Fwd: Replace

From: larry.r.trout
Here is the best plan I have seen to Replace Obamacare:

http://www.nationalaffairs.com/publications/detail/how-to-replace-obamacare

Here is Romney's replacement plan:

On his first day in office, Mitt Romney will issue an executive order that paves the way for the federal government to issue Obamacare waivers to all fifty states. He will then work with Congress to repeal the full legislation as quickly as possible.

In place of Obamacare, Mitt will pursue policies that give each state the power to craft a health care reform plan that is best for its own citizens. The federal government's role will be to help markets work by creating a level playing field for competition.

Restore State Leadership and Flexibility

Mitt will begin by returning states to their proper place in charge of regulating local insurance markets and caring for the poor, uninsured, and chronically ill. States will have both the incentive and the flexibility to experiment, learn from one another, and craft the approaches best suited to their own citizens.

    Block grant Medicaid and other payments to states

    Limit federal standards and requirements on both private insurance and Medicaid coverage

    Ensure flexibility to help the uninsured, including public-private partnerships, exchanges, and subsidies

    Ensure flexibility to help the chronically ill, including high-risk pools, reinsurance, and risk adjustment

    Offer innovation grants to explore non-litigation alternatives to dispute resolution

Promote Free Markets and Fair Competition

Competition drives improvements in efficiency and effectiveness, offering consumers higher quality goods and services at lower cost.  It can have the same effect in the health care system, if given the chance to work.

    Cap non-economic damages in medical malpractice lawsuits

    Empower individuals and small businesses to form purchasing pools

    Prevent discrimination against individuals with pre-existing conditions who maintain continuous coverage

    Facilitate IT interoperability

Empower Consumer Choice

For markets to work, consumers must have the information and the power to make decisions about their own care.  Placing the patient at the center of the process will drive quality up and cost down while ensuring that services are designed to provide what Americans actually want.

    End tax discrimination against the individual purchase of insurance

    Allow consumers to purchase insurance across state lines

    Unshackle HSAs by allowing funds to be used for insurance premiums

    Promote "co-insurance" products

    Promote alternatives to "fee for service"

    Encourage "Consumer Reports"-type ratings of alternative insurance plans

http://www.mittromney.com/issues/health-care