Health Care bill Shockingly similar to 1993 Republican bill cosponsored by Ted Stevens!

[happy_liberal]

Are Democrats the new Republicans?

In November, 1993, Sen. John Chafee, R-R.I., introduced what was considered to be one of the main Republican health overhaul proposals: "A bill to provide comprehensive reform of the health care system of the United States."

Titled the "Health Equity and Access Reform Today Act of 1993," it had 21 co-sponsors, including two Democrats (Sens. Boren and Kerrey). The bill, which was not debated or voted upon, was an alternative to President Bill Clinton's plan. It bears similarity to the Democratic bill passed by the Senate Dec. 24, 2009, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

Here is a summary of the 1993 bill:

Title I: Basic Reforms to Expand Access to Health Insurance Coverage and to Ensure Universal Coverage – Subtitle A: Universal Access – Provides access to health insurance coverage under a qualified health plan for every citizen and lawful permanent resident of the United States.

(Sec. 1003) Establishes a program under which persons with low incomes (and who are not eligible for Medicaid) will receive vouchers to buy insurance through purchasing groups.

(Sec. 1004) Requires each employer to make available, either directly, through a purchasing group, or otherwise, enrollment in a qualified health plan to each eligible employee.

Subtitle B: Qualified General Access Plan in the Small Employer and Individual Marketplace- Requires the National Association of Insurance Commissioners to develop specific standards to implement requirements concerning: (1) guaranteed eligibility, availability, and renewability of health insurance coverage; (2) nondiscrimination based on health status; (3) benefits offered; (4) insurer financial solvency; (5) enrollment process; (6) premium rating limitations; (7) risk adjustment; and (8) consumer protection.

(Sec. 1119) Requires each qualified general access plan to: (1) establish and maintain a quality assurance program and a mediation procedures program; and (2) contain assurances of service to designated underserved areas.

(Sec. 1141) Provides for the formation of purchasing groups by individuals and small employers.

(Sec. 1161) Requires brokers or insurers to provide specified information to prospective enrollees.

(Sec. 1162) Prohibits insurers from creating improper financial incentives and from selling duplicate coverage.

http://www.kaiserhealthnews.org/Stories/2010/February/23/GOP-1993-health-reform-bill.aspx


What is interesting is that the Republicans are bashing this health care plan, but this is what they offered last time. No wonder they have no new ideas this time around, that was their idea.

[daa]

1. What is more interesting is that

the Dems think this is the greatest thing since sliced bread. The harder they sell the less people like it. 65% of the over 65 crowd thinks they Medicare got cut (it did) and they vote.

[progressoid]

8. But we won!

It was all over the news.


:banghead:

[WeDidIt]

12. It is the greatest thing since sliced bread

The foot is in the door now, just like the foot got in the door with social Security and Medicare.

[YOY]

2. What a point...and a day late a dollar short.

Are Democrats the new Republicans? If by "new" you mean doing their job of fiscal conservatism for them for since mother fucking Reagan (30 years ago)...sure. Any real left wingers get called crazy and extreme by people who think insults are a form of debate.

And for fucks sake it's basically Romney Care. It's a conservative solution to a real problem as opposed to single payer (progressive), public option (moderate), or nothing at all (Party of No).

Who gives a shit about Stevens?

[laughingliberal]

13. +1000 "doing their job of fiscal conservatism for them since mother fucking Reagan"

Indeed.

[HughMoran]

3. Yeah, we went over this back when this was first published - back in February

SSDD

[luckyleftyme2]

4. whats new

did you ever meet a republican that didn't know everything,have everything ,invent everything;take credit for all then try to stiff you for the bill?
I don't think there is any other kind!
roflmao at this feeble attempt to corrupt!

[Nite Owl]

5. What's interesting is that

the dems passed it and are promoting this plan as a real solution.

[Hippo_Tron]

6. Ted Stevens didn't even support his own health care bill back in 1993

The idea was then, just as it is now, to defeat the President at all costs. Bob Dole made it seem like he was fully on board with health care reform in order to make the Clinton Administration overconfident. He then changed his position after Clinton made his promise to veto any bill that doesn't cover anyone. This was nothing more than a bait and switch by the GOP.

[progressoid]

7. A lot of us have been pointing this out for months.

Apparently most people (Dems and Repubs) either don't want to hear it or just don't get it.

[Blue_In_AK]

9. The real irony of this is

that Alaska's governor Sean Parnell (SP v.2.0) has joined in the states' lawsuit against the health care bill, even though, of course, back in 1993 when he was in the state legislature Parnell was a Stevens supporter, and he was a Romney supporter in the 2008 Republican primary. All that flip-flopping must give these guys whiplash.

http://shannynmoore.wordpress.com/2010/04/20/alaska-governor-sean-parnell-and-ag-dan-sullivan-to-announce-plans-to-sue-feds-over-healthcare/

[happy_liberal]

14. I know I'm confused

These conservatives are so against paying taxes, yet Alaska being flush with cash just passed a 3 billion budget, one billion of which comes from federal taxes. The Conservative legislature is wasting money left and right on ridiculous building projects, who gets the big money contracts...Republicans with construction companies. The House leader making all the decisions about money spent, made his money(and presumably took office) by landing huge contracts for his construction company. Hypocrites, one and all!

[kenny blankenship]

10. You must have faith even so. One day, one day, we will elect a Democrat to the White House

who will be as liberal as Richard Nixon. But until that day comes, you simply must have faith and continue voting for Democrats no matter what.

[HughMoran]

11. that was uncalled for

:hi:

[amborin]

15. and costs way over predictions....

[glitch]

16. They aren't the only ones with no new ideas. nt