Republicans Say Costs Will Be ‘Much Lower’ Under Their Bill — But Experts Disagree
They say millions of Americans will pay more for an insurance policy that comes with a much steeper deductible, and it could also make it much harder to find a comprehensive plan covering various conditions ranging from heart disease to depression that would not be prohibitively expensive. Media outlets look at what else is in the measure, and how it will affect consumers and the industry.
The New York Times:
Senate Health Plan Falls Short Of Promise For Cheaper Care, Experts Say
President Trump and the Republicans have promised that their plan to overhaul the federal health care law will make medical coverage much more affordable. Premiums and deductibles will be “much lower,” Mr. Trump tweeted in April. He also assured Americans that the plan to replace the Affordable Care Act would protect people with potentially expensive medical conditions. ... But millions of Americans will pay more for an insurance policy that comes with a much steeper deductible under the new Senate plan, according to some health economists and insurance experts. It could also make it much harder to find a comprehensive plan covering various conditions ranging from heart disease to depression that would not be prohibitively expensive. (Abelson, 6/23)
The Associated Press:
Consumer Issues Stemming From The GOP Health Care Initiative
Republicans in full control of government are on the brink of history-making changes to the nation's health care system. The impact for consumers would go well beyond "Obamacare." Former President Barack Obama's signature law is usually associated with subsidized insurance markets like HealthCare.gov. But the Affordable Care Act also expanded Medicaid. (6/24)
Los Angeles Times:
GOP's Obamacare Repeal Bills Threaten Huge Disruptions Across The Healthcare System
Congressional Republicans, who for years blasted the Affordable Care Act for disrupting Americans’ healthcare, are now pushing changes that threaten to not only strip health coverage from millions, but also upend insurance markets, cripple state budgets and drive medical clinics and hospitals to the breaking point. (Levey, 6/25)
Los Angeles Times:
What The Senate Healthcare Bill Could Mean For Californians
The Affordable Care Act has had a huge impact on California, where roughly 4 million people have gained insurance and the percentage of uninsured residents has dropped more than half. [Here] is a breakdown of some of the ways the Senate bill could affect healthcare coverage in California if it becomes law. (Karlamangla, 6/23)
Kaiser Health News:
‘Coverage Gap’ For Poor May End, But Many Will Still Have Trouble Affording Plans
Having long decried the failings of the Affordable Care Act, Senate Republicans are purporting to fix one of its loopholes with their newly unveiled health plan. The so-called coverage gap left more than 2.5 million people living below the poverty line of $11,880 for an individual ineligible for Medicaid or financial assistance to buy insurance — even as higher earners got subsidy checks to buy theirs. But experts say the fix, which looks fine on paper, is a mirage. (Galewitz, 6/23)
WBUR:
How The Senate Health Care Bill Could Disrupt The Insurance Market
Senate Republicans have little margin for error as they prepare for a vote this coming week on a bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. Some lawmakers are already raising concerns that the bill could aggravate the problem of healthy people going without insurance, driving up costs for everyone else. (Horsley, 6/24)
Politico Pro:
Senate Repeal Bill Could Free Health Insurers To Sell Plans Across State Lines
An under-the-radar provision in the Senate's Obamacare repeal bill would take a step toward the longtime GOP goal of allowing health insurance sales across state lines. Section 139 of the bill released Thursday would take away state regulators' ability to approve the participation of plans in their small-group health insurance market, paving the way to speed new plan offerings across the country. (Diamond, 6/23)
WBUR:
What The Senate Health Bill Means For The Drug Industry
The pharmaceutical industry has not taken a position on the Senate's health care bill released Thursday. The bill would eliminate a tax on drug companies, but provisions of the bill that are expected to leave millions more uninsured could hurt sales for drug companies. (Hobson, 6/23)
Modern Healthcare:
Public Health Funding Slashed In Senate's Proposed ACA Repeal Bill
Senate Republicans' bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act deals a heavy blow to public health efforts by eliminating key funding created by the landmark healthcare reform bill. The Better Care Reconciliation Act revealed Thursday proposed eliminating the ACA's Prevention and Public Health Fund in 2018, which makes up 12%, or nearly $900 million, of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's budget. (Johnson, 6/23)
Kaiser Health News:
On The Air With KHN: Senate Republicans Release Health Care Bill
Mary Agnes Carey, a senior correspondent at Kaiser Health News, joined Lisa Desjardins and Hari Sreenivasan of the PBS NewsHour to discuss the legislation released by Senate Republicans Thursday to overhaul the federal health law. (6/23)
