Earlier this week the Republican Party approved its 2016 policy platform, which includes a number of policy positions related to Medicare and other federal health programs.
The document states that if a Republican president is elected, he would use “legitimate waiver authority” to “halt” the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). In addition, the president would sign legislation to repeal the ACA. However, the document does not state whether Republicans would replace the ACA with another health reform plan.
The platform also calls for moving Medicare to a “premium support model.” Under this model, residents younger than age 55 would receive an “income-adjusted contribution toward a health plan of their choice, with catastrophic protection.” Residents could use these contributions to purchase either traditional Medicare plans or private coverage. Medicaid would be shifted into a capped block grant program that would allow state officials more flexibility to determine the design of their Medicaid program, including its benefits and eligibility requirements.
The platform also calls for various other health care reforms, including:
• Allowing businesses to pool together to purchase health plans;
• Expanding the use of health savings accounts;
• Limiting non-economic damages that can be awarded in medical malpractice lawsuits;
• Making it easier for insurers to sell health plans across state lines; and
• Scaling back state insurance benefit mandates.
It is expected that the Democratic Party will unveil its platform during its convention from July 25-28.
