Public Policy: Health Insurance Reform

Ok another posting on public policy, specifically about reforming the health insurance industry.  I believe I have discussed this before on this blog but this will be more generalized ideas as opposed to specific language to be found in a piece of legislation.

Competition.  Citizens and legal residents can purchase health insurance from any provider in the state in which they live.  No state may disallow any health insurance provider from operating within it borders as long as they follow the statues of that state.  Anti-Trust protections for any health care companies would also be removed.

Consumer Choice:  No state or government entity may require a set level of health insurance coverage on any person or company.  Consumers can choose to participate in their employers insurance coverage plans or receive the employers contribution to health insurance as income, and taxed as such.  Consumers can cherry pick the type of coverage they want to receive from any health insurance provider, including employer provided health insurance.  Companies must show all the options to consumers when they start their policy with the company and the affect it has on their premiums.  Consumers can alter their coverage at any given time of their policy, as long as their premiums are paid (Exception: See Preexisting Condition).  Health insurance policies are valid for any hospital, clinic, or doctor within the United States or in another country.  A health care provider cannot discriminate based on the health insurance policy provider.  Health Insurance policy providers cannot discriminate where a policy holder receives health care.

Treatment:  All health care decisions will be made ONLY by doctors and patients.  Health insurance providers may not deny payment for specific treatments unless they are not covered in the health insurance policy. 

Costs Disclosure:  The costs of all treatment options must be disclosed to patients before treatment begins.  Included in this cost disclosure would be the amount covered by the insurance provider and by the patient.

Tax Exempt:  Any valid health care and/or medical costs would tax exempt through the U.S. Tax Code, including contributions to health care savings accounts. 

Dropping Coverage:  No health insurance provider may drop a patient as long as their premiums are current.  

Preexisting Conditions:  Health insurance providers must prove the policy holder knew of the preexisting condition before they can deny payment for said treatment.  The burden of proof is on the insurance provide to prove the preexisting condition was known to the patient.  A patient may not change their health insurance policy after discovering a condition not covered in their current insurance policy.


Comments.  Suggestions?  Did I miss anything?