Expert: Trump proposals for replacing the ACA amount to definition of insanity

[CousinIT]

They say the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. If that’s so, then we have a textbook case in the Trump transition team’s proposed “replacement” of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), posted recently on their website.

The dumb idea that won’t go away

. . .

Seriously? High-Risk Pools?

Good grief, I can’t believe anyone still thinks returning to the days of high-risk pools is a good idea. They didn’t work before the ACA and they won’t work after it is repealed. Let’s review: Before the ACA, 35 states had high-risk pools. They were basically health insurance ghettos for people with pre-existing conditions – and expensive, poor quality ghettos at that. On the eve of the ACA market reforms, they enrolled 226,615 people, a tiny fraction of those potentially eligible. Here’s why:

1) Coverage was unaffordable. Nearly all of the high-risk pools had to set premiums at higher-than-market rates. Even though the high-risk pools were subsidized, those subsidies couldn’t cover the actual costs of this high-need population.

2) Coverage didn’t cover the care needed. To keep costs in check, nearly all the high-risk pools imposed pre-existing condition exclusions, meaning that even if you could afford the premiums, the insurer could refuse to cover any costs for your pre-existing condition for as many as 12 months.

3) Coverage was limited. All but two of the pools imposed lifetime dollar limits on coverage, usually between $1-2 million. Others imposed annual dollar limits on coverage, or limits on specific items or services, such a prescription drugs or rehabilitative services.

LINK: http://pulse.ncpolicywatch.org/2016/11/17/expert-trump-proposals-replacing-aca-amount-definition-insanity/

[HAB911]

1. At least a lot of his goober supporters will lose coverage

sad to say a lot of real humans will too

[MRDAWG]

2. In his 60 Minutes interview Trump said ....................

He would keep pre-existing conditions insurable. He said that children could stay on parents plan. That is 2/3 of the ACA. The third is expanded Medicaid.

The rest of the ACA is details lie deductibles, co-pay, premiums etc.

If true, he ain't changing much. He is just able to say he repealed Obamacare.

[Mosby]

3. He also said he wants to move people into HSAs

Most people can't afford HSAs and if you have young kids forget about it, your going to pay out the ass.