Nancy Pelosi Health Care package: $894 billion price tag
October 30, 2009
On Thursday, Nancy Pelosi unveiled an $894 billion health care package that is similar in size and scope to a bill being developed in the Senate. The House bill, called "The Affordable Health Care for America Act." The purpose of the bill is stated "To provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and to reduce the growth in health care spending, and for other purposes."
The 1900 page document includes:
- Employer-sponsored coverage must include hospitalization, outpatient and emergency services, office visits, in-home physician visits, prescription drugs, rehab services, mental health & substance abuse services, preventive care, maternity care, child dental-hearing-vision-well baby checkups, prosthetics and orthotic supplies, no cost-sharing for preventive services and well-child care. (p. 104-107)
- The government will conduct studies of self-insurers, including looking at the "financial solvency and capital reserve levels of employers that self-insure by employer size." (p. 98)
- A civil penalty of $100 per day against any employer who fails to satisfy health-care coverage requirements for any employee for each day the failure occurred to the date the failure is rectified (p. 284)
- A requirement for the Secretary to create record-keeping requirements by employers, not only for their employees, but to account for any individuals the employer has engaged for the performance of labor or services, for consideration of health-care coverage compliance by the employer. (p. 281-282)
- A $10,000 per day penalty for providers that fail to disclose to the Secretary information about physician’s ownership or investment interest in ownership of a hospital or medical service entity. (p. 483-485)
- Under the Enhanced penalties for fraud and abuse section, include upping the penalty to a $50,000 fine (per act) for "each false statement, omission, or misrepresentation of a material fact" in any application, agreement, bid, or contract to participate or enroll as a provider of services or supplier under a Federal health care program including managed care organizations under Medicare Advantage, prescription drug plan, or managed care organization. (p. 946-948)
- Restaurants, or similar retail food establishments, will be required to post a nutrient content disclosure statement adjacent to the name of standard menu items. The statement must be clearly associated with the standard menu item, on the menu board, including a drive-through menu board, the number of calories contained in the standard menu item, as usually prepared and offered for sale. In addition, the business must post a suggested daily caloric intake, as specified by the government, and post that prominently on the menu board. (p. 1511-1512)
- Employment-based health insurance plans that do not contain all the required elements of the new coverage plan won’t be considered as acceptable coverage. (p. 92-93)
- Requires an option to extend dependent coverage for uninsured "young adults." Dependent child is defined as under 27 years of age. (p. 102)
- Allowing the option for public funding for abortions. (p.110-111)
Click here for details of the proposed bill: http://docs.house.gov/rules/health/111_ahcaa.pdf (1,990 pages, PDF)
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