Today's Big News

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/04/us/politics/health-care-bill-vote.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=a-lede-package-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&_r=0

Finally the house approved a bill to repeal and replace the Obama Care. Now, the President gets closer to his promise to reshape America's health care without mandatory insurance coverage.

The bill will go on to the Senate for approval. It is a sure thing that passing the bill in the Senate is not a sure thing. it will face great uncertainties.


Here is an interesting comment from representative Nancy Pelosi of California, the Democratic leader: she warned moderate Republicans who supported the measure: “You have every provision of this bill tattooed on your forehead. You will glow in the dark.”

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/04/upshot/who-wins-and-who-loses-in-the-latest-gop-health-care-bill.html?action=click&contentCollection=Politics&module=RelatedCoverage&region=EndOfArticle&pgtype=article

So, now let's take a look at who wins and who loses in this latest version of health care bill.

Winners

First winner goes to the high-income-earners, individuals who earn $200,000 or couples who earn more than $250,000 a year.  The bill, if passed will eliminate two taxes on this group. the 0.9% increase on the Medicare payroll tax and a 3.8% tax on investment income.   

The bill eliminates two taxes on individuals earning more than $200,000 or couples earning more than $250,000: a 0.9 percent increase on the Medicare payroll tax, and a 3.8 percent tax on investment income.

The second winner goes to Upper-middle-class people who don't have pre-existing health conditions. This group would get much higher subsidies from government to buy health insurance.

Third, the young middle-class people without pre-existing health conditions. The bill would change how insurance companies price their products in a way that would lower prices for young customers. It also gives them a flat subsidy that is, in many cases, higher than what they would receive under Obamacare.

Fourth, People who wishes go without have health insurance and people who don't want comprehensive coverage.

Fifth, the larger employers. Under American Health Care, the larger employers would be no longer required to offer mandatory insurance coverage to its employees.

Sixth, Medical device companies, indoor tanning companies and a few other medical industries: The bill rolls back taxes on devices, tanning, prescription drugs and health insurance products.

Losers


 1. Poor people:

these group benefited the most from Obama Care. Under the American Health Care, the subsidies available for this group who are just over poverty line would substantially reduced. They may become uninsured under the bill or pay much more premiums if they choose to retain their current coverage.

 2. Older Americans

Under the bill, insurance companies could charge a much higher price that are charged to a young adult. It is estimated that far fewer older Americans would have insurance coverage under this bill than under the Obama Care.

3. People with pre-existing conditions

The bill allows states to waive rules on minimum benefit standards and rules that prohibit insurance companies from charging higher prices to customers who have a history of serious illness.

4. State governments

The bill could substantially cut back on federal funding for state Medicaid programs. Meanwhile, it offers state government very limited flexibility in how they manage the program. These changes are likely to shift an increasing share of Medicaid costs onto states.

5. Hospitals

Under the bill, roughly about 24 million fewer people would have no insurance coverage in a decade. However, some of these people still have medical emergence and need hospital care. For poor communities with a lot of people who signed up Medicaid, the hospital could experience the biggest hit.

6. Planned Parenthood

Under the bill, Planned Parenthood would be prohibited from receiving any federal money for one year. Also, the bill is likely to reduce access to abortions by preventing federal subsidies from going to any health plan that covers abortion service. 

Health Care is a big project and big issue that affects everybody in U.S. The bill wins with a very narrow edge in the house. The house will be on a two -week recession. When the bill goes to the Senate for approval, it will face hurdles anyway.