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Forum Post: New Bill Provides a Public Option for All Americans (or will we remain sold out to insurance companies?)

Posted 11 years ago on March 10, 2013, 3:03 p.m. EST by TrevorMnemonic (5827)
This content is user submitted and not an official statement

http://grayson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/grayson-introduces-medicare-you-can-buy-into-act

Grayson Introduces ‘Medicare You Can Buy Into Act’

Bill Provides a Public Option for All Americans

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Congressman Alan Grayson (FL-09) has introduced his first piece of legislation in the 113th Congress, the Medicare You Can Buy Into Act (H.R. 500). The bill would allow any legal resident of the United States to buy into Medicare at cost.

At only four pages long, H.R. 500 is simple: allow Americans to enroll in Medicare, where they would be eligible for coverage under Parts A and B, as well as Part D’s prescription drug access. Because premiums would be equal to cost, the program would pay for itself.

“In many states, a few private insurance companies control the market, restricting consumer choice and driving up the cost of care. Although the Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act attempts to address this problem, more could be done,” Grayson explained. “Why should the insurance companies get all of the options, while we get none? The people deserve a choice. The people deserve a public option. Opening up the Medicare system increases competition and provides more options to consumers.”

Grayson introduced similar legislation in the 111th Congress, where it garnered the support of more than 80 Members of Congress.

Congressman Alan Grayson represents Florida’s 9th Congressional District, which includes Osceola County, as well as parts of Orange and Polk. He previously served as the U.S. Representative for Florida's 8th Congressional District in the 111th Congress.


The bought congress that has continually sold out to insurance co lobbyists will probably leave Grayson in the dust like they did repeatedly with Kucinich's proposals for a public option. But I can hope! Giving hundreds of billions to insurance companies with subsidies is not the answer to the health care problem. Money should be going directly to health care, not middle men that pocket around 30% for profit. That's why I support this bill.

8 Comments

8 Comments


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[-] 1 points by TrevorMnemonic (5827) 11 years ago

MSM silence on this. Did the lobbyists win?

Will this get passed over just like it did in 2010? Or when Kucinich proposed something similar in 2009?

[-] -1 points by peacehurricane (293) 11 years ago

Having no "Health Care" is the Grace of God! Why there is so much concern over not affording to go get the poking and prodding of pill swallowing until sure death can be only in the meat that produces colony within and this level of ill thinking. Though what more would one expect from eating dead flesh of face creatures, you are what you eat Choose Life!

[-] -2 points by TrevorMnemonic (5827) 11 years ago

Apparently you've never known anyone who survived a heart attack thanks to health care

Honestly I have no idea of what the hell you're talking about.

[-] 1 points by peacehurricane (293) 11 years ago

Actually my Grandfather was the first patient in the State of Oregon to get double by-pass and lived over 40 years. What I am talking is eating right and not having to take one pill after another with no end. It used to be 10-14 day of medicine back for check-up and done deal with medication. I do not go to doctor and would rather pass on than be subjected to being stabbed etc. The doctors are not healing people and kill more peeps every year than the amount of people killed in Vietnam war. New tests are available to the effect of the people w/o health insurance with lower rate of illness/death.

[-] 2 points by TrevorMnemonic (5827) 11 years ago

Even people who eat right can get cancer. They can get in car accidents too.

I think you're going too extreme in regards to what you're talking about.

[-] -1 points by OTP (-203) from Tampa, FL 11 years ago

Does he have ballpark costs?

With the amount of pressure our society creates to fit in (despite all the individualism) and to make ourselves into superstars (check out facebook and the amount of self-picturing that goes on there- if I see one more puckered lips picture of someone I may tweek) then mental health should be something we are all involved in at some level.

I watched the movie "Little Children" with Kate Winslet last night. Incredible movie. Left me wondering why we all make our lives so complicated.

[-] -1 points by TrevorMnemonic (5827) 11 years ago

I'm looking into it more. His office is closed today. I emailed them and will try calling them tomorrow to find out more specific details.

[-] -2 points by TrevorMnemonic (5827) 11 years ago

Bill text

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c113:H.R.500:

H.R.500 -- Medicare You Can Buy Into Act (Introduced in House - IH)

HR 500 IH

113th CONGRESS 1st Session

H. R. 500 To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for an option for any citizen or permanent resident of the United States to buy into Medicare.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES February 5, 2013

Mr. GRAYSON introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means

A BILL To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for an option for any citizen or permanent resident of the United States to buy into Medicare.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the Public Option Act' or theMedicare You Can Buy Into Act'. SEC. 2. UNIVERSAL MEDICARE BUY-IN OPTION.

(a) In General- Part A of title XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395c et seq.) is amended-- (1) in section 1818(a) (42 U.S.C. 1395i-2(a)), by striking or 1818A' and inserting, 1818A, or 1818B'; and (2) by inserting after section 1818A the following new section: `UNIVERSAL BUY-IN

Sec. 1818B. (a) In General- (a) Every individual who--(1) is a resident of the United States; (2) is either (A) a citizen or national of the United States, or (B) an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence; and(3) is not otherwise entitled to benefits under this part or eligible to enroll under this part; shall be eligible to enroll in the insurance program established by this part. An individual may enroll under this section only in such manner and form as may be prescribed in regulations, and only during an enrollment period prescribed in or under this section. (b) Enrollment; Coverage- The Secretary shall establish enrollment periods and coverage under this section consistent with the principles for establishment of enrollment periods and coverage for individuals under section 1818, except that no entitlement to benefits under this part shall be effective before the first day of the first calendar year beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act.(c) Premiums- (1) IN GENERAL- The provisions of subsections (d)(1), (d)(2), and (d)(3) of section 1818 insofar as they apply to premiums (including collection of premiums) shall apply to premiums and collection of premiums under this section, except that--(A) paragraphs (4) and (5) of section 1818 shall not be applicable; and (B) the estimate of the monthly actuarial rate under section 1818(d) shall be computed and applied under this paragraph based upon costs incurred for individuals within each age cohort specified in paragraph (2) rather than for all individuals age 65 and older.(2) AGE COHORTS- The age cohorts specified in this paragraph are as follows: (A) Individuals under 19 years of age.(B) Individuals at least 19 years of age but not more than 25 years of age. (C) Individuals at least 26 years of age and not more than 35 years of age.(D) Individuals at least 36 years of age and not more than 45 years of age. (E) Individuals at least 46 years of age and not more than 55 years of age.(F) Individuals at least 56 years of age and not more than 64 years of age. `(d) Treatment- An individual enrolled under this part pursuant to this section shall not be treated as enrolled under this part (or any other part of this title) for purposes of obtaining medical assistance for medicare cost-sharing or otherwise under title XIX.'.