useful, are bills to eliminate restrictions on cross-state marketing of insurance policies and eliminate any government restrictions on who can legally practice medicine.

Really the heath care issue is linked to other issues as well. If interest rates were set by the market rather than by the Fed, saving would be encouraged by the market, and then people would be more likely to save for routine medical expenses rather than relying on a "plan". If overall tax rates would be reduced, perhaps doctors could offer more charity care for the needy. If monetary policy were not so inflationary, then price inflation in medicine (one industry that receives government-printed money first) would moderate.

H.R. 1498:Freedom From Unnecessary Litigation Act of 2009...

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow individuals a credit against income tax for the cost of insurance against negative outcomes from surgery, including against malpractice of a physician.

H.R. 1654:Cures Can Be Found Act of 2009...

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide credits against income tax for qualified stem cell research, the storage of qualified stem cells, and the donation of umbilical cord blood. [Pat's note: The full text of the bill excludes stem cells from induced abortions.]

H.R. 1497:Treat Physicians Fairly Act of 2009...

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow medical care providers a credit against income tax for uncompensated emergency medical care and to allow hospitals a deduction for such care.

H.R. 1494:Nursing Home Emergency Assistance Act...

To ensure that a private for-profit nursing home affected by a major disaster receives the same reimbursement as a public nursing home affected by a major disaster.

H.R. 1495:Comprehensive Health Care Reform Act of 2009...

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to make health care coverage more accessible and affordable. [Pat's note: The full text includes a provision for a tax credit equal to the entire premium paid for health insurance and health savings accounts. In essence, purchasing individual health insurance would have no net cost to a taxpayer, as his/her taxes would be offset by the full amount of the premium. The ability to purchase a product at zero net cost has interesting implications for the market. I'm not sure if these implications have been fully considered, but the tax reduction is certainly a thought in the right direction.]

H.R. 1496:Child Health Care Affordability Act
...

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow individuals a credit against income tax for medical expenses for dependents.

H.R. 164:Seniors' Health Care Freedom Act of 2009...

To provide greater health care freedom for seniors. [Pat's note: This bill is concerned with allowing seniors to opt out of Medicare without losing Social Security benefits.]

H.R. 163:Prescription Drug Affordability Act...

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 with respect to the purchase of prescription drugs by individuals who have attained retirement age, and to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act with respect to the importation of prescription drugs and the sale of such drugs through Internet sites.

H.R. 1493:Quality Health Care Coalition Act of 2009...

To ensure and foster continued patient safety and quality of care by exempting health care professionals from the Federal antitrust laws in their negotiations with health plans and health insurance issuers.

H.R. 2629:Coercion is Not Health Care Act...

To protect the American people's ability to make their own health care decisions by ensuring the Federal Government shall not force any American to purchase health insurance. [Pat's note: Doesn't the Constitution already protect people from this kind of direct coercion? Oh, silly question.]

H.R. 2630:Protect Patients and Physicians Privacy Act...

To protect the privacy of patients and physicians. [Pat's note: The right to opt out of federally sponsored health-care information databases.]

H.R. 3395:Health Freedom Act...

To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act concerning claims about the effects of foods and dietary supplements on health-related conditions and disease, and for other purposes.

H.R. 3394:Freedom of Health Speech Act...

To amend the Federal Trade Commission Act concerning the burden of proof in false advertising cases involving dietary supplements and dietary ingredients.

H.R. 2218:Parental Consent Act of 2009
...

To prohibit the use of Federal funds for any universal or mandatory mental health screening program.

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