If this whole Republican healthcare nonsense becomes law,

[MineralMan]

one of its features may be exploitable. It claims to allow interstate commerce in health insurance. For at one group, at least, there is some promise in that. By forming a nationwide group, the AARP may well be able to somewhat mitigate the high premium cost for the 50-85 year old group, at least to some degree.

Similarly, associations of self-employed people may be able to negotiate group rates nationwide for such people.

That is not what I want, of course, but it may be possible to do. What I want is Medicare for All, a single-payer system that is nationwide from the start and works with the largest pool of all, while cutting administrative costs and removes profit from healthcare. I don't see that as an alternative that is likely, however, anytime soon.

So, I'm looking for loopholes in what has been proposed that might be exploited. I'm sure groups like the AARP will grab hold of them as soon as they can, if it comes to that.

[OhNo-Really]

1. Good thinking

Will you copy/paste section(s) of the proposed law that are relevant to your point please.

Just in case.....

[MineralMan]

2. You know, I really can't.

I'm just going on what the Republicans keep saying they want to do. They have constantly mentioned interstate insurance as part of their plan. I'm just assuming it's in there.

The AARP uses that strategy with Medicare supplementary insurance, and has a deal with United Healthcare to offer it pretty much nationwide. I'm sure they'd adopt that model for their pre-Medicare aged members, and use that to boost their membership rolls even more.

I think about those things because my wife is only 61 years old and has pre-existing conditions. We're worried about the changes. I'm already on Medicare.

[BzaDem]

4. I don't think that is in the bill (as it would require 60 votes), and would be a disaster if it was.

Like you, I have not read the legislative text, so I am just guessing. But I have been following the policy implications of the bill and have not heard anything about allowing interstate sales of health insurance (despite it being a common campaign talking point).

By the way, such a provision would be a disaster, unless accompanied by a comprehensive federal regulatory scheme (which is not in the cards). Allowing interstate sales of health insurance would cause all insurers to relocate to the least regulated state (much like how many corporations try to be located in Delaware). It would essentially be removing most regulations on health insurance in practice.

It would also not help the AARP create a nationwide plan for those with pre-existing conditions. If pre-existing condition protections are weakened, the AARP would face the same adverse selection problems that other insurers faced. If it tried to offer attractive coverage to those with pre-existing conditions, those with such conditions would sign up in droves, and as a result they would be forced to raise premiums significantly. The resulting increase would cause healthy customers to flee to other insurers, forcing the AARP to increase premiums even more (creating an adverse selection death spiral).

The only way to protect people with pre-existing conditions is to mandate such protection by law (either through community rating of comprehensive insurance plans, or something like single payer, which is essentially a giant community rated health plan).

[Kingofalldems]

3. OMG. Too much man.

Enough of this shit.