Great, I can purchase health insurance from any company in the 50 states. Question, can the health insurance companies in those 50 states still turn me down for health insurance coverage because of weight and age? Do I still have to be careful because they will refuse to cover pre-existing conditions? Do I have to get authorization before I can enter an emergency room after an automobile accident or as a result of an heart attack like I do now? Does it reduce any of the premiums, copays, deductibles or limit the annual increases in those amounts? Great bill Senator Demint. Go back and try again. It doesn't fix any of the problems the people have with the current system.
>> Nuhn in Virginia Monday, June 22, 2009 5:12 PM

Nuhn in Virginia - Demints bill isn't meant to fix anything. Repugs need a bill to counter Obama so they can claim an alternate plan. But that plan is more of the same failed system where insurance companies reap huge profits while denying claims and refusing to insure people with preexisting conditions - and there are hundreds of them. Demints agenda is not an alternative plan, but rather, PR intended to recapture support for the republican party after stinging defeats and a clear rebuke by voters.
>> Accuracyit Monday, June 22, 2009 8:09 PM

This is a good start. People who have made poor lifestyle choices now want those of us who work at health to be their nanny. I suggest that it would be far cheaper for the government to set up a series of hospitals (like the VA has)in each region to take care of those in your predicament. Oh, that wouldn't be good enough for you. What a surprise, but it is good enough for Veteran's.
>> Shaols Tuesday, June 23, 2009 9:17 AM

At the problem with the current system is that it is statutorily enforced moral hazard. Some of us down here on planet earth would like people to make reasonable cost-benefit decisions about what amount and type of health care is worth it to them. But good luck with your alternative plan for magic, cost-free, unlimited insurance. While you're passing laws, how about one that mandates fire insurance that cover "pre-existing fire damage".
>> Constance Tuesday, June 23, 2009 3:30 PM

In NJ, healthcare is much more expensive and the choices of policies is less than any other state. NJ is way overregulated. The nanny politicians in NJ dictate to the insurance companies exactly what will be covered and what the minimum deductibles will be. This pushes up the rates for everyone in NJ. If you go to a national insurer and get quotes for different states you will see the huge disparity between states caused by over regulation. This bill will help that.
>> Jay Tuesday, June 23, 2009 6:06 PM

This sounds like an American solution. We get the Tarp money back from the banks to help pay for healthcare. The tort reform for lawyers will cut costs because doctors costs will go down as will expensive lawsuits that drive prices up. Being able to buy policies across State lines will dramatically reduce costs by opening up competition. The free market will reduce these problems explained above with exclusions and prices. I also like that we aren't paying for ILLEGAL ALIENS! Their kids are already paid for, their kids school is already paid for,and they are here illegally. The $5K credit is enought to buy a basic policy for a family which includes hospitalizations/emergency/catastrophic coverage and well checks.
>> Tracey Wednesday, June 24, 2009 9:40 AM

Finally a common sense plan. Let's not forget 70% of Americans are happy with their healthcare! Out of the 40 million people in America not covered, over 12 million are Illegal immigrants that shouldn't be here--are taking our jobs; overcrowding our schools; not paying taxes since they are illegally here; their kids are already eligible for coverage under existing state programs-- This plan will open competition which will allow capitalism to work and reduce costs. A policy to reduce uninsured catastrophic coverage which drains the econonomy is what we should be considering--not every need being covered. Citizens need to have skin in the game and pay part of their own coverage.
>> Carl Wednesday, June 24, 2009 9:50 AM

Nuhn and Accuracyit. Go back and reread. It clearly states yes you can buy insurance from any company in any state. It also says money will be block-granted to states to provide viable options for those with pre-existing conditions. Most of this will be provided with direct tax breaks to the Americans that are in need instead of massive tax hikes to all Americans. The Republicans have been talking about this sort of plan for awhile. Seems like a better,easier first step option to try before Obama ruins our system by undercutting all the contributers. Remember, we have the latest and the greatest treatments here in the US because it's profitable.
>> Amy Wednesday, June 24, 2009 11:12 AM

"Republicans have been talking about this sort of plan" Actually it was originally the Libertarians who came up with this plan while the Republicans were busy expanding medicare. Government intervention in health care has expanded more under Bush than any recent Democrat president. Obama intends to ruin the state of health care in the United States. Government healthcare destroys any incentives for developing new cures and treatments.
>> Jay Wednesday, June 24, 2009 12:04 PM

Does anyone know where I can read this The Health Care Freedom Act proposal? This is just what might be needed to counter what the libs are trying to ram down America's throat.
>> Ted Thursday, August 27, 2009 2:14 PM