WASHINGTON – Consumers would feel the impact immediately if Republicans repeal “Obamacare” with no replacement.
Problems could start this fall for customers buying individual health policies, say independent experts, with more insurers likely to exit state markets around the country, and those remaining seeking higher rates.
Low-income people who qualified for expanded Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act, or ACA, might be shielded for a year or two. But then federal funding for their coverage would stop and states would have to decide whether to keep those able-bodied adults on the rolls.
Though the latest approach seems doomed to fail, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell insists he’ll move to a vote.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has floated another idea: to “just let Obamacare fail.” But that could also backfire, since his administration is unlikely to escape at least some of the blame.