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F.A.I.R. Health Plan

(FEDERAL ACT INSURANCE RESTRUCTURED)

Submitted by Scott M. Farrell

The national health plan that follows is designed to meet all of the strategic goals that the American people have desired for years. It allows the uninsured to have access to healthcare in a way that is very cost effective and saves over $90 billion dollars in its first year in Medicaid expenditures alone without an adverse effect to the care provided. Compared to Medicaid today, which is projected to increase annually at the rate of 7.9%, the F.A.I.R. Healthcare Plan is estimated to save over $1.5 trillion over its first ten years yet provides coverage for all Americans under the age of 65.

F.A.I.R. Health Plan Summary

Nearly everyone in the country can agree that the current health care system is broken. The question is what changes will lead to a system that is both functional and cost effective? Following are highlights of what the F.A.I.R. Health Plan accomplishes:

• This is not a Government run health plan but utilizes private enterprise with subsidies for the Medicaid and low income population
• Health care coverage will be provided for all Americans from birth to age 65
• Medicare will remain intact and will take over for Americans when they reach 65
• All preexisting conditions will be covered
• Recommended screening and “wellness care” will be fully covered
• Complete dental coverage including routine check ups and cleanings, excluding cosmetics and implants
• Prescription drugs, includes all generics and 50% off brand names
• This is a premium based plan through insurance companies that covers every individual including Indigents (Medicaid)
• A trust fund is set up to cover the premiums for Indigents and subsidize the low income population
• The F.A.I.R. Healthcare Plan takes over for Medicaid saving it from insolvency
• Saves $1.5 trillion over ten years based on projected increases in Medicaid expenditures
• Medical professionals and other care providers will be reimbursed from a universal fee schedule which is 15% above Medicare fees
• Providers will be reimbursed 100 % of charges at the time service is provided
• Every patient will be issued a F.A.I.R. Healthcare Plan “smartcard” ( FAIR Card) that will help eliminate potential for fraud, simplify medical record collection and exchange and streamline service payment
• The F.A.I.R. Healthcare Plan will implement a “utilization fee” of $1,800 per 12 month period and/or illness for all individuals. The first $800 of utilization is paid by the patient over a 12 month period as increased premiums. The Government is to pay the balance of the utilization fee up to $1,000.
• Utilization fee is the first $1800 of medical services in a 12-month period and/or illness and all charges above the utilization fee is to be paid at 100 percent by the insurance companies
• Unpaid utilization fees at the time of service will be added to patients monthly premiums at minimum $20.00 maximum $70.00 per month until the balance is paid
• The Government is to pay the full utilization fee up to $1800 for Individuals earning under $30,000 per year
• Contributions to a Health Savings Account are tax deductible
• Utilization fees can be directly debited from an individual’s health savings account
• The premium will be based on 4% of an individual, couple or families income before taxes, the premium will be subsidized if the 4% is less than the premium due
• Premiums and/or utilization fees will be exempt from income tax
• Employers will receive 65% tax credit for contributions made to employees’ health savings account used to cover utilization fees
• Employers contribution to the employee’s premium is based on 2% of that employers gross sales
• This plan will be of great benefit to the financial industry because all of the premiums collected and payments for services are to be processed through federally insured banks
• Insurance Companies are to limit their cost of administration to a maximum of 7% to coincide with existing Federal Health Plans and OPM
• All plans are to be fee for service
• Physicians can only bill for services that they provide directly to the patient
• Medical providers will pay a transaction fee (not to exceed 2%) in exchange for receiving payment at time of service with use of the FAIR Card
• Qualified medical providers are to have access to all plans based on Medicare credentialing
• Credentialing should include Dentists, Naturopaths, Chiropractors and other qualified providers
• Tort reform will be legislated and to include Medical Boards
• The FAIR Health plan is to be implemented and managed by a Non-Profit Organization overseen by a Government Agency.
• This is a self funding plan with minimal Government intervention

Situation Overview

The United States of America is the most prosperous country in the world. Our gross domestic product outpaces other leading nations. This country was built on innovation, perseverance and hard work. When other countries find themselves in difficulty the U.S. is there to offer help. Our country does this so others will not suffer and will have adequate food and health care. The U.S. has the most advanced medical technology and resources in the world, yet people are dying every day because they cannot afford basic health care.

As of 2010 nearly 47 million Americans, or 18% of the population under the age of 65, were without health insurance and the number continues to rise. About 8.1 million of uninsured Americans or 10.7% are under the age of 18.

One might think only the very poor have a lack of access to healthcare but actually it’s the low wage earners or “working poor” who are suffering the most. Most states have programs that are designed for the indigent and provide adequate health care at no charge. It’s the low to middle income households that struggle the most to find a way to afford healthcare coverage.

Typically Americans working full-time earning minimum wage cannot afford healthcare coverage yet do not qualify for Medicaid or other government healthcare assistance. Inadequate or nonexistent healthcare coverage compromises one’s health because there is little preventative care received. With less preventative health care, uninsured or underinsured Americans are diagnosed at more advanced stages, which then results in a higher cost of care and a higher mortality rate.

An annual survey of health plans released on Sept. 22, 2008 by Hewitt Associates, a human resources consultant, predicts a 6.4% average increase in health care costs in 2009. Its estimates are based on a database analyzing the cost and performance of more than 1,800 health plans throughout the U.S. The United States of America is one of the few countries in the world that cannot provide adequate health care for its citizens. Following are some of the contributing causes that have created this situation.

Employer-Paid Health Insurance

What about employers? Why don’t employers pay for their employee’s healthcare insurance? The fact that small businesses comprise the largest group of employers in the United States is part of the explanation. Small businesses don’t have the same buying power or leverage of huge corporations and therefore are faced with extraordinarily high costs associated with offering their employees healthcare insurance. As such, most small employers simply cannot afford to offer health benefits and still stay in business. Companies that do offer health insurance, often require employees to contribute a large share toward their coverage. Increasingly Americans have opted not to take advantage of job-based health insurance because the cost is too high and they cannot afford it. Additionally, there is a growing number of Americans who are independent contractors or self-employed individuals who do not qualify for group health plans, which results in a high percentage of these workers being uninsured. If a small company with $1,000,000 in sales and 20 employees had to pay the premiums for its employees under the existing system, with an approximate premium of $300 per month per employee that would cost the employer $6,000 per month. The average yearly profit that a small business of this size could earn would be approximately $100,000 per year before taxes. If you add $72,000 for insurance the owner of this small business’s income becomes approximately $28,000 which puts him in the poverty category.

Medical Treatment Costs

In addition to the high cost of healthcare insurance premiums, Americans are also distraught over the ever-rising cost of medical care. Why is the cost of medical care climbing astronomically? As the number of Americans who are uninsured or underinsured grows so too does the cost of care. Someone has to pick up the tab for those who cannot afford to pay. For example, an individual who cannot afford health insurance and is therefore uninsured has an emergency and goes to the hospital. That individual is treated and presented with a bill they cannot and do not pay. This bill is likely to be for thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. How do hospitals recoup the cost of treatment that is unpaid? The cost of care for patients who are insured is increased. How do insurance companies recoup the high cost of medical treatment? Healthcare insurance premiums increase, which is what, causes even more folks to become uninsured. It’s a vicious circle that will not end. Currently it is estimated the U.S. spends nearly $1 billion per year to provide uninsured “residents” as opposed to citizens with health services, which is in addition to hospitals providing about $34 billion worth of uncompensated health care a year.

Insurance Costs

High provider costs translate into high healthcare insurance premiums. Eliminating the bad debt factor to providers would help lower medical costs and insurance premiums. An additional reason most health plans have high premiums and eventually run into financial problems is high utilization of the plan due to low or nonexistent deductibles. For example, Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO) has the highest utilization rate and also typically requires low or no patient co-payment. When services are fully covered they are often overused resulting in an increase in the overall cost of care. Patients may begin to see doctors for a variety of unnecessary procedures. In order for HMOs to survive and be profitable they have to reduce services, therefore resulting in inferior medical care provided to the patient.

Currently Medicaid is the United States’ solution to assist eligible individuals and families with health care. In a 2008 report released by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) indicated Medicaid spending is expected to substantially outpace the rate of growth in the U.S. economy over the next decade. Medicaid spending has reached $339 billion and will continue to grow at an annual average rate of 7.9% over the next ten years. If the U.S. continues on this road it will be spending $674 billion by 2017. In the CMS report Secretary Leavitt states, “This report should serve as an urgent reminder that the current path of Medicaid spending is unsustainable for both federal and state governments.”

Another contributor to the escalating health care crisis is that it’s not unusual for major insurance companies to have 40% of premiums go to administration costs. In comparison several of the most successful Federal health plans in America today can only spend up to 7% of premiums on administration which is enforced by OPM (Office of Personnel Management). Why the big difference and what is the solution?

Providers are caught up in a bureaucratic mess with providers designated as the bad guys. Physicians give up their life for around16 years for the purpose of being qualified to care for our medical well being. A Physician with a specialty, to complete his/her education over the 16 years, would cost that physician approximately $600,000. With today’s health care system and complicated reimbursements, the average Family Practice Physician nets after expenses approximately $125,000 per year with a 60 hour work week. Under the current system with existing health plans, Doctors are lucky to collect 50% of charges for their patient care. In addition it costs the doctor another 10 to 15% to collect the reimbursements.

The Solution

What kind of health plan can provide the American people with basic care? A plan that is a combination of the private sector and the government and that stimulates the economy, creates new jobs, satisfies medical providers and results in all Americans having healthcare care coverage.

Following is an overview for the proposed F.A.I.R. Healthcare Plan. The F.A.I.R. Healthcare Plan is a low cost base premium plan. Monthly payments would increase based on the previous months’ utilization. In other words, plan participants who are basically healthy and seldom need medical attention, are not penalized by paying for members who more frequently use or even abuse the plan. This plan also eliminates bad debts to hospitals and providers. The F.A.I.R. Healthcare Plan is run by the private sector with limited government contributions for all individuals’ birth through age 64.

Over the years we have heard horror stories of those who have lost their life savings because they did not have adequate health insurance. These stories usually involve catastrophic illnesses, not routine doctor visits. The idea of a national health plan that covers every visit is not practical however a plan that covers catastrophic illnesses in excess of $1800 is very practical and affordable.

1. Underwriting

   1. a) Large groups of 500,000 or more members will be formed and underwritten by insurance companies. The plan is to cover all medical procedures (including wellness), all based on a universal fee schedule, and to pay 100% of the scheduled fees. The total utilization fee is $1,800 per year. For members that earn over $30,000 per year, the fee is divided between the member and Government, in which the member is to pay up to the first $800 and the Government is to pay the utilization fee up to $1,000.00 per member. Those earning under $30,000 the Government will contribute up to $1,800. All per 12-month period and/or illness.
   2. b) 18% of the premiums paid are to be placed in a trust, to pay the premiums for low wage earners, indigent or Medicaid population.
   3. c) The premium will be in the range of: (estimated)
      
      1. $185.00 per individual/month
      2. $225.00 per single parent/month
      3. $295.00 per couple/month
      4. $385.00 per family/month
   4. d) There is to be a minimum co-payment of $10.00 paid to the provider at the time of each visit. This will offset the cost of processing patients and will help reduce utilization for unnecessary visits. The providers at their option can waive the co-payment.

2. Funding

   1. The member covers the utilization fee up to $800 and the Government is to cover the balance of the utilization fee up to $1,000. Any member earning under $30,000 per year the Government will contribute up to $1,800 which is the maximum utilization fee. With the first $1,800 of medical services being paid in combination by the Government and member the base monthly premium can be reduced drastically. Therefore, a basically healthy person who would seldom use the plan would have a very low monthly premium. In the event medical services are required, the amount of such services can be automatically financed over a 12-month period, so that the monthly outlay for health insurance is still relatively low compared to existing health insurance policies.

      Each member is responsible for their premium based on income. A trust fund is created to pay or subsidize the premium for the Indigent or low income members. The amount of the trust fund is based on18% of all premiums collected.

      1. An example of how the system works:
      2. A single individual, with a base premium of $185.00, has a number of procedures that costs $10,000.00 and exceeds the $1,800.00 utilization fee by $8,200.00
      3. The providers submits and is paid 100% electronically, $10,000 by the financial institution, which collects $8,200 from the insurance company and $1,800 from the member and/or Government. It all will happen seamlessly. Note: 90% of the $800 portion of the utilization fee is guaranteed by the Government.
      4. The $800 is amortized over 12 months, with a minimum of $20 and maximum of $70 per month, including interest at 5% per annum.  The maximum monthly outlay for this member with full utilization would be:

      Base Premium	$185.00
      Monthly Utilization Fee	$70.00
      Total per Month	$255.00

      1. The total and maximum that the individual would spend in that year for health services is $2,760.00.
   2. Another way to look at it is that for $255.00 per month, this individual has a health plan with 100% coverage.
   3. To accomplish the above, we would create a National Health Card (FAIR Card). This National Health Card would be contracted with Financial Institutions to produce a standard health card that would stand-alone and not interfere with any other credit or require a credit check. All premiums collected and disbursements are to be processed through the financial institution. The Insurance Company is to notify the Financial Institution and member/or employer the amount of premium due and collects the premium from the Member or Employer. When the premium is collected for that Member it is disbursed less 18% to the Insurance Company. All charges from the providers are to be submitted to the Financial Institution; in return the Financial Institution pays the provider immediately at 100% by electronic transfer. Payments that are made to the provider are reimbursed to the Financial Institution by the Insurance Company, and/or government.
   4. Employees will be encouraged to have a Health Savings Account which presently exists under current legislature and is tax deductible. Utilization fees could be automatically deducted from that account.
   5. Members are to be charged for the utilization fee by the Financial Institution with payments to be approximately 1/12 of services charged or minimum $20 per month. The interest rate will be a maximum of 5%. The Financial Institution is to charge a service fee to the insurance company of 1% of the base premium collected and charge providers up to 2% of patient charges.

3. Employers Plan

   1. All Employers have mandatory payroll deductions for the Health Plan
   2. Employers contribution to the employee’s premium is based on 2% of that employers gross sales.
      1. If an employer does $500,000 in gross sales he is responsible to pay 2% or $10,000 per year.  This multiplies out based on how small or large a company is.
      2. An example is if the above employer has 6 employees we divide the $10,000 by 6 and the employers responsibility would be $1,667.00 per year or 139.00 per month per employee and the employee would be responsible for $553.00 for that year or $46.00 per month.
      3. This 2% becomes the employer’s minimum responsibility to equally cover all employees. Employers may opt to contribute more for their employees.
         

         Employers Gross Sales	2% of Sales	Number of Employees	Employer Responsibility	Employee Responsibility	Total Base Premium
         $250,000	$5,000	4	$104	$ 81 per month	$185
         $500,000	$10,000	6	$139	$ 46 per month	$185
         $1,000,000	$20,000	10	$167	$ 18 per month	$185
         $4,000,000	$80,000	50	$133	$ 52 per month	$185
         $50,000,000	$1,000,000	500	$167	$ 18 per month	$185

   3. In the event the employee has incurred medical expenses that apply to the utilization fee minimum $20 maximum $70 is added to the premium deducted from the employee and is submitted through payroll deduction to the Financial Institution
   4. Employers will receive 65% tax credit for contributions made to employees’ health savings account used to cover utilization fees
   5. Employers with Union or Entities, that have negotiated full benefits under a contract on behalf of their members or employees, will have the employer pay the full premium and utilization fee or will be able to purchase a supplemental policy to cover the utilization fee or fund their Health Savings Account to cover the utilization fee therefore giving members/employees 100% coverage

4. Indigent Plan

   1. 18% from premiums collected by the Financial Institution will be submitted to a non-profit corporation, state or federal government, this shall be set-aside in a trust account to pay the base premium for the indigent as well as reimbursement to the Insurance Company as premium for the indigent
   2. Any individual with income that is under $20,000, couple under $30,000 and family under $40,000 will be totally subsidized. This includes premium and utilization fee.
   3. When the indigent utilizes the services, the insurance company pays all charges up to the utilization fee. The Government Agency is to pay the full cost of the utilization fee to the Financial Institution.  The maximum the Gov agency can be out on payments is the amount of the utilization fee $1,800, which is considerably less than what they now pay. This system allows the Indigent to maintain their dignity since no one will know he/she is being subsidized or is classified as an indigent.
   4. The indigent is to pay the provider the minimum set standard co-payment of $10.00 per visit to help minimize over-utilization.

5. Low Income Plan with no Employer Contribution

   1. A person on a low income shall have their base premium set and subsidized according to their income.  The utilization fees shall be handled in the same manner.

      The unsubsidized premium would be $2,220 per year ($185.00 per month).

      The subsidized premium will be based on 4% of that individual’s income before taxes. (i.e., a person earning $35,000 per year at 4% that individual’s premium responsibility would be $1,400 per year). Without the utilization fee that individual would be subsidized by $2,220 – $1,400 = $820 from the trust fund. The utilization fee would be $800 which would be the individual’s responsibility for the utilization fee.

   2. Premium (Individual)
      Premium responsibility  $35,000 @ 4% = $1,400  (Individual portion $117/month)
      Subsidized Premium    $2,220 - $1,400 = $820 (Trust fund portion)
                                      
      This premium remains constant at $117/month until medical services are required
      Utilization Fee (Individual)
      Utilization responsibility  (over $30,000) $35,000 = $ 800 (Individual maximum portion $70/month)

      In the event medical services are required above $800 for that year the premium would temporarily increase by $70/month
      Premium of $117 + Utilization of $70 = $187/month

      Premium (Family)
      Premium responsibility   $55,000 @ 4% = $2,200   (Family portion $183/month)
      Subsidized Premium    $4,620 – $2,200 = $2,420  (trust fund)

      Utilization responsibility   $800 per individual

   3. An example of the working poor is a single individual, working in a retail store with no dependents, earning minimum wage (on average) $12.00 per hour, and working 40 hours per week.  His gross pay is $480.00 per week, with tax deductions of $95.00, would leave a net pay of $385.00 per week. His monthly take home pay is approximately $1667.00.

      After tax total take home income per year $20,000

      Gross income per year before taxes $25,000

      Example of monthly living expenses from net income of $1667.00 per month with individual utilizing over $1,800 in medical services

      (i)Rent	$750.00
      (ii)Food	$498.00
      (iii)Transportation	$250.00
      (iv)Clothing & Miscellaneous	$86.00
      (v)Health Premium @ 4% of gross ($25,000)	$  83.00
      (vi)Utilization charged	$  00.00
      (vii)Total Monthly Expense	$1667.00

                                                            

Benefits of the F.A.I.R Health Plan

Insurance Companies

The F.A.I.R. Plan provides a great opportunity for insurance companies to grow in different ways:

• It creates large pools of members, which reduces the costs on administration and allows the insurance companies to spread their risk more widely
• Existing Federal health plans should be allowed to provide insurance to non federal employees and allowed to compete.
• Bad debts are eliminated since all premiums are guaranteed paid, again reducing administrative costs
• The insurance company only receives the premiums from the Financial Institution, saving on thousands of individual billings
• The insurance company can cut back on staff that was used to process claims, deductibles, coinsurance etc.
• It creates competition among insurance companies with added benefits and new supplemental insurance products
• Start up costs would by minimal, and most insurance companies could start this program immediately as they have the required software, equipment and personnel
  

Banking Industry

Presently the banking industry is trying to carve out a piece of the medical industry by promoting the use of credit cards for medical services by patients.

The F.A.I.R. Plan would be a boom to the banking industry, as billions of dollars in medical services and insurance premiums would pass through the financial system:

• The members of the health plan would benefit due to competition in signing up members by lower interest rates and premiums
• Most billings would be group billings to employers through payroll deduction, cutting administration costs
• Bad debts would almost be eliminated by government guarantees of 90%
• The banking industry is already set up to handle this program, with minimal set up costs

Medical Providers

Today many medical practices are struggling to collect 50% of what is owed for the services they provide. The F.A.I.R. Plan will stabilize most medical practices as well as reduce costs of operation by eliminating bad debts. By providing the medical providers with payments of 100% of scheduled (15% above Medicare reimbursement) for their services in approximately 24 hours, allows providers control of his/her practice. This translates into reduced cost for patients while increasing the quality of medical care. With a high percentage of providers accepting Credit Cards the F.A.I.R HP would be simple to implement. The inflation for services that has been experienced in recent decades would stop for several years as the providers will now be paid for 100% of their services allowing them to hold fast on current rates for quite a few years. It would allow the providers to concentrate on practicing medicine instead of accounting and law.

In business if you perform a service you get paid. Why is it the doctor’s responsibility to have to fight to get paid? Qualified medical providers are to have universal access to all plans based on Medicare credentialing

Plan Participants

The F.A.I.R. Plan provides members with medical care on demand with their choice of providers. Treating all parties equally, regardless of financial ability, allows those who are less fortunate to lose their degrading label.

Everyone is to enroll therefore covering the total population excluding Medicare. Since those who are not employed will receive full benefits and when employed payroll deductions will be mandatory and premiums will be based on income.

The decision for medical care should be determined by the attending Physician not the Insurance Companies.

It provides premiums based on financial ability and in return does not penalize the healthy segment of the population by paying for individuals who would over-use the system. Under this plan there is no reason for an individual to be uninsured.

Employers

With the F.A.I.R. Health Plan employers, especially small businesses will only have to contribute up to 2% of the employer’s gross income on behalf of their employees. The overall burden will be kept in check by requiring employees to pay some of their premium and utilization fees. Employees will be encouraged through payroll deduction to contribute to a Health Savings account.

As an incentive employers will receive 65% tax credit for contributions made to employees’ health savings account used to cover utilization fees

All employees must be insured through payroll deductions. The Health Card Company will notify the employers for each employee monthly. There are no calculations to be done, nor any complicated systems therefore creating simple guidelines for the employer to follow. Eventually employees will begin to seek out companies that do full contributions to their Health Care Plan thus changing the market and forcing employers to provide contributions.

Government

Government participation in the F.A.I.R. Health Plan is to mandate:

• That every individual be eligible for the plan regardless of medical history
• That employers make payroll deductions for premiums and utilization fees
• A system to oversee scheduled fees
• Regulation of the insurance companies and the financial institutions that offer the health card
• Bring in Tort Reform
• Set up an agency to investigate and prosecute fraud within the system

Government agencies involved with health care would save billions of dollars, as the maximum liability they could incur is the amount of the utilization fee $1000.00 non- subsidizes members and $1,800 for the indigent and low-income population. The projected savings would be $ 90 billion dollars in its first year in Medicaid expenditures. Currently Medicaid spends $340 billion dollars on approximately 50 million Medicaid recipients. If the Government only has to pay $1,000 per unsubsidized recipient x 200 million that = $200 billion and also pays $1,800 per subsidized recipient x 100 million = $180 billion for a total of $380 billion. Based on projections that only 65% of the utilization fee would be paid out that would cost the Government $380 billion x 65% = $250 billion. That is the maximum liability for the full population because the cost of care is paid by the insurance companies and is premium based paid through the trust fund and members. If you subtract $250 billion from $340 billion currently spent by Medicaid we now have a savings of $90 billion. Medicaid has 50 million members plus 50 million members earning under $30,000 per year (low income members) equals 100 million members that have $1,800 full subsidies for utilization fees.

Tort Reform

In order for the system to work we need major Tort Reform. Providers are not attorneys and should not be practicing law. In order to avoid litigation, providers are over-ordering testing to cover their liability. Some practitioners have given up medicine because of the cost of liability insurance. The maximum liability to a practitioner should not be greater than $300,000. If a patient wishes limits beyond that they should have the option to buy medical liability insurance for themselves. Not unlike auto insurance in which we add uninsured and underinsured to our auto policy. The cost should be in the range of $5 to $10 per month.

Another area to be covered under Tort Reform is to limit the power of Medical Boards where there is no due process and who are responsible for destroying the lives and income of practitioners based on frivolous complaints. If a Doctor refuses to prescribe a narcotic; will not put the patient on disability, or the patient does not want to pay their bill, often a complaint is filed by a patient with the board. That doctor’s life becomes hell for years and cost thousands of dollars in legal fees. Complainants should not be allowed to be anonymous and there should be some retribution for frivolous complaints.

Conclusion

The F.A.I.R. Healthcare Plan is equitable and everyone benefits. It makes basic health insurance available to everyone. It continues to use private enterprise which stimulates the economy. This plan will help revitalize the banking industry as they control all funds through the health cards. One and one half trillion dollars over ten years will be saved based on existing Medicaid expenditures. Most importantly aspects of The F.A.I.R. Healthcare Plan and all of its individual elements are currently in place, within one year this plan could be completely implemented and in full operation.

Disclaimer

Scott Farrell is not affiliated with any company, agency, or political party involved in health care reform and will receive absolutely no financial benefit. Writing this plan was a labor of love and was started in 1991 and at that time was presented to Senator John McCain who replied in writing that it was an excellent idea. Now the timing is right.