This New 'Compromise' On Repeal Still Won't Protect States That Like Obamacare

There’s a new argument circulating on Capitol Hill, as conservative House Republicans try to win over more moderate colleagues who oppose the GOP’s bill to repeal Obamacare. It goes like this: Thanks to an amendment to the American Health Care Act introduced this past week, states would ultimately have discretion over whether to keep two of the Affordable Care Act’s most popular and important provisions: a prohibition on charging higher premiums to people based on health status and a requirement that all plans cover an “essential” set of benefits. Conservatives argue that these provisions make insurance premiums more expensive. Moderates worry that without these requirements, people with pre-existing conditions would lose access to comprehensive coverage. Under the amendment, the two requirements would technically remain in place, but states could seek permission from the federal government to waive them. The measure was formally introduced by Rep. Tom MacArthur (R-N.J.), who negotiated the terms with Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.), head of the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus. “If a governor of New Jersey wants to keep Obamacare just like it is, with the very few exceptions that were in the base bill, they can do that,” said Meadows on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” on Friday. “But a governor of another state, whether it be Texas or Nebraska or Florida, can waive out some of those things that drive up...
Source: Healthy Living - The Huffington Post - Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news