Buzz
Just last month, the attempt to repeal Obamacare was so unpopular that it couldn’t even get a vote in the House. However, today, a revised version of that bill is back on the table, with backing from some of the most conservative figures in the House. Here’s a breakdown of the changes in the new bill and how it would impact your health care.
First, this version still includes the same problematic elements as the previous one, such as:
An $880 billion cut to Medicaid. This is the key feature of the bill, as it reallocates funds that could later be used for tax cuts. Republicans can pass these “budget reconciliation” bills without needing Democratic support, but they must maintain a balance in revenue. Many people rely on Medicaid for their care, and with this cut, obtaining Medicaid will become harder and it will cover even less than it currently does.
Skyrocketing premiums for older individuals. Similar to the previous bill, this new version allows insurers to charge older Americans more and alters subsidies so they are no longer tied to the actual cost of plans.
At least 24 million people will lose their coverage, including those who “choose” not to buy it because they can no longer afford it.
Deductibles will increase further, because there are no longer rules ensuring premiums cover a set portion of healthcare costs. So, while an insurance policy may seem inexpensive at first, you’ll be left with high costs if you need care.
In short, we’re still facing the same issues as last month’s bill, the American Health Care Act, albeit with a new amendment. This means the new version retains most of the old bill’s flaws, which we previously discussed.
A draft of the amendment was leaked to Politico, but according to the Washington Post, the official version may not be published until Republicans are confident they have enough votes to pass it. The proposed amendment suggests that states can implement any of the following measures:
Allowing insurers to charge older individuals any rate they choose. The ACA limited this to a 3:1 ratio, but the AHCA changes it to 5:1. States can even select 'a higher ratio' if they wish.
Removing essential health benefits. Currently, insurance must cover a range of necessary medical services—such as childbirth, cancer treatments, or surgeries. The new bill gives states the power to define their own list of essential benefits. If they exclude expensive services, we could return to the days of insurance policies that took your money without offering much in return.
Making insurance unaffordable for those with pre-existing conditions. While insurers can't outright deny coverage, they can raise premiums significantly based on your health history. States may opt into a stability fund, which would establish high-risk pools. However, the bill doesn't mandate that states use that fund to cover high-risk patients' premiums, meaning if you have a pre-existing condition, you're still likely to be out of luck.
Members of Congress and their staff are required to purchase insurance on the individual market, which limits how much they can alter the insurance law before it impacts them. However, the new amendment stipulates that the changes made by states will not apply to the insurance of Congress members and their staff. They may be rejecting the insurance that results from the new bill, but they are comfortable imposing it on the public.
Definitely make sure to call your representatives, but don’t panic just yet. This bill is still far from becoming law. Even if it passes the House, it would still need to clear the Senate, where it might falter for being too conservative. Does it even have enough support to get a House vote? Time will tell.
