The battle for healthcare continues as Tuesday saw new developments in trying to bring more affordable healthcare to Americans. The Trump administration made a move in order to make health ensurers provide less comprehensive medical plans that have lower costs. The regulations, an alternative to those required under Obamacare, would enable ensurers to give consumers an option of “short-term” policies that would last for 12 months, that would have fewer benefits and that would also have lower premiums.
Coming at a time when Americans are complaining about premiums rising at a fast rate, also an important issue that led to Donald Trump winning the presidency, the Trump administration argues that it’s a good path for people in need of coverage but who aren’t eligible for the Affordable Care Act’s subsidies.
Alex Azar, Health and Human Services secretary, explained that it’s vital for “more affordable alternatives” to be pushed because “It’s one step in the direction of providing Americans with alternatives that are both more affordable and more suited to individuals and family circumstances.”
However, the push drew criticism from many Democrats, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer from New York blasted President Trump by saying that “Since day one, the Trump administration playbook on healthcare has been to sabotage the marketplaces, jack up costs and premiums for millions of middle-class Americans. Then – as a supposed life-line to a self-inflicted crisis – offering junk insurance that fails to offer protections for those with pre-existing conditions or coverage of essential health benefits and more.”
