Trump's short-term health insurance expansion a big dud with the whole health sector
newsdepo.com
The reviews—in the form of public comment on proposed regulation—are in, and the Trump administration's most recent Affordable Care Act sabotage scheme is getting panned by all the right people. Trump wants to expand short-term, stop-gap plans that are cuTrump's short-term health insurance expansion a big dud with the whole health sector
The reviews—in the form of public comment on proposed regulation—are in, and the Trump administration's most recent Affordable Care Act sabotage scheme is getting panned by all the right people. Trump wants to expand short-term, stop-gap plans that are currently allowed to be sold without all of the consumer protections in the law and without providing coverage for the essential benefits required in all other plans, like maternity or mental health or prescription drug coverage. The administration has proposed making these plans last longer (for up to one year) and potentially be renewable. While premiums for these plans would be substantially lower, they would provide much less coverage for much larger out-of-pocket costs, and they could leave people bankrupt after an unexpected injury or illness. They would also likely destabilize the individual market and throw much of the system into chaos. For all of these reasons, basically every component of the health sector is opposed to the proposal. The American Medical Association has warned it could “disrupt and destabilize the individual insurance market.” The American Academy of Family Physicians said it would allow insurers to avoid covering “vulnerable, expensive patients.” More than 100 patient groups have signed a letter in opposition. […] America’s Health Insurance Plans, the largest association representing health insurers, yesterday urged HHS to allow such plans to be purchased for just six months, not a full year, and ensure consumers are aware of what the plans don’t cover. “We are concerned that this proposed rule will lead to more people being uninsured and under-insured, and to higher costs in the long run,” incoming AHIP president Matt Eyles said in a statement. “Short-term plans can provide an important temporary bridge for comprehensive coverage. But they are not a replacement for comprehensive coverage.” Likewise, the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association says it «would cause rates to increase for those who need or want comprehensive health insurance coverage.» Read more