×

Health officials talk possible Obamacare repeal

As a new administration enters the White House, much uncertainty remains over the Affordable Care Act and health care delivery in the U.S.

Proponents to the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, admit that it needs some tweaking. But those in favor of the law say it’s helped many people afford and obtain health insurance.

Opponents say health care costs are spiraling out of control as the law must be replaced.

“There’s no magic wand that will repeal and replace (Obamacare) on Jan. 20. People are not going to wake up Jan. 21 and not have coverage,” said John Bartimole, Western New York Healthcare Association president. “I really do believe every American is entitled to good and adequate health insurance. At the same time, I believe every provider is entitled to proper compensation for providing that care.”

Since the Affordable Care Act’s enactment Bartimole said problems have resonated, including high premium costs. For hospitals, he said the care provided isn’t being compensated and Medicaid isn’t always a good payer.

“Hospitals nationwide gave up a lot of income in uncompensated care in return for millions more being insured,” Bartimole said. “What happened was people who opted for the lowest premium were also some people who couldn’t pay the copays and deductibles. This hasn’t been a win for hospitals because they’re providing uncompensated care.”

The core message at UPMC Chautauqua WCA is simple: No patient is denied services because of his or her inability to pay. The hospital is seeing more consumers enrolled in bronze and silver health insurance plans as well as through Medicaid. Unfortunately, Medicaid reimbursement to hospitals and health systems is much lower than the cost of the service provided.

“We are seeing our Medicaid population grow,” said Betsy Wright, president and CEO of UPMC Chautauqua WCA. “Twenty-seven percent of the patient population at UPMC Chautauqua WCA is covered under Medicaid and Medicaid Managed Plans.”

In response to the Affordable Care Act, UPMC Chautauqua WCA is providing more financial information so consumers can make more informed choices about their health care. They’ve also enhanced their financial assistance program application to include coverage for insurance deductibles and copays to help eligible patients pay for high out-of-pocket costs.

Last week, Gov. Andrew Cuomo responded to a potential repeal by stating that an estimated 2.7 million New Yorkers and roughly 15,000 residents in Chautauqua County would lose coverage.

As for the state budget, Cuomo said a repeal would cause a $3.7 billion impact and a loss of nearly $600 million in federal funds to counties. Chautauqua County would lose $2.4 million, according to the governor’s office.

“The cost of a repeal of the Affordable Care Act, to state and local budgets and to the New Yorkers who depend on its health coverage, is simply too high to justify,” Cuomo said. “Since its implementation, the Affordable Care Act has become a powerful tool to lower the cost of health insurance for local governments and New Yorkers, and it is essential that the federal government does not jeopardize the health and livelihoods of millions of working families.”

U.S. Rep. Tom Reed, R-Corning, has stated his displeasure with the Affordable Care Act and noted in recent media calls that the first order of business will be to repeal it. In response to the governor’s comments, Reed said he recognizes his concerns. However, Reed said it’s disingenuous to suggest the Affordable Care Act is not deeply flawed.

“As we continue working on health care reforms, our priorities remain getting health care costs under control while ensuring access to care and protecting New Yorkers, local hospitals, providers and municipal governments from unintended impacts,” Reed said.

Details on a plan to fix or replace Obamacare haven’t been thoroughly discussed publicly. But President-Elect Donald Trump has said he’d like to see some provisions stay, including prohibiting providers from denying health insurance to people with existing conditions.

For Ann Abdella, Chautauqua County Health Network executive director, the Affordable Care Act has brought the uninsured rate down through time while significantly impacting cost savings in the county, which particularly relate to changes surrounding Medicaid. Abdella, who’s been in the health care industry for 30 years, said she’s optimistic about what’s being seen on the quality improvement and cost efficiency side. Like everyone else in the health care business, though, there’s a lot of uncertainty as a new presidential administration comes in.

“Are there tweaks that need to be made on this on all levels? Yes,” she said. “Depending on how much tinkering goes on, there’s a lot of change fatigue out there and it’s worrisome to me to think how hospitals and others in the health care industry are going to be up for one more major change. They’ve been living in constant change for 10 years. At some point, you have to scratch your head and say, ‘Where’s this going?'”

The 2017 enrollment period opened November and closes Jan. 31. People can still enroll after January if they encountered certain life events, like losing health coverage, moving or getting married. Those who enrolled before the start of the new year had their plans take effect Jan. 1.

In 2016, just over 13,000 residents in Chautauqua County signed up for health insurance via Medicaid, Child Health Plus, the Essential Plan or qualified health plans. The number is up from 2015 when 9,500  people enrolled in health care plans.

Of those who enrolled last year, 9,189 county residents signed up for Medicaid, 1,085 for Child Health Plus, 1,432 for the Essential Plan and 1,612 for qualified health care plans.

Statewide, 2.8 million people enrolled last year for health insurance through NY State of Health, the official health plan marketplace in New York.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today