There are still many moving parts that need to be decided on as the current administration tries to repeal and replace Obamacare. Currently, politicians are making amendments to the American Health Care Act (AHCA) to try and get it approved. Our live discussion, which included doctors and patients, focused on some of the most pressing issues concerning the upcoming changes to our healthcare system.
You can read Part I of our Tweetchat here.
Here are some highlights from the discussion. Let us know your thoughts on these topics.
Question 1
Q1: Do you think the #ACHA / #TrumpCare will be an improvement on the #ACA / #ObamaCare? Why/why not?#TrumpHealthcare
— Physician’s Weekly (@physicianswkly) March 23, 2017
A1: A1: Not much will change. I think the problems in the system have been getting worse and this will just continue. #TrumpHealthcare
— LindaGirgis,MD (@DrLindaMD) March 23, 2017
#TrumpHealthcare A1 Not in its current form. Mandate is still there except worse in that 30% penalty goes to ins cos!
— John Chamberlain (@misterchambo) March 23, 2017
It’s estimated that 79% of the tax breaks under the #AHCA would go to millionaires, that is not helpful to the masses #trumphealthcare
— Dylan Fisher (@dfisher_p2) March 23, 2017
A1 No. KHN and CBO pretty much show that it serves fewer, and reduces care. Cost savings at the expense of coverage #TrumpHealthcare
— Matthew Loxton (@mloxton) March 23, 2017
Question 2
Q2: What’s the most impactful change in “manager’s amendment” to #AHCA made by House Republican leaders late Monday night?#TrumpHealthcare
— Physician’s Weekly (@physicianswkly) March 23, 2017
A2: States would be allowed to choose a block grant rather than a per capita cap.#TrumpHealthcare
— LindaGirgis,MD (@DrLindaMD) March 23, 2017
A2 manager’s amendment takes $1B to fund the administration of the Medicaid per capita cap/Patient State Stability Fund #trumphealthcare
— Dylan Fisher (@dfisher_p2) March 23, 2017
#TrumpHealthcare Avoiding state mandates is whole point of cross-state purchase. Guaranteed issue (pre-existings) kills individual mrkt
— Jane Orient, MD (@jorient) March 23, 2017
Question 3
Q3: What will result, good & bad, from @SpeakerRyan’s plan to eliminate payroll taxes that help pay for #Medicare?
#TrumpHealthcare
— Physician’s Weekly (@physicianswkly) March 23, 2017
A3: Medicare will not be able to continue. It needs to be funded somehow. #TrumpHealthcare
— LindaGirgis,MD (@DrLindaMD) March 23, 2017
A3 unclear, but likely to be a logistical and HR nightnare #TrumpHealthcare
— Matthew Loxton (@mloxton) March 23, 2017
#TrumpHealthcare All Ponzi schemes die. Medicare is in deficit financing situation.
— Jane Orient, MD (@jorient) March 23, 2017
Question 4
Q4: @cynthiaccox of @KaiserFamFound posted this chart to show what happens w/ #AHCA tax credits. What do you make of it?#TrumpHealthcare pic.twitter.com/2dInWze6ra
— Physician’s Weekly (@physicianswkly) March 23, 2017
A4: Tax credits will not fix risining premiums/deductibles. Health insurance still unaffordable for many. #TrumpHealthcare
— LindaGirgis,MD (@DrLindaMD) March 23, 2017
#TrumpHealthcare Cheaper and better to buy care directly for needy. Why should managed-care cartel get even 15%?
— Jane Orient, MD (@jorient) March 23, 2017
Insurance used to be helpful until Government got into healthcare. https://t.co/uguvbV0Ylu
— Martha Range (@LaughinHart) March 23, 2017
#TrumpHealthcare Why not mandate as condition of employer tax exclusion that workers could take insurance value of health plan in cash?
— Jane Orient, MD (@jorient) March 23, 2017
Question 5
Q5: As a provider only, not based on political view, what is your take on the proposed defunding of #PlannedParenthood? #TrumpHealthcare
— Physician’s Weekly (@physicianswkly) March 23, 2017
A5: Many girls and women go there for annual gyn exams and birth control. Teenage pregnancy/STDs will increase. #TrumpHealthcare
— LindaGirgis,MD (@DrLindaMD) March 23, 2017
A5 As an analyst and one time EMT, a cruel disaster that worsens everything it claims to seek. It makes no medical sense #TrumpHealthcare
— Matthew Loxton (@mloxton) March 23, 2017
Q5/A5 21% of counties have no safety-net family planning alternative should their local Planned Parenthood close #trumphealthcare
— Dylan Fisher (@dfisher_p2) March 23, 2017
Question 6
Q6: Thoughts on proposal to phase out #Medicaid expansions in 2020 & restructure of funding into lump sum for each state? #TrumpHealthcare
— Physician’s Weekly (@physicianswkly) March 23, 2017
T6 V shortsighted except for states with dwindling population. For rest it’s a massive timebomb that kills low SES ppl #TrumpHealthcare
— Matthew Loxton (@mloxton) March 23, 2017
A6: Many people are gaming the system. Need to eliminate fraud and waste while not harmning any patients. #TrumpHealthcare
— LindaGirgis,MD (@DrLindaMD) March 23, 2017
@DrLindaMD and for many low SES rurals, it is the ONLY reproductive health service for many miles #TrumpHealthcare
— Matthew Loxton (@mloxton) March 23, 2017
Question 7
Q7: Thoughts on proposed tax break for insurers that pay CEOs >$500k / year?#TrumpHealthcare
— LindaGirgis,MD (@DrLindaMD) March 23, 2017
A7: Insurers should not be given tax credits. CEO salaries are conflict of interest imo. #TrumpHealthcare
— LindaGirgis,MD (@DrLindaMD) March 23, 2017
A7 Risible #TrumpHealthcare
— Matthew Loxton (@mloxton) March 23, 2017
Question 8
Q8: Thoughts on requiring those who go ≥2 months w/out insurance to pay 30% higher premium when sign for coverage? #TrumpHealthcare
— LindaGirgis,MD (@DrLindaMD) March 23, 2017
A8 would like to see the rationale. Seems arbitrary and counterproductive sneaky way to have individual mandate #TrumpHealthcare
— Matthew Loxton (@mloxton) March 23, 2017
A8: People lose coverage for all kinds of reasons. This is burdensome to make them pay more. #TrumpHealthcare
— LindaGirgis,MD (@DrLindaMD) March 23, 2017
