PART 4- NEW HEALTH CARE + POTPOURRI

This is the last segment of the timetable for various actions that the Health Care Reform Act mandates. Again I have some comments in brackets.

After 2015

Continuing Innovation and Lower Health Costs. Establishes an Independent Payment Advisory Board to develop and submit proposals to Congress and the private sector aimed at extending the solvency of Medicare, lowering health care costs, improving health outcomes for patients, promoting quality and efficiency, and expanding access to evidence-based care. (Another agency, more federal employees)

Paying Physicians Based on Value Not Volume. Creates a physician value-based payment program to promote increased quality of care for Medicare beneficiaries. (This was a favorite tactic of the HMOs in order to penalize those physicians who gave more extensive care than the bean counters of the insurance companies calculated. Their criteria was not patient benefit or outcome but how the doc hewed to the so called book standards the companies used.)

2018

Excise Tax on High Cost Employer-Provided Health Plans Becomes Effective. Tax is on the cost of coverage in excess of $27,500 (family coverage) and $10,200 (single coverage), increased to $30,950 (family) and $11,850 (single) for retirees and employees in high risk professions. The dollar thresholds are indexed with inflation, and employers with higher costs on account of the age or gender demographics of their employees may value their coverage using the age and gender demographics of a national risk pool. (do you understand this?)

Thus ends the timetable for introduction of various elements of the new law. I have doubts that the cost estimates used to justify the Act are accurate and therefore there will be an increase burden on the public either by taxes, increased insurance premiums, passed through consumer costs or a combination of any or all of them.

I also have a great fear that the quality not quantity of health care will be compromised a factor that I have previously addressed.

Nowhere is the question of delivery and cost of health care for the "illegals" answered. The hospitals still by law must supply such care and will they be adequately if at all reimbursed?

The Potpourri:

One of the resolutions on the Council's working agenda is the paving of a section of Watchung Ave..This section is probably one of the least damaged streets except for the utilities poor patching. Apparently the worst section from Woodland to Leland will be left to continue damaging cars. It doesn't make sense to me. And why are the utilities allowed to not restore pavement to prime condition?