How TrumpCare Could Raise Premiums for 177 Million Americans

Do you receive health coverage through your employer? Then TrumpCare puts your costs at risk. According to the Washington Post, the 177 million Americans who have employer-based coverage could see their premiums increase. Highlights here:

“A leading business coalition has warned that employers could pick up the tab if millions of people lose their coverage under the Republican plan to repeal the Affordable Care Act.”

“David Lansky, president and chief executive of the Pacific Business Group on Health, a nonprofit organization whose members include Boeing, Chevron, Hewlett-Packard Enterprise, Intel, Walmart and the Walt Disney Company, told The Washington Post that the Senate proposal to repeal  the Affordable Care Act could push the costs of providing health care to uninsured people onto employers and their workers.”

“‘There are a couple of specific reasons continuing to support an effective Medicaid program and an individual market is important, and one of those is its importance to business…’ Lansky said.”

“Approximately 177 million Americans receive insurance through employers…  If the bill is passed and more people are uninsured, or public sector programs facing federal funding cuts decrease their reimbursements, Lansky said hospitals will simply shift those costs onto commercially insured patients — namely employers and employees.”

“He added that if Medicaid is cut and the individual market doesn’t provide affordable, comprehensive coverage, new workers may delay care until they get a job — which could make workers less productive and also create an initial surge in health-care costs that could increase premiums.”

“…Employers are becoming aware that insurance markets aren’t as siloed as it was once thought.”

“I think the stakes are very high, and they realize with this issue, it’s at least important to share our perspective — to educate policymakers there are some effects of these bills that may have a larger effect.”