November 5, 2009

The GOP's counterproposal

Some key features of the House Republican healthcare plan:

* Expand "high-risk pools" to extend coverage to people with preexisting conditions.

* Limit noneconomic damages in malpractice lawsuits to $250,000.

* Help small businesses band together to buy insurance by reducing regulations.

* Give incentives to states to reduce the number of uninsured and cut premium costs.

* Allow insurers to sell their products across state lines. Insurers would have to follow the laws in their home state but not the consumer- protection laws in all states where they sell policies.

* Give employers more flexibility to offer discounts to workers who meet standards for a healthy lifestyle.

* Allow young adults to stay on parents' policies through age 25.

* Allow people to choose whether to buy insurance, and let employers choose whether to offer it.

Source: Los Angeles Times