Did Republicans Just Make ObamaCare Better?
And if they did, who knew about it?
At the prodding of business organizations, House Republicans quietly secured a recent change in President Barack Obama’s health law to expand coverage choices, a striking, one-of-a-kind departure from dozens of high-decibel attempts to repeal or dismember it…
The provision itself was relatively minor. It eliminated a cap on deductibles for small group policies offered inside the law’s health care exchanges as well as outside; the cap was set at $2,000 for individuals and $4,000 for families…
No member of the House GOP leadership has publicly hailed the fix, which was tucked, at Republicans’ request, into legislation preventing a cut in payments to doctors who treat Medicare patients.
It is unclear how many members of the House rank and file knew of it because the legislation was passed by a highly unusual voice vote without debate. (AP)
This is good that instead of the fire and brimstone repeal and replace that we hear about, small changes like this could make a big difference in turning ObamaCare into something individuals can use.
If you can’t change it, might as well fix it.
Several small changes like this could change many Obamacare provisions. Republicans can keep working this into creating good solutions to the healthcare problem.
They are showing that they care more about improving the system rather than the political victories these reforms implicate. People respect this sort of attitudes and will vote for them. It is a new strategy, which might work in the long run.
It is about time the GOP did something to change ObamaCare. They keep talking repeal and replace and overhauling ObamaCare, but that does nothing to help the people currently.
This provision was minor, but it is more than they have been able to get accomplished as of late.
“This is another in a series of changes to Obamacare that the House has supported to help save Americans from being harmed by the law, and we’re glad to see the President signed it into law.”
The GOP and the Dems agree to something? Who would have thought that?
It might be a small provision, but at least it is a start. This opens the door to further reform. The good thing about these minor changes, passed without debate and Republican boasting, is that it allows more reforms that are positive for the system. As a user I care about receiving a better health care and having a law that regulates the system to the benefits of the consumers, and this reform is a small step towards it. If there is a better system, it doesn’t matter to me how approved it or proposed it.
Republicans, in order to win the November elections, have to show some victories (regardless of size) to their constituents. They cannot arrive to the election with only one solution (repeal and replace) and expect to win. If they show they are fixing the legislation, they will earn the confidence of independent voters, and achieve governability.
Their changes to ObamaCare is much more impressive then the constant rhetoric of repeal and replace.
It was in both parties’ benefit to keep this solution out of the press. If it had the mass coverage it will show that Republicans are willing to accept Obamacare (something that many constituents would oppose) and that the Democrats don’t have all the answers (something they believe they have). It will show that the Republicans are not so naïve and that will hurt the Democrats who have portrayed Republicans as people who oppose the wellbeing of the people.
The GOP doesn’t want to give off that they’ve given up on repeal and replace. But I think more of this can only improve their image to the non-diehard Republicans (the votes they desperately need to win elections).
As the article describes, Republicans are trying to make the law flexible and not as harmful for businesses. This shows their new attitude and a more realistic option to solve the issues of the healthcare system. Let’s hope they leave behind the repeal and replace speech and start proposing realistic solutions to Obamacare’s mess.
Republicans are heading in the right direction; the only way to solve the problems of the nation is by leaving political ambitions behind and work for the benefit of the people. When you work for the people, they will respond with votes.
Only the market makes the healthcare better.
This legislation is removing barriers, thus making the market for healthcare better. This small amendment is positive and will lead to an improved market and will leave consumers better off.
Economist have long known that employees themselves pay the cost of on-the-job health benefits indirectly — through reduced wages. One problem is that most workers don’t realize they are the ones who ultimately pay for health benefits. Thus, advertising the fact that you helped “allow” employer to raise deductibles might not be met with enthusiasm.
The article did not say if the cap was the maximum out of pocket for HSAs, which I believe is around $13,500 for a family.
If applicable, would each person have a $6,750 cap or would the maximum cap, say for a family of four, be $13,500?
Don Levit