A comparison of a state single payer proposal, HR 3200, and the government-regulated private insuran

[eridani]

Oddly enough, the tightly regulated private insurance of the Netherlands is much more like US single payer proposals than like HR 3200. My only hope for the latter is the ERISA waiver which would allow states to establish single payer.

Type of insurance
3200—private insurance with public option available in 2013
WHST—public insurance, with private supplementation for things not covered by WHST allowed
Netherlands—government regulated private insurance, except for chronically ill and long term care

Monthly charge
3200--$416 for basic plan; subsidies for incomes up to 4 x poverty level
WHST--$75 per adult; subsidies available
Netherlands--100 euros per adult; subsidies available

Coverage
3200—drugs, providers, hospitalization, mental health, maternity, dental and vision for under 21
WHST—all of above plus long term care, and dental and vision for adults
Netherlands—dental not included. Chronic and long term illness care paid for by government

Benefit levels
3200—4 benefit levels above basic in the public option
WHST—only 1 comprehensive level; extras available from private insurance
Netherlands—only 1 comprehensive level; extras also available

Recission
3200—allowed for cases of fraud; reviewed by government board
WHST—not allowed at all
Netherlands—not allowed at all

Allowed rating differentials
3200—eliminates pre-existing conditions, but allows charging twice as much for older people
WHST—no differences in premiums for any condition, including age
Netherlands— no differences in premiums for any condition, including age

Preferred provider lists
3200—allowed, meaning that insurers still pick your doctors. Doctors will not be required to see people enrolled in the public option.
WHST—free choice of any qualified practitioner or hospital
Netherlands— free choice of any qualified practitioner or hospital

Copays
3200—basic benefits cover 70% of health care expenses, with more expensive plans paying a higher percentage. The rest is paid by the individual
WHST—small co-pays for drugs and emergency care, levels TBD
Netherlands— no co-pays or deductibles allowed

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:h3200: HR 3200
http://www.healthcareforallwa.org/health-security-trust/: WA State single payer proposal
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_care_in_the_Netherlands Insurance in the Netherlands

[eridani]

1. No comment?

There are no proposals to regulate private insurance the way the Netherlands does. Given that what they charge for coverage is only slightly higher than what single payer plans here would charge, the issue is not really public vs private. It is whether or not Obama and Congress have the will to tell insurers that they will no longer be allowed to bankrupt and kill people for profit. Doesn't look like it so far.

[ColesCountyDem]

2. Not yet. Trying to digest the articles beforehand. n/t