Time to queue up Kid Rock’s “Born Free” – its election season folks! AKA my favorite time of year. Okay – not really, but, I must admit that I do enjoy watching the debates and seeing which witticisms go viral.
If I have my publication dates right, I’m pretty sure by the time you’re reading this the 2018 gubernatorial elections will have just passed – I hope all of you exercised your right to vote.
This election was high stakes for a number of reasons with issues like immigration, trade, tax reform, climate change, administrative oversight and gun control all at the forefront. However, polls showed that healthcare was the most important issue for voters.
Here are some of the healthcare-related issues up for debate (accompanied by my commentary):
- Repealing and/or replacing the ACA (the GOP failed to do this in 2017 despite having a Senate and House majority in addition to occupying the White House)
- Legislation to protect people with pre-existing conditions as guaranteed under the ACA (this has become a major sticking point with Democrats alleging the GOP will not protect against pre-existing conditions if and when the latter party finally repeals the ACA)
- Medicaid reform (the current administration is in support of work requirements, a conservative initiative, while moderates are advocating for expansion; read more here)
- Enhanced flexibility for states looking to waive some of the ACA’s requirements
- Drug pricing legislation and regulations (GOP and Democrats acknowledge pharmaceutical costs are out of control, but there is a lack of consensus on how to address the issue)
- Affordability (legislation has been introduced to curb surprise medical bills)
- ACO reform
- Single payer (the Democratic party has pretty much split with some embracing proposals like ‘Medicare for All’ while moderates are focused on strengthening the ACA)
- Employer based insurance coverage changes (think expansion of health reimbursement arrangements [HRAs], health savings accounts [HSAs] and high deductible health plans [HDHPs])
