Health Reform: Public Plan Options

lfields — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 16:48:00 GMT

A key piece of the health reform debate in Congress will focus on how to provide health insurance to the un- and under-insured. Senate Democrats propose to establish what amounts to an insurance exchange where those with no coverage -- or those who do not like the coverage they have -- could shop for plans that meet federal standards.

As presently proposed, these qualified health plans would pay for physicians' services at a rate capped at Medicare's payment rate plus 10 percent. Physicians would be required to accept the qualified public insurance. If they do not accept the public plan, they would not be allowed to bill Medicare.

Should Congress create a public plan that is tied to Medicare rates and requires physicians to accept it or else no longer be able to bill Medicare? What do you think?

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Health Reform: Public Plan Options