Listening to Trump Voters with ACA Coverage: What They Want in a Health Care Plan
Introduction
Throughout the 2016 election season, Donald Trump campaigned heavily on a pledge to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA), a program that he called a “complete and total disaster.” Now that he has taken office, President Trump and Republicans in Congress are moving to follow through on their pledge. Yet what remains unclear is the extent to which the various repeal and replacement proposals that are currently under discussion are in line with what the ordinary citizens who voted for Trump actually want.
In order to gain a better understanding of the personal experiences of Trump voters with health coverage provided through the ACA and the changes they would like to see in the health system moving forward, the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) held focus groups with individuals who voted for Trump in cities in three battleground states: Grand Rapids, Michigan; Columbus, Ohio; and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. From December 12-20, 2016, KFF held two focus group sessions in each location, one with individuals who gained health coverage through the ACA Marketplaces and one with individuals who gained coverage through their state’s expansion of Medicaid to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Questions asked during each session focused on participants’ likes and dislikes about their current coverage, attitudes towards individual elements of the ACA, ideas for changes they would like to see in the health system moving forward, and reactions to various Republican ACA replacement proposals that are currently under discussion.
This report highlights and summarizes the range of perspectives expressed at the focus group sessions. We present findings from the Marketplace groups first, followed by those from the Medicaid groups.
Methods
The findings presented in this brief are based on six focus group discussions with Trump voters who were enrolled in coverage through the ACA conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation and Belden Russonello Strategists in three cities from December 12-20, 2016 (the groups also included four individuals who were uninsured, but in the income range for subsidies in the Marketplace). Sites included Grand Rapids, Michigan; Columbus, Ohio; and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Two focus groups were held in each site, one with individuals who voted for Donald Trump in the Presidential election and who were enrolled in Medicaid (income below 138% FPL) and the other with individuals who voted for Trump who were enrolled in Marketplace coverage or uninsured (income 138% – 300% FPL). Annual income at 138% FPL was equal to $16,242 for an individual and $27,724 for a family of three in 2016. Annual income at 300% FPL was equal to $35,310 for an individual and $60,270 for a family of three in 2016.
Each focus group consisted of 7-9 participants, with a total of 48 participants including 23 covered by Medicaid, 21 covered through the Marketplace, and 4 who were uninsured. Participants were selected to provide a mix of demographic characteristics, including age, family status, and work status (Appendix A). Of the 48 participants, 31 were working full or part-time; all were high school graduates and 12 had college degrees. Among those with Marketplace coverage, all were receiving some level of subsidy and there was wide variation in the premiums they paid, ranging from $22 per month to $637 per month. On average, participants were receiving $450 per month in the premium tax credits to lower the cost of their coverage. Among Medicaid participants, 60% were uninsured prior to enrolling in Medicaid, for time periods ranging from a few months to 15 years.
Listening to Trump Voters with Marketplace Coverage
Marketplace participants faced some financial and health-related stress
Financial stress is always on the top of the list. Trying to get everything paid on time is very important to me and it can be stressful at times.
I do carpentry and construction. I remodel homes and business is booming. I don’t have any problem getting jobs.
I feel very blessed. I have no debt. My house is paid for. My credit cards get paid every month. I’m pretty healthy for an old fart. I’m feeling pretty blessed.
The past two years have been difficult. I’ve had thyroid cancer for which I’ve had two surgeries. I’ve also been diagnosed with a tremor disorder, which is worsening and it affects my voice.
As far as our life, we were struck with a catastrophic illness with my son this year, so we are dealing with that and healthcare with him. That is our life.
For some, Marketplace coverage was working well
Participants value health insurance, saying that it gives them peace of mind and protects them against financial disaster should they get sick. Many reported feeling vulnerable during periods without insurance when they were unable to get needed care. They view insurance as necessary to be able to afford treatment for chronic conditions, especially needed medications. Most also spoke of the financial security that insurance provides, knowing that it will cover expensive medical costs if they were to have an accident or face a major illness.
I would say [insurance is] very important because it gives you peace of mind knowing if any issues come up in your health that you’re not going to get broadsided with a huge bill or debt.
Insurance for me just gives me peace of mind because I’m not worried about a $2,000 bill or a $200 bill. I’d be more worried about if I have to have heart surgery or cancer, something that’s a half a million dollars. Otherwise, I’m not too worried about it, but it gives me the peace of mind if any of that happened within our family then, okay. I’m covered.
Some participants recounted positive experiences with Marketplace coverage, noting that their plans were affordable and even improving in cost over time. Perhaps not surprisingly, participants receiving the largest subsidies were the most likely to feel their coverage was working for them. They expressed concern about rising premiums in general, but they were insulated from those costs by premium subsidies which kept their costs affordable.
Last year’s insurance was not expensive out-of-pocket every month. It was like $76 after our tax credit, but it had a $13,600 deductible. When I signed up a week ago, or a couple weeks ago, we got a bigger credit and the plans were better.
I think in all honesty it’s working well. I mean, we’re very fortunate too that we don’t use the doctor very often…[My coverage] is, I can’t believe I’m going to say this, more affordable this year than it was last year.
The plan I have right now is very affordable…I get good discounts on my prescriptions. My wife and I do take some prescriptions…I have $20 copayments on doctor’s visits and things like that.
But for many, Marketplace coverage has not lived up to expectations
Three years into the implementation of the Marketplaces, participants still seemed overwhelmed by their plan choices and confused about key aspects of their plans. They described having too many plan choices and not enough information to choose a plan that meets their needs. While some were savvy health care consumers, others seemed baffled by the complexity of their plans, unsure of the difference between a deductible and out-of-pocket maximum and unable to evaluate what their total costs will be if they need to go to the doctor or have a procedure done.
I do think that there needs to be some things tweaked. To go in there and go through this Marketplace, there’s a zillion choices…It’s almost like I’m supposed to be the expert, and I’m basically picking…just closing my eyes and picking a policy.
I have to go based on what I can afford, which is awful. It’s an extremely high deductible…I can’t even tell you what it is because I purposely do not go to the doctor because I can’t afford it. I have insurance and I don’t use it.
My daughter had a sprained MCL, so there’s all those payments for physical therapy that are going toward that deductible…Anything that happens to them [my children], it comes straight out of your pocket, so you have to…anticipate that if they get sick that you’re going to pay $80 for eardrops.
The high cost of prescription medications was a common complaint and many Marketplace participants did not believe their plan protected them from these costs. Several Marketplace participants were particularly burdened by high costs for needed medications, either because their plan did not cover the drugs they needed or because the costs were subject to the deductible. Parents of children with allergies were especially outraged at the high cost of the EpiPen. They blamed the pharmaceutical companies for the high prices, but wanted their health plans to shield them from the costs. Some recounted having to make difficult trade-offs each month between getting needed medications and paying rent or buying food. Others went to extraordinary lengths to access cheaper drugs, in one case traveling to Europe to purchase diabetes drugs at substantially lower costs.
You have to choose, do I pay my mortgage or do I pay the $800 medical bill that just came in the mail or do I pay for my medications that can be life sustaining or do I eat this week?
It’s frustrating because literally like for me to order insulin in the United States it’s a little box of five vials and that’s…it costs $953 for one box…So I can go to Poland and I can buy the exact same manufacturer. It’s Novalog, exact same box, everything. A cash price in Poland is 200 zloty’s, which is about $43. That’s their cash price…I save $8,000 a year by flying to Europe.
Participants also expressed frustration at receiving surprise medical bills for services they thought were covered. Overwhelmed by complex health plans that many did not understand, they were especially angry at receiving unexpected bills when they sought care, bills that they often struggled to pay. Whether because the costs were subject to their plan’s deductible or because a particular service or provider was not covered by the plan, participants described feeling vulnerable to unexpected and unaffordable health costs. For many, this uncertainty led them to avoid seeking care.
I think my biggest concern is that when I go to the doctor…I just go. Then I open up the mail, and I go, “Okay.” Could the bill be $20 or could it be $3,200? You don’t know.
And then you’re done with treatment and then you get bills because insurance didn’t cover this. Tell me this in advance. Let me know this. It doesn’t make any sense to me.
Part of it for me is not knowing what I can and cannot do. So like I probably should have had physical therapy a long time ago but I held it off forever because I’m like, I don’t know what’s going to be covered, what I’m going to have to pay for, who I can go see.
Many were anxious about what repeal of the aca would mean for them, but they trusted President Trump to make things better
I can’t really think of what he said that he’s going to replace it with. I don’t really know what’s coming. I would think if it’s something affordable it could be better.
My impression was that he was saying he was going to basically do an overhaul. He wanted to totally look at the system again and revamp it, and make changes, and make it better in some way. That’s the message that I heard.
>Concerned about losing their coverage, participants wanted repeal and replacement of the ACA to happen at the same time. Many worried about the implications of repealing the law without simultaneously replacing it. While some believed they would be able to purchase coverage similar to what they had prior to the ACA, others felt the market had changed so fundamentally that it would be hard to go back to that earlier time and that any plans would be unaffordable to them without subsidies. They worried that repealing the law without simultaneously replacing it would lead to market upheaval, creating chaos and the possibility they would lose their coverage. In contrast, some were confident that their coverage would continue while a replacement plan is crafted.
Would I get insurance somewhere else? Probably not…Right now, I’m going to a physical therapist for my wrist, and I don’t know how much that would cost out of pocket. As of right now, I think I would try to get a plan and money would just be really tight. I’d have to deal with it.
I think it would be chaotic. Because what are we going to do? If we’re not employed, we’ve got to go and buy it privately and a lot of us can’t afford it.
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Nothing gets repealed overnight. So insurance companies would have plenty of time to prep for this. They would see it coming down the road. It’s not as if we wake up tomorrow, oh my God. Health insurance is gone…I don’t think it would be chaos. I think there would be preparation. I think the insurance companies would be ready for it.
What they want in a replacement plan
When asked what they would want in an ACA replacement plan, participants’ top priority was coverage that was more affordable—affordable premiums, but most importantly, affordable out-of-pocket costs. Participants who were struggling financially or just getting by wanted more help affording their coverage. Many did not view the current premium subsidies as sufficient because they still faced large out-of-pocket costs. While they were willing to pay copayments when they access care, they were united in their opposition to deductibles, which they felt put them at financial risk. They simply wanted to be able to take their children to the doctor when they were sick or go to the doctor themselves without having to worry about how much it would cost.
Every person should have access to insurance at a reasonable price. Our out-of-pocket and deductible costs shouldn’t bankrupt us, and preventive care and tests should be low cost.
Make it affordable, so I can bring my kids to the doctor when they need to go and not have to worry about all these expensive costs that are going to eat my paycheck up at the end of the week.
They also wanted more help for people like them. Some participants felt left behind by the current system, especially those battling chronic or acute medical conditions. Burdened by their health care costs and feeling stretched financially, they did not view their subsidies as providing enough help. They were also aware of people with lower incomes getting coverage through Medicaid, which they viewed as a better deal, and resented not qualifying for more assistance themselves. At the same time, they felt this expanded Medicaid coverage was important and should be retained.
So that you can qualify for help when you’re a quote unquote middle class person. I mean, somebody that’s making $42,000 a year doesn’t make a lot of money. And if they have mouths to feed, that’s not a lot of money.
It’s very frustrating and very angering when you do not qualify for Medicaid or any kind of further assistance program through the state or even local governments because you are in an income guideline [that is too high].
I think it [expanded Medicaid] is great because if you have somebody who is not on the bottom of the pay scale, but just a little bit higher, they’re still struggling to make ends meet. Why not help them out, so they can better their lives in a way and afford a better car, so they can drive to work, so they don’t miss so many days, so they can work more? I’m not opposed to that cycle.
Access to doctors and hospitals was another priority for participants. In a replacement plan, participants wanted broader provider networks that would give them more options when choosing doctors and allow them to keep their same providers when they change insurance plans.
I would like to see the insurance plans allow more variety in who they can go and see, not just one doctor or two.
Every doctor should be in the plan. They don’t have you doctor shop. “Well, I don’t take this. I don’t take that. You’ve got to go to another whole office that takes that insurance.” Why can’t I just go to the doctor I’ve always been going to?
Participants wanted simplification of health plan choices and greater transparency from the insurance companies. They complained that they lacked information needed to make an informed choice among available plans. Some wanted to see fewer choices with clear and simple explanations of the differences among the plans. In addition, they wanted clearer information on what the plan covered and what it did not as well as the costs of treatments and procedures, so they wouldn’t be hit with surprise medical bills when they access care. One participant described successfully shopping for a lower cost MRI; however, another participant said he could not get information on the costs of a procedure he needed that would be subject to his deductible.
I would think that just maybe lessen the choices, and so if you pay $200 a month this is what you’re going to get for coverage. If you pay $300 a month, this is what you’re going to get. If you pay $500 a month, this is what you’re going to get.
It’s just not very cut and dry as to what you’re paying for. So with healthcare I would like to know what it is that’s covered and no surprises. Kind of like you go to a restaurant and there’s a menu. You know what you’re paying for, you know what you’re getting. Like everything should just be very clear cut.
Participants wanted to keep some provisions of the ACA, particularly the requirement to cover everyone regardless of health status. Most participants supported prohibiting insurers from denying people coverage based on their health status, especially those who themselves suffered from a medical condition or were at risk of developing one. However, a few expressed concern at the impact on premiums and other costs of this requirement.
I think it’s good that they can’t bar you for a pre-existing condition because I have a family history of cancer and diabetes. What if that’s going to happen to me?
I’m not sure because now you are forcing insurance companies to insure everybody…Especially if you’re going to have something that’s run by the government, I’ve got to share in everybody else’s cost. I may not have the condition, but other people do, and I’m still paying for it.
I have a little different outlook now than I used to because of my son. He’s got a condition that’s going to last him all of his life now, so I want him to be able to get insurance when he becomes a working adult. I think that’s important.
Universally, participants opposed the requirement to have health insurance or pay a fine, calling it “un-American”, even those who were otherwise happy with their coverage. While many understood the mandate was intended to encourage young and healthy people to sign up for coverage as a way to spread the cost of covering those who are sick across a broader population, they did not like being forced to purchase insurance. These Trump voters argued that policymakers needed to come up with a way to encourage broader participation that didn’t involve a mandate and fine.
I just don’t think you should be fined for not having insurance.
We live in America. For them to come in and say, “You’re going to have your insurance, and if you don’t like it, we’re going to fine you.” I was like, “That ain’t right.” If you don’t want to have something, you shouldn’t have to have it.
As a way to lower costs, a number of participants wanted to be able to tailor coverage to fit their needs, even if it meant that people who are sicker would have to pay more for more comprehensive coverage. Further rejecting the concept of risk sharing, some talked about returning to pre-ACA policies that offered limited coverage, but were much cheaper. Especially in the face of rising premiums, several resented having to pay for coverage they don’t use. Some went so far as to describe the idea of people buying insurance that they don’t end up using as a tax on the healthy. These participants didn’t view health insurance in the same way that they view other types of insurance, like car insurance. They only wanted to pay for access to the services they expected to use during the year. While this view was not universal among the focus group participants, it was prevalent.
I think you pay a lot more than you ever receive. It would be great if you don’t use it, then you get some back. For being healthier, you get a bonus.
Let’s say some young healthy person gets in and they never use their health insurance and they have to pay the premium every month. And it helps the cost, maybe in an ideal world, be lower for everybody. But then, it is really just a tax on the healthy people, and that doesn’t sit well with me.
I don’t like to think about what would happen if I do get hurt or something, but I’m not going to pay for the premiums if I’m not going to get sick.
While generally advocating a more limited role for government in health care, participants wanted to see increased government regulation of the pharmaceutical and insurance industries. There was general anger directed at pharmaceutical companies, and to a lesser degree, insurance companies, over perceived price gouging. Many wanted the federal government to crack down on these companies to reign in rising health care costs.
I really think that the pharmaceutical companies and the insurance companies should be regulated more…That’s the number one thing that the government should be regulating is the price of drugs.
Views of Republican Proposals
Participants rejected the idea of high deductible plans, even when coupled with premium tax credits to cover the premium and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) to save for out-of-pocket costs. When asked to react to aspects of several elements of Republican ACA replacement proposals that would provide consumers with access to high deductible plans coupled with HSAs, participants were highly concerned that the deductibles would be unaffordable and cause people to avoid seeking needed care, ultimately resulting in poorer health outcomes nationally. They did not consider a high deductible plan to be “real insurance”.
I don’t want that because I have health bills. I’m supposed to go to the doctor four or five times a year so…instead of getting a free catastrophic plan I would rather pay $150 a month and know that my insulin’s covered and know that my endocrinology visits are covered and stuff like that. So I would not be for just a catastrophic plan that’s free.
It would discourage our healthy nation. People would be resistant to go to the doctor, resistant to get the care they needed because it’s not covering anything and we would just be an unhealthier nation because of that.
I would rather pay a premium and have it actually be insurance in case something happens.
I just wouldn’t want that $7,000 deductible. I like having a $500 deductible.
While there was general support for the concept of an HSA, many did not understand what they were and said they did not have the savings, or would not be able to save enough during the year, to cover the out-of-pocket costs associated with a plan with a high deductible. Participants saw HSAs as a way to provide consumers with additional options for paying for care not covered by their health plans, not as the solution to high out-of-pocket costs. Participants who had experience with HSAs liked them; however, they had not used them to cover large deductibles and, in one case, a previous employer contributed to the account. These moderate income individuals and families did not have a lot of savings, if any, and worried over how they would save such a large amount of money each year. One participant said he could do it if he didn’t eat for a year. But, even those who were managing to save money during the year noted that they wouldn’t like having to use that money for health care.
So if you had something big that had to be taken care of to pay that out-of-pocket expense of $7,000, that’s a lot of money for most families. They can’t afford paying that deductible until their insurance kicks in. Yeah, it’s just not realistic.
I have money saved, but I have two kids to put through college. I don’t plan on using that [money] for my everyday life expenses. If I want to buy another house, if I lose my job or something, but for just healthcare, I don’t intend on using that money for that.
Participants also rejected the concept of basing tax credits solely on age regardless of income. When presented with a provision included in a number of Republican proposals that would provide tax credits based only on age, participants struggled to understand the implications of this approach—would it lead to higher costs for younger or older people? They noted that younger and older individuals could face the same financial constraints and that it would be unfair to ask anyone in either group to pay more than they could afford. Income-based subsidies seemed fairer to them. They did, however, want to see people rewarded with lower premiums for engaging in wellness activities, including getting check-ups, maintaining a healthy weight, and not smoking.
I just think if you’re poor, you shouldn’t get stuck paying for something you can’t afford. If it’s by income, you’ll get the subsidy, and you’ll get some help.
Have the insured be accountable for some things. Don’t smoke, exercise, get your annual physical, get your bloodwork done. Have some skin in the game if you will.
Frustrated by the complexity and uncertainty of the current system as well as proposals to replace it, several participants advocated for a single-payer system modeled on the Canadian health care system. Expressing their belief that health care should be a right for all Americans, some participants argued that creating a single-payer system would be the most effective approach to addressing the health care access and affordability challenges that many Americans currently face.
I’m far from a socialist, but I think the only answer is a single-payer thing in this particular instance. People need to go to the doctor when they need to go to the doctor, and they don’t need to worry so much about it that they get sicker.
I want what Obama actually promised when he first got elected. I actually was a proponent of socialized medicine. Canada has it. Europe has it…I don’t think anybody in America should have to choose between eating, paying their mortgage, and getting healthcare. So I think it should be a right for every American citizen.
Listening to Trump Voters with Medicaid Coverage
Medicaid participants faced many financial and health challenges
Participants were struggling financially, juggling which bills to pay each month. While over half of Medicaid participants were working, they were working part-time and mostly in lower wage jobs. Some were unable to work because of health issues or because they were caring for their children or elderly parents. Most participants had income less than $20,000. Most said they had some or a lot of debt and described their financial situation as poor or just getting by. They struggled to pay their monthly bills, often having to weigh which bills to pay each month.
Do I pay the electric bill this month? Or is the gas bill more important? You’ve just got to figure out which one you can put off until they want to shut you off.
Bills, bills, bills. Everything is…it used to go up a little and now stuff is going up a lot. Income is steady or going down. That’s been pretty stressful these last few years.
Many Medicaid participants were facing more serious health issues. Adding to the financial stresses in their lives, many participants were battling serious chronic and acute health issues requiring medication and ongoing doctors’ visits to manage. Common conditions included anxiety/depression; high cholesterol and blood pressure; and diabetes. However, several participants were battling much more serious conditions themselves or had children or spouses with more serious health conditions, such as cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, PTSD, and autism. In some cases, these conditions prevented participants from working at all or from working full-time. Many described needing ongoing medications to enable them to function.
My two children have a lot of health issues, and I have a lot of health issues stemming from my last pregnancy. So that’s always hard.
I’ve got a tumor on my shoulder, so a lot of question marks as far as that is concerned; definitely a big deal for me.
Those with Medicaid were highly satisfied with their coverage
Medicaid coverage was essential to focus group participants’ health, financial stability, and success in other aspects of life. Their coverage enabled them to get the care they needed to manage chronic and other conditions and function in day-to-day life. For some participants, having Medicaid coverage enabled them to work or care for family members and, in one case, to start a business.
I was hurt at a job, and for the last five years I’ve been doing the battle. I had no insurance and couldn’t work…Without Obamacare coming through, and opening up the Medicaid rolls… I’ve had four surgeries in two years, and I’m getting back on my feet… So this insurance that they came up with we need it.
The pain that I was in I could barely function. At least I can function day-to-day…Yes, I’m thankful because it did affect a lot of my life. Without it I probably wouldn’t be able to sit here.
My husband has recently started his own business doing appliance repair, and so during this transition of trying to establish that, having the coverage has helped us in our position to be able to do that.
Participants described their Medicaid coverage as affordable, providing them access to the care they need. They appreciated that they did not face deductibles or large out-of-pocket costs with Medicaid. Compared to when they had private insurance or were uninsured, several participants said they no longer put off care because they can’t afford it. Participants also described having access to trusted providers and coverage of treatment for chronic conditions.
When I worked and I had insurance coverage through my employer, the dental, I still had a deductible. I still had coinsurances. Because of the amount of issues that I have it was costly, so I would put it off because I didn’t have the money, even with insurance coverage. Now I go get it done because I don’t have to pay that with Medicaid. It’s covered.
I’m insured for the first time in probably 15 years through Medicaid… It’s nice you can have a provider, and you have a connection, and you can go in and get some fairly decent healthcare.
Participants especially valued the access Medicaid provided to needed medications. Several participants had serious health conditions that could only be managed by expensive medications. Others needed less expensive drugs to treat anxiety or depression. In both cases, participants were grateful that they could access those medications with little to no cost sharing.
I’m going to need different steroid shots. Different visits to see the doctor and chiropractors and physical therapy, a lot of drugs that will help me to reduce my chronic pain on a daily basis… I can afford it now.
I know I wouldn’t be able to afford my prescriptions [without Medicaid]. All the medicines that they have me on, the insulin and stuff, I would not be able to afford it.
Medicaid participants worried about losing their coverage if the ACA were repealed
Many Medicaid participants did not associate their coverage with the ACA or realize their coverage might change if the ACA were repealed. Although almost all of the participants in the Medicaid focus groups became newly eligible for Medicaid coverage in 2014 due to their state’s expansion of the program under the ACA, most Medicaid participants did not realize that their coverage was related to the ACA. When asked about whether Obamacare has improved their own family’s coverage, many participants described their or their extended family members’ experiences with Marketplace coverage rather than the impact of expanded Medicaid eligibility on their immediate family’s situation. Similarly, many of the ideas that Medicaid participants offered initially about repeal and replace, as well as their understandings of Trump’s plans for replacing the ACA, focused on the private market rather than Medicaid.
I don’t know a whole lot about [the ACA]. I just know you have to be insured now. I couldn’t afford it. If I didn’t qualify for Medicaid, I’m not sure what I would do because then you have to pay a penalty if you don’t have it.
I just thought it was because I had a child that I was able to [qualify for Medicaid]. Because my son was on it before I was. Then come 2014, that’s when I signed up for it.
Medicaid participants were happy with their coverage and wanted to keep it; they expressed concern when probed to think about what would happen if their Medicaid coverage were repealed. Medicaid participants who did realize that they gained coverage as a result of the ACA worried that the repeal and replace of the ACA would leave them without coverage. After learning about the link between their coverage and the ACA, those who did not initially understand the connection also voiced distress about the implications of repeal. Participants with Medicaid said not having coverage would affect their health and their ability to work, and many of those suffering from serious medical conditions said they weren’t sure how they would get needed care because they knew they couldn’t afford the costs of private insurance.
He said 100 times “Repeal and replace Obamacare,” but the repeal part did worry me. Only in that the reason that I have healthcare is because of something that was in Obamacare.
Someone in my position, with the health issues I have, if I couldn’t go to the doctor, I wouldn’t be able to get around or do anything.
Just considering my circumstances right now. I cannot imagine all the doctor bills in the last couple months, the meds, and testing I have to do, not having coverage. I have no idea how I would have pulled that off, or where I would have gone to get help.
Having healthcare through Medicaid has been a huge blessing for me and my family. We would not be able to afford insurance based on his income alone and in turn I would have to give up being a stay at home mom. I am committed to being a stay at home mom and nurturing and teaching my son to become a valuable member of society. Whereas Medicaid has allowed us to become small business owners (with the plan to employ others from the community when we reach that point) and for me to stay home with my son. Without Medicaid that would not be possible and we would be even more stretched to make ends meet.
Views of Republican Proposals
When asked to respond to Republican proposals that might alter their coverage, participants implored policymakers to listen to the experiences and needs of ordinary citizens, like themselves, who stand to be most directly impacted by changes to the ACA. Participants felt that after living under the ACA for multiple years and experiencing what for them was primarily the benefit of expanded coverage through Medicaid, they had recommendations to share that could be valuable to policymakers in the process of designing an ACA replacement proposal. From their perspective, policymakers are frequently out of touch with the lives of those whom their decisions affect. Although health care was not a major factor in their votes for President, they hoped that President Trump and Republicans in Congress would be attuned to their needs, particularly their need for broad coverage with no or very low out-of-pocket costs, as they make changes to the health care system.
We have to be confident that the room of people, whether it’s 9 people, 40 people, or 12 people, sitting around hashing out the tweaks that they’re going to do, that they all have the right input to make it work with the negatives and positives that we’ve already experienced for two years.
They’re so far out of touch with us and our day to day; they don’t know how we struggle…They’re too removed to actually see how it impacts.
Participants had mixed reactions to the idea of states charging Medicaid enrollees a premium of 2% of income up to $25, a policy that is already in place under waiver authority in some states. When asked whether they would be able to afford to pay 2% of their income toward a premium for Medicaid coverage, reactions were mixed. Some Medicaid participants felt that amount would be affordable and they would be willing to pay it, while others expressed cautious support under the condition that the premiums would go toward improved benefits and continued expansion of the Medicaid program. Echoing the concerns they voiced about struggles they often face paying monthly bills, others were not sure they would be able to afford it.
I would think it’s the best $25 I spent that month. I would not quibble at that.
Where does the money go? It sounds expensive. If you’re paying money, I guess you just want to know where it’s going.
Is that helping the state out? Are they going to be able to continue expanding the program because some people are paying in a small amount? In which case I think that would be an excellent way to do it, and that’s a very reasonable expense per family. And if it helps continue the program, then all the more. If it ends up back at the insurance companies and the state is in the same spot of not having enough money or not being able to do it, then I would rather not pay anything.
Participants were not supportive of the idea of lock-out periods for failure to pay Medicaid premiums on time. After they were asked to react to the concept of Medicaid premiums, participants were then told that some states have paired Medicaid premiums with lock-out periods whereby failure to pay one month’s premium on time causes individuals to lose access to coverage for six months (or another state-specified period of time). Participants were surprised by the severity of that punishment and worried that losing coverage for even a limited period of time would have drastic consequences for their health and ability to function in everyday life. Because of their tenuous financial situations and challenges paying bills, they knew that unexpected events one month could prevent them from being able to pay their premium on time. Without grace periods or other leniency around the timing of premium payments, participants feared they could, at some point, be subjected to the lock-out period.
Six months is a long time. That’s a little much…There’s things that I need now to live day to day and be able to walk and sit for a long time…The thought is just scary to me for sure.
I would think we’d get leeway. Maybe like a little grace period to be late, or maybe work something out with you if you thought you could double the payment the following month or pay the regular payment the following month.
The concept of healthy behavior incentives to reduce premiums was popular among Medicaid participants. Similar to those in the Marketplace groups, Medicaid participants felt that healthy behavior incentives would be good motivators for individuals to take steps to improve their health while simultaneously lowering their premium costs. They were careful to note, however, that they supported this concept only if the behaviors are incentivized—participants would not be in favor of penalties for failure to engage in the behaviors or meet specified health targets (e.g. weight-loss goals).
I think that should have been in effect years ago…If you know you’re going to save money just by walking a few miles a day, losing 10 pounds a month, who wouldn’t want to have that extra drive? Yes, I think that would be a great incentive to have.
I actually kind of like the idea. I know my old job, I worked for Nationwide Insurance, they did a program like that. You get a physical once a year at Nationwide and then that gives you your premium. But then they give you a list of things that you can do to lower your premium. It can be as simple as talking to…a nutritionist over the phone, and that just lowered your premium $100. I like the idea.
Incentivized, but not penalized. You have an incentive to lose weight, but they wouldn’t penalize you for not being able to lose weight.
Conclusion
Focus group discussions with Trump voters with direct experience with ACA coverage demonstrated that while coverage is working well for some, others feel that the ACA is failing to provide them with affordable coverage. At the same time, these Trump voters were leery of key elements of Republican ACA replacement proposals that are presently under discussion. Participants were almost universally opposed to the idea of high-deductible plans (even when coupled with premium tax credits and HSAs), feeling that the deductibles would be unaffordable and bar them from accessing needed care and medications. They are looking for a replacement plan with lower out-of-pocket costs, not higher, that covers the services and medications they need.
Focus group participants who gained Medicaid coverage under the ACA’s expansion of the program found their coverage extremely affordable and were generally able to access needed care. They wanted to keep their coverage as it is and were concerned about proposals that would repeal the Medicaid expansion. Many depended on treatments and medications they were able to get through Medicaid to manage medical conditions. They worried that not having coverage would adversely affect their health and their ability to work and care for their families. While most Medicaid participants said they could afford to pay a small premium toward their coverage, absent significant subsidies to lower premiums and out-of-pocket costs, they would not be able to afford coverage in the private market.