Rocky Mountain Action Coalition

Agenda for Health Care Reform

(1) Don't forget those now on Medicare.

• Add catastrophic coverage to eliminate bankruptcies due to medical costs.  CBO Budget Option 81  shows how this can be done revenue/cost-neutral.
• The Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) calculation needs complete revision.  Doctors are abandoning Medicare patients because of the pay restrictions of SGR.
• Fix Medicare D by passing HR 684/S 330 the Medicare prescription drug bill.

(2) Catastrophic coverage for everyone.  A limit on out-of-pocket expenses should be in every health plan.
(3) Include a public plan option.
(4) Don't tax retirees for the health care benefits they may still receive from their former employer.
(5) Allow people age 50 to 64 who have been laid off or retired early to buy into Medicare at a cost that does not burden the system.