The TRyanCare health bill proposed legislation is designed to increase the cost of healthcare for seniors, the poor and those who are ill. It rewards the rich, young and healthy. It allows healthcare insurers to lavish millions of prescription dollars on executive salaries and perks; a prescription that violates every promise made by candidate Donald Trump.
It is ironic that most of the people who supported Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Mr. Trump would be the very people harmed by this proposal. Those in the age bracket from 50 to 64 could see insurers triple their healthcare costs, essentially pricing millions of Americans out of the market and leaving them uninsured and vulnerable to bankruptcy.
Insurers would not be required to spend 80 cents of every premium dollar on healthcare for policy holders, leaving more money for marketing, commissions, executive salaries and perks; the good old days which motivated insurers to deny coverage for their own self-interest.
Cutting Medicaid expansion for millions of Americans would leave them uninsured and vulnerable to bankruptcy, disease and poverty; a “let them die” approach. Is that the Republican goal Congressman Smith supports?
In the aggregate, this proposal would cause 24 million Americans to lose healthcare coverage, making emergency rooms once more the healthcare site of first resort; adding to the heavy tax burden confronting states and municipalities.
What happened to everyone will be covered, low cost premiums, high quality care and the “best healthcare insurance ever?” Throwing people off healthcare coverage while rewarding the very rich is deplorable and dishonest.
This TRyanCare proposal threatens the health and financial stability of millions of Americans; particularly those who voted for Congressman Smith and Mr. Trump. I urge Congressman Smith to oppose TRyanCare and instead, to focus on expanding, not limiting, affordable healthcare coverage.
Bruce K. Brickman
Manalapan
