Obamacare Stabilization Talks Go Awry As GOPers Demand Benefits Rollbacks
Source: Talking Points Memo
By ALICE OLLSTEIN Published SEPTEMBER 13, 2017 6:00 AM
After a year of backroom, closed-door, GOP-only meetings on health care, and a bitter, partisan floor fight over repealing the Affordable Care Act that eventually collapsed, senators from both parties came together to hold nearly half-a-dozen public hearings and hammer out a bill to stabilize Obamacares vulnerable insurance exchanges by the end of September. But beneath the bipartisan bonhomie, there is trouble in paradise.
In exchange for funding Obamacares subsidies to insurers that cover care of low-income people with severe health needs, Republicans are demanding that some of the ACAs protections and mandates be waivedand have suggested rolling back the requirement that every insurance plan cover essential health benefits like maternity care and mental health treatment.
This week, Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN), the chair of the committee crafting the stabilization bill, mocked the concept of forcing all insurers to offer comprehensive health care plans.
Link to tweet
Senate Democrats say theyre open to some increased flexibility but worry that allowing too many regulatory rollbacks will lead to more expensive and worse quality health coverage for millions of people. Though many proposals have been tossed onto the table over the past few weeks, the key battle is currently over loosening the rules around Obamacares state innovation waiverswhich states obtain from the federal government to test different health care systems. Some states, including Alaska, have used these waivers to set up reinsurance programs, which have brought down the number of uninsured residents and lowered costs. But other states are seeking waivers for plans that health care experts say would create barriers to enrollment.
Read more: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/dc/obamacare-stabilization-talks-go-awry-as-gopers-demand-benefits-rollbacks
SHRED
(28,136 posts)That's all the GOP has.
pangaia
(24,324 posts)BUT-
"and have suggested rolling back the requirement that every insurance plan cover essential health benefits like maternity care and mental health treatment. "
Fuck what is wrong with these people?"
WHAT?
OK, don't answer that because we all know.
BigmanPigman
(51,430 posts)The Graham Cassidy Bill is being announced today. I was informed of this news during a conference call with Congressmember Lee (D-CA) last night. The calendar expires in two weeks and they need a legislative win, even if it will effect over 20 million poor, sick, and elderly. The GOP is buying votes from McCain and others! We must act FAST and be forceful to stop it AGAIN!! I HATE THEM!!!
Please call your reps one more time...(202)224-3121. THANKS!
Ligyron
(7,592 posts)No tax cuts for their corporate masters without ACA stablization.
Autumn
(44,755 posts)open to some increased flexibility .
Bayard
(21,805 posts)"Democrats won't work with us. Obstructionists." yada yada yada.
Gothmog
(143,999 posts)bucolic_frolic
(42,670 posts)and don't want common folk to have any
lark
(23,003 posts)They damned well want that money to give to themselves and their rich oligarch masters and will get it from unhealthy poor people one way or another. Every plan they've had is just another cover-up for a tax cut for millionaires paid for by sick middle class and lower workers. None of their plans have anything really to do with providing healthcare, just the opposite all have to do with not providing services. It's all about tax cuts for the rich and that's it.
Matthew28
(1,796 posts)Give to the rich and take away from the poor and worker....All the gop has. Evil bastards.