Pa. conservative group supports GOP health plan, but also highlights potential problem

(Harrisburg) — A Harrisburg-based conservative group likes the Senate GOP’s health care plan, but is also highlighting a potential problem.

The Commonwealth Foundation warns for the 400,000 plus people who buy on healthcare.gov, the market may go into a death spiral…

The Senate GOP bill requires insurers to issue policies, but doesn’t require people to get insurance.

So, experts fear the only people who would sign up on healthcare.gov are those who really need it.

Premiums and deductibles could rise even higher than normal.

Elizabeth Stelle with the Commonwealth Foundation says while her group supports the Senate health proposal overall, the Affordable Care Act exchanges could get even worse.

“It’s going to prove very difficult for maintaining a functioning individual market. And so I don’t know how that’s going to flush out but we’re very concerned,” says Stelle.

The GOP measure does include $50 billion to stabilize the market, but Stelle says she’s not sure that’s enough.

“From the Commonwealth Foundation’s perspective what we need is across the board what we would call reduction of mandates, even going beyond what we had before Obamacare.”

If the Senate GOP approves the legislation as is, out of pocket costs are also expected to rise for some who buy in the individual market.

She says the foundation favors the proposal because of the planned cuts to Medicaid.