4A |
WEDNESDAY EDITION
| SEPTEMBER 5, 2018
Siuslaw News
P.O. Box 10
Florence, OR 97439
NED HICKSON , EDITOR
Opinion
| 541-902-3520 | NHICKSON @ THESIUSLAWNEWS . COM
C
The First Amendment
ongress shall make no law respecting an es-
tablishment of religion or prohibiting the
free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom
of speech, or of the press, or the right of the
people peaceably to assemble, and to petition
the Government for a redress of grievances.
“I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend.” —Thomas Jefferson (1800)
President’s health care plans will Make America... under-insured again
(Editor’s Note: Viewpoint submissions and “association health plans” working in-
on this and other topics are always welcome state or across state lines.
as part of our goal to encourage community
“Short-term” policies fail qualified defi-
discussion and exchange of perspectives.)
nitions of “health insurance,” thus side-
stepping ACA rules.
When it comes to undercutting Amer-
Trump envisions 364-day plans, with
ican’s health care protections, and con- two renewals. But Oregon law bars plans
fronting health status issues or pre-exist- longer than 90 days, with 60-day gaps be-
ing conditions, President Trump’s skills are tween renewals.
under-regarded.
“Association Health Plans” piggyback on
His Department of Justice has just old Federal law, in manipulated fashion, as
joined in declaring “unconstitutional” “large-employer” entities, gaining side-
key provisions of the Affordable Care Act
(ACA) providing “guaranteed issue” and
“community rating.”
By Rand Dawson
This occurred in a federal Texas suit
Retired Insurance Litigator
brought by 20 GOP-controlled states at-
tacking the entire Affordable Care Act.
Several states, including Oregon, joined to doors into state markets.
support “guaranteed issue” and “commu-
Both “skimpy” approaches attract signif-
nity rating.”
icant criticism. The National Federation of
President Trump desires return to pre- Independent Business, long-term promot-
ACA days allowing broad insurance carri- er of association plans, describes Trump
er underwriting discrimination in pricing rules “as unworkable.”
and enrollment, using such factors as gen-
Nevertheless, unwinding ACA risk
der, age, occupation, health status and es- pools threatens premium or cost-sharing
pecially prior-existing conditions (PECs). increases, with shrinking coverage across
Pre-ACA, for those with PECs, carrier individual, small-group and employ-
policy denials were common with rates er-based markets.
ranging from 22 to 36 percent. Oregon’s
Significant portions of large-employer
average denial rate was 27 percent as of risk pools already are regarded as “un-
2008. In lieu of straight denial, carriers is- der-insured” because of higher “cost-shar-
sued policies with “above standard rates” ing” than allowed by the ACA in individual
and narrower benefits than the current or small-group markets. They demonstrate
ACA “essential health benefits” (EHB) a documented deferral of treatment to save
package.
money.
As a result, many accepted limited pol-
Trump tampering with prices or
icies and higher cost-sharing. The pres- cost-sharing will prompt the under-in-
ident’s renewed goal is to segment risk sured in all markets to defer even more
pools, churn price instability and reduce treatment. Recall the broader issue at stake:
ACA risk pool membership — i.e., young- wider access at affordable rates to the “Es-
er, healthier, self-employed risk pool mem- sential Health Benefits” (EHB) package.
bers attracted by lower initial premiums
Routinely referred to as a list of “Ten
because of thinner coverage alternatives — Benefits” — it’s much more. Visualize 10
may depart the ACA altogether.
broad categories of benefits. The ACA,
President Trump’s other tools to under- deferring to insurance realities, asked
mine today’s EHB package mandate in- each state to refine each category — after
clude two alternative, cheaper and “skimp- consideration of real-life policies provid-
ier” coverage marketing schemes, such as ed by typical state large-employers, called
“short-duration” limited-coverage policies "benchmark” plans.
Guest Viewpoint
The Oregon “mere” list of 10 categories
translates to over 17 pages of detailed ser-
vices, treatments or drugs, with accompa-
nying exclusions and comments. Avoiding
wishful thinking, it replicates a major state
carrier's specific real-life plan. It’s detailed,
revealing and available online (www.cms.
gov/cciio/resources/data-resources/ehb.
html (scroll to “Oregon”).
To sustainably support access to such
broader coverage, the ACA provided con-
sumer protections of “guaranteed issue”
and “community rating.“ Carrier discrimi-
nation was barred for underwriting on en-
rollment or prices, using listed consumer
demographics, including PECs.
Historically,
carriers
self-defined
“pre-existing,” subject to state law. Under
those old rules, it is estimated declin-
able PEC conditions exist for 27 percent
of non-elderly Americans, 30 percent of
women and 47 percent of 60-64 year-olds.
A future Texas court ruling, for the DOJ,
starts unwinding the ACA protections.
For 2019, across individual and small-
group markets, carriers could discriminate
and decline enrollment, or renewals, add
benefit exclusions or limitations and raise
premiums or cost-sharing.
State regulatory framework shapes ulti-
mate policy status.
Employees with large-group coverage
could anticipate no front-end PEC cov-
erage for new employees. Pre-ACA rules,
still on the books, allow extended periods
of required “continuous coverage” — per-
haps a year — before employees acquire
PEC-related coverage. Such employees
could again become “job-lock” hostages to
maintain continuous coverage.
Trump, in reworking the rules on cover-
ing health odds — similar to a casino-style
insurance company — his natural affinity
for the “House” is apparent.
—Rand Dawson is a Siltcoos resident
with long interest in health care reform.
He is a retired litigation attorney who also
represented insurance companies.
LETTERS
A hugh positivh for
Prhsidhnt trump
Reading the Aug. 29 letters to the
editor, I noticed several readers want-
ed a list of President Trump's accom-
plishments. I have one which has been
overlooked, especially in light of the
Russian collusion investigation.
President Obama refused to send (or
even sell) lethal weapons to Ukraine,
where they continue to fight a shoot-
ing war with Russia over their right to
exist as an independant nation.
The Obama administration did ex-
press support for Ukraine through the
United Nations (largely perceived by
many in Ukraine as next to useless)
and helped provide a training mission.
They also provided technical gear.
But no weapons. This despite the
fact that when Ukraine moved to re-
take control of its territory by mili-
tary force, Russia intervened militar-
ily, including tank forces and artillery
sucessfully blocking Ukraine’s prog-
ress resulting in many casualties for
Ukraine.
Under President Trump’s admin-
istration, Ukraine’s purchase of an-
ti-tank missles (TOW’s) was approved
and arrived in Ukraine. This was a
morale booster to Ukrainian troops
because it gives them an effective edge
should large scale tank-supported ad-
vances recommence.
The late Senator John McCain ac-
tively supported this action during
the Obama administration; he knew
the Ukrainians were depending on us
because they believed our past com-
mitments of support (initiated by the
Clinton administration) for their inde-
pendence.
President Trump approved some of
these requested weapons systems to
be available to them — weapons that
would surely result in Russian or Rus-
sian-supported troop casualties. This
is a huge positive in my mind for Pres-
ident Trump.
Of course every President will have
positives and negatives in their policy,
depending on your point of view.
I have no idea how the Mueller in-
vestigations may turn out, but it is
ironic the Trump administration —
accused of Russian collaboration — is
the administration which has facili-
tated weapons deployment in an area
of the world most likely to be used
against Russians.
This is a huge positive in my mind.
—Dave Peck
Florence
Promishs havh bhhn
unkhpt by Trump
I just couldn't sit here and say noth-
ing any longer. Supporters of the right-
wing never cease to amaze me with
their rhetoric. I fail to see any good ac-
complishments that Trump has done.
Th anks to Obama, we were rescued
from a bleak economy bestowed on us
from a previous Republican adminis-
tration. We are all benefi ting from a
burst in the economy that is mainly
due to Obama’s policies. Of course, the
one taking credit for it is Trump, the
same person who has undone many of
Obama’s policies that have moved our
country forward.
Th e ridiculous tariff s now imposed
by Trump will eventually eat away at
our economy — and I am sure that
Trump will blame Obama for that.
I also need to state that people com-
ing to this country seeking asylum are
not illegal. Th ey are looking for a safer
and better life for themselves and for
their families.
Ripping kids, some of who are less
than two years old (and some still
breast feeding) from their parents’
arms and placed in cages is not only
immoral but illegal. Th ese cruel ac-
tions are considered crimes against
humanity. Recently, a young child died
from lack of proper care. Th ere was no
plan in place to reunite the kids and
their parents.
Th is is not America.
Trump has never kept any of his
promises that he made during his cam-
paign. He promised to show his taxes
if he was elected; he promised not to
leave Washington and go golfi ng as he
said he “...would have too much work
to do.”
Th ose are just two of his more than
4,000 documented lies or incorrect
statements. He has already gone golf-
ing more than four times more than
any other president in history, at a cost
of more than $100 million to U.S. tax-
payers.
We have never had a more corrupt
administration in our history. How
many indictments have been issued
so far? How many crony friends of the
president have been sent to prison?
Th at circus is about to end. Trump
has used his offi ce to pad his and his
family’s pockets while, at the same
time, putting this country $1.3 trillion
further into debt with his tax gift to the
rich — which will do little or no good
to the average working person.
—Marty Perseo
Florence
Political climath changh
Some 150,000 years ago, the Earth
had about 1,000 breeding pairs of hu-
mans in existance.
Th en, about 70,000 years ago, we
numbered about 1,000 humans total.
Th e human race almost didn't make
it both times.
Th ese episodes were due to climate
change. Climate change today is politi-
cal climate change.
—Martin Cable
Dunes City
USPS# 497-660
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WHERE TO WRITE
Pres. Donald Trump
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, D.C. 20500
Comments: 202-456-1111
Switchboard: 202-456-1414
FAX: 202-456-2461
TTY/TDD Comments:
202-456-6213
www.whitehouse.gov
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown
160 State Capitol
900 Court St.
Salem, Ore. 97301-4047
Governor’s Citizens’ Rep.
Message Line:
503-378-4582
www.oregon.gov/gov
U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden
221 Dirksen Senate Office Bldg
Washington, DC 20510
202-224-5244
541-431-0229
www.wyden.senate.gov
U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley
313 Hart Senate Office Bldg
Washington, DC 20510
202-224-3753
FAX: 202-228-3997
541-465-6750
www.merkley.senate.gov
U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio
(4th Dist.)
2134 Rayburn HOB
Washington, DC 20515
202-225-6416
541-269-2609
541-465-6732
www.defazio.house.gov
State Sen. Arnie Roblan
(Dist. 5)
900 Court St. NE - S-417
Salem, OR 97301
503-986-1705
FAX: 503-986-1080
Email: Sen.ArnieRoblan@
oregonlegislature.gov
State Rep. Caddy McKeown
(Dist. 9)
900 Court St. NE
Salem, OR 97301
503-986-1409
Email: rep.caddymckeown
@state.or.us
West Lane County
Commissioner
Jay Bozievich
125 E. Eighth St.
Eugene, OR 97401
541-682-4203
FAX: 541-682-4616
Email: Jay.Bozievich@
co.lane.or.us