The 2020 presidential election could bring significant changes to the U.S. healthcare system. Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and President Donald Trump hold varying views on topics such as the future of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which the U.S. Supreme Court will consider in November 2020. The chart below provides a brief overview of each candidate’s health care platform, planned COVID-19 response and stance on the open U.S Supreme Court seat, so that you can better understand how this election may affect the employee benefits landscape.
ISSUE
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JOE BIDEN (D)
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DONALD TRUMP (R)
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The Affordable Care Act (ACA)
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Wants to expand the ACA.
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Wants to repeal the ACA and has used executive actions to limit it. Trump’s Supreme Court nominee, Judge Barrett, has questioned elements of the ACA in previous writings.
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COVID-19 Response
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Wants the federal government to lead a response focused on increased access to free testing, personal protective equipment, and delivery of vaccine.
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Generally allows individual states to manage their response, and supports prioritizing development and delivery of a COVID-19 vaccine.
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Prescription Drugs
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Supports importing drugs to lower costs and wants to allow Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices with drug corporations.
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Wants to base the cost of some Medicare drugs on costs in other countries where medicine tends to be cheaper; supports some forms of imported drugs from other countries to lower prices.
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Mental Health Access
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Wants to expand funding for mental health care through the ACA and reinforce mental health care parity laws.
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Wants to expand mental health awareness and improve access to mental healthcare, especially for veterans.
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Public Option
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Supports a public option serving as an alternative for private insurance.
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Does not support a public option at this time.
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Medicare
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Wants to expand Medicare, including a plan to lower the eligibility age from 65 to 60.
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Wants to protect Medicare and has implemented policies expanding payment for services such as telehealth.
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Medicaid
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Wants to expand Medicaid and allow enrollees to enroll in a proposed public option.
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Has increased pathways for Medicaid eligibility and flexibility, and implemented several initiatives to improve quality of Medicaid
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Medical Pricing Transparency
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Wants to improve pricing transparency and stop surprise medical billing.
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Wants to improve pricing transparency and has already passed executive orders with the intention of providing Americans with accurate costs prior to receiving medical care.
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While the election might have you sitting at the edge of your seat, you can rest assured if your insurance coverage is in the hands of Carriage Trade. For more information on your policy details, get in touch with Carriage Trade’s insurance experts at (516) 358 - 5600.