Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler’s latest newsletter headlines “repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act.” That sounds reasonable and caring to the 16,400 people in her district covered by the ACA.
However, her answer to “replacement” is the 30-year-old Republican call for allowing purchase of insurance across state lines. Research shows that this proposal has been rejected as unworkable by state insurance regulators, the health insurance industry and independent health care analysts. Insurance companies incur cost and difficulties in establishing network contracts outside their borders; they choose to pass on the opportunity when offered.
Companies establishing national programs based in states with the least regulations would cause a race to the bottom. Low-cost, low-benefit policies would be offered to the healthiest individuals.
Those with greater health care needs would not be able to find affordable policies.
Washington companies, following regulations to provide health care policies to ALL, would go out of business, being forced to cover only the consumers at highest risk. Our Congresswoman must face the reality that providing health care for everyone does not have such a simple solution. Unless, of course, we could all agree on Medicare for all.
