AARP threatens to sue Trump over ObamaCare change

[highplainsdem]

Source: The Hill

The AARP says it would consider suing the Trump administration if it went forward with a regulation that would allow insurers to charge older people more under ObamaCare.

The Department of Health and Human Services is in the process of putting forward a regulation on “stabilization” of the ObamaCare marketplaces, and The Huffington Post reported on Monday that one proposal in the regulation is to change the ratio set out under ObamaCare on how much more insurers can charge older people compared to younger people.

Right now, the ratio is at 3:1, meaning insurers can charge older people, who tend to have higher health costs, three times as much in premiums as younger people. Insurers have long been pushing to loosen up that requirement and allow for charging older people more.

The Huffington Post reported that the Trump administration is considering a regulation to change the ratio to 3.49:1, under the theory that 3.49 still “rounds down” to three and therefore follows the law.

-snip-

Read more: http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/318370-aarp-threatens-to-sue-trump-over-obamacare-change

[unblock]

1. rofl! 3.49 rounds down to 3! lemme try that on my taxes:

what? i owe $10,000? here, lemme pay $5,001. it rounds up to $10,000!

donnie says it's cool!

[wishstar]

2. How is that going to solve main complaint about ACA- that premiums are too high for some people?

No problem if the subsidies are going to go up accordingly, but Repubs want to get rid of the subsidies while replacing with vouchers or tax credits of dubious value

[ehrnst]

6. It will show the GOP that a demographic they depend on will revolt. (nt)

[pdxDem]

35. If my AARP loving-grandma was anything like today's grandmas ...

...Trump better not cross AARP. My grandma L-O-V-E-D Ronnie right up until he messed with seniors.

[NoGoodNamesLeft]

3. If he pisses off the seniors he's in trouble

eom

[Bernardo de La Paz]

4. tRump endorses the state legislature that made a law making Pi 3 instead of 3.14159.... nt

[DonCoquixote]

5. we need to support this

OIf trump loses the silver vote, he is cooked

[50 Shades Of Blue]

7. DO IT!!!!!!!!!

[KewlKat]

8. What? Not 3.49999999999

[truthisfreedom]

34. Jeepers, don't give the old man any ideas!

[TexasBushwhacker]

9. It's bad enough as it is

What they should do is allow everyone 50+ to buy into Medicare. One of the big reasons that older unemployed people have trouble finding new jobs is that their health insurance premiums are higher.

[Hekate]

10. KnR

[flamingdem]

11. Get off our lawn you Trump!

[Ilsa]

12. I'm 29 forever! nt

[saidsimplesimon]

13. thank you highplains

AARP is a for profit organization, selling insurance is a side line. They need to do more than "consider" taking action. Their members should demand some recompense if they fail to represent them.

[sarcasmo]

14. Seniors who voted for the idiot must be proud.

[MiniMe]

15. They should wait until Price goes to implement balance billing

That is when the Doc can charge you for what Medicare doesn't pay. For example, if your Doc charges $300 for an office visit, but Medicare will only reimburse them for $100, they can bill you for the other $200. I see that as a huge problem for everybody!

[milestogo]

16. Yeah, but aren't they just a front for a health insurance company?

Its not like they actually give a shit about older people.

[radical noodle]

22. Some people think so...

but there is no reason for anyone in the AARP to necessarily buy the insurance they offer. I get benefits from them but have never purchased a thing from them other than a very cheap membership. Yes, I get junk mail from their insurance plans, but I happily throw them away with all the other junk mail.

[Beartracks]

29. This

My impression is they partner up with 3rd parties so that said 3rd parties can offer products and services to their membership, with the AARP imprimatur on them. Some may be tailored exclusively for AARP members, too, like maybe specific insurance plans that aren't available outside of AARP. But, no, there's no obligations, just the junk mail.

The disheartening ones are the ones selling living will preparation or discount burial plots... On the other hand, you may receive countless offers to sell your non-existent timeshare.

======================

[radical noodle]

32. I've been getting cremation offers

and even though that's what I have opted for, I'm not ready for offers yet.

I think some older folks find it easier to buy through someone they know, and maybe it does help them. I've priced their insurance and it's about the same as all the others, so no big loss if they do.

[burrowowl]

17. About time!

to get their asses in gear!

[Cha]

18. Good.. high profile for seniors.

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

19. OFFS, threatens. What we need is action, not threats.

[radical noodle]

23. He hasn't done anything yet

Doesn't he have to actually do something to challenge it in court? I'm no attorney, so just asking.

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

28. Yeah, you're correct. Sorry, I've just been a wee bit jumpy lately!

Makes it hard to think straight.

[radical noodle]

31. I hear you! n/t

[lagomorph777]

20. That's odd. They're also running a glowing pro-Trump ad on TV.

The ad extols his position on Medicaid as it plays footage of the orange stain.

[radical noodle]

24. You know why they're doing that, don't you?

It's his words, reminding seniors of what he said during his campaign (without alienating them). Therefore if he does mess up social security or medicare, they will remember that they've been lied to.

[pkdu]

26. Exactly...its well played AARP on that one nt

[IronLionZion]

21. GOP needs to lose elderly voters

[radical noodle]

25. They lost me decades ago

[subterranean]

27. What's the point of doing this if they're going to repeal Obamacare?

[doc03]

30. What about the yearly physical and several tests with no charge that were

added to Medicare under the ACA?

[Hoyt]

33. I'm an older person, old enough that won't be affected, but I don't think a disportionate burden

should be placed on younger people. Some subsidy would be preferable for those needing it., but the current law piles a bit more on younger people than reflected in medical loses.