Another Reason ACA Is a Flop

It is ripe for political manipulation such as governors throwing hissy fits and talking about refusing to expand Medicaid coverage.

Why not just expand MEDICARE coverage? I know why: That would open the door to single payer.

The Supreme Court’s ruling on the Affordable Care Act last Thursday was a reactionary ruling upholding a law that constitutes a sweeping attack on health care for tens of millions working people. The law’s principal aim is not to provide universal health coverage, but to reduce costs for corporations and the government, in large part by rationing care for all but the very rich. (See “The Supreme Court ruling on Obama’s health care overhaul”)

The high court’s ruling stripping the federal government of the power to enforce the expansion of Medicaid has made even this limited provision basically optional for states. As a result, some of the poorest of the currently uninsured may be left without any means of obtaining insurance.

While those with annual incomes at 100 to 133 percent of the poverty level would qualify for subsidies on the insurance “exchanges” set up under the health care law, those below that level might not be eligible, as it had been assumed they would be covered under the Medicaid expansion. Speaking to Tulsa World, David Blatt, director of the Oklahoma Policy Institute, described this situation as a “crater-sized ‘coverage hole’ into which adults below the poverty line could fall.”

And then I keep hearing asset tests were going to be done away with. I don't know how in the hell Medicaid would be administered because the purpose of Medicaid is to treat people (in certain categories) who have few or no assets at all or have to spend down all of their assets to get coverage. Of course, Medicaid isn't like Medicare because with Medicaid, if your financial situation changes, you have to pay back Medicaid for expenses incurred. Not true with Medicare.