GOP not interested in health care reform
Rep. Paul Ryan says the Republicans have solid plans to replace Obamacare, also known as ACA, to those who don't realize they are two names for the same program. Ryan suggests that the American people's health care needs could be satisfied by "health savings accounts", insurance sold across state lines, vouchers, and high-risk pools. These are a few of the ideas that have been part of Republican plans for health care, especially for the last eight years of The Affordable Care Act.
Health Savings Accounts won't work for the un-wealthy, because a hard-won yearly savings of even $5,000 would be wiped out by one day in the hospital.
Insurance sold across state lines would mirror the credit card industry. Like credit card companies, health insurers would gather in the states with the fewest rules and the greatest profits for them, leaving most Americans to suffer financially and healthwise.
Vouchers would leave Americans to scan the market for affordable and suitable insurance. That is hard enough with all the services available now.
High-risk pools never work because health insurance, like car insurance, depends on a pool of people, some who will pay premiums and collect benefits and others who pay premiums and never collect any benefits. High-risk pools group all who will surely need benefits together.
Republicans aren't interested in improving health care for Americans. Republicans only want to erase that part of Obama's legacy. I sometimes wonder if the Obamacare name were changed to McConnell/Ryan care, Republicans would support the program.
Karen Wagner
Rolling Meadows