The future of health care reform: Earlier in the series, AHPI spotlighted three proposals that are likely to be pushed in Congress and/or serve as the basis for plans endorsed by future presidential nominees. These include proposals to: 1) replace the ACA with free market reforms, 2) create a single-payer system, and 3) create a public option under the ACA exchanges. Each proposal has different implications for employers, which are summarized in this final installment in the series.
Policymakers continue to offer reform proposals: On Tuesday, Sens. Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) reintroduced the Medicare-X Choice Act, which would create a government-run insurance plan available on the individual and small business exchanges.
Employers will evaluate health care reform proposals according to how they will impact their business processes, their financials, and their employees. They will judge a proposal by how it addresses concerns including rising costs, lack of price transparency, and the rise of non-traditional employment arrangements. The paper also shows how each proposal would affect policy issues, including the implementation of the Cadillac tax, the preservation of the tax treatment of health benefits, protection of ERISA preemption, and the liberalization of Health Savings Account rules and contribution limits.
Read Part I: "Employers and the U.S. Health Care System"
Read Part II: "The Health Care Reform Spectrum"
Read Part III: "Spotlight: Replace the ACA"
Read Part IV: "Spotlight: Medicare for All Act"
Read Part V: "Spotlight: Medicare Extra for All Proposal"
Read Part VI: "Implications for Employers"
To ensure employers’ interests are represented in the policy making process, HR Policy is engaged in discussions around the country with members to understand their views on the types of reform being discussed at the federal level.
