Could GOP Governors Be The Key To A Future Single Payer System?

[Schema Thing]

8. No, not really. The "exchanges" are not much of a step towards single payer

Last edited Sat Jun 30, 2012, 09:47 AM - Edit history (1)

The State exchanges should operate virtually exactly like the federal exchange. The Feds will be state based even if they are the ones implementing it in your state.

There are some things in the law that essentially lead to single payer though.

Remember, it doesn't do any good to get so hung up on the words "single payer" that you miss the point of progress. A State, by itself, could have single payer. There could be 50 single payer systems in the country. In scale, this would not be that different from Canada.

Here are some provisions that move us (or can move us, if states take the lead in some cases) in the right direction:
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Health Care Choice Compacts _ Permits states to form health care choice compacts and allows insurers to sell policies in any state participating in the compact.Implementation: January 1, 2016

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Basic Health Plan _ Permits states the option to create a Basic Health Plan for uninsured individuals with incomes between 133-200% FPL who would otherwise be eligible to receive premium subsidies in the Exchange.Implementation: January 1, 2014Implementation update: On September 14, 2011, CMS issued a request for information regarding state flexibility to establish Basic Health Plan.

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Multi-State Health Plans _ Requires the Office of Personnel Management to contract with insurers to offer at least two multi-state plans in each Exchange. At least one plan must be offered by a non-profit entity and at least one plan must not provide coverage for abortions beyond those permitted by federal law.Implementation: January 1, 2014

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And mostly, if these are done right:

CO-OP Health Insurance Plans _ Creates the Consumer Operated and Oriented Plan (CO-OP) to foster the creation of non-profit, member-run health insurance companies.Implementation: CO-OPs established by July 1, 2013Implementation update: On March 14, 2011, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a report on the Consumer Operated and Oriented Plan Program. The report included recommendations by the CO-OP Advisory Board on governance, finance, infrastructure, and compliance. On July 18, 2011, HHS published a proposed rule that would implement the CO-OP program. On December 13, 2011, HHS issued a final rule. On February 21, 2012, HHS announced that "seven non-profits offering coverage in eight states have been awarded $638,677,300."