The Republican Study Committee has offered yet another Obamacare alternative in a long line of Obamacare alternatives Republicans have offered in the past two-three years. The gist of the latest alternative is this:
Title I – Repeal of Obamacare
Title II – Increasing Access to Portable, Affordable Health Insurance
- levels the playing field between those who receive insurance from an employer and those purchasing it in the individual market: replacesthose with qualifying health plan receive an SDHI of $7,500 (individuals) or $20,000 (families) which will apply to income and payroll taxes, and will increase at CPI-U
- 1) the current uncapped tax benefit for employer-sponsored health insurance
- 2) the self-employed tax deduction with an above-the-line standard deduction for health insurance (SDHI)
- full SDHI goes to the individual or family regardless of the cost of the policy bought—the SDHI above the cost goes right into the individual’s or family’s pocketbook
- expand access to and allowable expenses for health savings accounts (HSAs), increase the maximum allowable contribution into HSAs, and allow employers to offer a larger benefit for successful completion of a wellness program
Title III – Improving Access to Insurance for Vulnerable Americans
- expand federal support for state high risk pools to $25 billion over 10 years
- guarantees that individuals with pre-existing conditions can move between the large group, small group, and individual health insurance markets, so long as they maintain continuous coverage
Title IV – Encouraging a More Competitive Health Care Market
- allows Americans to purchase health insurance products across state lines
- permits small businesses to pool together to negotiate better rates
Title V – Reforming Medical Liability Law
- caps non-economic damages, and limits attorney fees
Title VI – Respecting Human Life
- prohibits federal funds authorized or appropriated by this act from covering abortion, except in the case of rape, incest, or when the life of the mother is jeopardized
- ensures that no state pro-life or conscience protection laws will be preempted
But this doesn’t exist; Democrats say Republicans have offered no alternatives.