Policy Impact - The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates the law will add trillions more to the deficit and national debt [5] - The law is described as the largest transfer of wealth in American history, benefiting the top income earners while potentially making the bottom quarter of American households worse off [4][6] - Over 15 million Americans are expected to lose their healthcare coverage as a result of this legislation [10] - Cuts to Medicaid were delayed until December 2026, while cuts to Obamacare will begin in January [11][12] Economic Consequences - The law could lead to dramatic increases in insurance premiums for Americans who retain their health insurance [12] - Cuts to student loan repayment programs and nutrition assistance are anticipated [12] - Increased deficit and debt may make mortgages and auto loans more expensive [12] Political Implications - The law is described as unpopular, with polls suggesting most Americans believe it benefits the very rich [8] - The impact of the law could influence upcoming congressional elections [9][10] - Reversing the law would depend on the margins and control of the Senate for any Democratic Congress [14]

Welcome back to the exchange. It's been rough and rougher for the health care sector lately. It's down 11% over the past year, while the S&P has gained 14.That's 25 points of underperformance. And my next guest says this is the worst the sector has traded ever. And it's time to joining me now is Jared Holtz.He's the healthc care sector strategist at Missou. I love the honesty, Jared, because you must be frustrated more than anyone. What has been the latest in this cascade of bad news.For sure. Um, very frus ...

Obamacare Marketplace - Insurers are seeking substantial rate increases for 2026 Affordable Care Act marketplace plans, also known as Obamacare [1]

Government Spending Cuts - The bill includes approximately $8 billion in cuts to PBS and around $1 billion in cuts to foreign aid [3] - Medicaid cuts are strategically designed to become binding after the midterms [11] - Over $500 billion in Medicare cuts will begin in January [13] Healthcare Impact - A health clinic and hospital in a rural area in Nebraska are closing due to Medicaid cuts [10] - CBO estimates that approximately 5 million Americans will lose their healthcare coverage who are currently on the ACA, starting in January [13] Social Program Changes - Changes to SNAP will cause millions of people to lose their nutrition assistance, starting earlier than next December [14] Political Landscape - The legislation is considered the single most unpopular major piece of legislation to pass Congress in recent history [9] - The bulk of the cuts will not take effect until a few weeks after the 2026 midterm election [12]

Government Spending & Policy - The US Congress passed a multi-trillion dollar spending bill that includes tax cuts, increased military spending, and funding for mass deportations, offset by cuts to food aid, clean energy, and Medicaid [1] - The bill is projected to add $33 trillion to the national debt [1] - A Democratic Super PAC poll indicated that nearly 50% of Americans were unfamiliar with the legislation [1] Healthcare & Social Safety Nets - The bill includes steep cuts to Medicaid and SNAP, potentially leading to millions of Americans losing access to coverage [1] - Republicans argue that Medicaid is in need of reform [1] - Some cuts in the bill will take effect after the midterms [2] - Rural hospitals are already facing tough decisions, including layoffs and service cuts, due to uncertainty about Medicaid funding [2] Political Landscape - The bill passed largely on party lines, demonstrating President Trump's dominance within the Republican party [1] - Some Republicans expressed concerns about the Medicaid cuts and the increase in the national debt [1] - Democrats are attacking the bill's overhaul of social safety net programs [1] - A Fox News poll indicated that 59% of people don't like the bill [2]

Centene's Financial Performance and Forecast - Centene's stock plunged over 40%, marking its worst single-day performance, after withdrawing its full-year forecast [1] - The company expects a $18 billion (18,000 million) reduction in expected risk adjustment revenue transfers from the federal government [4] - Management anticipates a 275% hit to earnings per share (EPS) this year, a significant downturn from the initial expectation of earning more than $725% per share for 2025 [5] - The assessment is based on data from a firm that only covered 22 of the 29 states where they offer exchange plans, and they're assuming that those states will be just as bad [6] Healthcare Exchange and Medicaid Challenges - Overall market growth in the 22 states is lower than expected, indicating fewer people signed up for plans from the state healthcare exchanges [3] - Individuals who enrolled in Obamacare exchange plans are less healthy than anticipated, leading to higher costs for Centene [4] - Centene's Medicaid business has experienced a step up in medical cost trend, particularly in behavioral health, home health, and high-cost drugs, especially in New York and Florida [7][8] - The second quarter Medicaid health benefits ratio should be higher than it was in the first quarter [8] Industry-Wide Concerns and Potential Impacts - The government is cracking down on inappropriate or fraudulent enrollments in healthcare plans sold on exchanges [10] - The population remaining in Obamacare exchanges is less healthy, requiring more healthcare and making them less lucrative customers [12] - Analysts suggest that Centene will likely have to raise its premiums, potentially leading to fewer people enrolling, creating an "insurance spiral" [14] - Negative trends in Obamacare exchanges and higher costs for Medicaid plans are hurting the managed care industry [17]

Well, today the vacancy where Donald Trump's mind is supposed to be was on grim display once again. And this is an important day to consider the workings of Donald Trump's mind because this is the day that he and Marco Rubio are celebrating starving children to death in the middle of a famine in Africa. This is the day Donald Trump and Marco Rubio are celebrating the removal of previously paid for lifesaving AIDS medication for patients in Africa where a program started by Republican President George W.Bush ...

Legislation Overview - The bill under discussion has undergone significant changes in the Senate, with concerns raised about members not having adequate time to review the alterations [3][4] - The House Republicans are reportedly rushing to meet a July 4th deadline to satisfy Donald Trump's desire for a symbolic signing, leading to expedited hearings without sufficient review time [15] - The process is criticized as being driven by Trump's influence, with House Republicans allegedly being pressured to vote in favor of the bill [6] Potential Impacts - Approximately 17 million Americans are at risk of losing their healthcare coverage due to Medicaid and Affordable Care Act cuts [9][10] - Around 45 million individuals may lose SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits because of the cuts included in the legislation [11] - Changes to student loan repayment programs are expected, potentially affecting individuals currently repaying their student loans [12] Political Dynamics - Some Freedom Caucus members and other Republicans are expressing opposition to the bill due to the Senate's changes [7] - There is skepticism about Republicans' stated opposition, with a history of members ultimately voting in favor of bills despite initial resistance [8] - The cuts are perceived as subsidizing tax cuts that primarily benefit the top 1% of the country [12] Social Implications - Reduced SNAP benefits could lead to children experiencing hunger, impacting their ability to concentrate and behave in school [18][22][23] - Poverty affects both urban and rural areas, with a significant portion of the impoverished population being white [19][20][21]

Legislative Process & Key Amendments - Senate is in the midst of a "vote-a-rama" process on a budget bill critical to Donald Trump's vision [1][2] - Democrats are offering amendments to send the bill back to committee to change provisions related to Medicaid and SNAP, but Republicans are voting them down [3] - Senator Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski voted with Democrats on an amendment shielding rural hospitals, highlighting their potential influence on the bill's outcome [4] - Republican Senators Rand Paul and Thom Tillis have expressed concerns about the bill's debt impact and Medicaid cuts, respectively [5] - Clean energy credits are also under debate, with some Republican senators noting their states benefit from these credits [11] Republican Divisions & Concerns - Republicans have 53 senators and can only afford to lose three votes to pass the bill [4] - Some Senate conservatives, including Ron Johnson, Rick Scott, and Mike Lee, reluctantly voted to begin debate but want more deficit reduction provisions [7] - Concerns exist among moderate Republicans like Collins and Murkowski regarding the bill's impact on healthcare coverage in their states [6] - Fear of Trump's retribution is influencing Republican senators' decisions, potentially overriding concerns about the bill's negative impacts [14] Democratic Opposition & Key Issues - Democrats believe the bill will negatively impact healthcare, potentially causing 16 million Americans to lose coverage [11] - Rural hospitals are expected to be significantly impacted by the bill, potentially leading to closures [10][19][20] - The bill is seen as disproportionately benefiting those at the top, with potential cost increases for those earning minimum wage by about 53% [24] - Democrats argue the bill will revert the country to pre-Obamacare levels of uninsurance [18]