Thread: Trump slashes funding that helps people sign up for Obamacare

Trump slashes funding that helps people sign up for Obamacare

By Tami Luhby
Updated 7:11 PM ET, Tue July 10, 2018

(CNN)The Trump administration is once again slashing funding for a program that helps Americans sign up for Obamacare.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced Tuesday that it would provide only $10 million for the navigator program for this fall's open enrollment season. The move is the latest effort by the Trump administration to undermine the Affordable Care Act.

This past year, navigators only received $36 million in funding, down from $63 million in 2016. The reduction was paired with a 90% cut in Obamacare's advertising budget.

The agency once again defended the decrease by saying that navigators, which usually hail from non-profit and community organizations, are not effective. They enrolled less than 1% of consumers who signed up for
2018 coverage in 34 states using the federal exchange, according to CMS.

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Navigators say they don't get credit for all the consumers they help guide through the process but don't actually sign up. Also, navigators assist people with enrolling in Medicaid, which is not reflected in the numbers.

The Trump administration broadened the opportunity for private sector agents and brokers to assist consumers in signing up last fall. They assisted 42% of enrollees, the agency said.

Navigators applying for funding will also be encouraged to show how they will educate people about the newly expanded alternatives to Obamacare, such as association health plans and short-term plans. The Trump administration is making it easier for Americans to sign up for these policies, which many experts say will weaken Obamacare by siphoning off younger and healthier enrollees. These alternative plans don't have to provide all of the Affordable Care Act's consumer protections.
Consumer groups decried the move.

"Given the continued attacks on health care, including federal rules allowing the resurgence of low-cost, junk health insurance plans, such as 'association health plans' and 'short-term plans', consumers looking for good, comprehensive coverage could be easily confused," said Frederick Isasi, executive director of Families USA, a left-leaning advocacy organization. "This is a time when consumers need more help to understand the insurance options that are available to them—not less."
Open enrollment for 2019 coverage begins in November.

https://www.cnn.com/2018/07/10/polit...ump/index.html

Good! You wanted these stupid exchanges so let the private companies on the exchanges pay for their own advertising. Obamacare is not a government funded enterprise, subsidized yes, but not owned by the government, so why should taxpayers pay a cent to advertise it? We shouldn't, it's ridiculous!

GET ILLEGAL ALIENS OFF OUR HEALTHCARE, OUT OF OUR HOSPITALS, AND OFF OUR SOIL!!!

SAME GOES FOR TPS, ASYLUM AND REFUGEES!

NO MORE FOREIGNERS BANKRUPTING OUR HEALTHCARE SYSTEM WHILE THEY PAY NOTHING!

SLAM THE BORDER SHUT FOR 10 YEARS AND BOOT THEM OUT!

Obamacare underminded the entire healthcare system and forced the smallest sector of the industry, The Individual Market Plans to subsidize free healthcare for the poor and illegal aliens.

Responsible citizens who worked and paid for there own healthcare and medical needs got kicked off there so called ‘substandard plans’ and forced to purchase worthless healthcare plans in the Obamacare Exchanges at triple the price and less coverage through substandard doctors and medical facilities.

The unafordable plans forced millions of people to drop there healthcare policies and remain uninsured because we do not qualify for government subsidies.

It was a terrible program. At least now the individual mandate is gone and self-employed and small business owners can purchase association plans they're rolling out soon. I think they're called AHP's, Association Health Plans. The US Senate needs to kick ass and move on passing the repeal of McCarran-Ferguson Act to "erase the lines". It passed the House in March of last year, HR 372, 416-7, an overwhelming majority, so it should sail through the Senate. Why it's been stuck there for over a year is inexplicable. MOVE THE BILL OUT OF COMMITTEE AND PASS THE BILL!!

Trump needs to tweet about this, big time. Tweet until they pass it, this is your "erase the lines" bill.