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'Obamacare' vs AHCA

by Philip F. Jacobus, CEO | May 24, 2017
Paul Ryan
Up to now I have resisted comparing these health plans because honestly I haven't had a chance to really research it.

However, I read today that the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office has weighed in on this and it's their view that the current Republican plan would leave 23 million people uninsured and would not cover pre-existing conditions to the same extent as under the Affordable Care Act, (or so-called "Obamacare").

According to the CBO, people with pre-existing conditions, i.e. less healthy people, would pay more in premiums than healthy people and lower income people would have fewer options.

This combination of not covering pre-existing conditions and that healthy people pay less is a double whammy and makes it even more likely that some people will just be priced out of insurance. I can't help but wonder how this will impact emergency room costs.

Because the Republicans control the House they were able to pass a version but I'll be very surprised if the Senate goes along with it.

The Republican plan seems to push everything out to the states so it will be the state government that makes the decision not the federal government. I suppose that's good news for the federal budget but it still seems to me to be bad news for John Q Public.

It seems especially ironic since President Trump's supporters, I suspect, will suffer disproportionately more than anyone else.

All this is a little like Trump's recently introduced budget plan which almost everyone agrees is dead on arrival.

Don't take my word for it, Google the Congressional Budget Office report and read about it for yourself.

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About Phil Jacobus

Phil Jacobus has been involved in health care since 1977, when he visited China to sell equipment. He has done business in 35 countries and still travels extensively. Phil is active in charity, helps rural clinics and always tries to help DOTmed users when he can.

Phil is a member of AHRA, HFMA, AAMI and the Cryogenic Society of America. He has contributed to a number of magazines and journals and has addressed trade groups.

Phil's proudest achievement is that he has been happily married to his wife Barbara since 1989, who helped him found DOTmed in 1998.

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Leon Zebrick

On Obamacare vs. AHCA

May 25, 2017 10:28

Here's another problem; it has to do with evolving work patterns in the US. If health coverage management gets pushed to the states, coverage becomes much less transportable, as each state, in theory, could address this matter in a different manner. Hardest hit will be young entrepreneurs and those just building their respective careers. Many will be forced to place stability over their innate desire to explore, create, move. In other words, accept mediocre jobs. Next hardest hit will be everyone else, because the nature of work is changing very rapidly. In the new "Gig Economy", companies are more and more frequently opting for "jump teams" to get in, get a job (task) done, and then move on. Mobility required! No benefits offered! How does the proposed AHCA fit with that picture? Right, it doesn't. I'm suggesting that in addition to Phil's points, the AHCA, as proposed, would seriously hamper the ability of the US to compete internationally by placing under lock, our very brightest. We need standardized, transportable coverage to support our young people. Why does Congress not get that?

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