1. Repeal unpopular provisions. Sen. Mike Johanns (R-Neb.) has introduced an amendment to repeal a business reporting requirement to the IRS, cut $11 billion from a prevention and public health fund, and weaken the individual insurance mandate. The legislation received 46 yes-votes, including seven from Democrats.
2. Eliminate employer mandate. Sen. Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah), a member of the Finance Committee, has introduced a bill that would eliminate requiring employers to offer health insurance or pay a tax penalty.
3. Give states more discretion. Sen. Hatch is working on ways to give states more discretion on expanding coverage. “I would prefer to have 50 state laboratories doing it rather than the almighty federal government,” he said.
4. Block Independent Payment Advisory Board. The board’s decisions on reimbursements to physicians, still to be implemented, would go into effect automatically unless Congress took action.
5. Starve regulatory agencies. Attach provisions to spending bills prohibiting federal regulatory agencies from writing regulations or undertaking other activities to implement the law.
6. Restore funding to Medicare Advantage plans. These Medicare managed-care are losing funds under the reform law.
Read more coverage of healthcare reform:
– What a Big GOP Victory in November Might Mean for Healthcare Reform
