Obamafreude Schadencare

Obamacare continues it's decline: Major Obamacare Insurer Blue Cross Blue Shield Won’t Turn a Profit in 2017, because, like, you know, profit is bad!

While insurers are expected to get close to break-even in 2017, there is uncertainty as to what will happen in 2018 since many legislative changes are being considered. A lawsuit over Obamacare's cost-sharing reduction subsidies also is pending.

S&P said if the individual market remains the same in 2018, it expects more insurers will report profits in the low single digits. The market will restart is changes are made to Obamacare.

But there is one way to make a profit: UnitedHealth 1Q Profit Soars as ACA Business Shrinks:

UnitedHealth's first-quarter profit soared 35 percent as the nation's biggest health insurer slashed participation in Affordable Care Act exchanges but grew just about every other part of its business.

But the New York Times insists:  No ‘Death Spiral’: Insurers May Soon Profit From Obamacare Plans, Analysis Finds. You're not fooling anyone. . .



Understanding the Health Care Mess

The truth is, health care policy, funding, and regulations have a lot of knobs -- a lot of knobs -- and changing any of them can change the whole system in unexpected ways. But I really think, if we approach this in a systematic way, anyone can understand the basics and make their own choices.

WH looking to revive Obamacare repeal before 100-day deadline. Oh well, you might as well try. But do it right this time. Trump: ‘We Are Going to Have a Phenomenal Tax Reform But I Have to Do Health Care First’

“I don’t want to put deadlines. Health care is going to happen, at some point. Now, if does not happen fast enough I’ll start the taxes. But the tax reform and the tax cuts are better if I can do health care first.”

Trump threatens to pull financing for ObamaCare I guess he found where Obama hid the pen and phone, but Trump Administration to Pay Health Law Subsidies Disputed by House. What? Mixed signals? But something will happen: White House pressures GOP leaders on Obamacare showdown next week

Pro-Trump group drops $3M for House backers of AHCA. Chicken feed. But it's from the Club for Growth, who opposed it last time. Are the Republicans coalescing on something? By way of Wombat-socho's "In The Mailbox: 04.20.17" JD Rucker asks Will an amended AHCA be any better?

The good news: limited waivers for the states. This means states have opportunities to bypass certain provisions of the AHCA that would allow them to help drive down premiums.

The bad news: essential health benefits carry over from Obamacare. This will limit the decrease (and even perpetuate increases) in premiums for the vast majority of Americans.

Well, if it were simple, even Democrats could do it.

Repeal, take two: House GOP’s ObamaCare deal may let states opt out of “community rating” for people with preexisting conditions.

Dan McLaughlin at the National Review wants Republicans to repeal now, and rebuild later: Repeal and Piecemeal: A Better Obamacare Strategy