The Duties of the Health Choices Commissioner If H.R. 3200 is Passed

The battle for health care reform is currently being fought between Democrats and Republicans on many fronts. Main opposition against the bill argues that the proposed reform will lead to total government control of health care, will raise the costs of health care through taxation, and will sabotage private insurers by forcing current clients into government-run health programs. Karl Rove gives a concise summary of these points in his article on the Wall Street Journal website. The following is a continuation from a previous article that seeks to objectify the health reform bill in a way that is both understandable and subjectively critical.

One of the main reforms that the bill proposes establishes an administration in the executive branch of government called the Health Choices Administration. This administration is to be headed by the Health Choices Commissioner who would be appointed by the President. This article looks at how much power the Commissioner and the Health Choices Administration would have as is stated in the H.R. 3200 Health Care Reform Bill. It will take objective points from the bill that will allow the reader the option to make his own decision whether or not the commissioner and the administration will have to much control in the proposed health care reform.

Section 142 of the H.R. 3200 Health Care Reform Bill, effectively titled Duties and Authority of Commissioner, provides the main points of the Commissioner's responsibility (the points listed are meant to be synonymous with the actual statements in the bill-any biased interpretation is unintended and should be taken as human error):

• Establish the standards of Qualified Health Benefits Plans (QHBPs).

• Establish and operate the Health Insurance Exchange.

• Administer Individual Affordability Credits and determine what parties are eligible for such credits.

• Promote accountability for all health insurance providers, regardless of whether they are QHBPs or not, and ensure they are in accordance with Federal health insurance requirements.

• Conduct audits of QHBPs, both random and targeted, to ensure compliance with Federal requirements. These audits will be paid for by the QHBP that is being audited.

• Collect data to promote quality and value, protect consumers, and identify disparities in the health care system.

• Fine, suspend, or terminate QHBPs that are not complying with regulations.

• Seek to establish standards that protect consumers in a manner that does not unreasonably affect employers or insurers.

This is an exclusive list of duties for the Health Choices Commissioner. The bill discusses the commissioner in later sections, but only in reference to the responsibilities listed above.

The question now is: Does the H.R. 3200 bill give the commissioner and Health Choices Administration too much power over the regulation of health coverage? The simple answer is...no one knows. We all have different expectations of the government, different ideals that we live by, and different needs that must be met. If a company has worked very hard to become the insurance giant they are, some would argue that they deserve to reap the benefits. Similarly, if a young single mother must choose between groceries and health insurance, some would argue that she should have the coverage she needs no matter what. If this reform bill is passed and a commissioner is appointed, it is fair to say he must take all parties into account-rich or poor, citizen or non-citizen, company or individual.