GOP health bills threaten ‘havoc’; Impact likely to reach far beyond 50M uninsured; ANALYSIS
President
"These reductions are going to wreak havoc," warned
Trump sounded a different note in his weekly radio address Saturday, pledging anew to save Americans from rising health care costs he blames on Obamacare. "The American people are calling out for relief, and my administration is determined to provide it," he said.
Even supporters of Obamacare acknowledge the current law needs adjustments, especially to insurance markets, where premiums have risen sharply in recent years and many insurers have pulled out.
But there are few indications the
The nonpartisan
And the
Governors and state legislators, facing huge reductions in federal Medicaid funding, may have to decide whether to reduce services, limit who can enroll in the health care safety net or make cuts to other state programs. On Friday,
And though the Medicaid cuts may be phased in over several years, many states that have two-year budgets would have to confront the cuts sooner.
Overall, the House bill slashes more than
In addition to the Medicaid reductions, both the
The coverage losses, in turn, will put new pressures on doctors, clinics and hospitals as they face growing numbers of patients with no insurance who are unable to pay their medical bills.
And the strain will reach beyond the health care system. Employers, who provide health coverage to more than 150 million workers and their families, could see their costs rise as hospitals and physicians try to make up for losses they incur caring for more uninsured patients.
It also will likely hit employees, who will see insurance premiums increase and wages stagnate as businesses shift costs.
Insurance markets, too, could see turmoil as states eliminate national standards in the current law that dictate all plans must cover basic benefits and cannot charge sick patients more.
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