Replies

It’s not a “repeal” by any stretch of the imagination it’s just repeal of SOME of the law leaving the main thrust intact (as I predicted on numerous occasions). The government remains in charge of “health care” (really health INSURANCE, as another poster pointed out) doling out money so “everyone is covered” (just as Trump promised mind you). It’s populism at its finest but certainly not conservative.

It certainly has improvements, which is why I’ve said I find it acceptable, because any improvement is better than none of course. It eliminates completely (as far as I understand) the mandate forcing employers to provide health insurance to full time employees. It also eliminates the individual mandate, but that was really just for show as there was never anyone “fined” by the IRS for not having health insurance. And Trump issued an EO gutting the IRS’s authority in that matter anyway I think last month. But at least it’s no longer law too.

It also promises that those with preexisting conditions will no longer be guaranteed coverage and indeed states will have the option to apply for a waiver from that mandate. But they will have to set up “high risk pools” funded largely by federal subsidy to be granted such a waiver so there’s not much difference there although at least the impact on Joe Average’s wallet MIGHT be lessened (although those subsidies will add to the debt of course but who cares about that anymore right?). The mandated coverage levels (such as forcing all health insurance to provide sex change operations, the most egregious example but there were other mandated along those lines) are gone.

So it sounds ok, but one must return to the preexisting conditions mandate and how that will continue in practice. I don’t know how many states will opt for such a waiver (can you imagine the political backlash in such a state now that it’s become an expected “right” that insurance companies cover anyone regardless of condition?). But even those that have the political courage to do so will still have to create a high risk pool which itself will be mostly funded with federal dollars so everyone in every state will still pay for everyone else. It’s just changed names.

All the key elements have just changed names. I’m a bit optimistic about the mandate to keep people covered punishing those who aren’t with increased rates when/if they ever get coverage again. That’s an incentive that might work. But I’m doubtful especially since there will now be tax credits for everyone to help defray the costs of individual premiums.

All in all I don’t think things will change much. But this new system may be a bit more cost efficient. So that’s good.

But don’t let anyone tell you this was any substantial change from Obamacare. It’s not. The federal government is still in charge of your health insurance. Whether you like it or not. And that should be the bottom line when judging this or any “repeal and replace”.

At least for anyone who’s truly conservative.