Illuminated Living: The Battle For Healthcare

Living Well

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The Better Care Reconciliation Act is no longer, and the Affordable Care Act is back. What does this mean for the American citizens?

CBS News explores the instant impact repeal would have on consumers.

The Washington Post (July 18, 2017)

“President Trump predicted Tuesday that Republicans would wait for the federal insurance market to collapse and then work to broker a deal to rewrite the nation’s landmark health-care law, while Senate leaders pressed ahead with a plan to repeal the Affordable Care Act with no immediate replacement.”

Can The Affordable Care Act survive despite lack of support?

Cost Sharing Reductions (CSR’s)

A lot depends on rather the current administration will extend government subsidies known as CSR’s or cost sharing reductions. CSR’s help insurers set their prices, and many have been reluctant to do so in our current unstable governmental climate.
American Hospital Association (AHA) asserts in a recent comment letter that should the government discontinue the funding, Americans making more than 400 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL) will be priced out of having coverage, even though subsidized consumers are protected from price increases. Without the CSRs, people are expected to face higher premium costs and fewer coverage options.

Medicaid Expansion

A central goal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is to significantly reduce the number of uninsured by providing a continuum of affordable coverage options through Medicaid and the Health Insurance Marketplaces.

As I stated in the 2013 piece on the Affordable Care Act, “I won't pretend that I completely understand, but I will do what I can to try and figure it out. I hope the above information has helped you to understand a bit more as well. We are all in this together and the only way out is through.”

Keep your ear to street, and as you learn better do better.