I know, I know.  You’ve had it up to here about health care reform.  But, this is important.

We know that the GOP has failed to repeal Obamacare.  We also know that TheDonald will do everything in his power to make it fail- and try to blame that on Obama.  Except any failure will be his fault. But, that’s not the point of this post.  (I will be posting another discussion on this topic in 3 months, when Open Enrollment starts in.)

The Affordable Care Act is the law of the land.  Even though the GOP is hoping to strangle its existence.

There are some glimmers on the horizon. To ensure that insurance companies weren’t going to take the hit for the risks in offering this new insurance to everyone and those who lost money were to recover funds from those who made out like bandits. Moreover, the risk corridor was to be inviolate from 2014 to 2016, the first three years of the program. And, that corridor was defined as a must-pay, regardless of from where the funds were to be derived.

But, in 2014, the GOP claimed the risk corridor program was a bailout. (Even though it was the exact same provision as that in the GOP- approved Medicare Part D (2003) prescription drug benefit program. By the way, that provision still applies.) That meant that the feds only anted up 1/8 (12.6%) of all claims in 2014. So, instead of receiving $ 2.87 billion, the sum was only $ 362 million. So, many of the upstart insurance companies folded. (And, the GOP claimed this to be evidence of PPACA’s failure; even though it was the GOP strangulation that was effecting the damage.)

A federal judge (DC) (5 August 2017) has ruled that the government MUST keep its promises to the insurance companies- in particular, Molina Healthcare (Long Beach, CA) is to receive $ 52 million. Moda Health (Oregon) was earlier awarded $ 214 million in February.

But, back to what individuals have to know about  PPACA.  There are 10 million folks who have managed to obtain insurance because of it.  Despite what you may hear, 7 million of those people have been receiving subsidies to keep the insurance they get affordable. I don’t know if TheDonald will continue those subsidies.

But, I do know TheDonald has terminated two contacts with the folks who ran enrollment fairs, who helped folks navigate the system at public libraries.  Which means that the onus is now going to be on everyone who hopes to get insurance to find the plan that works for them- because there won’t be any help.  (OK, you can use my YouTube video  to help you navigate your choices, but that’s not quite the same thing as having someone hold your hand through the process.)

Here are the facts for 2018 insura

1.  All those regions you hear that the insurers are pulling out?   Almost every single one of them are in very rural areas, where the ability to get insurance- or choose physicians- is extremely limited.  It’s kind of like the advertisement that Sprint uses- when it says it reaches 99% of Americans.  But, there are wide swaths of America for which there is no service.  That’s the way PPACA is right now- unless, over the next 45 days or so, Congress does take up modifying PPACA to handle the issues that were not obvious when the law was first passed.

2.  The open enrollment plan this year is going to be VERY short.  Forty-five (45) days.  From 1 November to 15 December.  That’s half the period that obtained in the past three years.  It is not clear that any money will have been spent to upgrade the computer systems to handle the traffic that will hit the system- in half the time.  (That’s like making the enrollment period equivalent to rush hour- the highways can handle the traffic at 1 AM, but are clogged at 8 AM.)  That means you need to get on the system now- make sure you know your password, make sure all your data (address, phone number, etc.) is up to date.  So, when open enrollment begins you won’t be locked out because there won’t be any available customer service agents.

3.  Try to evaluate all potential plans now.  So, that if you need to switch, you will be able to get on the site, process your choices, and get off quickly.

Because you know you really need health insurance.

(And, America needs health care reform- but you and I won’t be able to accomplish that without a sentient Congress and Senate.)

 

 

Update   31 August 5:27 PM

 

My predictions were correct-so don’t forget to follow this advice!!!!!

A News Release from the WSJ right now

Administration Cutting Ads and Grants Aimed at Boosting Affordable Care Act Signups
The Trump administration is cutting nearly $116 million from outreach programs and ads aimed at getting people signed for the Affordable Care Act during its upcoming open enrollment period, a move likely to cheer ACA opponents but inflame Democrats who fear the administration is undermining the health law.
Health and Human Services officials will spend $10 million for a 45-day enrollment period, starting Nov. 1, on advertising such as emails, texts, radio ads and digital promotions, officials said Thursday. That is a 90% drop from about $100 million the Obama administration spent during the last open enrollment season.
Cuts are also being made in grants to organizations that help consumers understand their ACA coverage and financial aid options. HHS will give $36.8 million in grants for this open enrollment period, about 40% less than the $62.5 million awarded in 2016.