Presidential candidates’ ACA plans
Here’s a closer look at what the presidential candidates vow to do if elected to the Oval Office.
When it comes to the candidates vying for president, there’s one thing they have in common: They want to make changes to the Affordable Care Act (ACA). However, while the Democrats say they want to make improvements to the existing law, the Republicans say they want to repeal it. Here’s a closer look at what they’ve vowed to do if elected to the Oval Office.
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Hillary Clinton
Clinton plans to defend the ACA against Republicans’ efforts to revoke it. By building upon it, she says she will expand coverage for millions of Americans, slowing the growth of healthcare costs.
Some key efforts, according to her website, include:
Making health insurance purchased on the Obamacare exchanges more affordable. Specifically, Clinton says she intends to make premiums more reasonable and reduce out-of-pocket expenses, such as copays and deductibles. She also wants to provide greater relief for consumers using the exchanges, by enhancing current premium tax credits so eligible Americans would pay a smaller percentage of their income. Families who use exchange plans wouldn’t spend more than 8.5% of their income for premiums. She would also reduce the cost of prescription drugs by cracking down on rising prescription drug prices and holding drug companies accountable.
Supporting new incentives to encourage all states to expand Medicaid. Clinton would follow President Obama’s proposal to permit any state that signs up for Medicaid expansion to receive a 100% match for the first three years. She also says she plans to incentivize states to expand Medicaid in other ways.
Making other changes to the ACA. Clinton would work with governors, using current flexibility under the ACA, to empower states to establish a public option choice to reduce costs and broaden insurance coverage options. By investing in navigators, advertising, and other outreach activities, enrolling in exchanges would become easier, her website says. Families would have greater access to affordable healthcare, regardless of their immigration status.
From a provider perspective, Clinton plans to transform the healthcare system to reward value and quality, which builds upon the ACA’s delivery system reforms. In addition, she would explore cost-effective ways to broaden the scope of healthcare providers who are eligible for telehealth reimbursement under Medicare and other programs.
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