The GOP's 'Better Care' act: The worst parts of health care now even worse

Republicans would make the most detested parts of health care even more detestable

Mitch McConnell.
(Image credit: (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik))

Over the last few years, Republicans correctly identified the thing Americans hate most about the health insurance system: out-of-pocket costs. Rising premiums are bad enough, but what's really maddening is when you have insurance, but you still have to keep shelling out for going to the doctor. Many insurance plans, particularly on the individual market, have deductibles of $5,000, $8,000, even $12,000 or more. It makes you feel like you're being screwed: We pay hundreds of dollars every month for this plan, and now that my kid broke his arm our insurance won't pay a dime for his care? That's not to mention copays, coinsurance, and all the other creative ways insurers have devised over the years to pay as little as possible when you actually try to use the insurance you bought from them.

As time went on and high deductibles became a central part of the insurance industry's profit strategy, Republicans homed in on the displeasure they create as a way of arguing that the Affordable Care Act is a disaster that simply must be repealed. "Our health-care plan will lower premiums and deductibles — and be great health care!" President Trump tweeted last month. Ask any Republican what's wrong with the ACA, and they'll be sure to bring up those dastardly deductibles.

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Paul Waldman

Paul Waldman is a senior writer with The American Prospect magazine and a blogger for The Washington Post. His writing has appeared in dozens of newspapers, magazines, and web sites, and he is the author or co-author of four books on media and politics.