Healthy Americans Act

As the health insurance crisis in America begins to pick up steam, this proposal from the end of last year offers some market driven options for those that are insured and those that are not insured.

The plan, known as the Healthy Americans Act:

-- guarantees private health care coverage that cannot be taken away for all Americans;
-- provides benefits for all Americans equal to those of Members of Congress;
-- provides incentives for individuals and insurers to focus on prevention, wellness and disease management;
-- provides tough cost containment and saves $1.48 trillion over 10 years; and
-- is fully paid for by spending the $2.2 trillion currently spent on health care in America.

Under The Healthy Americans Act individuals will choose from a variety of plans offered in their state providing coverage similar to what is currently available to Members of Congress. State-based Health Help Agencies (HHAs) will guide individuals through the enrollment process. HHAs will provide unbiased information about the state’s competing private health plans that will in turn empower individuals—rather than their employers—to choose the best private plans for them and their families. HHAs also will connect individuals and families with sliding scale premium reduction to ensure everyone can afford care. Most individuals and families will qualify for health care tax deductions.

Also under the Healthy Americans Act, subscribers will not be charged co-pays for preventive services or chronic disease management. Insurers will be able to offer discounts and other incentives based on participation in wellness programs such as nutrition counseling, tobacco cessation and exercise. Primary care physicians will be reimbursed for investing time in chronic disease management and prevention. And with Health Help Agencies publishing consumer-oriented information on every plan’s success in prevention and disease management, insurance companies will ultimately be competing to keep Americans healthy.

For those who already have existing health problems, occupation, gender, genetic information and age will no longer be allowed to impact your eligibility or the price you pay for insurance.