Trumpcare vs Obamacare: What's the difference?
What will change now the Republicans have passed the American Health Care Act through the House of Representatives?
Obamacare is "dead", said US President Donald Trump after the House of Representatives passed the Republicans' replacement healthcare bill by just four votes.
The passing of the American Health Care Act marks Trump's first legislative victory since taking office, the BBC reports, although the bill will now need to get through the Senate.
Democrats and other opposing voices say it will leave millions uninsured, with some predicting the bill will founder or have to be rewritten in the Senate for that reason.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Republicans were chafing to get rid of former president Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act (ACA) before it even came into place in 2010. But what are the differences between that bill and the Republicans' replacement?
Number of uninsured people
Obama: There were 47 million uninsured Americans in 2010 before the introduction of Obamacare, according to Bloomberg. That number is now 28 million, The Independent says – and that number would likely remain stable if the Affordable Care Act was kept in place over the next ten years.
Trump: The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has not yet calculated the effects of the latest version, but a March report of an earlier draft found 52 million people would likely be left without insurance by 2026 – almost double the number of those under Obamacare.
Penalties for the uninsured
Obama: All uninsured people pay a tax penalty.
Trump: Those who are uninsured for more than 63 days must pay 30 per cent more on their insurance premiums for one year.
Employee insurance
Obama: Companies with more than 50 employees have to provide health insurance or pay a fine.
Trump: Companies don't have to provide insurance.
Pre-existing conditions
Obama: Insurers cannot deny coverage or charge more to those with pre-existing medical conditions
Trump: States can dodge granting pre-existing coverage provided they set up high-risk insurance plans for people whose conditions see them priced out by normal insurers.
Essential benefits
Obama: All plans need to provide for certain health conditions or services, such as women's health, cancer treatment, prescription drugs, counselling.
Trump: States can choose which benefits are mandated and which can be left out entirely.
Medicaid (provides coverage to very low income people)
Obama: Expanded insurance for poorer individuals.
Trump: Starting in 2020, federal funding for Medicaid expansion will be cut.
Taxes
Obama: Raised Medicare taxes for those earning over $250,000 and introduced a range of new taxes to pay for the ACA from medical device manufacturers, drug companies, tanning salons, high-end insurers, and investment income. The ACA also provided tax credits for low-income individuals who buy coverage on government-run marketplaces.
Trump: The new bill repeals most of the Obamacare-related taxes. Tax credits are based on age and there will be no more tax credits for health-related costs not covered by insurance.
What stays the same
Children are still allowed to remain on their parents' policies until the age of 26. Insurers are also not allowed to set annual or lifetime limits on the amount they reimburse people for pregnancy and childbirth, doctors' services, prescription drug coverage and other essential health benefits.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - November 2, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - anti-fascism, early voter turnout, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Geoff Capes obituary: shot-putter who became the World’s Strongest Man
In the Spotlight The 'mighty figure' was a two-time Commonwealth Champion and world-record holder
By The Week UK Published
-
Israel attacks Iran: a 'limited' retaliation
Talking Point Iran's humiliated leaders must decide how to respond to Netanyahu's measured strike
By The Week UK Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
A brief history of third parties in the US
In Depth Though none of America's third parties have won a presidential election, they have nonetheless had a large impact on the country's politics
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Last updated
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published