California AG Xavier Becerra accuses Trump of 'sabotage' and 'extortion' on Obamacare subsidies

[TexasTowelie]

California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra, newly empowered to defend Affordable Care Act subsidies in court, accused President Trump on Wednesday of "extortionist tactics" by threatening to undermine the healthcare law.

At a news conference, Becerra celebrated Tuesday's decision by a U.S. appeals court to allow states to join the legal battle to defend cost-sharing subsidies, in which the federal government pays insurance companies to compensate for cheaper, out-of-pocket costs for low-income customers. Trump has denounced the payments as "bailouts" for insurance companies.

Becerra said uncertainty over the future of those subsidies had led to a 12.5% jump in projected premiums next year for plans on the Covered California insurance exchange.

"It shouldn't surprise anyone that the Trump-generated instability, unpredictability, has made it difficult for insurance companies to determine what their rates will be for next year," Becerra said. "It shouldn't surprise anyone that they're hedging for charging more for next year's insurance plan than this year — just in case."

Read more: http://www.latimes.com/politics/essential/la-pol-ca-essential-politics-updates-becerra-obamacare-1501696495-htmlstory.html

[BigmanPigman]

1. 12.5%...oh goodie. Thanks for posting. Last week a chart left CA and WA off the list.

When will we have single payer or medicare at 55? I know Senator Stabenow introduced Medicare at 55 in the Senate this week.

[TexasTowelie]

2. You're welcome.

I think that a lot of people are ready for Medicare at 55--maybe even earlier considering how difficult it is to find a job with benefits if someone is over 45 and loses their job.