Health care roller coaster

The debate on health care has felt like a roller coaster ride — holding my breath to see what Congress does and then feeling my heart and stomach drop when the proposals become public. While some people might think that the debate is over after the House and Senate both failed to pass a repeal and replace bill, it is probably only at the bottom of the coaster and gradually making a new ascent to the top after the congressional summer recess ends next week.

The Sept. 1 CDT news story, “Feds to slash funds for health care sign-ups” is one indication that the administration is going to sabotage the Affordable Care Act, with a number of budgetary and regulatory actions that don’t need any congressional action. Decreased funding for advertising and for the consumer navigators who help with sign-ups will decrease the number of enrollees. In addition, the president’s continual threats to stop the subsidy payments to insurance companies to cover the premiums and copayments for low-income individuals, have lead to large increases proposed by insurance companies to cover their anticipated losses. Both of these actions will lead to decreased enrollment and then claims of failure of the ACA.

Do you wonder what is ahead on this roller coaster ride and how it will impact you? Get your questions answered at the public nonpartisan educational forum: Healthcare and You, from 7-9 p.m. Thursday at Centre Crest, 502 E. Howard, Bellefonte. For more information email centreahag@gmail.com.

This story was originally published September 5, 2017 at 11:21 PM with the headline "Health care roller coaster."