Proposed Solutions for a Bipartisan Approach to Government Shutdown and Healthcare Reform

QUINCY — Here is an “off ramp” solution for both political parties in this country facing the government shutdown:

A) Agree to a one-year extension of 2021 tax credit subsidies for affordable Health Care Program. These subsidies will end Jan. 1, 2027.

B) Agree to repeal legislation passed in 2017 concerning the “individual mandate” which, was not fully repealed but was effectively ended by eliminating the penalty. In December 2017, Congress passed a tax reform bill that reduced the penalty for not having health insurance to $0, beginning in 2019. This means today that while the legal requirement to have coverage remains on the books, there is no federal penalty for being uninsured. Reinstate the penalty but limit the required coverage to be in effect what Medicare covers for Part A which is basically hospital care and would include the same Medicare deductible now at $1,676, But it also should include all prenatal care with $0 deductible because while a person can still choose not to be covered for other health care services the unborn child cannot choose.

Enacting such legislation now would allow the law of gravity to kick in through 2026 and premiums for the Affordable Health Care participants would go down based on broader participation and revenue, effectively not requiring the current additional subsidies put in place in 2021.

Today all hospitals in the country that accept Medicare and Medicaid patients must adhere to the legislation signed by President Reagan in 1986 that requires all such institutions to accept emergency care needs regardless of a person’s insurance coverage or the ability to pay out of pocket.

Costs are being passed on to all of us for care of such patients, and it is far from just illegal alien treatment needs. The 25-year-old male driving down Broadway weaving through traffic at 60 mile an hour on a Harley that he can afford, wearing no helmet, and getting into an accident with no health insurance is given a big write off on his hospital billing.

Don Carpenter

Quincy

Quincy Proposal Offers Bipartisan Solution to Looming Government Shutdown

QUINCY, MA — As the threat of a government shutdown looms, a new proposal has emerged that could serve as a bipartisan “off ramp” for both political parties, addressing critical healthcare issues while potentially averting a fiscal crisis.

Local resident Don Carpenter has put forth a two-pronged approach aimed at stabilizing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and ensuring broader health coverage for Americans. The proposal suggests a one-year extension of the 2021 tax credit subsidies for the ACA, which are set to expire on January 1, 2027. This extension could provide immediate relief to millions of Americans who rely on these subsidies for affordable healthcare.

In addition to the subsidy extension, Carpenter advocates for the repeal of the 2017 legislation that effectively eliminated the individual mandate penalty for not having health insurance. While the legal requirement for coverage remains, the absence of a penalty has led to a significant drop in insured individuals. Carpenter proposes reinstating a penalty, but with a crucial modification: it would only apply to coverage that meets the standards of Medicare Part A, which primarily covers hospital care. This would include a $0 deductible for prenatal care, recognizing the unique needs of unborn children.

Carpenter argues that these changes would not only encourage more individuals to obtain health insurance but also lead to lower premiums for ACA participants. By increasing participation, the financial burden on the healthcare system could be alleviated, reducing the need for the current subsidies.

“The law of gravity will kick in through 2026,” Carpenter states, emphasizing that broader participation will lead to a more sustainable healthcare system. “Costs are being passed on to all of us for care of uninsured patients, and it’s not just about illegal immigration. It’s about everyone who chooses to go without coverage.”

The proposal also highlights the longstanding requirement for hospitals to provide emergency care regardless of a patient’s insurance status, a mandate established by legislation signed by President Reagan in 1986. Carpenter points out that this law has significant implications for healthcare costs, as uninsured patients often receive care that is ultimately paid for by others.

As Congress grapples with budget negotiations and the potential for a government shutdown, Carpenter’s proposal could serve as a unifying solution that addresses both healthcare access and fiscal responsibility. With bipartisan cooperation increasingly rare, this approach may offer a path forward that benefits all Americans.

As discussions continue, the urgency for a resolution grows, and Carpenter’s proposal stands as a testament to the innovative thinking needed to navigate these challenging times.