Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr.Butler
So here is what I see is right in your statement:
Medicaid: Correct that low-income individuals can qualify for free or very low-cost coverage. (Keep in mind in 2027 there will no longer be Medicaid)
Subsidies: Also correct that “free” coverage isn’t truly free; costs are covered by taxpayer funding.
Here is what needs correction:
Obamacare (ACA) ≠ Free Healthcare
- The Affordable Care Act (ACA) provides marketplace health insurance.
Premiums can be reduced via tax credits if your income is below a certain level.
Only a small subset of people, typically those with very low incomes, might qualify for $0 monthly premiums.
Most people still pay something for deductibles, copays, or prescriptions.
Other Groups Get Free or Nearly Free Healthcare
- Children in Low-Income Families → Covered under CHIP.
Native Americans & Alaska Natives → Free services via the Indian Health Service (IHS).
Emergency Care → Hospitals must stabilize anyone regardless of ability to pay under EMTALA (but bills often follow).
Community Clinics & Federally Qualified Health Centers → Free or sliding-scale services for uninsured individuals.
|
The Obamacare law significantly expanded Medicaid in those states dumb enough to take the temporary (five years?) additional Federal funding. After that period the extra costs were totally the states to cover. Florida was one of the many states that said "No thanks" and we should be very glad they did.