Bill Description: Creates a health care program for people who don’t qualify for existing government programs.

Rating: -4

Analyst’s note: This is the latest of several proposals intended to provide health care coverage to people who qualify for neither Medicaid nor Obamacare insurance subsidies.  The bill references qualification for the 340B prescription drug plan. This program, requiring drug companies to provide large discounts to certain hospitals and clinics, has come under fire for mismanagement and increased use of medications.

Does it create, expand, or enlarge any agency, board, program, function, or activity of Government?

The bill would create a new government program to be run by the Department of Health and Welfare. The program would be available to people qualified by a health assessment who earn less than 100 percent of the federal poverty level guidelines. (-1)

Does it transfer a function of the private sector to the government?

Responsibility to care for people of need should rest with private organizations like churches and charities, not the government. This bill would takes a duty of this private sector and delegate it to government bureaucrats. (-1)

Does it give government any new, additional, or expanded power to prohibit, restrict, or regulate activities in the free market?

The Department of Health and Welfare would be able to dictate to participating providers their care delivery and treatment options. (-1)

Does it increase government redistribution of wealth?

This bill would redirect money collected by the government to individuals for certain health care costs. The Fiscal Note suggests without specifying the Millennium Fund would be the source of funding. (-1)