Trump blasted for lack of detail on health insurance plan

Last night’s Republican debate saw every major candidate endorsing ACA repeal, but the real estate mogul got flack for having little else to say

Insurance News

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The Republican debate that aired on CNN Thursday night saw every major candidate present the same plan for the health insurance market, but one got flack for a lack of follow-up.

All five major GOP presidential candidates were asked during the Houston meeting what they would do to improve the nation’s healthcare system. Each candidate has promised to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, and debate moderator Dana Bash prompted expansion on the topic.

Current poll leader Donald Trump responded by saying he would create something “wonderful,” and allow the sale of insurance across state lines. It’s a popular Republican talking point, but rival Marco Rubio blasted the real estate mogul for failing to flesh out more of his plan.

“Is that all you’ve got?” asked Rubio, who has taken second place in the previous two state primaries. “He’s repeating himself.”

The remarks drew applause, yet critics have noted that Rubio’s own plan – along with the plans of other Republican nominees – is similarly vague.

In a series of talking points listed on his website, the Florida senator espouses healthcare reform that will “cut back government’s role and harness the forces of competition to keep healthcare prices low and spur innovation.” He proposes to do this by replacing the ACA with a “market-driven alternative” that would provide Americans with a refundable tax credit to be used to purchase insurance.

Rubio also supports “reforming insurance regulations” and ensuring consumers with pre-existing health conditions can get access to coverage, but offers no details on how he would accomplish that.

Texas Senator Ted Cruz, meanwhile, has said he would remove the link between health insurance and employers, instead promoting personal policies and expanded health savings accounts.

As to Trump’s contention that he would support a national market, it is a goal shared by most of the remaining GOP candidates.

Conservatives in general have long supported the idea, saying the removal of such barriers will create more competition and bring down the cost of health insurance. Liberals, meanwhile, have opposed it, arguing that the insurance industry would come to resemble the credit card industry, with carriers moving to states with the loosest regulations on benefits and sales practices.

The debate’s comments on insurance closed with Trump making another push for universal access to healthcare, saying it’s “just human decency.”
 

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