We are currently spending an inordinate amount of time on issues that relate mostly to the corrosively corruptive nature of the Trump administration. From Russia to Cohen, to Stormy Daniels, to Pruitt among corruption and swamp dwellers, these topics continue to consume cable news, broadcast news, and much in the print news. We cannot allow these critical issues to take our eyes off of the ball.
Come October, the issue that is getting marginal notice by the media will explode. America will get their new Affordable Care Act options in October, and it will not be pretty. And for those who have employer-based insurance who think they are immune to the expected inflated health insurance prices, think again.
The Washington Post reported the following.
The tax overhaul certainly unlocked more profits for the industry. It not only lowered the domestic corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent, a huge boon to insurers and pharmacy benefit managers, but it also enticed drug and biotech companies to bring home huge overseas cash reserves by slashing taxes on those earnings, too. Pfizer, which has been mentioned as a potential buyer of Shire, announced an extra $10.7 billion in reported income for 2017 because of the tax changes. Allergan, UnitedHealth and Anthem have also recorded a benefit from the tax overhaul, according to a recent analysis by Bloomberg. Indeed, all five major U.S. health insurers have announced the tax overhaul will increase their revenue this year.
The Trump/Republican tax cut scam is directly responsible for the upcoming higher health care costs.
- A Covered California analysis projected that premiums could rise as much as 90% due to the Trump Administration’s sabotage.
- The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office says that the premiums will go up 10% each year because of the Trump/GOP tax cut scam.
- A recent Urban Institute Urban study found that premiums are expected to rise 18.3% due to actions, taken by the Trump Administration.
The Trump administration is intent on using inflated health insurance pricing to change the Affordable Care rules that will effectively reintroduce the era of junk insurance. In other words, cheap insurance that will not pay when you need it most or that does not allow for pre-existing conditions.
Forbes reported the following.
The Trump administration’s proposed cheaper short-term plans may not provide adequate coverage and would trigger an increase in the number of uninsured and under-insured Americans, say health insurers that would be expected to sell such coverage.
Through their lobby, America’s Health Insurance Plans, companies Monday were the latest to weigh in on the Trump administration’s proposed rule on short-term plans. Comments are due by a 5 p.m. deadline Monday.
The Trump administration has said Americans need more choices than Obamacare, saying the cost of individual coverage offered on public exchanges under the Affordable Care Act is too expensive for an increasing number of people. “This action is being taken to lengthen the maximum period of short-term, limited duration insurance, which will provide more affordable consumer choice for health coverage,” the Trump administration wrote when it proposed the rule earlier this year. …
But health insurance companies Monday morning issued their critique of the Trump administration’s proposal, joining a parade of doctor groups concerned about any effort to reduce coverage or pare benefits
“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,” AHIP chief executive Matt Eyles said. “Short-term plans can provide an important temporary bridge for Americans who are transitioning between plans. But they are not a replacement for comprehensive coverage.”
It is clear that the Trump Administration is killing the Affordable Care Act with one thousand cuts since it was unable to kill it with one stab. The goal is to reintroduce chaos, uncertainty, and the freedom for those who ripped off Americans with profitable junk health insurance policies to return to the market.
Waiting until October is too late. It means we will have to live with unnecessary pain or lost health insurance coverage for a year. Polls show that health care is near the top of everyone’s concern. Americans need to be on the streets en masse now demanding that Congress act now to stabilize the health insurance market. Politicians listen when they know the electorate will not accept no as an answer putting their seat in jeopardy.
After we put a Progressive team in the Congress, we must then demand Single-Payer Medicare for All. It is the only sane health care system bar none.