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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.
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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 proposalPolitical Impact
Gets Democrats through the 2014 midterm elections.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Proposals to fix obamacare
