Chat with Chic, August 28, 1987

A Report from Washington Chat with Chic FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: MIKE MILLER August 28, 1987 (202) 224-6244 HECHT DISCUSSES HEALTH CARE Obtaining adequate health care which will not cause financial ruin is an issue which affects all of us. I would like to bring you up to date on several Catastrophic Health insurance proposals introduced during the 100th session of Congress which address this issue and seek to provide a solution. In the House of Representatives, Congressman Stark has introduced H.R. 2470, the Medicare Catastrophic Protection Act of 1987. This bill passed in the House on July 22, 1987. In 1989, the first year when all provisions for this legislation would be fully in effect, the overall limit in out-of-pocket expenditures by Seniors would be $1,798. This bill would eliminate the current maximum number of days of hospitalization covered by Medicare, thereby ensuring 365 days of hospital coverage each year. In addition, H.R. 2470 would increase the number of days a patient would be covered for staying in a skilled nursing facility to 150. There is also a respite care provision in H.R. 2470 of 80 hours per year to relieve an unpaid care provider. Finally, H.R. 2470 would provide a prescription drug benefit whereby Medicare would pay 80 percent of prescription drugs after a patient incurs $500 in drug costs in a single year. In the Senate, Senator Dole has introduced another Catastrophic Health Insurance bill. Senator Dole's bill would establish an $1800 limit for Medicare covered expenses, and only one hospital deductible in any year, in addition, S. 754 would provide unlimited inpatient hospital days for catastrophic coverage Twenty-one days of continuous home health care would also be provided under S. 754. A second Senate proposal, S. 1127, was introduced by Senator Bentsen, and has now been voted out of the Senate Finance Committee. This bill will probably be considered by the full Senate some time in September. Senator Bentsen's bill would provide unlimited hospital days and eliminate inpatient hospital coinsurance. This legislation would also require only one inpatient hospital deductible per year, with a $1700 cap in out-of-pocket expenses for 1988. In addition, S. 1127 would provide up to 150 days of skilled nursing facility care per year, and 45 days of post-hospital home health care. When S. 1127 comes to the floor of the senate, Senator Heinz is expected to propose an amendment which would provide a prescription drug benefit with a $600 deductible. I am supportive of a Catastrophic Health Insurance plan for our seniors, and I am a co-sponsor of Senator Dole's Catastrophic Health insurance bill, S. 754. I want Catastrophic Health Insurance, but I want a system that America can afford. I will continue to work with my fellow Congressman to ensure that the final version of the Catastrophic Health Insurance proposal will not only help to defray sky-rocketing health care costs but also be affordable to all Americans.