How to End Obamacare and Improve Coverage

 Betsy McCaughey discusses the current state of Obamacare, highlighting the impending expiration of enhanced subsidies and the impacts on healthcare costs and coverage. She critiques the effectiveness of Obamacare and suggests pathways for improvement in the healthcare system.

1. Enhanced Subsidies Expiration: The Republicans plan to let the temporary COVID-19-era subsidies for Obamacare expire on January 1, 2026. This move may save the government money but could lead to higher insurance costs for enrollees and more uninsured individuals.

2. Obamacare's Failures: Obamacare is criticized for failing to reduce healthcare costs. Premiums have increased by 129% since its launch and can exceed $50,000 annually for families. Deductibles are high, and insurers deny claims more frequently than before Obamacare was implemented.

3. Political Ramifications: Democrats argue that reducing subsidies will hurt voters, leading to increased costs and insurance gaps. They plan to defend continued spending on Obamacare despite its challenges.

4. Need for Improvement: For Republicans to propose reducing subsidies, they must also present solutions to improve the quality of care and insurance experience. This entails addressing denial of claims and narrow insurance networks that limit access to specialists.

5. Claims Denial Rates: There has been a significant increase in claims denial since the Affordable Care Act. In 2013, the denial rate was around 1.5%, while now it ranges up to 30%. Transparency in denial rates is suggested for consumers.

6. Prior Authorization Delays: Insurers often require prior authorization for routine prescriptions, which can delay patient care. Some states are implementing time limits for such approvals to tackle undue delays.

7. Narrow Insurance Networks: Insurers limit access to specialists to manage costs, reportedly to discourage high medical expenses from patients with serious conditions. This practice should be addressed in reforms.

8. Actuarially Adjusted Subsidy Proposal: A proposed solution is to allow insurers to request enhanced subsidies for customers with preexisting conditions, which could mitigate issues regarding narrow networks and reduce high premiums for healthier individuals.

9. Congressional Half Measures: While some Republicans propose capping subsidies and preventing fraud, lawmakers must equally prioritize enhancing patient care and ensure any financial changes do not harm consumer experiences.

McCaughey argues that simply continuing to fund the current healthcare system without reform would let down taxpayers and consumers. She urges Congress to implement solutions that address existing shortcomings in Obamacare while preparing a comprehensive reform of the health insurance system.

The call is for Republican leaders to act decisively before the expiration of the enhanced subsidies to better the landscape of healthcare across America. 

https://hotair.com/betsy-mccaughey/2025/12/07/how-to-end-obamacare-and-improve-coverage-n3809591