Question

What do you think will ultimately replace the Affordable Care Act? How will that impact HMOs, patient privacy, costs, quality, access, etc.?

Answer 1

Repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA), known as “ObamaCare,” after it has been in effect for 7 years is rather like trying to uproot kudzu. It is deeply entwined in American medicine, and despite soaring premiums and deductibles combined with difficulties accessing actual medical care, many believe they are dependent on it. One needs to avoid collateral damage.

ObamaCare is also integrated into the structure of the “healthcare delivery system,” which is built on an unsound foundation: the forcible redistribution of wealth and the concept of “comprehensive coverage” as the most favored way to pay for medical care. This structure will inevitably collapse. The first priority is to save the people who are trapped in it.

The Replacement -

Many assume that we need one big, centrally planned federal replacement plan for everyone, which will allow all to “keep” their ObamaCare benefits. The “winners” might choose to do so. The “losers” (far larger in number) likely would not. Remember that many Exchange enrollees have lost plans repeatedly already.

In a free market, many different structures are built, without governments, think tanks, or advocacy groups dictating the plans. Innovation of course cannot be predicted or forced to happen. The government’s job is to make and enforce fair, reasonable, predictable rules that foster innovation and competition.

“There is no return to the status quo ante,” say opponents of immediate ObamaCare repeal. But maybe that situation was not so great either.

epeal of all laws and regulations such as the HMO Act that protect or favor managed-careover casualty insurance, including laws that require or enable the “enrollee hold harmless clause” in provider agreements. This clause protects fiscally unsound plans against bankruptcy, and enables them to ration care through “providers” they control in order to protect plans against accusations that the plan practices medicine.

No, costs are far too high, mostly because of comprehensive third-party payment. They can and should be greatly reduced.