Trump offers new rule going after ObamaCare

[n2doc]

Workers would be allowed to band together to buy health insurance under a proposed rule released Thursday by the Department of Labor.

The proposed rule was issued in response to an executive order by President Trump, which would allow associations of workers to purchase cheaper health insurance that's not subject to the same rules as plans under ObamaCare.


By allowing groups of people to purchase plans not subject to ObamaCare's rules for coverage, however, critics say the move could allow insurers to sell plans that do not cover pre-existing conditions or certain "essential health benefits."

The requirement that insurers cover people with pre-existing conditions was a hallmark of the Affordable Care Act, and a provision that is broadly popular.

more
http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/367393-Trump-offers-new-rule-going-after-ObamaCare

They never stop. Neither should we.

[Frustratedlady]

1. He's going to have this health insurance issue so screwed up, no one will be able to untangle it.

If the insurance was confusing before, hold on! Trump needs to go before Congress even thinks of considering health insurance. He knows a little about a lot of things...just enough to be dangerous. The rest is probably illegal.

[dalton99a]

2. They'll keep poking big holes and knocking down the pillars

[uponit7771]

3. Yeap, The "if you're sick die quick" plan

[rgbecker]

4. These GOP attacks will lead to Single Payer, Universal coverage.

Sky rocketing premiums will result and the 75% that get their insurance from employment will soon wake up and realize where they stand. When premiums reach 20% of income for the average worker it will mean the end of private healthcare.

It will be very uncomfortable for a few years as this is sorted out, but these attacks on the fringes (Healthcare mandate, Special associations) which impact the system's premise of sharing the risk over the broadest possible population will bring about single payer that much sooner. The learning process has started and people are paying attention. Ask yourself: Do I know more about healthcare now than 15 years ago? Well, you are not alone and this knowledge will lead to a better system.

[Fred Sanders]

5. Illegal. Any health insurance sold that violates ACA minimum standards is illegal.

[procon]

6. Cheaper health insurance is code for junk insurance.

If these plans are "not subject to the same rules" as ObamaCare, then patients are getting scammed and conned into buying worthless plans that will provide few benefits.

Of course people want cheaper health insurance, but under our current for-profit system, they aren't going to find it. Until we can get a universal plan, ObamaCare is probably as good a program as the present system allows.

[karynnj]

7. Unless the groups were large, they would have the same problem that small businesses had

pre ACA. For a company with a small number of employees had some employee get an expensive illness, their rates would skyrocket because the predicted cost to the insurance company would rise. The ACA solution to this is the fund that Rubio cut funding for. Murray and Alexander have a different approach that does the same thing.

Just not covering preexisting issues will not end this risk. One question is whether they will be required to cover problems that started when they were insured under this plan and whether they have to renew insurance for the ill person.