Republican Party on Health Care

	Republican Party on Health Care Party Platform

ObamaCare repeal requires replacement after 2016 election

The first order of business [after Trump was elected in 2016] was repealing ObamaCare, something every Republican had run on year in and year out since it passed, and something they promised was a top priority. Still, it was much easier to rip on ObamaCare when they knew Obama would veto any effort--now they had to figure out a way to replace key pieces of legislation if they replaced it, or at the very least ensure the markets wouldn't crumble and millions of Americans didn't lose their insurance as the result of any kind of Republican dismantling.

Republicans had spent eight years trashing the Democratic health care overhaul, but now that they were in power, they ran up against the same political winds that forced ObamaCare to look like such a political Frankenstein's monster to begin with. Conservatives wanted a complete and total repeal of the law; moderative Republicans wanted to protect certain pieces of it.

Source: Piety & Power, by Tom LoBianco, p.281-3 , Sep 14, 2019

HSAs (savings) & HRAs (reimbursements) to replace ObamaCare

Republicans have long supported expansions to HSAs: tax-advantaged savings accounts, tied to a high-deductible health plan (HDHP), which can be used to pay for certain medical expenses. This insurance arrangement--in which a person is protected against catastrophic expenses--can pay out-of-pocket costs using tax-free dollars, and in turn takes responsibility for day-to-day health care expenses--is an excellent option for consumers. Our plan would do the following:

Allow spouses to make catch-up contributions to the same HSA account;
Allow qualified medical expenses incurred before HSA-qualified coverage begins to be reimbursed from an HSA account as long as the account is established within 60 days;
Set the maximum contribution to an HSA at the maximum combined and allowed annual deductible and out-of-pocket expense limits; and
Expand accessibility for HSAs to certain groups, like those who get services through the Indian Health Service and TRICARE.

Source: A Better Way: Our Vision for Health Care Reform (GOP plan) , Jun 22, 2016

Medicare Exchange to make Medicare system competitive

To save the Medicare program for future generations, the benefit [must be] transformed into a fully competitive market-based model--known as premium support. Beginning in 2024, Medicare beneficiaries would be given a choice of private plans competing alongside the traditional FFS Medicare program on a newly created Medicare Exchange. Our plan would ensure no disruptions in the Medicare FFS program for those in or near retirement, while also allowing these grandfathered individuals the choice to enroll in the new premium support program. Medicare would provide a premium support payment either to pay for or offset the premium of the plan chosen by the beneficiary, depending on the plan's cost.

The Medicare recipient would choose, from an array of guaranteed-coverage options, a health plan that best suits his or her needs. This is not a voucher program. A Medicare premium support payment would be paid, by Medicare, directly to the plan or the fee-for-service program to subsidize its cost.

Source: A Better Way: Our Vision for Health Care Reform (GOP plan) , Jun 22, 2016

Repeal ObamaCare; it is an attack on our Constitution

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act--Obamacare--was never really about healthcare, though its impact upon the nation's health is disastrous. From its start, it was about power, the expansion of government control over one sixth of our economy, and resulted in an attack on our Constitution, by requiring that U.S. citizens purchase health insurance. We agree with the four dissenting justices of the Supreme Court: "In our view the entire Act before us is invalid in its entirety." It was the high-water mark of an outdated liberalism, the latest attempt to impose upon Americans a euro-style bureaucracy to manage all aspects of their lives. Obamacare has been struck down in the court of public opinion. It would tremendously expand Medicaid without significant reform, leaving the States to assume unsustainable financial burdens. If fully implemented, it could not function; and Republican victories in the November elections will guarantee that it is never implemented. Source: 2012 Republican Party Platform , Aug 27, 2012

ABC for AIDS: Abstinence, Be faithful, Change behavior

We support the emphasis on prevention in the President’s Emergency Plan for HIV/AIDS relief and endorse its embrace of the successful Ugandan model promoting the “ABC” approach to prevention that encourages abstinence and being faithful to one lifetime partner, along with other behavioral changes intended to eliminate or reduce exposure risk. [The Ugandan model describes “ABC” as: Abstinence, Be faithful, otherwise use a Condom - Ed.] We support the President’s Advancing HIV Prevention Initiative that emphasizes routine testing, early diagnosis, ongoing monitoring, and elimination of HIV/AIDS in newborn babies and infants. We also support the President’s efforts to double the amount spent on abstinence-only education and to promote healthy relationships. Source: 2004 Republican Party Platform, p. 79 , Sep 1, 2004

Ethical research yes; embryo cells no; cloning no

Republicans have supported, and will continue to support, important scientific research without undermining the fundamental ethical principles that have guided medical research in this country for decades. We especially welcome and encourage a stronger emphasis on adult stem cell and cord blood stem cell research, which has already provided benefits to hundreds of patients and provides real promise for treatments to help millions of Americans. We recognize that President Bush made a carefully considered decision to allow federal funding for stem cell research for the first time, and did not affect stem cell research in the private sector. We strongly support the President’s policy that prevents taxpayer dollars from being used to encourage the future destruction of human embryos. In addition, we applaud the President’s call for a comprehensive ban on human cloning and on the creation of human embryos solely for experimentation. Source: 2004 Republican Party Platform, p. 68 , Sep 1, 2004

No assisted suicide

We oppose the non-consensual withholding of care or treatment because of disability, age, or infirmity, just as we oppose euthanasia and assisted suicide, which especially endanger the poor and those on the margins of society. We support President Bush’s decision to restore the Drug Enforcement Administration’s policy that controlled substances shall not be used for assisted suicide. We applaud focusing research and treatment resources on the alleviation of pain and the care of terminally ill patients. Source: 2004 Republican Party Platform, p. 86 , Sep 1, 2004

Government-run universal health care leads to inefficiencies

We reject any notion of government-run universal health care because we have seen evidence from around the world that government-run health care leads to inefficiencies, long waiting periods, and often substandard health care. We applaud efforts by President Bush and the Republican Congress to reform the broken medical liability system that is raising health care costs and limiting patients’ access to doctors-doctors who are being driven out of their practices by excessive medical liability costs. Source: 2004 Republican Party Platform, p. 64 , Sep 1, 2004

A reformed Medicare will give seniors choice, flexibility

Give older Americans access to the insurance plan Congress has, including medical savings accounts. Build on the strengths of the free market system, offer seniors real choices, and make sure there are incentives for the private sector to develop drugs. No more one-size-fits-all. Medicare also needs new measures of solvency. We must reduce the administrative complexities. A reformed Medicare program will provide reimbursement at levels that will permit providers to continue to care for patients. Source: Republican Platform adopted at GOP National Convention , Aug 12, 2000

Give individuals tools to manage their own health needs

Individuals should be free to manage their own health needs through Flexible Savings Accounts (FSAs) and Medical Savings Accounts (MSAs). These initiatives make a government takeover of health care as anachronistic as surgery without anesthesia. Individuals should be able to roll over excess FSA dollars from one year to the next, instead of losing their unspent money at the end of each year. MSAs should be a permanent part of tax law, offered to all workers without restriction. Source: Republican Platform adopted at GOP National Convention , Aug 12, 2000

Allow customization of insurance, support health centers

A major reason why health insurance is so expensive is that many state legislatures require policies to provide benefits that many families do not want. These mandates increase costs for everyone. One area of health care that is sadly ignored is the role of primary and preventive care. We will boost funding for community health centers and establish stronger public-private partnerships for safety net providers and hospitals in underserved communities. Source: Republican Platform adopted at GOP National Convention , Aug 12, 2000

Lawyers should not hold physicians hostage

A key step will be reform of malpractice law. In its current form, it encourages health care providers to conceal even innocent mistakes, lest they be subject to vilifying publicity through the trial lawyers. We must open up the flow of information concerning medical errors. Source: Republican Platform adopted at GOP National Convention , Aug 12, 2000

More choices and lower costs, without ObamaCare.

Party signed more choices and lower costs, without ObamaCare

Obamacare is making things worse by the day. It drives up premiums and deductible costs for individuals, families, and businesses. It forces people off the plans they like. It fuels waste, fraud, and abuse. And it cannot be fixed. Its knot of regulations, taxes, and mandates cannot be untangled. Obamacare must be fully repealed so we can start over and take anew approach. This isn't a return to the pre-Obamacare status quo. And it isn't just an attempt to replace Obamacare and leave it at that. This is a new approach. It's a step-by-step plan to give every American access to quality, affordable health care. Our plan recognizes that people deserve more patient-centered care, not more bureaucracy. That means more choices, not more mandates. You should have the freedom and the flexibility to choose the care that's best for you. Insurers should compete for your business, and treat you fairly--no matter what. You and your family should have access to the best lifesaving treatments in the world. And as you get older, Medicare should give you more choices too. At every step, you should be in the driver's seat. This is a better way.

Our Ideas

More choices and lower costs. Our plan gives you more control and more choices so that you can pick the plan that meets your needs--not Washington's mandates.
Real protections and peace of mind. Our plan makes sure that you never have to worry about being turned away or having your coverage taken away--regardless of age, income, medical conditions, or circumstances.
Cutting-edge cures and treatments. Our plan clears out the bureaucracy to accelerate the development of life-saving devices and therapies.
A stronger Medicare. Our plan protects Medicare for today's seniors and preserves the program for future generations.

Keep pre-existing conditions & 26-year-olds on parents plans.

Party signed keeping pre-existing conditions & 26-year-olds on parents plans

MORE CHOICES AND LOWER COSTS Our health care system is too bureaucratic and too expensive. It didn't work before Obamacare, and it most certainly doesn't work now. Instead of the old, top-down way of doing things, we need to open up the system to innovation and competition.

Make support for health insurance portable, via a refundable tax credit to help buy health insurance in the individual market.
Expand patient-centered health care, by expanding the use of health savings accounts.
Preserve employer-based insurance, a far cry from Obamacare's controversial "Cadillac tax."
Allow sales across state lines, a step towards making the insurance market more competitive.
Allow small businesses and individuals to band together, through new pooling mechanisms.
Back wellness programs, rather than tie up wellness programs in red tape.
Enact real medical liability reform, by establishing reasonable limits.

REAL PROTECTIONS AND PEACE OF MIND

Protect patients with pre-existing conditions. Our plan ensures every American, regardless of their health status, has the comfort of knowing you can never be denied coverage.
Protect coverage for young people. Our plan allows dependents up to age 26 to stay on their parents' plan, helping younger Americans receive health care and stabilizing the market.
Prohibit sudden cancellations, simply because you may be sick.
Establish continuous coverage protections--even if you're dealing with a serious medical issue.
Bring younger and healthier people into the system. Our plan gives states more flexibility so we can encourage young people to buy--and keep--insurance, helping to lower costs for everyone.

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