According to a recent report by The New York Times, users of Obamacare, also known as the Affordable Care Act (ACA), can expect to pay more for health insurance plans that cover less. This change is a result of the ongoing efforts to repeal and replace the ACA, as well as the Trump administration’s actions to undermine the law.
The report states that many people who buy their own health insurance through the ACA marketplace will face higher premiums and reduced coverage in the coming year. This is due to the fact that the Trump administration has expanded the availability of short-term health plans, which are less comprehensive and often less expensive than ACA plans. These short-term plans can deny coverage to people with pre-existing conditions and do not have to cover essential health benefits, such as maternity care, mental health treatment, and prescription drugs.
As a result, many insurers are opting to offer skimpier plans that do not comply with ACA requirements, but are cheaper and more attractive to healthy individuals. This, in turn, is driving up premiums for ACA-compliant plans, which are required to cover a wider range of benefits and cannot deny coverage to people with pre-existing conditions.
The report also notes that the Trump administration’s actions have led to a decline in ACA enrollment, particularly among young and healthy individuals who are no longer required to purchase health insurance due to the repeal of the individual mandate. This decline in enrollment has resulted in a higher percentage of sicker and older individuals remaining in the ACA marketplace, which has driven up costs for insurers and, in turn, led to higher premiums for consumers.
The increase in premiums and reduction in coverage will likely have a disproportionate impact on vulnerable populations, such as low-income individuals and those with pre-existing conditions. These individuals may struggle to afford the higher premiums and may be forced to choose between paying for health insurance or other essential expenses.
Overall, the report suggests that the efforts to undermine the ACA have led to a situation in which users of Obamacare will be asked to pay more for plans that cover less. This could have significant consequences for the health and well-being of millions of Americans who rely on the ACA for their health insurance.