Trump's new health secretary already planning changes to Obamacare

Tom Price was just sworn in as the health secretary and yet has not had time to settle in his new position when he is already looking at the Affordable Care Act, also known as the Obamacare. President Trump announced that he will be working with Tom Price in repealing and replacing the law when it comes to health care. The article also mentions that even before Price was being sworn in, the Health & Human Services Department submitted a draft with the new rules proposed to the ACA. They are trying to approve these new changes by mid-April because that would give people enough time to adjust their plans before the 2018 year begins. Some of the items being proposed are listed below.

• “Maintaining the cost-sharing subsidies, which provides federal funds to help reduce low-income enrollees' deductibles and co-pays. A federal judge last year ruled Congress did not authorize the payments, but stayed her ruling until later this month.
• Limiting consumers' ability to sign up for coverage outside of the open enrollment period so that people don't wait until they are sick to purchase plans.
• Eliminating Obamacare taxes levied on health insurers.
• Requiring people to pay any premiums owed before they can re-enroll.
• Giving states more regulatory authority and flexibility.”

Insurance companies are counting on Trump’s administration to implement rules that will benefit them. Such as denying insurance to those people who apply for health insurance and have pre-existing conditions. This was one of the rules under the Obamacare, you were supposed to be insured even if you had a pre-existing condition. Another regulation they are trying to implement is that those who are 50 years and older will have higher rates in order to reduce rates for the younger generation. However, I believe these two regulations are unfair because those who are 50 and older are retired or disabled and no longer have an income in which they can rely on, as well as they will be unable to afford these higher rates. Also, those who have pre-existing conditions might have to receive expensive treatment that they might not be able to pay out of pocket. If they are not allowed to buy health insurance then they will be unable to receive the proper treatment they need. 

Link: http://money.cnn.com/2017/02/10/news/economy/tom-price-health-secretary-trump-obamacare/index.html?iid=SF_LN