Bloomberg BNA interviewed John Baackes, CEO of L.A. Care, about the possible end of the tax penalties associated with the Affordable Care Act’s individual mandate, as proposed in the Senate's version of the tax reform bill. As both houses work on the differences between their bills, Bloomberg BNA reported on whether the repeal measure will remain in the final version and what impact it will have on health care.
“The elimination of the mandate is a terrible idea,” John Baackes, chief executive officer of Los Angeles health plan L.A. Care, told Bloomberg Law Dec. 4. Removing the mandate, “There are going to people who say I don't need this,” which will put pressure on premiums as a disproportionately high number of people with health problems continue to buy coverage, he said.
The piece, "Impact of Repealing Obamacare Mandate Could Be Softened," was written by Sara Hansard for Bloomberg BNA's subscription-based product, Bloomberg Law.