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Health Care

Proposals to fix obamacare

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Published Nov. 14, 2013, 6:17 a.m. ET
Reuters/ Joe Skipper

  1. 1. Let people keep their current policies and doctors (Proposed by Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La.)

    Practical Impact

    Upside: Would mollify millions of people upset that their existing policies were canceled; help fulfill President Obama’s pledge that if you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor.
    Downside: By not enrolling for new coverage through health exchanges, poorer applicants won’t qualify for federal subsidies; if enough younger people opt out, ObamaCare premiums could go up for everyone else; would undermine Obama’s goal of ending substandard policies.

    Political Impact

    Removes major issue republicans are using to pummel the new national health plan.

  2. 2. Offer option that lets people extend their current insurance through 2014

    Practical Impact

    Upside: Gives people more time to figure out ObamaCare and keep their own doctors, at least for a while.
    Downside: Same as the Landrieu proposal

    Political Impact

    Gets Democrats through the 2014 midterm elections.

  3. 3. Allow insurers to enroll people directly until the ObamaCare web site is functioning properly

    Practical Impact

    Upside: Millions more would be able to sign up without battling the clunky Web site.
    Downside: Undermines the ability to compare prices for medical coverage on a single site, a reform touted by the White House.

    Political Impact

    Buys time for Obama and the Dems to straighten out the web mess.

  4. 4. Extend March 31 enrollment deadline until glitches are fixed

    Practical Impact

    Upside: Would gives administration breathing room to deal with seemingly endless tech problems; give reluctant applicants extra time to make decisions.
    Downside: Far fewer healthy citizens would enroll without threat of a penalty of $95 or 1% of income the first year.

    Political Impact

    A retreat on the deadline would give critics ammunition to try to repeal the entire program.

  5. 5. One-year delay to rewrite and revise the law (proposed by Paul Howard of the Manhattan Institute)

    Practical Impact

    Upside: Revised law would give workers tax credits if they obtain insurance either through their employers or on the federal health exchanges; would be easier for young people to buy minimal coverage.
    Downside: Would dramatically alter the law; could change the rates and force some people to pay more.

    Political Impact

    Would require Obama and Dems to make major concessions, which is unlikely.