ACA problems don’t reduce care need

At a time we had some 47 million uninsured Americans, the plan of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was to extend health insurance to 32 million more people by 2019.

But the law had other problems such as multiple programs and payers and lack of simplicity.

It did not include undocumented immigrants, and in 2012 the Supreme Court ruled that states could choose not to expand Medicare. Twenty-four states chose that option, leaving 4.8 million people in the coverage gap. Add dysfunction and confusion with the federal website.

Inadequate coverage was seen under both private and public plans offering fewer benefits and additional costs. There also was inadequate accountability of private insurers with plans that offered fewer benefits while charging more to enrollees.

So:

1. Health care reform through the ACA was hijacked by corporate stakeholders.

2. The delivery system cannot be reformed without reforming the financial system.

3. In order to achieve efficient health insurance, we need the largest “risk pool” to spread this all out.

Hopefully, we can grow the movement for improved Medicare for all, which would finally cover everyone in America.

We are our brother’s keeper. Patricia Combs