Experts say outlook shaky for Obamacare, Medicaid expansion
By
"Is anyone else nervous about
Lytle, 30, has Type 1 diabetes. The small-business owner and mother of two credits the Affordable Care Act with helping her get coverage that makes it possible for her to afford prescriptions that run at least
"There are changes that need to be made (to the law)," Lytle said, the day after the election. "But there's good things with that that I'm just hoping he doesn't get rid of."
Trump and other
Experts say that a Trump administration, backed by a
"Because these insurance contracts are already out there, they can't nullify them very easily," Stevenson said.
But Stevenson also acknowledged that significant changes are likely in store for the Affordable Care Act, even if it's not entirely clear what
In June, Trump put forth a short health care proposal that includes repealing Obamacare, eliminating the requirement to have health insurance and allowing the sale of health insurance across state lines.
House Speaker
However, Stevenson said he is concerned that Ryan's plan creates a strict one-time open enrollment period that doesn't guarantee that those with pre-existing conditions won't be discriminated against if they lose their insurance halfway through the year.
Stevenson called these "trap doors."
"They can't be denied coverage, " he said. "But they can be priced out."
Stevenson also raised concerns about Ryan's plan to bring back high-risk pools for the very sick.
A high-risk pool "has never been sustainable," he said, and is "bringing us back to the pre-Affordable Care Act world where the sick people are in one insurance that's increasingly expensive, and the healthy people have options of insurance that are cheaper because the sick people aren't there."
The shaky future of the Affordable Care Act also throws into question one of the most contentious issues in the
House Majority Leader Rep.
Dunnigan said the new secretary of health and human services, appointed by Trump, will have "a lot of latitude" when it comes to the Affordable Care Act.
"How they use that, I don't know," Dunnigan said. "I don't even know if (Trump) knows."
A spokesman for the
Stevenson said he believes the issue of
"I don't think we're going to have that discussion here in
When it comes to drug pricing, a major driver of health care costs, experts said they're more hopeful.
However, Fox said she is encouraged by several bipartisan bills focusing on getting drugs - particularly generics - approved more quickly, including one sponsored by Sen.
"Especially for the
However, Fox criticized some of the ideas Trump has proposed, including one allowing Americans to import cheaper drugs from abroad.
Countries like
"A
Repealing the law may also be challenging due to the approximately 20 million people who received insurance for the first time under the law, she said.
Repealing Obamacare is "going to be stickier, I think, than just saying it," Fox added.
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: DaphneChen_
Blue bloods
Catch up on the Cougars with
Credit: By
Reform ACA
Ascende – an EPIC Company Expands Southwest Leadership Team and Welcomes New International Benefits Leader
Advisor News
Annuity News
Health/Employee Benefits News
Life Insurance News