Different breeds of public plan
The head of the White House Office of Healthcare Reform stoked some controversy this week by suggesting that a Medicare-like model is not the only way to go when it comes to a public healthcare option:
There are different breeds of public plans that could be part of this.”
Nancy-Ann DeParle
The response from many organizations has been negative. Still, there are certainly other models. Before the Medicare-like public plan idea gained steam, an FEHBP-type plan was often mentioned. Then there is the Healthy American Act.
Not to mention ideas from overseas. The Dutch system has drawn a lot of attention; see the interview below for more information on that.
A wholesale change seems less likely than something incremental, but perhaps there are things to learn from other countries. Either way, it is simply too early to handicap this race.
For profit, for everyone: Exploring the Dutch healthcare system
The Dutch healthcare system is the world’s only private system of basic healthcare insurance operated by insurance companies for profit. We asked Dutch healthcare actuaries Roeleke Uildriks and Ji Kwen Ng to explain.
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