Republicans for Single-Payer
Universal Healthcare with Informed Choice

Single-Payer State Efforts

13 Republican Congresspersons Vote to Allow Single-Payer Systems in the States
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/31/13-republicans-voted-to-a_n_249026.html

"In an exquisite political irony, 13 Republicans on the House Education and Labor Committee offered their support for an amendment that allowed states to set up single-payer health care systems. The amendment to the committee's health care bill allows states to essentially opt out of a national public health insurance option if they set up a single-payer alternative that meets similar standards for coverage."
 

Many states are struggling for a solution to the healthcare quagmire.  Republicans are following a track to privatize the markets while Democrats are arguing for everyone protected from financial disaster.

No one has yet proposed an effective solution that will cost less, reduce the government role (vis-a-vis Medicare, Medicaid and nearly 200 federal programs for vulnerable populations) and provide for the innovation needed to substantially improve overall health status of all citizens.

The solution is a voluntary single payer that demonstrates higher value for money but doesn't force employers or individuals to pay any more than they are now.  For free-riders (uninsured who can afford a decent healthcare insurance policy), they are protected by the safety net provisions, and should be paying their fair share.

So, businesses should be removed from the equation, except for the efficiency of collecting payroll-based premiums.  All individuals should have have a tax credit for healthcare insurance premiums based on income.  Businesses can contribute approximately the same overall % of premium now, exempting those who earn minimum wages.

All healthcare insurance premiums, individual payments and federal/state subsidies can be deposited in state-wide Administrative Service Organizations (ASOs) who will immediately relieve providers of 3rd party, multi-payer billing (3PMP) frustrations.  All claims will be sent to an ASO (private vendor providing low-cost administrative support) and payments to providers will be made in a timely manner (less than 10-15 days).  Residents of the ASO region will opt for the plan that suits them best, and the governing board will adjust the rates to promote equitability, fairness and provider profits.

A Regional Healthcare Information Organization (RHIO) will oversee the quality and provide the transparency that is missing under the current system.  The RHIO can profile quality and costs of providers, monitor healthcare disparities of various 'communities', and prevent the misuse, waste and abuse of the existing system.