The Affordable Care Act was not a well-written law. The 6500 deductible was unreachable by many people and the restrictions on HSAs and FSAs was difficult for those with Chronic Conditions. The draft plan of the BCRA does state there will be a program or mechanism to provide financial assistance to help high-risk individuals, including reducing premium costs for people with pre-existing and chronic conditions with high rates of usage and who do not have access to a health insurance plan through an employer. It is not clear on how that will be done, but it will be done if the BCRA is passed.
The particulars
The BCRA would repeal the ACA's individual and employer mandates and if I am understanding this correctly, the BCRA will stop taxes on over-the-counter medications and flexible spending accounts and health savings accounts. This is a great idea because people like me who have Crohn's disease need over-the-counter supplements to add to their bevy of medications.
It appears that Planned Parenthood would be defunded for one year and subsidies for insurance plans covering abortion not involving rape, incest, or saving the mother's life would be stopped. This means subsidies will be stopped, not the practice of abortion itself. This solves the issue of rancor where the government pays for abortions on demand, which goes against many religious beliefs of people who pay taxes.
It would solve an issue that has gone on for 40 years. I, for one, would gladly see it put to rest. Citizens can always opt to pay more taxes when they file and I would gladly give.
The BCRA, through an appointed administrator, would give bailouts to the states that have been impacted by the ACA. This is to stabilize their insurance markets, many of which are down to one plan after the marketplace failure of the ACA.
Medicaid would still be maintained and after 4 years the states would have to manage the insurance market on their own.
The draft bill would only be applicable to the 50 states plus the District of Colombia. This draft covers not only individual plans but addresses how it applies to each state. There are many places where the language is being clarified, making ambiguous sections of the IRS code clearer.
The National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics has put out a statement that under this draft, "millions of people will still lose access to health care coverage and the coverage that will be available till be more expensive."
After reading the draft, I did not see that anyone will lose coverage, in fact, it appears to me that the most vulnerable and even the middle class will be helped by the terms of the draft. I couldn't see anything that might be harmful, though taxes may have to go up to cover those with preexisting conditions now that there may be no employer mandate, but that I would gladly pay for.
I was surprised at President Obama's reaction. I thought the changes in the IRS tax code were thoughtful, concise and dead on with what this country needs.
