If you thought “Big Brother” was just a figure head, think again. Tufts Medical Center received $88.5 million from the Federal Government to “try” an innovative idea that might just become the standard in the healthcare industry, should it work: Consumer controlled health insurance. This "model" will likely become the new standard for coverage. Doesn't sound so bad, does it? Empower the people to control their own health care and you have a win-win situation, right? Wrong. Here's why:
First, it must be funded by tax dollars (as if we're not already taxed enough). In the case of Tufts Medical Center's pilot program, we're the banker through government low interest loans. Why are we paying for it when the insurance industry is overwhelming wealthy? The Obama Administration knew that unless they “pony-up” some big support the health insurance companies wouldn’t be able to keep their end of the bargain to insure everyone. Thus they were promised practically free money in exchange for their compliance.
One pilot program says “yes” to a low interest loan paid for by you and me
According to a recent article by the Boston Globe, the Tufts Medical Center's pilot program is part of Obama’s solution to solve the healthcare crisis. However, even they’re saying “it could be a flop” and not work. The loan, which is offered at next to nothing interest, must be paid back in 15 years. But what if it fails? Does that mean $88.5 million buckaroos just went out the window?
In a nutshell, here’s what the government did to help fund the Tufts Medical Center health insurance plan:
*Awarded $88.5 million loan to create that state’s only member-owned health insurance plan, offering coverage in Eastern and Central Massachusetts, start January 2014
*The pilot program is focused on lowering premiums through barely complying with the Federal Government requirements
*Insurance products sold to individuals and small businesses through insurance brokers and the Massachusetts Health Connector
In addition, to underwriting the Massachusetts program, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has approved 20 “consumer operated and oriented” plans, as allowed under the Affordable Care Act to insurers not licensed before 2009.
“We don’t have anything on the market like this” in Massachusetts, said John ¬McDon¬ough, a Harvard health policy professor who had a hand in drafting the federal law. Depending on how it is implemented and received by consumers in the state, McDonough said, the program could become “a belly flop” or “a disruptive innovation worth watching.”
The whole idea of lowering insurance premiums runs on one cylinder: The over collected premium dollars go back into the plan to help lower premiums.
“Consumers who are members of this plan will ultimately participate and be in control of the governance long-term,” said Ellen Zane, former chief executive of Tufts Medical Center and chairwoman of the plan’s starting board.
But here’s the catch: Which hospitals, doctors and care facilities are onboard to participate? So far, it’s not looking so good. Only 17 doctors and hospitals have signed on to be included in the network of care providers. What that means is simply this: The less number of participants equals less access to “affordable healthcare insurance”.
The math is simple: If you take something away, you get less in the end.
The premise of the program rests on one theory: Doctors and hospitals must be willing to work for less compensation. In this case, less does not equal more. Healthcare providers, who are in business to make money, would never willing take less compensation in exchange for providing more accessible health care services. The math doesn’t add up and the outcome isn’t realistic.
Regardless of what you may think about what they (healthcare providers) charge, the Affordable Care Act is underwriting the insurance industry so that they’ll be able to meet the demand of including everybody, which is necessary to say the very least. However, why not just reveal to the public how the ACA is being funded? Politics. If Obama had not struck this agreement upfront, the health insurance companies would be screaming bloody murder!
And that, my friends, is why the insurance industry supported Obama-Care and the Affordable Care Act. Everybody knew that the insurance companies had to have a “win-win” in the end…..We just didn’t know it would be coming out of our own pockets.
Quick Tips for Wellness: The Affordable Care Act is the new banker for the Insurance Industry.
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Resource: http://bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/2012/09/01/hospital-providers-develop-state-only-member-owned-health-plan/xUDnDa9dhWutgvmQroWY9I/story.html
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