The Man Who May Oversee the Obamacare Replacement

 

5 Things You Should Know about Tom Price

1. Thomas Edmunds Price is a Republican politician currently serving as the U.S. Representative for Georgia’s 6th congressional district (Atlanta suburbs) since 2005.

2. He is a physician who specializes in Orthopedic Surgery. He graduated medical school from the University of Michigan and completed his residency at Emory University.

3. Price has sponsored many bills over the years offering an alternative to the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), which Republicans consider a quintessential piece of their list of programs to reform America called “A Better Way”.

   • Jun 2007: H.R. 2626 – Comprehensive HealthCARE Act of 2007
   • Jul 2009: H.R. 3400 – Empowering Patients First Act
   • Jun 2011: H.R. 2077 – MLR Repeal Act of 2011
   • Sept 2011: H.R. 3000 – Empowering Patients First Act (reintroduced)
   • Jun 2013: H.R. 2300 – Empowering Patients First Act of 2013 (reintroduced)
   • May 2015: H.R. 2300 – Empowering Patients First Act of 2015 (reintroduced)
   • June 2015: H.R. 2650 – Restoring Equity, Saving Coverage, and Undoing Errors Act of 2015
   • Feb 2016: H.R. 3762 – To provide for reconciliation pursuant to section 2002 of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2016. (Vetoed by President Obama)

4. After HHS released a report showing that health plans sold on the Health Insurance Marketplaces will increase by an average of 25% in 2017, Price released the following video on Oct 1^st

5. Tom Price’s Repeal & Replacement plan consist of the following key provisions:

• The full repeal of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare).
• Tax credits based on age adjusted for inflation:
  • $1,200 for those between 18 to 35 years of age
  • $2,100 for those between 35 and 50 years of age
  • $3,000 for those who are 50 years and older
  • $900 per child up to age 18
• Freedom to opt out of Medicaid/Medicare programs.
• More flexibility around Health Savings Accounts, tax sheltered accounts used for IRS approved health care costs.
• Limits on Employer health coverage deductions for tax purposes.
• Federal grants for high risk pools to pay for costs of the neediest patients.
• Ability for small businesses to band together across state lines as an association to buy health insurance.
• Ability for people to buy health insurance across state lines.
• Changes the burden of proof requirements in malpractice law suits that favor physicians.
• Increase transparency and quality in plan offerings.