Are You at Risk of Losing Your Health Insurance Thanks to Republicans’ Plan?
By: Cohen, Placitella & Roth @ Mar 27, 2017
Under the Affordable Care Act, or ACA, which was enacted during the Obama administration, healthcare premium subsidies are based on the cost of healthcare where people live, as well as income. According to RAND.org, the ACA provided health insurance to approximately 22.8 million Americans between the time period of September 2013 to February 2015.
But now that President Trump has promised to throw out the ACA and give Americans something even better, millions of Americans – particularly those in their 50s and 60s – are likely to lose coverage as a result of a lack of affordable options.
The New Plan – What You Need to Know
Remember: Under the ACA, premium subsidies are based on people’s income and the cost of healthcare in their area. Under the new plan proposed by republicans (although, to be fair, many republicans are strongly in opposition of it), tax credits will be based on age. The tax credits would be between $2,000 and $4,000 a year.
But the problem is that the new tax credits would only cover a fraction of what current subsidies are, leaving people unable to afford the healthcare that they currently have. The New York Times shares the story of one woman – a 55-year-old living in North Carolina – to detail exactly how the new tax credit scenario would play out:
Currently, the woman’s health insurance costs $984 per month. She is responsible for $260 of this, and the rest is paid via government subsidy of $724 per month, or $8,688 per year. Under the new plan, she would only receive $3,500 per year in tax credits, meaning that she would be responsible for coming up with more than an additional $5,000 on her own to afford the same level of care she has now. Because those in their 50s and 60s are too young to qualify for age-based government benefits, this age group may face the most significant payment increases. What’s more, the proposed plan would also allow for insurers to charge up to five times as much in premiums for older people compared to the youngest policyholders.
How Many People May Lose Coverage?
The new health insurance law, if enacted, could have a devastating effect on the lives of many of Americans. While some people may be able to afford the new premium costs – even if it means pinching pennies – others will have no choice but to go without health insurance.
According to reports, including a recent report published by the Congressional Budget Office, 14 million people would lose coverage in 2018. By 2026, it is estimated that 24 million more Americans would be without insurance than there would be had the ACA remained in place.
We Care About You
At the law offices of Cohen, Placitella & Roth, P.C., we care about you and your ability to access healthcare. We strongly believe that no one should be denied treatment based on an inability to pay, and are here to advocate for you if you are denied healthcare due to your financial situation. To schedule a free consultation with our medical malpractice attorneys, call us today or visit us online.
