With Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death, the future of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is even more uncertain. One week after the Presidential election, the U.S. Supreme Court is to hear a case challenging the ACA. What’s at stake in this case goes beyond the critical protections for people with pre-existing medical conditions. Consider the following from the New York Times story, If the Supreme Court Ends Obamacare, Here’s What It Would Mean:
- 133 million – roughly half the population under the age of 65 – could lose protection for their pre-existing medical condition(s);
- 21 million people could lose their health insurance currently obtained through exchanges or Medicaid expansion;
- 12 million adults could lose Medicaid coverage;
- 60 million Medicare beneficiaries would likely face changes to medical care and possibly higher premiums;
- 2 million young adults under age 26 could lose current coverage through their parents’ plans;
- $50 billion increase or more in uncompensated care costs for the uninsured if the ACA is eliminated.
If you have time to read only one article in this Weekend Reading series, I encourage you to read the New York Times story, If the Supreme Court Ends Obamacare, Here’s What It Would Mean.
For other news of the week, check out #Rx for articles on the Trump administration’s action to permit drug imports from Canada, FDA warnings about Benadryl and Xanax/other similar drugs, and more. Next, explore #In the Mitten for Michigan health related news. Do not miss #More To Come for early insights into the Administration’s latest Executive Orders and vision for health care. And last but not least, relax with the #Canines R Cool articles!
I hope you enjoy the following:
1. #Read One
- New York Times: If the Supreme Court Ends Obamacare, Here’s What It Would Mean
2. #Rx
- Health Affairs: Administration Finalizes Drug Importation Plans, But Legal And Practical Questions Remain
- New York Times: F.D.A. Requires Stronger Warning Label for Xanax and Similar Drugs
- USA Today: ‘Benadryl Challenge’ on TikTok can cause ‘serious problems,’ the FDA warns
- FDA: FDA warns about serious problems with high doses of the allergy medicine diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
3. #In the Mitten
- New York Times: Blue Cross Insurers Reach Tentative Settlement in Antitrust Lawsuit
- Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS): Michigan’s Health Insurers Agree to Provide COVID-19 Testing, Treatment at No Cost to Patients Through the End of 2020
- State of MI: New Health Insurance Special Enrollment Periods in Place for Michiganders Impacted by COVID-19
4. #More to Come
- Associated Press: Trump promotes health care ‘vision’ but gaps remain
- CNBC: It’s not entirely clear how the government will pay for Trump’s $200 Medicare cards
5. #Canines R Cool
- New York Times: What My Sled Dogs Taught Me About Planning for the Unknown
- New York Times: The Nose Needed for This Coronavirus Test Isn’t Yours. It’s a Dog’s.
I hope you enjoy the weekend!
Regards,
Suzanne
Suzanne Daniels, Ph.D.
AEPC President
P.O. Box 1416
Birmingham, MI 48012
Office: (248) 792-2187
Email: [email protected]