So, goodbye Obamacare, hello American Healthcare Act (or possibly Obamacare Lite). I haven't delved deeply into it yet, but from the executive summary, I
think I like it (at least for something they could expeditiously get through).
Part of that is selfishness. It appears a couple of the "benefits" directly benefit Ben. Instead of subsidies by income, they are doing tax credits by age. It looks like I won't be able to take advantage of them for a couple of years, but when I get things squared away to where I'm making <$48K AGI*, it will be a nice help between now and 65. Though I do realize a tax credit vs deduction is still something of a handout. The other "plus" is what looks like doubling the HSA cap. From what it sounds like, people my age can move an extra $4K/yr into tax deferred income.
They kept the "26 and under" clause. They also kept the "pre-existing condition" clause. I realize the latter is not really "free market", but IMO, it was the right thing to do.
The Dems are going ballistic (as expected). Rand Paul is not happy (as expected). Whether fair or not, it does look to me like the R's have changed things to benefit those that were "lost" in the Obamacare fiasco - that is, people who have to pay for their own healthcare, but while not by any means wealthy, not qualified for subsidies, and in fact having their insurance premiums bumped up to pay for the subsidy people. I'm hoping that this will have a side benefit of reducing people's premiums from Obama's artifical rate spike.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/03/06/house-republicans-release-obamacare-replacement-bill.htmlhttps://housegop.leadpages.co/healthcare/* The $48K is for other tax purposes. This Act puts, it looks like, a $75K/yr cap on tax credits.