I'm not enough of a HRC wonk to know whether or not these are good ideas, but the "undercover medical professionals" just tickles me. Complete letter here.
Washington-Following up on last week's healthcare summit, President Obama today sent a letter to congressional leaders expressing interest in including several Republican ideas in the updated healthcare plan that he will outline Wednesday.
The president singled out a proposal by Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) to use undercover medical professionals to help identify fraud in Medicare, Medicaid and other federal health programs.
He said he was open to appropriating $50 million in federal funding to help states explore alternatives to resolving medical malpractice lawsuits, including the establishment of so-called health courts, a top priority of GOP lawmakers.
Obama expressed interest in taking steps to help states raise reimbursements for doctors participating in Medicaid, which has historically paid health providers less than what Medicare or private insurers pay. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) raised that issue at the summit.
And the president said he was open to including language in his proposal to expand Health Savings Accounts and including high-deductible health plans in the new insurance exchanges that Democrats plan to set up around the country to help people buy coverage if they do not get it through work. This idea, raised by Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), is another longtime GOP proposal for addressing problems with the nation's healthcare system.
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