Proliferating ObamaCare Options

We must dare to think “unthinkable" thoughts. We must learn to explore all the options and possibilities that confront is a complex and rapidly changing world.

William Fulbright (1905-1995), Arkansas Senator, Speech before Senate, 1964

As arguments before the Supreme Court begin, ObamaCare optional plans are proliferating on the Republican side of the aisle .

In plain language,GOP options for federal subsidies include state opt-outs, take-ObamaCare–or-leave it freedom plans, health checks distributed through the states, mew state exchanges, and today an Obama off-ramp plan. All of these plans and are said to be patient-centered or market-based. Democrats say they have no contingency plans, for none will be needed.

The Off-Ramp plan, presented the day before the Supreme Court hears arguments in King v. Burwell, is written by Republicans John Kline, Paul Ryan, and Fred Upton, chairmen of the House committees onf Education and Workforce, Ways and Means, and Energy and Commerce.

The author of the bill claim their Off-Ramp plan has these features:

Make coverage more affordable by opting out of insurance mandates on individuals and employers.


Choice of a wider range of plans based on personal needs and budgets.


Forcing insurers to compete for health consumer business across state lines.


Stop frivolous lawsuits.


Allow small businesses to band together to reduce costs and premiums.


Keep safeguards for patients - permit yonmg adults to stay on parents plans until age 26, prohibit insueres from imposing lifetime limits on benefits, protect people with pre-existing conditions, guarantee renewability.


Help people buy coverage by offering tax credits to buy insurance.



Give states more flexibility to design their own solutions.


Do away with health exchanges after a transitional period spent protecting those subsidized in federal exchanges.



Let consumers make their own choices rather than having those choices imposed upon them.


Put Americans, rather than government , in the driver’s seat.


Let common-sense, which is not so common under ObamaCare, prevail.

We shall see if common sense and plain dealing works after the incomprehensible and complex dealings that have characterized ObamaCare. While this workabout is going on, brace for change and protect the federally subsidized if the challenge to ObamaCare succeeds in the Supreme Court.