Today on Healthcare IT News, there is a great article on Donald Trump’s Healthcare Plan posted by Bill Siwicki. The article states that if he is elected president, he would immediately replace “Obamacare.”
“Since March of 2010, the American people have had to suffer under the incredible economic burden of the Affordable Care Act – Obamacare,” the Trump campaign writes in the positions section of its web site. “This legislation, passed by totally partisan votes in the House and Senate and signed into law by the most divisive and partisan president in American history, has tragically but predictably resulted in runaway costs, web sites that don’t work, greater rationing of care, higher premiums, less competition and fewer choices.”
Many healthcare industry analysts would challenge these claims, claims forwarded by most Republicans who have been virulently opposed to one of President Obama’s signature achievements.
“The damage done by the Democrats and President Obama, and abetted by the Supreme Court, will be difficult to repair unless the next president and a Republican Congress lead the effort to bring much-needed free market reforms to the healthcare industry,” the Trump campaign writes.
To begin with, Trump promises to ask Congress to repeal Obamacare on Day One of a Trump presidency. And then he promises to work with Congress to ensure there are a series of reforms ready for implementation that follow “free market principles.”
According to today’s announcement by the Trump campaign, elected representatives in the U.S. House and U.S. Senate must:
Completely repeal Obamacare and eliminate the individual mandate for healthcare insurance. “No person should be required to buy insurance unless he or she wants to,” the campaign writes.
Modify existing law that inhibits the sale of health insurance across state lines. “Any vendor ought to be able to offer insurance in any state,” the campaign writes. “By allowing full competition in this market, insurance costs will go down and consumer satisfaction will go up.”
Allow individuals to fully deduct health insurance premium payments from their tax returns. “As we allow the free market to provide insurance coverage opportunities to companies and individuals, we must also make sure that no one slips through the cracks simply because they cannot afford insurance,” the Trump campaign writes. “We must review basic options for Medicaid and work with states to ensure that those who want healthcare coverage can have it.”
Allow individuals to use health savings accounts. “Contributions into HSAs should be tax-free and should be allowed to accumulate, and these accounts would become part of the estate of the individual and could be passed on to heirs without fear of any death penalty,” the campaign writes.
Require price transparency from all healthcare providers, especially doctors and healthcare organizations like clinics and hospitals. “Individuals should be able to shop to find the best prices for procedures, exams or any other medical-related procedure,” the campaign writes.
Block-grant Medicaid to the states. “Nearly every state already offers benefits beyond what is required in the current Medicaid structure – the state governments know their people best and can manage the administration of Medicaid far better without federal overhead,” the campaign writes.
Remove barriers to entry into free markets for drug providers that offer safe, reliable and cheaper products.
The Trump campaign contends that these reforms will lower healthcare costs for all Americans and are simply a place to start.
“There are other reforms that might be considered if they serve to lower costs, remove uncertainty and provide financial security for all Americans,” the Trump campaign writes. “And we must also take actions in other policy areas to lower healthcare costs and burdens. Enforcing immigration laws, eliminating fraud and waste, and energizing our economy will relieve the economic pressures felt by every American.”
The Trump campaign goes on to say that enforcing immigration laws to prevent illegal immigrants from receiving healthcare would save money, installing programs that grow the economy and bring capital and jobs back to America would reduce the number of individuals needing access to programs like Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and reforming mental health programs and institutions in this country would hold promise for better healthcare.
Twitter: @SiwickiHealthIT
