Saltzman, Evan and Eibner, Christine. “Donald Trump’s Health Care Reform Proposals: Anticipated Effects on Insurance Coverage, Out-of-Pocket Costs, and the Federal Deficit”. Commonwealth Fund, 1903. September 2016. vol. 13.
Annotation:
Saltzman’s introduction in the beginning of the brief, “Overview of Policy and Approach,” provides a direct and easy to follow explanation of Donald Trump’s plans to transform America’s healthcare system by repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Besides repealing the ACA, Saltzman summarizes Trump’s overall healthcare reform by emphasizing on three key policies that are predicted to be most impactful on America. These key policies are to allow individuals to entirely deduct health insurance payments from their tax returns, block grants for Children’s Health Insurance Programs (CHIP) and Medicaid to the states, and sell health insurance across state lines. It is made clear that the text cannot make an accurate representation of the effects Trump’s plan will have on America. Instead, Saltzman uses a RAN COMPARE microsimulation model to estimate the impact this plan will have on the country by focusing on the individual market because that’s where Trump’s plan is targeted. These estimations state that Trump’s plan will eliminate premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions, annual and lifetime caps on health benefits, prohibitions on rescinding and denying coverage, and regulations that set premiums based on age, smoking, and geography without considering sex or health status. Under the middle section, “Research Findings,” Saltzman proclaims that repealing the ACA alone would result in 19.7 million fewer people with health insurance in 2018. Tax reduction, Medicaid block grants, and sales across state lines altogether would decrease insured people by 58.2 million. Based on this research, they found that the number of uninsured individuals would increase from 2.1 million to 5.8 million. Following several models and graphs that represent their claims, Saltzman summarizes that the health policies proposed by Donald Trump would increase the federal deficit and reduce the health insurance enrollment.
2. Citation:
Himmelstein, David, MD. “Trumpcare or Transformation”. American Public Association, 2017. February 14, 2017.
Annotation:
The reporter, David Himmelstein, examines Donald Trump’s healthcare plan in relation to the traditional policies of the United States government. Himmelstein states that America’s poverty rate between 1960 and 1969 fell by 45% and by 1980, infant mortality was cut in half. He proclaims that Trump is attacking this status quo by “offering too little that inspires and too much that appeases the rich and powerful.” He backs this up by stating that by repealing the ACA, Trump would then be propping up private issuers by using mandates and taxpayer’s money to expand the market for their products. Aside from this, Himmelstein emphasizes on a specific issue with healthcare: women’s reproductive healthcare. He states that women’s reproductive healthcare is also endangered due to Trump’s plan to ban Title X reimbursement to Planned Parenthood and Medicaid. Himmelstein explains how Trump’s financial plan in regards to cutting taxes on wealthy people also affects healthcare. These are connected because income inequality damages health. This is shown by examining the diminished Environmental Protection Agency and increase for coal and fossil fuels, which despoil the land due to the oil pipelines. In addition, this would weaken the Food and Drug Administration’s oversight of food and drugs. In conclusion, Himmelstein connects it back to the traditional policies of the government and how society today can help. He ends with emphasizing how our generation can reverse this misdirection by fighting for $15 minimum dollar wage, better public housing, public education, and expanding clean energy, conservation, and environmental protection. Although Himmelstein discusses Trump’s plan as a whole, not just the healthcare aspect, he demonstrates how different government issues impact each other.
3. Citation:
Sharan, Alok D. MD, MHCDS. “The Beginning of Trumpcare”. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc. Clinical Spine Surgery. February 2017. vol. 30. issue. 1. pp 30-31.
Annotation:
Sharan, author for the Department of Health Services Administration & Policy College of Public Health Temple University Philadelphia, states that the Trump campaign released very limited policy proposals in regards to health care and health insurance. As a result, the direction Trump chooses to take is difficult to understand. His policy proposals are in line with the business tactics that have made him wealthy—establishing a competent amount of competition and options for consumers as a strategy to improve health care. In regards to employers and individuals, the plan promotes health savings accounts and higher deductible plans. As a result, Sharan proclaims that this encourages consumers to shop for the best value in health care. Philosophically, it seems as though Trump will improve the efficiency for the delivery of health. However, Trump’s plan to establish high-risk pools for young and healthy individuals will result in lowering premiums for lower risk groups, causing more people to be uninsured. Sharan states that more participation is important to the success of a healthy health care industry. He proclaims that people who work in the health industry need to make changes in organizational structure, operations, strategy, and financial incentives among providers in order to lessen and aid the damages that are going to be done by Trumpcare. However, Sharan concludes that there is no question that healthcare providers will face a huge amount of uncertainty for the next years of trump’s presidency.
4. Citation:
2018 Healthcare Network Group. “Clarifying Some Misinformation About ‘Trumpcare Plans’”. Trump-Care Updates 2018. January 2018.
Annotation:
The 2018 Healthcare Network Group makes an effort to update the public on Trump’s most recent changes and decisions in regards to healthcare in America. They state that Trumpcare includes some of the same principles outlined by Obamacare, but it takes away several other provisions that help low-income individuals pay their deductibles and copays. The ACA offers cost-sharing reductions that help consumers who fall between 100 and 250 percent of the federal poverty line. Trump’s healthcare plan includes eradicating any subsidy payments to insurance companies by the end of 2019. Aside from informing the public about all these components of Trump’s plan, the Healthcare Network Group addresses misinterpretations of the Trumpcare plan without siding with anyone. This is shown when they state that the plans that are compliant ACA standards offer coverage that, for the most part, can be more than the average individual needs. With that said, people pregnant or planning on pregnancy or people with serious pre-existing conditions, an ACA plan might be in your best interest. However, along with more generous benefits and coverage, no matter one’s existing healthcare requirements, is a much greater cost. If someone or a family is not acquiring a subsidy, ACA plans aren’t an option because they are unaffordable. The Healthcare Network Group recognizes that some may benefit from the Trumpcare plan, but it will negatively affect many low income citizens in America.
5. Citation:
Kodjak, Alison. “Under New Rules, Cheaper ‘Short Term’ Health Care Plans Now Last Up To 3 Years”. National Public Radio Inc. 2018 Health News. August 2018.
Annotation:
Alison Kodjak explains the initially cheap cost of Trumpcare, including both the pros and the cons. The policies, originally only three months, can now last up to a year, and be extended to 3 years. President Trump declares this plan is his priority and wants consumers to have access to cheaper health insurance. However, short-term plans don't have to meet the ACA's coverage and consumer protection requirements, therefore many will not cover important services such as prescription drugs and mental health care. Kodjak proclaims that insurance companies can deny coverage for customers with pre-existing medical conditions and charge more if they need more medical care. The nonpartisan research office that estimates the financial effects of policy changes, Congressional Budget Office, estimated that about 2 million mostly healthy people will buy short-term plans. This could drive premiums higher on the Affordable Care Act because healthier people will leave the market, according to the CBO. Trumpcare will require insurers to include direct coverage explanations, and warn consumers that they do not automatically have a right to extend their policies when they expire. Kodjak claims that if a short-term policy ends before the open enrollment period for ACA, consumers won’t have the right to buy ACA insurance immediately. Kodjak makes this report to make the public aware of the downsides of short term policies regarding healthcare, specifically Trumpcare. She warns the public to thoroughly examine coverage plans before purchasing because many of these short term policies, especially Trumpcare, can be misleading.