How Republicans would overhaul the health system: The wish list

Sep 18 2009

KHN reports that "[a]t least three comprehensive GOP bills have been introduced: one by Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, Sen. Richard Burr of North Carolina and Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin; another by Rep. Tom Price of Georgia and a third by Rep. John Shadegg of Arizona. All three bills have a few themes in common with their Democratic proposals. ... While the main GOP proposals have no chance of passage, they could influence the debate" (Appleby, 9/16).

In a related story, KHN notes that though "Republicans have criticized Democrats for proposing numerous panels to oversee health care," one of the leading GOP health bills "would create its own commission and office to help set medical quality guidelines. And that has raised eyebrows among some conservatives."

The measure by Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., with a companion bill by Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., "would create a five-member Health Care Services Commission and an Office of the Forum for Quality and Effectiveness in Health Care, which would include 15 people nominated by health care organizations and appointed by the commission. The commissioners would be appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate" (Appleby, 9/16).

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