Seems like we are once again proving our need for universal health care in this country instead of constantly designing ways to avoid financial ruin from a catastrophic illness or programs to insure the uninsured.
The current proposal in Oregon is to conduct a “series of four state-level test projects that would cost the federal government between $50 million and $100 million. The projects would be co-designed by state governments and private insurers. Oregon would be one of the test states.”
The money would fund two plans:
Uninsured people - A "hybrid health plan" that combines preventive care with high-deductible catastrophic coverage. Insurance companies would sell policies either to individuals or businesses that have not offered coverage to employees for at least a year. The senators said low-income workers and families would get aid to reduce their premiums.
Insured people - For people with insurance but no protection against the costs of major illness, tests of such ideas as reinsurance for small businesses. With reinsurance, a small business owner would pay a premium to hedge against the risk that the cost of one catastrophic illness in a small work force would drive health insurance premiums through the roof, making them unaffordable.
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