Republicans To Finally Offer Alternative Healthcare Reform Bill

So far, Republicans in Congress have mainly expressed opposition to the healthcare reform plans proposed by the Democrats. They haven’t offered many solutions of their own, but that’s about to change.  John Boehner, the most powerful member of the minority party in the House of Representatives, has promised that the GOP will present an alternative bill that doesn’t entail major government involvement or adding to the national debt. Obviously, there will be no public option in this version.

Boehner acknowledges that the current system isn’t ideal. How does he plan to give more Americans access to health insurance? These are several things Republican healthcare reform bill would do:

• Severely decreasing the number of medical malpractice lawsuits. This would lower health care costs through a reduction in the unnecessary tests given by overly cautious doctors. Malpractice insurance can also cost doctors millions of dollars per year. As a bonus, it doesn’t hurt that trial lawyers tend to support and contribute to Democratic politicians; this measure wouldn’t affect many GOP supporters.
• Creating a pool that allows small businesses and individuals to buy affordable health insurance in large groups. That proposal is similar to part of the Democrats’ healthcare plan. It’s pretty noncontroversial.
• Repealing the regulations that prevent people from going across state lines to buy health insurance plans. Some states, such as New York, regulate the industry more than others. These regulations include prohibitions on denying insurance to people with pre-existing conditions, for example. While these measures allow more people to be insured, they also result in higher health insurance premiums. Boehner believes that creating a nationwide free market will be more effective in lowering healthcare costs than a public option.

A Republican plan wouldn’t include a health insurance mandate, and would avoid tax increases. It sounds nice, but would it actually be successful? Even party leaders admit that their proposals wouldn’t come close to covering most of America’s uninsured.