Healthcare

TEN STEPS TO GUARANTEE HEALTH CARE ACCESS AND AFFORDABILITY

“Throughout my travels across the state, Minnesotans have voiced many concerns, but one of the main issues they continue to raise is improving our nation’s health care system.  As a father, I understand what it is like to stay up at night wondering if my kids will have access to high-quality and affordable health care if the unthinkable happens.  I strongly believe that the health care challenges we all face are too big for one party to solve.  That’s why I’ve consistently worked across party lines to identify solutions that overcome our nation’s health care challenges.  To continue this work, we must bring our health system into the 21st Century.  The following steps lay out my vision to ensure every American has access to affordable, high-quality health care.”   
- Senator Norm Coleman

“Norm Coleman has shown himself to be a bipartisan leader in Washington and he’s shown a real commitment to improving our nation’s health care system,” Durenberger said.  “The plan he is putting forward today would enact sweeping and much-needed reform to our health care system.  Norm not only has the right vision, he has the ability to deliver on that vision in Washington.”    - fmr. Sen. Dave Durenberger, Chair, National Institute of Health Policy

GUARANTEE ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE

To create an affordable, portable and consumer-friendly health insurance market, we must first level the playing field between people who get health insurance through an employer and those who choose to buy insurance on their own. 

STEP #1: I would provide individuals and families who buy insurance on their own with a tax deduction, so they get the same benefit as those who get their insurance through an employer.  And for low-income Americans, I would propose an adjustable tax credit that can go directly to the private insurer of their choice. I would then make health insurance more consumer-friendly by ensuring that each state has a low-cost option for young people and limited variations in health insurance premiums.  Finally, I would prohibit insurers from turning people down based on pre-existing conditions, so that insurance companies could no longer cherry-pick and deny insurance to those who need it the most. 

PROMOTE PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY IN HEALTH CARE DECISIONS

Informed consumers make better health care decisions.  When someone goes to buy a car, they typically learn as much as they can about their options before setting foot in the dealership.  Shouldn’t we treat health care decisions the same way?

STEP #2: I would require each state to create a health care exchange that would provide consumers with information on the cost and quality of medical procedures, providers and insurance options.  I would also set up an independent health insurance review board to develop a basic benefit package that meets peoples’ needs without unnecessarily driving up the cost of health insurance.  Finally, I would emphasize improving health care literacy, so patients can be informed and confident health care consumers. 

ENACT MEANINGFUL MEDICAL LIABILITY REFORM

Frivolous lawsuits are driving up the cost of health care and forcing good doctors out of business. While we must make sure patients have legal remedies, our current medical liability system is better suited to benefit trial lawyers.

STEP #3: I would impose sanctions for frivolous lawsuits and cap the amount of non-economic damages in medical liability suits.  I would also ensure a greater portion of medical liability awards go to the patient.

SUPPORT PREVENTIVE MEDICINE AND WELLNESS

All too often, federal programs like Medicare and Medicaid focus on treating people when they are sick, rather than preventing the illness in the first place.  We can significantly lower the overall cost of care by increasing our focus on prevention and encouraging adults and children to live healthier lives.

STEP #4: I would lower, or in some cases eliminate, Medicare co-pays for effective screenings and preventive procedures.  I would also promote the “Medical Home” model, where primary care physicians are reimbursed for coordinating patients’ care and managing different treatment options.  Finally, I would increase our commitment to making sure all children receive nutritional lunches in school and engage in healthy activities.  

ADOPT INTEROPERABLE HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

By promoting secure health information technology (HIT) we improve our quality of care, while also preventing costly, duplicative tests and reducing medical errors. HIT will also help doctors and other health care providers to more efficiently share information and coordinate high-quality care. 

STEP #5: I would create a fixed timeline for the federal government to develop interoperable HIT and privacy standards, so health information could be securely shared between providers.  I would also make the Office of the National Coordinator of Health Information Technology a permanent federal office.  Finally, to promote widespread use of HIT, I would provide HIT start-up grants, with an emphasis on rural providers, and reform the current restrictions that prevent hospitals from providing technology to physician practices.

ENACT SMALL BUSINESS HEALTH INSURANCE REFORM

In order to remain globally competitive, we must support our nation’s small businesses.  Small businesses are the backbone of the U.S. economy, but they continue to feel the pressure of rising health care costs.  One of the simplest ways to lower the number of uninsured is to allow small businesses to provide more affordable health care options for their employees 

STEP #6: I would provide a tax credit to businesses that make a minimum contribution to their employees’ health insurance coverage.  I would also create state-based and regional small business health insurance pools to spread risk more broadly.  Finally, I would encourage states to adopt similar health insurance rating rules and reduce mandates to lower the overall cost of insurance and promote stable small business health insurance markets. 

PAY FOR VALUE RATHER THAN QUANTITY

We should pay doctors and hospitals based on the quality of care they deliver, rather than the number of tests or procedures they perform.  Paying for value will not only lower health care spending, but also improve the overall quality of care delivered.  This is particularly important for high-quality rural providers that are at a significant disadvantage when it comes to adequate payments rates.  By rewarding value, we can make sure the quality of your health care does not depend on your zip code. 

STEP #7: By investing in comparative effectiveness research and working with health care providers, I would determine appropriate quality measurements and best practices.  I would then create incentives for doctors that follow certain provider-approved guidelines.  Finally, to promote coordinated care, I would have Medicare begin paying one bundled payment to hospitals and physicians for treating certain acute conditions.  

INCREASE OUR INVESTMENT IN MEDICAL RESEARCH

Medical research not only improves lives, but also saves money.  Whether it is a breakthrough cure or promising new treatment, investing in science is always a wise investment.  That is why we must recommit to funding medical advancement at federal agencies and universities throughout the country. 

STEP #8: I would continue to support increased funding at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).  I would prioritize funding for costly diseases like cancer, diabetes and heart disease, while also making sure researchers have the flexibility to study promising treatments for lesser-known conditions.  Lastly, I would make sure NIH develops our next generation of researchers by allocating a certain amount of funding for young scientists. 

DEVELOP A SUSTAINABLE LONG-TERM CARE SYSTEM

The cost of long-term care places a serious financial strain on a growing number of American families.  We need to develop a more sustainable, private long-term care system that allows seniors to enjoy the dignity of independent living, but also provides a stable funding source for seniors in need of more intensive care.  

STEP #9: I would allow individuals to establish tax-free savings accounts to pay long-term care insurance premiums and fund other long-term care needs.  Individuals that designate a certain portion of their income to these accounts would receive a tax credit totaling 10 percent of their annual contribution.  I would also continue to support Medicare and Medicaid programs and medical technologies that promote home and community-based treatments.

ELIMINATE WASTE, FRAUD AND ABUSE IN FEDERAL PROGRAMS

Medicare and Medicaid fraud is increasingly draining our health care system of resources that should be going to care for our most vulnerable populations.  We must reform these programs to more efficiently root out waste, fraud and abuse.

STEP #10: I have led a number of investigations that have uncovered billions of dollars in Medicare and Medicaid fraud, but much more still needs to be done.  I would increase penalties for criminals that commit Medicare and Medicaid fraud.  I would also improve federal oversight over contractors that certify and pay federal health care claims and increase the number of site visits to confirm the legitimacy of health care providers.  Finally, I would provide doctors and patients with monthly audits similar to credit card statements to confirm the accuracy of the services they provided.