HR 3400: That "Non-Existent" Republican Alternative

[Lew Waters]

Throughout August and September, we heard Democrats crying how Republicans have no alternative to their raping of the health care system of America. In a "Fact-Check" Card issued to officials and made avaiable to followers, the claim was made, Republicans "have refused to release a plan to the public."

Introduced on July 30, 2009, prior to recess, was HR 3400 - Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2009, introduced by Representative Tom Price R-GA

Co-Sponsors
Rep. Robert Aderholt [R, AL-4]
Rep. W. Akin [R, MO-2]
Rep. Rodney Alexander [R, LA-5]
Rep. Michele Bachmann [R, MN-6]
Rep. Spencer Bachus [R, AL-6]
Rep. James Barrett [R, SC-3]
Rep. Roscoe Bartlett [R, MD-6]
Rep. Marsha Blackburn [R, TN-7]
Rep. Henry Brown [R, SC-1]
Rep. Dan Burton [R, IN-5]
Rep. Bill Cassidy [R, LA-6]
Rep. Mike Coffman [R, CO-6]
Rep. John Culberson [R, TX-7]
Rep. John Duncan [R, TN-2]
Rep. Mary Fallin [R, OK-5]
Rep. John Fleming [R, LA-4]
Rep. Trent Franks [R, AZ-2]
Rep. Elton Gallegly [R, CA-24]
Rep. John Gingrey [R, GA-11]
Rep. Louis Gohmert [R, TX-1]
Rep. Jim Jordan [R, OH-4]
Rep. Jack Kingston [R, GA-1]
Rep. Doug Lamborn [R, CO-5]
Rep. Robert Latta [R, OH-5]
Rep. John Linder [R, GA-7]
Rep. Cynthia Lummis [R, WY-0]
Rep. Kenny Marchant [R, TX-24]
Rep. Tom McClintock [R, CA-4]
Rep. Jeff Miller [R, FL-1]
Rep. Joseph Pitts [R, PA-16]
Rep. Phil Roe [R, TN-1]
Rep. Thomas Rooney [R, FL-16]
Rep. Steve Scalise [R, LA-1]
Rep. Jean Schmidt [R, OH-2]
Rep. Mark Souder [R, IN-3]
Rep. Zach Wamp [R, TN-3]
Rep. Lynn Westmoreland [R, GA-3]
Rep. Addison Wilson [R, SC-2]

Will Democrats, who claim to be "reaching out" for bi-partisanship, negotiate with this bill? Or, will they cling to their total takeover proposed by Nancy Pelosi and Barack Obama?

Bill Text

[Walt Holton]

How is this for an alternate plan-

Radical Health Care Reform (American Style)
Preface- The following is an outline of a “Health Care Reform” plan that addresses the real problems with health care in the United States. Additionally, a compulsory gov’t health plan is included, but extreme personal responsibility is required of participants. The plan is based upon, good faith, disclosure, cost reduction and responsibility.


1) No fault medical practice- Medicine is called a practice because it is not perfect, and because each medical professional is practicing their craft every day. Of all of the professions in the US the medical profession requires the most, extensive and expensive training of all, by our best and brightest. With all of the training medicine will never be perfect. This proposal will make the practice of medicine “no fault.” Otherwise, every doctor, nurse or medical professional is held harmless from lawsuit. Each medical professional however, will retain a record of success and failure, and their compensation and job retention will be based upon this factor (buyer beware). Consequently, in a full socialized medicine environment the same is true…you can’t bring suit the government. This provision will reduce the cost of care by hundreds of billions and eliminate the need for malpractice insurance wholesale.

2) Full cost disclosure- Each medical facility will post online their charges for each procedure and medication. Each potential client will receive a comprehensive good faith estimate for any procedure within 24 hours based upon predetermined pricing and typical procedural protocol. This provision will allow the public to shop and prepare for medical expenses and eliminate surprise expense.

3) All medical expense is pre-tax- All expense in medical and wellness related endeavors is to be paid for with pre-tax dollars managed through an HAS account. This includes any insurance expenses whether private or provided by employer, and any direct expense like co-pays and deductible satisfaction.

4) Competitive insurance-Neither the State nor federal government may exclude an insurance provider from trade in any state as long as an insurance company fulfills its contractual obligations.

5) Government compulsory insurance (bridge)-The government will provide a basic wellness insurance program for those who can not afford insurance. Provisions to prevent un-necessary taxpayer expense.
A) Vice prevention and exclusion.
I) Mandatory drug testing- No one on the gov’t plan is allowed any drug use.
II) Alcohol testing-no one on the gov’t plan is allowed alcohol consumption.
III) Tobacco testing- No one on the gov’t plan is allowed tobacco consumption.
IV) Caloric intake - Obesity and improper eating habits are forbidden. Each participant of the gov’t plan must adhere to a strict diet and exercise regiment. For those already obese a strict diet will be assigned.
X) Risky or dangerous behavior or activities- All typically dangerous activities are forbidden, such as football, basketball, skate boarding, surfing, parachuting, water sports, boxing, MMA, cycling, motor cycling, motor sports etc.
XI) Masochism-Anyone on the gov’t plan is forbidden from any tattoos, body piercing, or any body alteration that may increase the risk for illness (hepatitis etc.).
XII) Sexual promiscuity forbidden- Each person on the gov’t plan must either opt into a contract of monogamy with a partner (tested free from stds) or sign a contract of abstinence (prevent spread of STDs and unwanted pregnancies). The ID card for each person on the gov’t plan will carry an endorsement that dis-allows alcohol, tobacco and other vice.

B) Hardship certification- Those on the gov’t plan must have and display a hardship and while on the gov’t plan must not expend funds on luxuries such as cable/satellite TV, boats, RVs, unnecessary cars or motorcycles, have a car greater than $10,000 book value, magazine or website subscriptions, or any other non-essential services or assets. This program is to be offered by the Federal government but may be replaced or forbidden by any state. Social matters are the sole Constitutional responsibility of the state or the people.