House Republicans finally passed the American Health Care Act (also known as AHCA) on Thursday, May 4th, 2017. This represents the first step in repealing Obamacare also known as ACA or the Affordable Care Act. Donald Trump and Republicans in general were given much grief over their inability to pass AHCA the first time around. Even some people on the right said that Republicans were ineffective, not able to govern, and no different than Democrats. Now, maybe some of those worries will subside with the passing of this bill through the house, although it still has to get through to Senate Republicans and pass there.
The largest point of contention with Obamacare was the individual mandate. Many people fell within a void of not making enough money to be able to afford premiums without subsidy but at the same time they made too much money to be eligible for the premiums. Some people were very healthy and see no need for health insurance. Others saw their existing premiums rise to a point of absurdity. Either they could not afford it or they could afford it, but it was not sustainable. Scores of Americans had their plans change altogether as well, even though former President Barack Obama said the famous lines “if you like your plan you can keep your plan… if you like your doctor you can keep your doctor” which of course wound up not being true.
This is just the beginning stages of the bill being passed and it is also just the beginning of reforming American health care in general. The bill will give more power to the states to determine what type of environment they will have for their citizens, but much of healthcare in general is determined by shadowy figures and the Federal Government. Everything from the price of medicine to the cost associated with an ambulance will affect premium costs and also actual medical procedure / care cost, insurance or no insurance. Once health care in general becomes reformed, Americans will be able to take a breath. We’re a long way from that point but at least there have been strides made.
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