Trump takes new tack to weaken ObamaCare

[Right_in_Virginia]

Trump takes new tack to weaken ObamaCare
The Hill, Jan 7, 2018, Nathaniel Weixel

<snip>

A proposed rule released Thursday targeting the health law is likely the first step in a new effort to undermine the law. And advocates for ObamaCare worry that another forthcoming rule could cause even more damage.

The administration on Thursday eased rules on small businesses that band together to buy health insurance through what are known as association health plans (AHPs).  The proposal retains ObamaCare protections for people with pre-existing conditions and prohibits lifetime limits on benefits.  But it would allow associations to purchase cheaper health insurance that won’t cover the ten “essential health benefits,” which include mental health, substance abuse treatment, maternity care and prescription drugs.

A second proposed rule, yet to be unveiled, could have an even greater impact, with much broader exemptions from ObamaCare.  That rule is expected to lift the Obama administration's restrictions on skimpy, short-term health insurance plans. The changes would allow the plans to last for 12 months and be renewed.


Read more: http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/367698-trump-takes-new-tack-to-weaken-obamacare

[bilo]

I am so glad to see that Pres. Trump continues to end as much of Obamacare as he can. The problem with executive orders though is obvious.

The Pub party has lost my support because of their lies about repealing Obamacare. Pres. Trump has gained my support because of his efforts to end Obamacare.

[Emjay]

I am so glad to see that Pres. Trump continues to end as much of Obamacare as he can. The problem with executive orders though is obvious.

The Pub party has lost my support because of their lies about repealing Obamacare. Pres. Trump has gained my support because of his efforts to end Obamacare.

Yes.  I agree.  However, I don't criticize Trump for trying to make nice with scoundrels like the Turtle.  They are all he has to work with and he needs to bring them aboard if at all possible.

[Fantom]

Yes.  I agree.  However, I don't criticize Trump for trying to make nice with scoundrels like the Turtle.  They are all he has to work with and he needs to bring them aboard if at all possible.

Make nice..... or taze 'Em into submission.... politically speakin'. Wonder, with a man like Trump, which occurred?

Make nice comes after.

[Jazzhead]

This rule change is intended to exploit a difference that the Obama administration had determined between the group and individual insurance marketplaces.   The ACA includes an extensive range of "essential health benefits" that any citizen's insurance would have to cover, to avoid paying the ACA individual mandate tax.  Obama's regulations concluded that the essential health benefits requirement did not extend to most group insurance plans, but was required of individual policies.   Smaller employers can now band together in apparently rather loose "associations" and sponsor group insurance  -  and by so doing avoid the added cost of compliance with the long list of essential health benefits.   Cheaper (less comprehensive)insurance, spread over the larger population of a group,  should now begin to become available to smaller employers.   

Nice going, President Trump!

[Fantom]

This rule change is intended to exploit a difference that the Obama administration had determined between the group and individual insurance marketplaces.   The ACA includes an extensive range of "essential health benefits" that any citizen's insurance would have to cover, to avoid paying the ACA individual mandate tax.  Obama's regulations concluded that the essential health benefits requirement did not extend to most group insurance plans, but was required of individual policies.   Smaller employers can now band together in apparently rather loose "associations" and sponsor group insurance  -  and by so doing avoid the added cost of compliance with the long list of essential health benefits.   Cheaper (less comprehensive)insurance, spread over the larger population of a group,  should now begin to become available to smaller employers.   

Nice going, President Trump!

Too deep in the weeds @Jazzhead .  But a good synopsis.

Before obamacare, I was going to add health insurance to my , admittedly small, company. The path was to join my local Chamber of Commerce(yeah I know) for a $150.00 fee a year. Then I had a plethora of options and plans. 

Long story short. BCBS with a million lifetime limit, open network, $2500.00 deductible. Existing conditions covered immediately... with prior coverage. A 90 day wait if you did not have previous insurance.

Essentially a very good plan. Costs:.... Me at 48 then $260.00 a month, my son..20, $240.00, His wife 21, $320.00 (maternity benies), all chidren of theirs..$270.00.   Call it $800.00 to a grand.

Then the obamanation happened.

Hope we can get back to something like that... even at twice the price.

I don't need transgender surgery, I don't need no maternity, no homo drugs for sodomy......all in all, don't need those costs in my wall.

[truth_seeker]

  "essential health benefits" that any citizen's insurance would have to cover,

If you were unfortunate to live near the substance treatment centers, you could learn how much this aspect is ripping off taxpayers.

I do live near them. One of the Essentials is treatment. A place to go for talks each day, transportation to AA/NA meetings at night in Mercedes vans, transport to drug testing, and so called sober living housing etc.

The amounts these for profit entities collect from insurance, will blow your minds.  I mean like $ Tens of thousands monthly.

Pristine residential neighborhoods are up in arms, because the operators will pay twice the going rent rate for homes. That option is due to the group home legislation passed years prior to Obamacare, but cleverly exploited. Cities have spent $millions contesting this, only to lose every case.

It used to be the most expensive substance treatment was Betty ford in Palm Springs, Hazeldon in Minnesota etc. $30-35,000 for 30 days.

Now these entities are charging several times that, for longer time frames. And then the people come back once, twice etc. It is a scam.

There are "finders" that recruit druggies off the streets of the Midwest, ad offer them trips to California beach towns.