EDITORIAL: Failure leaves big concerns

July 30--How's this for a fine mess?

The failure of lawmakers to deliver an overhaul of the Obama-era health regulations leaves the country without needed reforms for an unpopular insurance mandate that is failing on multiple fronts.

It's not just repeal-and-replace Republicans who have reason to be disappointed. The litany of concerns stemming from the implementation of Obamacare has implications for everyone:

--Access is on the decline.

About 1,000 of the approximately 3,000 U.S. counties have only one insurer selling coverage on their Affordable Care Act exchange; about 40 counties have none, and the number is growing.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City is among those insurers exiting the exchanges, saying it is ending its participation next year after losing $100 million on these policies in the last three years.

The exchanges are the only place where consumers can get tax credits based on their income to help buy the required coverage. This most affects health consumers who don't qualify for coverage through their employer or have access to it through Medicaid or Medicare.

--Costs continue to spike.

One survey has found insurers on average will be seeking coverage price hikes of about 18 percent in 2018, and approximately 36 percent if the Trump administration opts to end subsidies aimed at reducing expenses for low-income consumers.

The subsidies -- which are separate from the tax credits -- have an estimated $7 billion annual price tag and have been a target of reformists attempting to rein in the cost to taxpayers.

--The health insurance mandate remains.

At its core, the Affordable Care Act engendered anger and opposition for its requirement that people purchase insurance or pay an escalating penalty.

That mandate, coupled with compelling taxpayers to subsidize other health consumers' insurance, makes this law every bit the socialized approach long feared by many.

And now, barring a surprising turn of events, even opponents may find themselves with little option but to attempt to improve legislation they despise.

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