The Republican Party advocates for less government regulation and lower federal spending, which may increase the number of uninsured Americans. The question remains as to whether this type of healthcare reform would work in the United States, according to Los Angeles Times.
Here are five points:
1. Some Republican candidates advocate using high-risk pools to provide affordable coverage for people with serious health issues. High-risk pools have not been effective in the past and would require sufficient government funding. Many candidates have not outlined how much money would need to be provided for the high-risk pools.
2. Some GOP candidates stated they would roll back the Medicaid expansion and would cap federal funding for the program, ultimately reducing coverage for those who are poor.
3. Some candidates proposed to allow people to buy insurance across state lines. This plan may not increase the availability of insurance because many insurers usually operate in many states already.
4. Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's plan would provide refundable tax credits to people who buy their own insurance. The plan is similar to the ACA's premium subsidies, yet some claim the plan provides more help to individuals with high incomes and less help for those with low incomes.
5. With the implementation of the ACA, 16 million more Americans are insured, leaving many pondering whether a GOP healthcare reform plan would be a viable alternative to the ACA.
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