Are the differences in "Trumpcare" accurate or exaggerated?

SixOfWands

Thu, Mar 16 2017, 12:38 pm

Mevater wrote:

Are the differences of what Trump said he'd do, and what he wants to do now that hes elected, accurate or exaggerated?

My rule is generally not to rely on memes for information, and certainly not memes that use the word YUGE, as its probably advocacy.

That said:

The Congressional Budget Office does estimate that about 24 million people will lose coverage under Trumpcare. But that's by 2026. Its "only" 14 million people by 2018 (which is next year). This includes people who will become uninsured because of the elimination of the Medicaid expansion. Every time you hear "Child Health Plus" here, read it as "it ain't gonna exist next year." Also, with block grants, the eligibility level for Medicaid will go down in many states. But I must also add that some of the people will become uninsured by choice, as they feel they don't need or want health insurance. These are usually young and healthy people. Unfortunately, they're the ones who lower rates for others.

Premiums would rise by 15-20% in 2018-2019, however they would then decline by 10% than under current law by 2026, according to the CBO.

Trump proposes cutting Medicaid $880 billion next year alone. That's going to affect a whole lot of senior citizens. Think folks in nursing homes. Also, by removing the "3:1 limit," Trumpcare could significantly increase the cost of health insurance for seniors. One source estimates that a 64-year-old who earns $26,500, for example, now pays $1,700 annually for her health insurance. Trumpcare would raise that to 14,600 for the exact same coverage.

Specifically as to Medicare, Tom Price (Secretary of HHS) has stated that “nothing has had a greater negative effect on the delivery of health care than the federal government’s intrusion into medicine through Medicare.” He's also said, “We will not rest until we make certain that government-run health care [e.g., Medicare] is ended.” Doesn't sound promising. The proposal is to end Medicare completely, and have senior citizen purchase insurance through the market, with vouchers for a couple of thousand a year (see above re pricing).

Fox

Thu, Mar 16 2017, 12:39 pm

We have absolutely no idea. Right now Trump claims to be trying to mediate and evaluate the objections of various groups of Republicans, basically those behind the so-called "RinoCare" or "ObamaCareLite" versus those favoring Senator Rand Paul's proposals.

Whatever happens, it is not going to be a quick one-and-done fix. We're trying to reap the benefits of both socialism and the free-market without incurring the costs of either.