NJPP Trump policies will make health insurance unaffordable

President Trump’s policies could make health insurance unaffordable for a large portion of the state’s population, according to a new report from New Jersey Public Policy, a left-leaning government watchdog group.President Trump’s policies could make health insurance unaffordable for a large portion of the state’s population, according to a new report from New Jersey Public Policy, a left-leaning government watchdog group.

The report concludes the Trump Administration’s indefinite suspension of $64 million in subsidy payments to insurance companies to cover the cost of care for patients with high health care costs will drive up premiums.

It also finds that cuts in outreach funding for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will result in fewer residents signing up for insurance. New Jersey is slated to receive $200,000 in outreach funds for 2018, down from $720,000 in 2017 and $1.9 million in 2016.

Additionally, the Trump administration is siding with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in a case that seeks to declare protections for those with pre-existing conditions to be unconstitutional. The case was filed earlier this month in Texas by Paxton and 20 other Republican States Attorney Generals.

NJPP expressed concern that should the case go to the Supreme Court, Trump’s nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh and the appointment of conservative judge Neil Gorsuch, could endanger the pre-existing conditions protections set by the Affordable Care Act.

"It will soon be impossible for struggling New Jerseyans to afford quality, comprehensive insurance, especially for those with pre-existing conditions like cancer and diabetes,"said Raymond Castro,director of Health Policy at New Jersey Policy Perspective. "Working families should not be punished with poor health care simply because they do not have the means to afford insurance. The actions of the Trump administration to undermine the Affordable Care Act threaten the health and welfare of all New Jerseyans, and it is incumbent upon officials to do everything they can to fight back and protect the progress we've made." Copyright 2018 BridgeTower Media. All Rights Reserved.

CREDIT: Vince Calio