If I understand what the law is seeking to do.
I did not find my short term coverage "skimpy" in the sense that someone else might. I did not need maternity coverage, drug rehab, mental health coverage, and such. It provided pretty much the standard stuff...hospital, ER, doctor visits, copays, a decent provider list. I did find that the drug list was very skimpy. Very. I don't think it had the main cancer drugs, for example. But that may have been only the plan I selected (I didn't take medication, so didn't care about that).
But if those cos. want to sell long term policies, they will have to make them more normal, in order for them to sell. Of course the pre-existing condition thing is "yuge." For the short term policies, I knew they wouldn't renew, if I used it for something significant. But for a regular policy, pre-existing conditions MUST be covered.
Compare that with the ACA policies I've had. Just for my area, mind you. I essentially lost health care, when the ACA was enacted. I could not find a doctor in my local area (within 10 miles) to take my policy. The first year, there were no cancer doctors on the provider list (so I did not have cancer coverage).
As time went on, the insurance companies started narrowing their provider lists more and more, as an intentional way to reduce claims. The result was that I did not go to the doctor at all from 2014 until an exam in 2017. But the insurance company was paid over $36,000 for my coverage for 2014 thru 2017. The ins. co. would have rec'd $12,000 for that same policy from someone who used it a lot, but was younger.
The ACA just did not work for me, and I would think, others in my age group and situation. It could have been fixed, IMO. But as you can see, it was hard to get anyone to listen. It worked well for most, but not great for everyone. If I hadn't qualified for a subsidy, I would not have been able to get it at all. It was too expensive. $1,000/mo. for a bronze level HMO with a $4,500 deductible. Wow. At least when I moved I found a couple of doctors who would take it in my location, so I was able to get my first exam since 2013. And I'm still healthy, thank goodness!
= new reply since forum marked as read