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November 4, 2009
High-Risk Pools
The Republican healthcare reform plan pushes the idea of high-risk pools even though around 31 states already have high-risk pools..
The problem with the pools is that they're really awful. The premiums are "1.5 to 2 times higher" than a standard policy premium, and the deductibles are three-times more expensive. While these rates are more or less scaled based upon risk, the costs are prohibitively high.
It's worth noting that the House bill sets up temporary high-risk pools as an interim stop-gap until the exchanges are launched. However, those of you who followed this thread will know that the House bill caps premiums for the temporary pool at 125 percent of a standard premium (despite my crappy math skills, that's only 25% more than a standard premium, compared with nearly double in the current system). This will allow high-risk Americans to pay significantly less for health insurance than the current high-risk plans offer.
The key for the House bill, however, is to make sure that once it's set up the public option doesn't become the de facto high-risk pool.
Filed under: Healthcare || High-Risk Pools || Public Option || Republican Healthcare Plan
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Posted By Bob Cesca | November 4, 2009 11:36 AM
Comments
Is there language in the bill about not allowing private insurance to "dump" high risk cases into the PO? If not, that is what we need to focus on next, by calling/emailing/writing the White House and Congress......
Posted by: Irish Girl ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.bobcesca.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at November 4, 2009 2:18 PM
I'm glad I'm effed up enough to qualify for the public option! You know Medicare.
Total monthly premium including Medicare, my BC/BS supplement, and my Part D comes to under $300.00.
Ten days of hospitalization + home health care for about 6 weeks after my blind ass stepped off the edge of the porch and broke my leg to the point of near amputation: ZERO! (Maybe $100.00 for wound dressings!)
Then notice how many of those protesting are in the same boat I'm in! Stingy, selfish, bastards!
Posted by: kansasdem at November 4, 2009 10:55 PM
