Is the devil in the details?

It’s often said that the attention span of the average America is extremely limited when it comes to a discussion of in-depth issues.

If it doesn’t fit in a 30-second commercial, a nightly news sound bite, or a quick discussion at the office cooler, conventional wisdom says most people aren’t interested.

However, the past few weeks have proven that Americans are intensely engaged when it comes to the health care debate.

At the heart of the discussion is “America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009″ (HR 3200), a 1,017-page bill introduced in the House of Representatives on July 14, 2009.

Since then the bill has been marked up in three committees, while a similar version will be debated in the U.S. Senate after the fall recess. Once a vote is taken, differences are ironed out, and if a final affirmative vote occurs, the bill would head to the White House for President Obama’s signature to become law.

It’s true no one knows what a final version of a bill would look like. It’s also true that the President didn’t actually submit a proposal for Congress to consider, but left the task of hammering out the details to the Democratic leadership. He did outline a number of health reform principles that he wanted incorporated in the final legislation.

But what is in HR 3200 that has so many people worked up? Has anyone read the initial proposal or are both sides guilty of reading from talking points provided to them by various interest groups?

A lot of anger and frustration on display by constituents at the town hall meetings appears to come from ill-informed representatives who haven’t personally read the bill. But if put on the spot, would those complaining know the fundamental elements of the bill or would they be just as guilty?

The key differences seem to be over the quality of health care if the government gets involved, cost containment and reduction, and fees or taxes imposed on individuals and businesses as the result of opting out of coverage.

Perhaps the reasonable thing to do would be to offer health care primer meetings, where those concerned could meet with their representatives, legislation in hand, and discuss specific items outlined in the draft. The debate should be about substance, not rhetoric. Sadly, very few elected officials or constituents seem to come prepared to these public meetings with an actual copy of the bill itself, but rather clif notes and well-oiled vocal chords for shouting matches.

As a service to our readers, we have extracted a few of the major components of the bill, with specific references to where you can find the language. We’re also providing a link to the complete text and encouraging each of you to take time to read it.

• Page 4 – Purpose – “To provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending”
• Page 5 – Insurance Reforms – (B) “creates a new Health Insurance Exchange, with a public health insurance option alongside private plans; (C) includes sliding scale affordability credits; and (D) initiates shared responsibility among workers, employers, and the government; so that all Americans have coverage of essential health benefits”
• Page 19 – Pre-Existing Conditions – “A qualified health benefits plan may not impose any pre-existing condition exclusion…”
• Page 22 – Health Commissioner Reports – Authorizes the Health Commission to conduct studies related to insured and self-insured employer health care markets.
• Page 26 – Essential Benefits – “Exchange-participating health benefits plan…is required…to provide specified levels of benefits…”
• Page 30 – Advisory Committee – Establishment of Health Benefits Advisory Committee to recommend covered benefits and essential, enhanced and premium plans
• Page 41 – Independent Agency – Establishment of Health Choices Administration & Commissioner as part of the executive branch
• Page 51 – Whistle blower Protection – No retribution against employees who provide information of violations of the Act.
• Page 54 – Value & Lower Premiums – Issuance of rebates
• Page 70 – Retiree Reserve Trust Fund – part of the Treasury Department for the Reinsurance program for seniors
• Page 72 – Health Insurance Exchange – provides “access of individuals and employers…to a variety of choices of affordable, quality health insurance coverage, including a public health insurance option.”
• Page 95 – Outreach Programs – Authorizes the Health Commissioner to engage in “outreach activities” to inform and educate individuals and employers about the Health Insurance Exchange. Includes vulnerable populations such as children, individuals with disabilities, mental illness and cognitive impairments.
• Page 100 – Certain Newborn Coverage
• Page 110 – Individual and Employer Taxes – levied against those not participating in or obtaining acceptable coverage
• Page 116 – Public Health Insurance Option – to ensure choice, competition and stability of coverage.

Read more here:

HR 3200

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