After the Republican's unveiled their American Health Care Act (AHCA) aka "Trumpcare" plan aka "Obamacare Lite," plan to Repeal and Replace Obamacare, politicians, and groups on both sides of the aisle are condemning the health plan in its current form. What should have been a market, patient, and doctor-centered plan, turned out to be a bill with additional entitlements, according to a Republican opposition group.
Trumpcare plan key elements
The AHCA GOP plan keeps many major provisions of Obamacare. However, it gets rid of the individual mandate -- a major point of contention.It modifies who receives tax credits.
Americans under 30 receive tax breaks, beginning at $2,000. Credits peak at $4,000 for those over 60 and are phased out for singles and married couples earning $75,000 and $150,000 or more, respectively. Huffington Post wrote, "It [Trumpcare plan] would be a net transfer of federal resources from the old and the less affluent to the young and the more affluent.
Individual mandate takes a hike
Unlike Obamacare, the Trumpcare plan removes the requirement for individuals to have health care insurance. Moreover, the American Health Care Act bans penalties against employers who don't offer coverage to employees. Pre-existing conditions still covered, but insurers can charge larger fees for recently uninsured.
The new provision allows insurers to charge higher premiums for anyone without insurance for 63 running days at the time of the application for new coverage.
Coverage limits proposed
The Republican repeal and replace Obamacare plan proposes to allow insurers to provide limited, not "essential" coverage. Further, the Trumpcare plan gives insurers the leeway to have coverage only kick in upon major illness diagnosis.
Medicaid changes
Funding for Medicaid will likely be reduced under the AHCA. However, the new plan may allow for an expansion initially.
As the legislative process goes forward, @POTUS & I believe the American Health Care Act is the framework for reform. pic.twitter.com/PUo1AiSXJJ
— Vice President Pence (@VP) March 7, 2017
The losers
Low-income people could be left uninsured.
Obamacare provided subsidies based on income. However, the AHCA allows insurers to charge more and receive a tax break. Moreover, higher income earners get to save taxes on the new plan -- lower income and older people may pay more with the Trumpcare plan.
The unknown that leaves moderates and conservatives concerned: how much it costs and how many people it covers? Rand Paul weighed in on the Republican's health care bill. He expressed pessimism about the chances of a repeal and replace strategy in the near future. "I don't think we have the votes now. The bill, as it stands, is dead on arrival. I don't think conservatives are for this," he said.
One conservative group panned the GOP plan. Heritage Action for America released a statement slamming the Republican's health care replacement plan.
The group says it simply expands on Obamacare's "flawed" premises. It reads in part: "In many ways, the House Republican proposal released last night not only accepts the flawed progressive premises of Obamacare but expands upon them. Ronald Reagan once said, ‘Government’s view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.’ The AHCA does all three."
During a live CNN broadcast, Senator Paul was part of a press conference on Capitol Hill. Flanked by several colleagues of the Freedom Caucus, Dr. Paul said he will introduce a "clean repeal" plan. This allows lawmakers to work on the merits of the Trumpcare replacement plan without ambiguity while doing what they promised voters months ago.
This story is developing.
