What Republicans Are Up to (or Not) on ObamaCare
Two Republican candidates—Walker and Rubio—accept the principle that federal taxpayers should have to help other people buy health insurance, through “refundable tax credits” (=subsidies). John Graham thinks that is a good idea, apparently unconcerned about lack of constitutional authority for the involvement of federal government in paying for medical care or redistributing wealth. http://www.forbes.com/sites/theapothecary/2015/08/19/republican-presidential-candidates-roll-on-health-reform/
Michael Cannon calls the Walker and Rubio plans “Obamacare lite.” He writes: “Conservatives should drop any support for the implicit mandate of health-insurance tax credits.” http://www.unionleader.com/article/20150828/OPINION02/150829238
The question all Republicans must answer, writes Rameh Ponnuru, is how to “protect people with pre-existing conditions”—in other words how to get around the principles of insurance. http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2015-08-25/one-health-care-question-republicans-must-answer
A change in ObamaCare that has a chance to pass Congress is a repeal of the provision that would expand the small group insurance market from employers of 50 or fewer workers to 100 or fewer, as of Jan 1, 2016. This provision would probably increase prices for businesses with 51-to-100 employees. http://www.nationaljournal.com/health-care/2015/08/31/obamacare-fix-most-likely-pass-this-congress
As Congress does nothing, big changes are coming in 2016: The minimum individual penalty will increase to $695 to $2,085. The employer mandate will be fully implemented. And premium hikes will be the biggest ever. http://www.fool.com/investing/high-growth/2015/08/30/get-ready-because-big-changes-are-coming-to-obamac.aspx
Some big hospitals will be paying penalties for not meeting targets for spending reductions. Dartmouth-Hitchcock owes $3.6 million for year 3 and may exit the ACO. http://www.healthcarefinancenews.com/news/dartmouth-hitchcock-may-exit-pioneer-aco-program-officials-say
The Cadillac tax may kill the popular Flexible Spending Account (and harm HSAs too). http://www.politico.com/story/2015/08/flexible-spending-accounts-may-vanish-as-a-result-of-obamacare-cadillac-tax-213167
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