This week is the second funnel week of the 2010 session. The funnel is the self-imposed deadline for bills to make it out of their respective committees of both the House and Senate, or they are no longer eligible to be addressed in this year's session. Those that do survive the funnel are then eligible for full floor debate. Many bills are now eligible to be debated and I'll try to keep you up-to-date on the ones that are controversial.
With all the talk at the federal level about health insurance and health care reform, here are some ideas I have been pushing.
Low-cost catastrophic health plans for those under 30. There are about 106,000 Iowans in this age group who do not have health insurance and account for roughly half of all the uninsured in the entire state. Low cost catastrophic insurance products could provide base care for younger Iowans.
The Patients Right to Know Act. Cost and quality transparencies will empower consumers to make better health care decisions in a way that maximizes quality while minimizing cost.
Prevention credits: putting a premium on wellness. Offer prevention credits to individuals and employers that could be used to reduce health insurance rates for those individuals and employers that demonstrate a commitment to wellness and prevention.
Tort and lawsuit abuse reform. Raise the burden of proof on medical malpractice claims and place reasonable limits on payment for damages.
Expand health insurance tax deductibility to individuals and small business. If it is good enough for Wall Street, it's good enough for Main Street.
No pre-existing exclusions when changing plans with the same insurance provider. You should be able to move from one plan to another plan offered by the same insurance company without penalty.
No unfunded federal mandates. You should not be forced to buy what you do not need.
Purchasing Across State Lines. Change federal law that currently prohibits this action.
These simple changes could dramatically save money for Iowans and provide even better care.
As always, I want to hear from you. My Senate number is (515) 281-3371 and my home number is (515) 432-7327 or write me at: State Capitol, Des Moines, IA 50319 or at my home address: 1313 Quill Avenue, Boone, IA 50036 or email me at jerry.behn@legis.state.ia.us.
With all the talk at the federal level about health insurance and health care reform, here are some ideas I have been pushing.
Low-cost catastrophic health plans for those under 30. There are about 106,000 Iowans in this age group who do not have health insurance and account for roughly half of all the uninsured in the entire state. Low cost catastrophic insurance products could provide base care for younger Iowans.
The Patients Right to Know Act. Cost and quality transparencies will empower consumers to make better health care decisions in a way that maximizes quality while minimizing cost.
Prevention credits: putting a premium on wellness. Offer prevention credits to individuals and employers that could be used to reduce health insurance rates for those individuals and employers that demonstrate a commitment to wellness and prevention.
Tort and lawsuit abuse reform. Raise the burden of proof on medical malpractice claims and place reasonable limits on payment for damages.
Expand health insurance tax deductibility to individuals and small business. If it is good enough for Wall Street, it's good enough for Main Street.
No pre-existing exclusions when changing plans with the same insurance provider. You should be able to move from one plan to another plan offered by the same insurance company without penalty.
No unfunded federal mandates. You should not be forced to buy what you do not need.
Purchasing Across State Lines. Change federal law that currently prohibits this action.
These simple changes could dramatically save money for Iowans and provide even better care.
As always, I want to hear from you. My Senate number is (515) 281-3371 and my home number is (515) 432-7327 or write me at: State Capitol, Des Moines, IA 50319 or at my home address: 1313 Quill Avenue, Boone, IA 50036 or email me at jerry.behn@legis.state.ia.us.
