Were you able to read through the task force report proposed June 22, 2016 (http://abetterway.speaker.gov/?page=health-care). After highlighting what is important to you, what questions for you came up with each section? There are seven sections to the report: High-Quality Health Care for All, Obamacare Has Not Worked, More Choices, Lower Costs, Greater Flexibility, Protecting and Strengthening Coverage Options for All Americans, Medicaid Reform: Empowering States and Increasing Flexibility, Promoting Innovation in Health Care, and Protecting and Preserving Medicare.
In the previous article, I included some questions for sections 1-3. And since the report reflects taking a step-by-step approach, instead of one big legislative bill, we possibly have some time to give our input in the months ahead. I wouldn’t wait although as they say they are now “. . . taking these ideas to the country, so we can give the people a clear choice . . . .” Here’s your chance to engage in the process before anything becomes law. Before it’s too late, want to become part of the solution for the 21st century healthcare practice and patient?
My questions for the first three sections were as follows:
- With a “wholly integrated system” and the 21st Century Cures Act, how are you going to specifically promote better choices, flexibility, and innovation while protecting our nation’s most vulnerable?
- If you are going to repeal Obamacare, how are you going to specifically preserve the good parts, such as precondition protection, coverage on dependents, and others
- With the eight recommendations listed and the “ . . . imperative to move in an entirely new direction that reflects a 21st century approach to health care . . .”, how will you not just make insurance plans more available and cost effective for families and employees but also have insurance companies provide more comprehensive coverage for preventative, wellness, and integrative programs and therapeutics (the word “integrative” in the question does not refer to “the system” but to the type of healthcare via integrative/functional medicine practices)?
Do any of your questions match mine? Let’s go to the next four sections. Read those sections one more time before writing down your questions.
- Protecting and Strengthening Coverage Options for All Americans
QUESTION: Since you say that “commonsense protections must be in place to ensure Americans are treated fairly by insurance companies”, how are you going to specifically ensure your recommendations stand firm (Pre-existing Condition Protections, State Innovation Grants, Practical Reforms, High-Risk Pools, Coverage Protections, Open Enrollment Period, Continuous Coverage Protections, Protecting Life and Conscious Rights, Fair Premium)? - Medicaid Reform: Empowering States and Increasing Flexibility
QUESTION: Historically, Medicaid eligibility was largely limited to low-income children, pregnant women, parents of dependent children, elderly individuals, and individuals with disabilities. However, Obamacare included a Medicaid expansion that allowed states to expand Medicaid eligibility to people under the age of 65 with income up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level. Based on reforming this expansion eligibility, how are you going to make sure those who are above poverty level and no longer eligible for Medicaid will have access to affordable insurance that meets their needs? - Promoting Innovation in Health Care
QUESTION: What kind of innovations are you specifically referring to beside drug and devices development for cutting edge cures? How are you engaging the integrative medicine and function medicine practices and providers in the dialogue, legislation, and implementation process? - Protecting and Preserving Medicare
QUESTION: Based on the many repeals, reforms, and recommendations being implemented over an appropriate 10 years time period, how are you going to monitor and access success or failure of so many moving parts? How are you going to stay in touch with patients and providers to access outcomes from their perspectives?
If you were sitting in front of your congressional representative, what questions would you ask him or her about this report and plan? I am sure as you read through the report it all seems so overwhelming. I understand. Yet, no matter how complicated it looks like, each of us need to step up to the challenge. Let’s keep them accountable to their words and actions so none of us will fall through the healthcare reform cracks. Let’s also be a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves, whether they are physically or financially unable to. Are you stepping up?