HELENA, Mont. (March 13, 2017) – A bill that would help facilitate healthcare freedom and set the foundation to nullify federal control over the industry in practice passed the Montana House Saturday and heads to the governor’s desk.
Sen. Cary Smith (R-Billings) introduced Senate Bill 100 (SB100) on Jan. 9. The legislation specifies that direct primary care agreements (sometimes called medical retainer agreements) do not constitute insurance, thereby freeing doctors and patients from the onerous requirements and regulations under the state insurance code.
The bill also creates a structure to regulate direct primary care provider agreements.
SB100 passed the House by a 64-33 vote. It previously cleared the Senate 35-14. It now heads to Gov. Steve Bullock’s desk for his signature.
A FIRST STEP
At this point, it appears the Republicans will not actually repeal Obamacare, and the changes to the plan may actually make things worse. Regardless, state actions can help completely bring down the Affordable Care Act or whatever you want to call the Republican version of national healthcare. Regardless, state actions can help completely bring it down.
Oftentimes, supporters of Obamacare criticize opponents for not having any alternative. Direct primary care offers one.
These direct patient/doctor agreements allow a system uncontrolled by government regulations to develop. It makes doctors responsive to patients, not insurance company bureaucrats or government rule-makers. Allowing patients to contract directly with doctors via medical retainer agreements opens the market. Under such agreements, market forces will set price for services based on both demand instead of relying on central planners with a political agenda. The end-result will be better care delivered at a lower cost.
By incentivizing creative healthcare solutions, the market will naturally provide better options, such as the Surgery Center of Oklahoma, This facility operates completely outside of the insurance system, providing a low-cost alternative for many surgical procedures.
A more open healthcare marketplace within a state will help spur de facto nullification the federal program by providing an affordable alternative. As patients flock to these arrangements and others spurred by ingenuity and market forces, the old system will begin to crumble.
Passage of SB100 would represent a first step toward healthcare freedom in Montana, and would create a stepping stone to further action to nullify the onerous Affordable Care act. Once in place, Virginians can take further steps to fully extricate themselves from Obamacare for good.
For more information on a plan to nullify the PPACA, click HERE
WHAT’S NEXT
Gov. Bullock will have 10 days from the date of transmittal to sign or veto the bill. If he doesn’t act, it will become law without his signature.
