Category: health insurance

Introducing Public Health Insurance in Connecticut

by demadelye, posted in health insurance

https://www.wsj.com/amp/articles/connecticut-democrats-propose-public-health-insurance-option-11551992377

With the 2020 presidential elections coming up on November 3rd of next year, many candidates are focusing their platforms on health insurance. With political parties choosing sides on many debates, it’s not surprising that health coverage has become one of them in the last few elections. With some Democrats supporting “Medicare for all” and some Republicans supporting the public option, it’s inevitable that politics has come to a gridlock, once again.

Connecticut Democratic Party logo

In this news article published on The Wall Street Journal,  Joseph De Avila focuses on the fact that Democrats in Connecticut are proposing legislation focused on health insurance. In this proposition, health insurance could be brought through the state by small companies and individuals. Of course, this legislation has its ups and its downs. The Democrats in office are stating that through this proposition, more inexpensive coverage options are being offered for those who do not qualify for subsidies through the Affordable Care Act. In contrast, those opposing this legislation, such as certain representatives of the health insurance industry in the state, have pointed out that this legislation will negatively impact the market. They say this will happen since many medical services will be paid below market reimbursement rates and those with insurance through the state will have an advantage. In addition to this, the governor of Connecticut, Ned Lamont (Democrat) has not commented on the legislation. However, a spokesperson representing him has stated that the governor wants to address the challenges of affordability, access, cost, and quality of insurances in Connecticut.

In addition to this article, I’ve included a screenshot of a data table that I found on a ballotpedia, a website I constantly go to in order to understand what is happening in politics today. This data table compares the total population without health insurance coverage in 4 states and the United States in 2013 and 2016. It also includes the difference in exact number and percentage. This table shows that the number of those who are uninsured has decreased throughout the entire country. This decline can be traced back to the influence of the Affordable Care Act, which has expanded eligibility for state Medicaid programs.

As I read this article, I made connections to what I have learned in class about what powers the state and federal governments have. The Democrats of Connecticut have the right to propose this legislation, due to the power that state governments hold. Since states are able to take measures for public health and safety, this action is constitutional. In addition, I kept in the mind the fact that the federal government is able to spend money for the general welfare. When it comes down to health insurance, I feel as though the federal and state governments should come together and propose ideas that can create effective and efficient health insurance plans for every citizen in the United States because living is a right.

“We make Connecticut small businesses competitive and more attractive to workers and we decrease the state’s healthcare cost for its own employees by increasing its buying power of its health plan. This is something that everyone regardless of party can get behind.”

Christine Cohen, Connecticut State Senator 12th District 

Article: Connecticut democrats propose public health insurance option 
Author: Joseph De Avila 
Date of publication: March 7, 2019 
Source: Wall Street Journal

Republicans and the ACA

by demadelye, posted in health insurance

Link to article:

https://washingtonmonthly.com/2019/02/21/obamacare-is-looking-better-and-better-to-republicans/

The Affordable Care Act, aka ObamaCare, has caused many heads around the nation to turn swiftly. The health care debate has been in politics for many years and may seem to be extinguishing ever-so-slowly. However, it doesn’t take much for the fire to be ignited once again.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi speak following a meeting with U.S.President Barack Obama on congressional Republicans’ effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., January 4, 2017. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

In this opinion piece written by Martin Longman, the idea of Republicans accepting the Affordable Care Act in order to fulfill their desires is being explored. He makes it known that he is astonished when listening to conservatives talk about health care. He highlights Kevin Williamson from the National Review and his ideas of why Republicans should look to Europe for better health care systems. Longman makes it clear that the ACA provides Americans what they want, which is to have everyone covered by private insurances that can actively participate in the market, but to also limit mandates and regulations. In addition, Longman points out the fact that the ACA would be in favor of the Republicans if they had not demonized it. Obamacare was modeled on the health care laws in Massachusetts, which were enacted while Mitt Romney (a Republican) was serving as governor. Furthermore, these laws were based on a plan to oppose HillaryCare in 1993. So why would Republicans demonize and bash on a system that was initially suggested by them?

Link to Kaiser Health Tracking Poll:
https://www.kff.org/health-reform/poll-finding/kaiser-health-tracking-poll-future-directions-for-the-aca-and-medicaid/

In addition to this article, I included this visual from a poll conducted in 2017 concerning how Americans feel about ACA. As presented, Americans are split between repealing the act and keeping it. More Americans want to wait until a replacement plan is proposed in order to repeal the act. However, there are still some Americans who want to repeal the act immediately and work out the replacement later.

As I read this article, I made many connections from how laws are proposed to elements proposed in the More in Common study. I though of the 2/3 votes needed in the House and Senate to approve the repealing of the bill. Furthermore, I began to think of the More in Common study we focused on. I tried to come up with an answer as to why Republicans would discredit something based on their previous actions. The only reason I could think of was because they want to contribute to the polarization of this country through political parties. Politicians are using this act to carry out their agendas in making one another look back, instead of working with each other and creating a solution since there may be a slight difference in views and the priority of health insurance.

“That suggests to me that the consensus on health care will soon move to the left. In a tug-a-war, things don’t remain contested when one side lets go of the rope.”

Martin Longman,
Web editor of washington monthly

I will have to agree with Longman’s astounded reaction when listening to conservatives and Republicans talk of health care systems in America. They want certain concepts, yet demonize the very concept that they want. This only furthers the confusion and the hypocritical tendencies politics may involve. Furthermore, I feel as though this debate intensifies the polarization of the country between different political parties since they cannot agree on one thing. One thing is for certain, it is very hypocritical that Republicans do not support the ACA, even though it was inspired by Republican health care systems established around the country. Although this continues, I feel as though the Republican party has put themselves in a position of immobility they cannot get themselves out of, which will then in turn only allow the Democrats to act in order to bring change. 

Article: ObamaCare is looking better and better to republicans
Author: Martin Longman
Date of publication: February 21, 2019 
Source: Washington Monthly

The Affordable Care Act Today

by demadelye, posted in health insurance

Health insurance can seem like a complex construct of American politics when you’re a teenager about to be propelled into the frightening adult world. With public schools teaching students that the mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell, how are teenagers supposed to know which health insurance coverage best suits their needs?

Click on picture or copy link below to read article: 
https://www.usnews.com/news/healthiest-communities/articles/2019-02-07/lack-of-health-insurance-coverage-leads-people-to-avoid-seeking-care

In this news article written by staff writer, Gaby Galvin, of US News, she introduces health care insurance and the entanglement of the Affordable Care Act in addition to its effects it has had on health insurance. In a report published by the Commonwealth Fund, it shows that more Americans are insured compared to previous years, but they also tend to be underinsured. Because of this, out-of-pocket health care costs are becoming more expensive and common. In turn, people are putting off care or struggle to pay for medical expenses, which can lead to medical debt. A lot of these people that are underinsured tend to have an employer based health coverage. The president and vice president of the Commonwealth Fund strongly believe that policymakers should get involved and focus on workers and their employer based coverage.

“But the improvement in uninsured rates has stalled (and) more people have health plans that fail to adequately protect them from health care costs.”

Sara collins, lead author of the study and vice president of the commonwealth fund

Through this article, I used a lot of my previous knowledge gained in class. This includes the powers of the state and federal governments and the topics we talked about during Trump’s State of the Union address. From previous knowledge, I know that health care is not a constitutional right and that the federal government can uphold laws through it with the Elastic Clause. In addition to this, the article mentions the State of the Union address given by Trump merely days ago. Both in class and in the speech, dropping the cost of prescriptions were mentioned.

Link to Commonwealth Fund report:
https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/issue-briefs/2019/feb/health-insurance-coverage-eight-years-after-aca

This data chart is from the Commonwealth Fund report mentioned in article. I pulled this chart out of the many that were available due to what it represents. This chart shows that less people are uninsured in 2018 compared to 2003. However, it also shows that there has been a major increase of those who are underinsured since 2003. In order for someone to be considered “underinsured” in this report, they must have been an adult who experienced “out-of-pocket costs, excluding premiums, equaled 10% or more of income; out-of-pocket costs, excluding premiums, equaled 5% or more of income if low-income (<200% of poverty); or deductibles equaled 5% or more of income.” (Collins, S. Bhupal, H. Doty, M.)

As I come to understand how health insurance policies work, I notice the limited amount of restrictions health insurance companies have. I agree with the idea presented by Dr. David Blumenthal, stating that policy makers should focus on “the erosion of employer coverage and its impact on workers.” In fact, there should be more federal policies focused on health insurance to protect the people. By simply providing federal programs to assist with health insurance, the people are still being taken advantage of and that is a real injustice. In addition, the concept of coverage gap is a major inconvenience and should not exist. The coverage gap can be eradicated through the use of careful planning of insurers.

Article: Lack of health insurance coverage leads people to avoid seeking care
Author: Gaby Galvin
Date of publication: February 7, 2019
Source: U.S. News & World Report