Health Care Bill Establishes All-Powerful Commissioner

Although Obama is saying he doesn't want a public option or to have the government determine what is good for us, this is exactly what the current House bill does. The bill establishes a health care exchange and a Commissioner, which has powers like these:

• Establish "the benefits to be made available under Exchange-participating health benefit plans during each plan year." (1) This means the exchange will determine what benefits the plans will offer -- and, by extension, us.


• Set rules for insurance companies to participate in the health insurance exchange, and establish criteria for individuals to receive federal subsidies to purchase insurance in the exchange (2).


• Have the authority to establish "automatic enrollment" of individuals who qualify for the health insurance exchange (3).


• The exchange will have three levels of coverage, which have not been defined yet. The Commissioner will have the authority to determine them.


• Although some states have their own exchanges, the bill says, "The Commissioner may terminate the approval (for some or all functions) of a State-based Health Insurance Exchange." (4)

"The commissioner shall have the authority to establish such rules as may be necessary to deal with special situations with regard to uninsured individuals and employers participating as Exchange-eligible individuals and employers, such as transitions periods for individuals and employers who gain or lose, Exchange-eligible participation status, and to establish grace periods for premium payment." (5)

And the best part about this Commissioner? He is appointed by the president and is completely unaccountable to the American people.

The bill, House Bill 3200, still faces some hurdles but so far has passed three committees in the House and could be ready for a floor vote when Congress comes back from its recess. The original article is here.

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1. House Bill 3200, p. 84. Retrieved September 3, 2009, from House Bill 3200

2. House Bill 3200, p. 142. Retrieved September 3, 2009, from House Bill 3200

3. House Bill 3200, p. 97. Retrieved September 3, 2009, from House Bill 3200

4. House Bill 3200, p. 114. Retrieved September 3, 2009, from House Bill 3200

5. House Bill 3200, p. 82. Retrieved September 3, 2009, from House Bill 3200