Senate Health Repeal Hurts Middle-Class Families

Here is a look at some of the ways this bill would hurt middle-class families:

 

Premiums could spike for middle-class families who would no longer be able to obtain subsidies under the Senate GOP’s healthcare repeal.

NBC News: “Billions of dollars in federal subsidies that have reduce out-of-pocket expenses for over six million patients under Obamacare would be repealed by 2019 under the Senate health plan that was unveiled on Thursday. That alone would send premiums shooting up by double digits for many, according to insurers' proposals submitted in expectation of the subsidies being eliminated. Hardest hit will be millions of middle-income earners who make too much to qualify for premium assistance and will have to bear the full impact of any rate hikes.”

 

Medicaid cuts in the Senate GOP’s healthcare repeal would put rural hospitals at risk, which could then hurt local jobs, property values and even schools.

CNN Money: “Since 2010, at least 79 rural hospitals have closed across the country, and nearly 700 more are at risk of closing. These hospitals serve a largely older, poorer and sicker population than most hospitals, making them particularly vulnerable to changes made to Medicaid funding. […] And a rural hospital closure goes beyond people losing health care. Jobs, property values and even schools can suffer.”

 

The Senate GOP’s healthcare repeal could drive up premiums for small businesses and put consumers at risk by reversing protections, including the requirement to cover essential health benefits.

Vox: “The Better Care Reconciliation Act, one health insurance industry source warned in a private email obtained by Vox, would ‘cause most small employers’ premiums to go up” and “leave consumers at risk.’ […] The section of the law in question is one that, so far, has gotten little attention. The language is complex, but multiple experts who have reviewed the section believe it would reverse key consumer protections in small business health plans — including the requirement to cover essential health benefits — and take away regulatory power from the states, and potentially push up costs for small businesses whose workers are not overwhelmingly young and healthy.”

 

Under GOP repeal, Medicaid expansion states will likely experience more severe jobs losses and deeper economic declines, though nonexpansion states would see substantial losses as well.

The Gazette: “That’s according to a new report out Wednesday by George Washington University and the Commonwealth Fund … What’s more, states that expanded Medicaid, such as Iowa, are likely to experience more severe job losses and deeper economic declines, though nonexpansion states would see substantial losses as well.”

 

Medicaid cuts in the Senate GOP’s healthcare repeal would hurt upper-middle classnursing home residents.

New York Times: HEADLINE: “At Nursing Homes, Cuts To Medicaid Would Affect Even Upper-Middle Class.”

New York Times: “Conservatives hope to roll back what they see as an expanding and costly health care entitlement. But little has been said about what would happen to older Americans in nursing homes if these cuts took effect. Under federal law, state Medicaid programs are required to cover nursing home care. But state officials decide how much to pay facilities, and states under budgetary pressure could decrease the amount they are willing to pay or restrict eligibility for coverage.”