Fix Health Care Policy

The Public Option: Alive and Well in Obamacare

Thought the “public option” was dead? Think again. Chief among the most dangerous provisions in Obamacare is the creation of government-sponsored national health plans, which are, in effect, another embodiment of the public option.

Through its multi-year implementation, the law steadily evolves into a national single-payer health care system.

Here’s the background: In 2014, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the small agency that runs the federal civil service, will administer at least two nationwide health plans to compete against private insurance. OPM will be responsible for negotiating the new health plans’ medical-loss ratio, profit margins, and premiums.

The OPM-sponsored plans will automatically qualify to compete against private health plans in the new state exchanges and thus will not be subject to the same qualifications and standards outlined in Obamacare for private plans in the exchanges. OPM must contract with an already existing large insurer, because such a plan must be offered in 60 percent of states in year one.

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Tags: medical loss ratio, Office of Personnel Management, premiums, private coverage, profit margins, public option, sponsoring health plans, state health exchange

California to Use Popular TV Shows to Market Obamacare Exchanges

Officials in California plan to use popular network television shows to market the state’s new health care exchange, established as part of Obamacare, according to a marketing plan drafted in June.

“Individuals from California’s robust entertainment industry will be approached at the most senior levels to engage in California’s effort, to enroll residents in coverage, many for the first time,” the report states.

It continues, “A number of popular television programs and personalities such as Grey’s Anatomy, Modern Family, the Biggest Loser, Dr. Oz and others will be approached and pitched to incorporate story lines or mentions of health care reform that would reinforce campaign messages.”

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Tags: coverage, Dr. Oz, Grey's Anatomy, marketing spin, Modern Family, ObamaCare, state health exchange, story lines, The Biggest Loser, uninsured