Grayson’s “Public Option Act” or “Medicare You Can Buy Into Act”

[slipslidingaway]

Links and full article here...

http://pnhp.org/blog/2010/03/12/graysons-public-option-act-or-medicare-you-can-buy-into-act/

H.R. 4789 – “Public Option Act” or “Medicare You Can Buy Into Act”:
http://thomas.loc.gov/ Click Bill Number. Enter H.R. 4789. Click Search. From there you can access the text of the legislation (very short bill), cosponsors, and other information.

Video of Grayson’s introduction of H.R. 4789 to House (5 minutes):
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/10/grayson-offers-medicare-b_n_492831.html

Article XVIII, Sec. 1818
http://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/ssact/title18/1818.htm

Article XVIII, Sec. 1818A
http://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/ssact/title18/1818A.htm

Medicare premiums for 2010
http://questions.medicare.gov/cgi-bin/medicare.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=2260


Comment by Don McCanne MD

"Throughout the reform process members of Congress have been fighting over whether or not the reform legislation should include the option of purchasing a government-sponsored plan through the proposed insurance exchanges – the so-called “public option.” Since Congressman Alan Grayson introduced the “Public Option Act” or “Medicare You Can Buy Into Act” three days ago, a wave of enthusiastic support has been generated based on the perception that this is the perfect solution. Today’s comment briefly discusses this legislation, and it will sound really great at first blush, but do not draw any firm conclusions until you read through to the end.

...Many are not aware of this, but Medicare already has a buy-in program...

At any rate, the Grayson proposal seems to be the true public option, run by the government, that progressives have been fighting for. So what could be wrong with it?

The greatest concern of all is that it still does not fix our outrageously expensive, administratively wasteful, highly inequitable, fragmented method of financing health care. It merely provides another expensive option in our very sick system of paying for health care. Providing yet one more option that people can’t afford really hasn’t moved the process.

...For those who say that a Medicare buy-in is an incremental step towards health care utopia, explain precisely how that is going to work. Explain each problem that it solves. Explain how it is going to morph into a universal or near universal system in which each individual is paying the full actuarial value of the coverage. It won’t happen.

Playing with a Medicare buy-in is an unnecessary diversion at a time that we need to get serious about reform. We need to fix Medicare and expand it to cover everyone. Nothing less will do."

[Froward69]

1. Kicking the Freepers off

:kick:

unreccers

[slipslidingaway]

2. Here is the link to Medicare buy in rates from the article...$571. per month...

http://questions.medicare.gov/cgi-bin/medicare.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=2260


"...Many are not aware of this, but Medicare already has a buy-in program. Under Title XVIII, Sec. 1818, individuals over 65 who have fewer than 40 quarters of Medicare-covered employment who would otherwise not be eligible for Medicare can still participate by paying a full premium for Part A coverage (hospital) or a reduced premium if they have 30 to 39 quarters of Medicare-covered employment. Likewise, under Sec. 1818A, disabled individuals whose entitlement ends due to having earnings that exceed the qualification level can also purchase Medicare Part A. Grayson’s bill adds a new Sec. 1818B to Title XVIII to expand the buy-in option to anyone under 65..."


Thanks :)

[MisterP]

3. PRIMARY GRAYSON!!!! :sarcasm knr: nt

[slipslidingaway]

4. Not yet, but Dr. McCanne does raise some interesting issues. :) n/t

[omega minimo]

5. link to WeWantMedicare.com

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7889899

[mvd]

6. It sure beats the bill currently being debated

If this passed, at least it would be a true step towards single payer.

[slipslidingaway]

7. How would this bill be a step towards single payer? n/t

[mvd]

10. It has a public option at least

That's a step up, IMO.

[slipslidingaway]

15. As mentioned below there are no subsidy provisions. n/t

[mvd]

16. I didn't say it is perfect. But..

it's better than anything else being considered now for reconciliation.

[Vidar]

8. K&R.

[slipslidingaway]

9. Thank you :) nt

[druidity33]

11. " ...Many are not aware of this, but Medicare already has a buy-in program..."

Uh, really? You mean, i could have insurance? I'd love to be able to pay $461 a month. At one point our premium was $1200 a month (the cost of my mortgage payment).....

Tell me where to sign up...


:shrug:

[slipslidingaway]

12. Links are in the OP, but the buy-in program is not for everyone. n/t

[druidity33]

17. Whereas Grayson's Act would be for everyone. NT.

[tritsofme]

13. If the Medicare premium is completely unsubsidized, I imagine it would resemble a COBRA payment

Who could afford it? Most people would find much more affordable plans in the exchange.

[slipslidingaway]

14. Yes, another aspect that is not discussed, also HR 676 has a

provision for employers to also contribute.

A straight medicare buy-in does not.