Our Vision for Health Reform GALEN GUIDE No. 7
FALL 2012
The American people are frightened and confused by the 2,700-page federal health law that overhauls one-sixth of our economy, threatens our constitutional rights, and explodes government spending. While there are serious problems in our health sector that must be addressed, conservatives shouldn’t write their own 2,700-page bill. Instead, we need a step-by-step approach to reform that respects consumers, markets, and limited government. Consumers want secure coverage, more health insurance choices, and robust competition to lower costs and improve quality. Policymakers must get the incentives right so that power and control over health care decisions rest with doctors and patients, not with politicians and bureaucrats.
Ten steps to reform 1
Equal tax benefits whether you purchase coverage on your own or through an employer so insurance can be portable
2
Secure guaranteed renewal of health insurance so people who have health insurance can keep it
3
Targeted subsidies to help the uninsured purchase private health insurance
4
Incentives to states to opening health insurance markets to greater competition
5
Greater flexibility in health benefits so consumers, not regulators, decide what health plans cover and not be forced into government benefit standards
6
States, not Washington, decide how to facilitate the purchase of health insurance for individuals and small groups
Our Vision for Health Reform
7
Assistance to the states to create or improve high-risk health insurance pools that allow people with pre-existing conditions to purchase and keep health insurance
8
State-based reform of the medical malpractice litigation process
9
Giving states much more flexibility with Medicaid so they can get the best value for taxpayer dollars and give recipients a choice of private insurance
10
Medicare modernization that provides more choices for seniors through premium support that can be adjusted and targeted based on age, financial well-being, health status, and similar considerations
The Bottom Line Health insurance and health care are too expensive, and states and the federal government need to untangle the red tape to allow competition and consumer choice to thrive. There is a role for government: If you have health insurance, you should be able to keep it. If you can’t afford health insurance, you will get help with premiums. But you, not government bureaucrats, should be able to choose what you want. There is a world of complexity behind these policy initiatives, but it’s important to start with the right vision and to align incentives so doctors and patients can be in charge of medical decisions.
Galen Institute is a not-for-profit public policy research organization devoted to promoting an informed debate over free-market ideas to health care reform. Request additional Galen Guides by emailing galen@galen.org and access our research online at www.galen.org.