Republican proposal available
A draft of the Republican proposal is now available. I can't find it on the House web sites, but NPR, of all places, is hosting it.
http://media.npr.org/assets/blogs/health/images/2009/11/GOPhealthbill.pdf
Note that this bill is offered as an amendment to HR 3962, and as a reform bill, amends a number of pre-existing pieces of legislation, all of which are referenced in the bill.
Items of note include "association health plans", a way for business groups and professional organizations to offer group coverage, limits on malpractice claims, and essentially unrestricted sales across state lines.
Unlike the Democrats plan, sales across state lines are not restricted to states that agree to participate in a specific group, but instead allow sales across all states. The insurer must select one state as it's Primary, and operate under the rules of that state. This allows state regulatory authorities to be gamed against each other,with national policy sellers selecting the most favorable state to use as Primary. (This may be the big gotcha in the bill.)
Compliant policies will no longer have lifetime caps, and policies may be rescinded only for unrevealed preexisting conditions that are relevant to a condition being claimed. (No more denying cancer treatment for unreported acne.) Starting 1 April 1014 plans not in compliance, or uncertified, will be fined in the amount of $1 per covered person per day until certification is complete.
A special re-insurance program is established for association health plans.
Association health plans are open to trades, businesses, or industries which has been indicated as having average or above-average risk or health claims experience by reason of State rate filings, denials of coverage, proposed premium rate levels, or other means demonstrated by such plan in accordance with regulations. In addition, the following trades, businesses, and industries may form associations:
* agriculture
* equipment and automobile dealerships
* barbering and cosmetology
* certified public accounting practices
* child care
* construction
* dance
* theatrical and orchestra productions
* disinfecting and pest control
* financial services
* fishing
* food service establishments
* hospitals
* labor organizations
* logging
* manufacturing (metals)
* mining
* medical and dental practices
* medical laboratories
* professional consulting services
* sanitary services
* transportation (local and freight)
* warehousing
* wholesaling/distributing
An association plan under which the sponsor does not restrict membership to one or more trades and businesses or industries and whose eligible participating employes represent a broad cross-section of trades and businesses or industries may also be formed. (COSTCO Medical Association, anyone?)