Vivvo CMS 4.1 http://www.pri.org/ ©2010 Spoonlabs d.o.o. http://www.pri.org/files.php?file=rss_682409203.gif http://www.pri.org/ http://www.pri.org/stories/politics-society/government/senate-rejects-blunt%E2%80%99s-amendment-to-repeal-contraception-mandate.html Government Thu, 01 Mar 2012 13:10:00 -0600 The Senate voted on Thursday to maintain the Obama Administration's birth control mandate, requiring employers to offer health coverage for contraceptives. Missouri Senator Roy Blunt's proposal, an amendment to highway bill S. 1813, would have allowed employers to exclude birth control from health coverage plans based upon their "religious belief or moral conviction." http://The question is a lanideg question and assumes that the health reform bill will, in some way, cause positive change. First, they have not defined a "public option" you think it will be a government run plan, but "public" can mean excha Government Sat, 28 Jul 2012 11:55:24 -0500 The question is a lanideg question and assumes that the health reform bill will, in some way, cause positive change. First, they have not defined a "public option" you think it will be a government run plan, but "public" can mean exchanges, etc. Second the last time I heard anything on the public option, they were going to use the medical reimbursement of Medicare or Medicare + 5%. As Medicare only reimburses about 80% of the actual cost of care and most private insurers pay Medicare + 20% or M + 30%, there is an immediate disconnect. If this is the case, then all insurance companies should drop their networks and pay exactly the same reimbusement as the public option. That way it is a more level playing field. Remember, the elephant in the room is the cost of health care, not cost of health insurance (as insurance is only the financing of the cost). If we don't tame the cost, then the system implodes in 5 years.A couple of thoughts to include in the reform. 1. pay doctors a salary. Most would love this. Then they can focus on medicine.2. Use Nurse Practitioners as the first line for most people. 80% of all issues can be treated by a NP.3. Have the American Medical Association come up with best practices for those issues that they have enough information to do this with. Doctors should not be able to be sued if they follow those best practices. One would be ALWAYS prescribe a generic medication first unless there is a good reason (which needs to be written into the medical record) to use a brand name drug. It still gives the doctor discretion.Next, federally tax all punitive damages at 100% above $1 million dollars. Punitive damages are NOT designed to enrich the plantiff or the attorneys and compensatory damages are designed to compensate the plaintiff. This would fundamentally alter the whole legal industry.I'd also like to see a tax on fatty/sugary foods.Just some thougths. PRI: Public Radio International