Who will be the new Health Choices Commissioner ? A very important question if the proposed health care bill passes.

Didn't know that we have a health choices commissioner? We don't, at least not yet.

http://www.thomas.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.R.3200:

SEC. 141. HEALTH CHOICES ADMINISTRATION; HEALTH CHOICES COMMISSIONER.

(a) In General- There is hereby established, as an independent agency in the executive branch of the Government, a Health Choices Administration (in this division referred to as the `Administration').

(b) Commissioner-

(1) IN GENERAL- The Administration shall be headed by a Health Choices Commissioner (in this division referred to as the `Commissioner') who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.

(2) COMPENSATION; ETC- The provisions of paragraphs (2), (5), and (7) of subsection (a) (relating to compensation, terms, general powers, rulemaking, and delegation) of section 702 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 902) shall apply to the Commissioner and the Administration in the same manner as such provisions apply to the Commissioner of Social Security and the Social Security Administration.

SEC. 142. DUTIES AND AUTHORITY OF COMMISSIONER.

(a) Duties- The Commissioner is responsible for carrying out the following functions under this division:

(1) QUALIFIED PLAN STANDARDS- The establishment of qualified health benefits plan standards under this title, including the enforcement of such standards in coordination with State insurance regulators and the Secretaries of Labor and the Treasury.

(2) HEALTH INSURANCE EXCHANGE- The establishment and operation of a Health Insurance Exchange under subtitle A of title II.

(3) INDIVIDUAL AFFORDABILITY CREDITS- The administration of individual affordability credits under subtitle C of title II, including determination of eligibility for such credits.

(4) ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS- Such additional functions as may be specified in this division.

(b) Promoting Accountability-

(1) IN GENERAL- The Commissioner shall undertake activities in accordance with this subtitle to promote accountability of QHBP offering entities in meeting Federal health insurance requirements, regardless of whether such accountability is with respect to qualified health benefits plans offered through the Health Insurance Exchange or outside of such Exchange.

(2) COMPLIANCE EXAMINATION AND AUDITS-

(A) IN GENERAL- The commissioner shall, in coordination with States, conduct audits of qualified health benefits plan compliance with Federal requirements. Such audits may include random compliance audits and targeted audits in response to complaints or other suspected non-compliance.

(B) RECOUPMENT OF COSTS IN CONNECTION WITH EXAMINATION AND AUDITS- The Commissioner is authorized to recoup from qualified health benefits plans reimbursement for the costs of such examinations and audit of such QHBP offering entities.

Under the proposed health care legislation, there will be a new government oversight agency called the "Health Choices Administration" headed by the "Health Choices Commissioner". The Health Choices Commissioner will determine what constitutes "affordable, quality health insurance coverage". The Health Choices Commissioner will set the standard for ALL levels of coverage public, and private.

The word Commissioner is referenced in the bill 203 times. Nearly every time the word Commissioner is used, there is a variable to be determined, or a definition to be defined by the Commissioner. The Commissioner has broad sweeping power to shape nearly the entire health care industry. This is crucial to understanding how this legislation works. There are only a few exclusions by which State Law can override the decisions of the Commissioner. Also the Commissioner, "shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate." The democrats have unchecked power with control of both the House and the Senate. There will be no way to stop the appointee for the position of Health Choices Commissioner. I guess we had better hope they pick someone who doesn't want to destroy the current system.

In the proposed health care bill, the government will require all private insurance providers to offer plans which meet a specific government standard, yet to be determined.

Think about this for a minute... There will be a "HEALTH CHOICES ADMINISTRATION"? Choices need to be administered? Sounds like a limitation on choice to me, or will the government simply say, "take what we give you, and shut up!"

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