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« Bradford Soap union approves contract | Today | Judge to rule tomorrow on smoke-shop case dismissal » February 11, 2008Langevin announces national health-care planCRANSTON -- U.S Rep. Jim Langevin this morning announced legislation to provide health coverage for all Americans through a system modeled after the program that provides health benefits to federal employees. Declaring his plan the first bipartisan health-care proposal in the U.S. House of Representatives, Langevin was joined by his co-sponsor, Rep. Christopher Shays, a Connecticut Republican, at the Comprehensive Community Action Program in Cranston. Langevin’s and Shays’ plan calls for creating a new federal agency that will negotiate with private health insurers to provide a range of health-insurance options, just as the federal Office of Personnel Management now negotiates for the plans in the Federal Employee Benefits Program. Any individual will be eligible to participate. Significantly, individuals will be required to buy health insurance if they don’t already have coverage through federal programs or an employer-sponsored health plan that meets certain standards. Employers will have a choice of continuing to offer health coverage for their employees or paying into the federal system, to be called the American Health Benefit Program. With money from a payroll tax, the government will pay 72 percent of the premiums, and individuals will pay the rest – with subsidies available for the poor. Langevin said his proposal is “based on a tried and true program…that has withstood the test of time.” Because of the federal government’s negotiating powers, the premiums in the federal employees’ plan went up an average of only 1.8 percent this year, he said. “The reality is,” Langevin said of health-care reform, “we can’t wait another day. … I truly believe the time has come.” -- Journal staff writer Felice Freyer Posted by Jack Perry CommentsConcerned Citizen | February 11, 2008 2:32 PM link Another tax with another federal agency? "I'm from the government and I'm here to help you" Doubter | February 11, 2008 4:53 PM link TO THE FEB 11, 2008 2:32 pm. post. Do you really believe that Hospitals should have the right to turn people away at the door becuase they are without money. A better question, when they drop dead at the hospitals door step what govermental agency would we call to come sweep them away? Never mind, silly me, we will call the local animal control. I bet if you get to know the AC officer's and slip them a sawbuck I bet they would be willing to gather the near-dead stray-people begging for help and put them down. Now that I have given your Corporate Hospital idea more thought I can see how the "pay to exist" model has its' benefits. I want to be the guy who pushes the local body cart, rings a bell and shouts "BRING OUT YOUR DEAD". If the cadaver has any gold teeth the service is free. ARE YOU ALRIGHT? Price of living just went up | February 12, 2008 7:02 AM link Post a commentPlease be civil. Vicious comments, personal attacks and profanity won't be published. Name and email are required; email address will not publish. |
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ProJo 9 to 5 News Blog
Oct 2005 - March 2006
This proposal is yet another feel good measure which fails to address the root causes of high health care costs.
Healthcare is a heavily regulated industry. Providers (both hospitals and physicians) are unable to run their businesses as the businesses that they really are; no other businesses are required to continue to serving their customers when those customers can't pay the bill. Try eating at any restaurant, or shopping at your favorite store, and walking out after paying a small percentage of your bill.
Single payer healthcare financing systems inevitably lead to overt rationing. Just ask the Canadians or the Brits.