Sen. Cassidy: ACA subsidies alternative gives power to patients, not profits to insurance companies

Proposed Healthcare Plan Overview - Senator Bill Cassidy is proposing an alternative to extending Obamacare subsidies, focusing on bronze plans and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) [1][2][3] - The plan aims to provide more generous benefits while saving money for federal taxpayers [8][10] - The proposal targets the 7% of the insured population using Obamacare exchanges [5] Key Components of the Plan - The plan allows enhanced premium tax credits to be used on bronze plans, which are cheaper than silver plans [2] - Savings from the cheaper bronze plans are directed into a health savings account (HSA) for families [3] - The HSA can be used to cover deductibles, co-pays, eyeglasses, dental work, and orthodontia [3][16] - The plan intends to give the 26 billion USD currently allocated to insurance companies (with 20% overhead and profit) directly to patients [9][10] Financial Implications and Savings - Families with silver plans often face 5,000-6,000 USD deductibles in addition to premiums [3][7] - Under the proposed plan, families could have up to 4,000 USD in their HSA to pay for deductibles [4][7] - The plan aims to lower healthcare costs in general, not just premiums [6] - The proposal seeks to address healthcare affordability for those on the exchanges by January 1, 2026 [6] Political and Ideological Positioning - Senator Cassidy positions the plan as an "American plan" appealing to various political viewpoints [20][21] - The plan aims to give power to the patient, not profit to the insurance companies [10][13] - The proposal continues the enhanced premium tax credits, ensuring that those at 600% of the federal poverty level would pay no more than 85% of their premium [12]