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Cruz Offers an Imperfect Healthcare Compromise that Just Might Work
Kinvig on Politics ^ | 7-13-2017 | Cameron Kinvig

Posted on 07/13/2017 11:45:44 AM PDT by ckinv368

For months now, the country has waited with interminable patience to see what the Trump Administration would do with healthcare policy. Few believed the Affordable Care Act—Obamacare—was ever a perfect solution, and Republicans spent 7 years campaigning on its immediate repeal. But even though several healthcare exchanges are collapsing and millions around the country are in danger of losing healthcare services provided by Obamacare, Republicans have had a difficult time figuring out how to go from the party of “no Obamacare” to the party of healthcare solutions.

After much wrangling, the House eventually passed a bill that was imperfect in its approach, and was essentially a punt to the Senate to come up with a better solution. It was clear the Senate’s job was to make the House plan more palatable to the voting public. Reduce costs, reduce taxes, take away the “individual mandate,” but still ensure people that want healthcare have the ability to purchase it. Up until now, those goals have been elusive.

Released today, the new Senate healthcare plan—modified by Sen. Ted Cruz—gets Republicans most of the way there, and may actually stand a chance of passage. Under the modified plan, federal Medicaid costs would be decreased at the state level, and most Obamacare taxes and penalties (many of which weren’t complied with anyway) would disappear. Gone will be the day when my butcher Roland (who is healthy) is required to pay a $700 penalty each year he doesn’t sign up for an overly-expensive government-mandated plan he can’t afford.

But, you might ask, without “penalties,” who will step in to “subsidize” the cost of high-risk patients whose plan costs are capped? The answer in the Cruz plan is finally market-driven, not government-mandated. By allowing healthy Americans the opportunity to buy cheaper, high-deductible health plans that would otherwise not qualify for Obamacare, the insurance industry essentially gets a subsidy, allowing it to decrease the cost of health plans for those that truly need coverage. And, millions of average Americans, like my friend Roland, will be able to afford catastrophic coverage that they will likely not use, but will provide peace-of-mind should tragedy strike.

Is the Senate plan perfect? Definitely not, even with the Cruz compromise. Does it contain “give-aways” to get moderate Senators on board? I don’t see how else you could categorize giving $45 billion to moderate mid-Western states to “combat the opioid epidemic.” Is it the pure “repeal” that very conservative Republicans have clamored for since 2010? It, unfortunately, is not. But what it is, is a workable—and possibly passable—alternative that fixes many of Obamacare’s worst problems, and returns power to the states, and to individuals.

Opening up the healthcare marketplace to the power of capitalism is the right way forward. More government mandates and additional taxes and regulation are not. If nothing else, the Senate’s new healthcare plan takes a step in that right direction.

For additional commentary like this, please visit: www.cameronkinvig.com


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Health/Medicine; Local News
KEYWORDS: betrayal; globalism; goldmansachs; lyingted; obamacare; senate; snakeinthegrass; tedcruz
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To: Jane Long

“Get a grip, FRiend.

If an employer wants to OFFER you insurance, then BRAVO and KUDOS to that employer.

The government (aka MY tax $$) owe YOU nothing. Healthcare is NOT a right.”

Maybe you should get a grip. If an insurance company covers people with pre-existing conditions it costs the government nothing. It doesn’t involve tax dollars. If the person with preexisting conditions is instead covered by Medicaid as you said in post 35 that does involve your tax dollars.

Something is not adding up.


41 posted on 07/14/2017 4:57:56 PM PDT by dynoman (Objectivity is the essence of intelligence. - Marilyn vos Savant)
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To: dynoman

If an insurance company covers people with pre-existing conditions it costs the government nothing.


Ha ha...you make me laugh!!

You CANNOT be serious. Under 0care...preexisting conditions are paid for by tax payers. That means it DOES cost the govt...because I am paying for it.

I cannot believe I’m having to give such remedial lessons here on FR. Again...you may be on the WRONG forum, if you think I/govt should pay for pre-existing conditions.


42 posted on 07/14/2017 7:06:21 PM PDT by Jane Long (Praise God, from whom ALL blessings flow.)
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To: Jane Long

So what. In post 35 you said they should be covered by Medicaid. Medicaid is paid for by taxpayers. That’s what doesn’t makes sense. Being riled up about requiring insurance companies to cover pre-existing conditions, then say they instead should be covered by Medicaid.

Exactly how are preexisting conditions paid for by taxpayers if it’s the insurance companies that are covering pre-existing conditions?


43 posted on 07/14/2017 8:31:43 PM PDT by dynoman (Objectivity is the essence of intelligence. - Marilyn vos Savant)
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To: dynoman

You just don’t get it.

I’d rather pay for the the low percentage of folks who can’t afford coverage...via Medicaid, like BEFORE 0CommieCare, than to be FORCED to pay ADDITIONAL tax $$ for those who sign up for 0Care...AFTER they’re diagnosed...via a MANDATED TAX collected since this monstrosity was passed.

I am essentially paying double...for those I’ve been paying for and for those who now feel healthcare is a right, for pre-existing conditions, via 0Care.

My taxes have only gone UP, while my coverage has diminished, since 0CommieCare was passed.

Curious...are you on 0CommieCare?


44 posted on 07/14/2017 8:40:52 PM PDT by Jane Long (Praise God, from whom ALL blessings flow.)
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To: dynoman

So we agree it’s not up to the government.

As for insurance companies covering preexisting conditions that would an insurance companies decision if they choose to do so which is called free market.

Government should not mandate they cover it and health care again is NOT a right, it’s a product you buy “if” you want it.


45 posted on 07/15/2017 5:11:48 AM PDT by maddog55 (America Rising)
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To: maddog55

Yes I agree it’s not up to the government. But I do agree with the mandate that insurance companies be required to cover pre-existing conditions. They do for those in employer provided insurance groups which is the majority with health insurance coverage. It’s partly a fairness issue, why should the self employed and small business employees be the only ones denied insurance because of pre-existing conditions when those with employer provided insurance don’t?


46 posted on 07/15/2017 7:34:42 AM PDT by dynoman (Objectivity is the essence of intelligence. - Marilyn vos Savant)
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To: Jane Long

Covering pre-existing conditions that the person most often had no control over is not the same as them thinking “health care is a right”. Many don’t.

It’s a fairness issue.

I have employer provided health care where those with pre-existing conditions are automatically covered. I think it very unfair for insurance companies to not put self employed and small business employees in larger groups and cover pre-existing conditions. If you can explain the fairness in them no doing that I’ll listen.


47 posted on 07/15/2017 7:40:42 AM PDT by dynoman (Objectivity is the essence of intelligence. - Marilyn vos Savant)
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To: Jane Long

We actually have better coverage now than we had before ACA. Our insurance premiums did go up, but at the beginning of 2017 we went to high deductible with an HSA. That was a union proposal, it turned out so good the entire company went to it.


48 posted on 07/15/2017 7:43:04 AM PDT by dynoman (Objectivity is the essence of intelligence. - Marilyn vos Savant)
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To: maddog55; Jane Long

Why should the family Trump mentions be denied insurance?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Apb1_oQ2EEs


49 posted on 07/15/2017 11:39:26 AM PDT by dynoman (Objectivity is the essence of intelligence. - Marilyn vos Savant)
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To: dynoman

They weren’t denied they couldn’t afford it. Not my problem.

End of discussion..


50 posted on 07/16/2017 5:44:57 AM PDT by maddog55 (America Rising)
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To: maddog55

Did you even listen? They were dropped from heath insurance four times. Sounds exactly like being denied coverage.

You really have a rude attitude towards a family who are denied coverage four times because they have an autistic son.


51 posted on 07/16/2017 6:31:59 AM PDT by dynoman (Objectivity is the essence of intelligence. - Marilyn vos Savant)
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To: dynoman

Under Obamacare: You Can’t Be Denied Coverage For Any Reason

Title I Sec. 2712. Prohibition on rescissions. Prohibits all plans from rescinding (dropping) coverage except in instances of fraud or misrepresentation and/or non payment.

An insurance company can drop out of an exchange but they have to give you 30 days to find other insurance.

They either failed to pay which makes sense at the outrageous cost they were being charged and based on their complaints or they committed fraud (unlikely) or misrepresented their needs (also unlikely).

As for the family they were not denied coverage. They’re a small business and they simply couldn’t afford it.


52 posted on 07/16/2017 9:49:38 AM PDT by maddog55 (America Rising)
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To: maddog55

So Trump is lying? Or the family is lying to Trump?


53 posted on 07/16/2017 2:51:57 PM PDT by dynoman (Objectivity is the essence of intelligence. - Marilyn vos Savant)
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To: maddog55

We’re back to the question I asked. It’s a fairness issue.

I have employer provided health care where those with pre-existing conditions are automatically covered. I think it very unfair for insurance companies to not put self employed and small business employees in larger groups and cover pre-existing conditions. If you can explain the fairness in them not doing that I’ll listen.


54 posted on 07/16/2017 2:54:44 PM PDT by dynoman (Objectivity is the essence of intelligence. - Marilyn vos Savant)
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To: dynoman

I really don’t give a shxt about fairness. End of discussion.


55 posted on 07/16/2017 3:25:42 PM PDT by maddog55 (America Rising)
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To: maddog55

You know it’s wrong for insurance companies to deny coverage for preexisting conditions with the self employed and small businesses when they don’t for bigger groups. But you don’t want to admit it so you get a nasty attitude. Cool.


56 posted on 07/16/2017 7:26:18 PM PDT by dynoman (Objectivity is the essence of intelligence. - Marilyn vos Savant)
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