By Kim Kalunian and Steve Klamkin, WPRO News
House Republicans have once again voted to repeal President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act, just days after Rhode Island unveiled their own health benefits exchange, HealthSource RI.
“If they had some better ideas, I already told them I’m happy to hear them,” said President Barack Obama in a speech following the vote. “But I haven’t heard any so far.”
The U.S. House passed bills that would delay the implementation of both the employer and individual mandates.
Dr. Robert Hackey, Professor of Health Policy and Management at Providence College, said the Affordable Care Act seems to be “on life support.”
Come 2014 people will be required to show proof of health insurance, much like they would car insurance, or else pay a penalty. But Hackey said the fine – $95 in the first year – isn’t enough to incentivize the key demographic to buy into the program.
“We have a really hard sell for our target audience, if you will – those young healthy folks that we’re trying to get into the healthcare system so they can help subsidize the cost of folks who really need care,” he said.
He also said there are concerns about implementation and registration come the fall.
“These exchanges have to be ready to run and ready to sign folks up, if they’re not, there’s nothing worse than being all dressed up with nowhere to go,” he said.
In his speech, President Obama said there’s still a lot of work to be done.
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