Here & Now

Falk On Future Of Affordable Care Act As Enrollment Opens

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

EVEN AS REPUBLICANS IN WASHINGTON VOW TO REPEAL OBAMACARE, ENROLLMENT FOR NEXT YEAR IS NOW OPEN FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT TO SIGN UP FOR HEALTH CARE PLANS. TONIGHT, WE CHECK IN WITH REGIONAL DIRECTOR OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, KATHLEEN FALK, AND THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

KATHLEEN FALK:

THANK YOU.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

I WANTED TO ASK FIRST WHAT SHOULD PEOPLE WHO DO WANT TO SIGN UP FOR THESE HEALTHCARE PLANS THROUGH THE EXCHANGE KNOW IN THIS REALLY VERY UNCERTAIN TIME?

KATHLEEN FALK:

WELL IT’S THE LAW OF THE LAND. THANKS TO THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT NOW IN ITS SIXTH YEAR, 20 MILLION MORE AMERICANS HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE THAT DIDN’T BEFORE. SO THE DIFFERENCE THAT’S MAKING IN THE LIVES OF 20 MILLION PEOPLE IS JUST SO PROFOUND. AND WE ARE IN THIS OPEN ENROLLMENT PERIOD NOW SO THAT THOSE THAT ARE STILL UNINSURED, COME AND SHOP ON THIS MARKETPLACE AND SEE IF THERE’S A PLAN FOR YOU. LOTS OF LOCAL FREE HELP TO GET ADVICE AND A TOLL-FREE HOTLINE THAT I’LL GIVE YOU AT THE END OF THE SHOW HERE.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

WHAT DO ENROLLMENT NUMBERS LOOK LIKE IN THE FIRST MONTH SINCE IT OPENED FOR NEXT YEAR?

KATHLEEN FALK:

IT OPENED JUST A COUPLE WEEKS AGO, NOVEMBER 1. AND JUST IN THE FIRST 12 DAYS ALONE, OVER A MILLION PEOPLE ENROLLED NATIONWIDE. IN FACT, THE DAY AFTER THE ELECTION, 100,000 PEOPLE ENROLLED JUST THAT ONE DAY. SO THERE ARE STILL MORE PEOPLE OUT THERE WITHOUT INSURANCE. THEY’RE SHOPPING AND THEY’RE BUYING.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

THOSE KIND OF EARLY ENROLLMENTS, PARTICULARLY THOSE AFTER ELECTION DAY, DOES THAT STAND IN CONTRAST TO PREVIOUS YEARS?

KATHLEEN FALK:

WE’RE ABOVE WHERE WE WERE EVEN THOSE FIRST 12 DAYS OF LAST YEAR. AND PARTLY IT’S BECAUSE PEOPLE KNOW NOW THAT THERE’S THIS PRODUCT OUT THERE THAT’S AFFORDABLE. HERE IN WISCONSIN SEVEN OUT OF TEN UNINSURED THAT ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THIS MARKETPLACE CAN GET A PLAN FOR $100 OR LESS A MONTH WITH THE TAX CREDITS.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

BUT WE’VE ALL READ AND SEEN AND CONFIRMED THAT PREMIUM INCREASES FOR NEXT YEAR ARE UP DOUBLE-DIGITS IN MANY REGIONS. DESCRIBE WHY THAT IS?

KATHLEEN FALK:

WELL, THE TAX CREDITS GO UP AND SO THAT’S WHY THIS IS STILL A VERY AFFORDABLE PLAN FOR PEOPLE. AND WHY AGAIN, IN WISCONSIN SEVEN OUT OF TEN CAN GET THIS INSURANCE FOR $100 OR LESS BECAUSE OF TAX CREDITS THAT ARE AVAILABLE.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

BUT WHAT’S RESPONSIBLE FOR THOSE PREMIUM INCREASES?

KATHLEEN FALK:

INSURANCE COMPANIES, IT’S A PRIVATE MARKETPLACE AND WE KNOW THAT INSURANCE COMPANIES ARE PRIVATE COMPANIES AND BEFORE THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT RATES WERE GOING UP DOUBLE-DIGIT EVERY YEAR. SINCE THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT, WE’VE NOW HAD FIVE OUT OF THE LAST SIX YEARS HAVE HAD THE LOWEST INCREASES ON RECORD.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

HOW ACCURATE IS IT THAT THE YOUNGER PEOPLE WHO NEED LESS OF THE CARE HAVE NOT SIGNED UP IN THE NUMBERS REQUIRED TO KIND OF TEMPER THESE INCREASES?

KATHLEEN FALK:

WELL, I THINK INSURANCE COMPANIES WOULD ALWAYS LIKE PEOPLE NOT TO USE THEIR INSURANCE.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

RIGHT.

KATHLEEN FALK:

THAT’S NOT NEW. WHAT’S NEW IS THAT NOW YOUNG PEOPLE CAN HAVE A CHANCE TO BUY AN AFFORDABLE PLAN, WHEREAS BEFORE, YOU KNOW, THEY COULDN’T AFFORD TO DO SO. SO THAT’S WHAT’S IMPORTANT NOW AND THAT’S WHY WE WORK HARD TO REACH YOUNG PEOPLE.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO DECIDE TO JUST TAKE THE HIT WITH THE PENALTIES AS OPPOSED TO SIGNING UP?

KATHLEEN FALK:

WELL, WE HOPE THEY WON’T DO THAT. NOT BECAUSE IT’S THEIR CHOICE IF THEY TO WANT PAY A PENALTY, BUT JUST SO THEY HAVE THE SECURITY, THE FINANCIAL SECURITY, THE EMOTIONAL SECURITY OF KNOWING THEY HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE IF THEY NEED IT.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

DO YOU KNOW WHAT THOSE NUMBERS LOOK LIKE, THE PEOPLE WHO JUST BASICALLY WALK AWAY FROM THE ENTIRE PROGRAM?

KATHLEEN FALK:

I THINK THEY’RE PEOPLE WHO JUST HOPE THAT THEY’LL NEVER GET SICK AND THAT THEY’LL NEVER HAVE A PROBLEM. AND AS WE ALL KNOW, YOU HAVE INSURANCE BECAUSE SOMEDAY YOU MIGHT.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

WHAT CONCERNS DO YOU HAVE BETWEEN THESE PREMIUM INCREASES AND REPEAL REALITIES, THAT PEOPLE JUST THIS YEAR IN PARTICULAR, NOTWITHSTANDING KIND OF THE EARLY NUMBERS, WILL JUST NOT PARTAKE?

KATHLEEN FALK:

WELL, THE WAY I THINK MANY PEOPLE LOOK AT IT IS THINK OF THE OLD DAYS BEFORE THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT, WHERE 129 MILLION AMERICANS WITH PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS, WHETHER IT’S DIABETES OR CANCER OR HEART DISEASE, COULDN’T BUY INSURANCE AT ANY COST, BECAUSE AN INSURANCE COMPANY COULD REFUSE TO SELL THEM A POLICY. PEOPLE DON’T WANT TO GO BACK TO THAT DAY. OR WHERE INSURANCE COMPANIES COULD CUT YOU OFF DURING THE YEAR BECAUSE YOU REACHED YOUR ANNUAL LIMIT OR YOUR LIFETIME LIMIT. OR WOMEN WERE CHARGED MORE. ALL THAT NOW IS ILLEGAL UNDER THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT. SO GOING BACK TO THOSE BAD OLD DAYS I THINK IS NOT WHAT AMERICANS WANT.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

SOME AMERICANS, MANY AMERICANS, MAY NOT WANT THAT, BUT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE NOW IN CHARGE IN WASHINGTON DO WANT THAT. THEY TALK ABOUT REPEALING IN FULL OR IN PART THIS PROGRAM. SO WHAT’S YOUR REACTION TO THAT?

KATHLEEN FALK:

WELL, A PRESIDENT AND CONGRESS DECIDE WHAT THE LAW OF THE LAND IS. AND THE PRESIDENT AND CONGRESS, A REPUBLICAN CONGRESS, DECIDED THIS TOO, SIX YEARS AGO. AND NOW THANKS TO THEIR ACTION, 20 MILLION AMERICANS HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE THAT DIDN’T. AND SO THEY’RE NOT GOING TO WANT TO GIVE IT UP.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

HOW INTRICATE, THOUGH, IS THIS PROGRAM, ALL OF THE DIFFERENT PIECES WORKING TOGETHER? CAN THE PRESIDENT AND CONGRESS KIND OF CHERRYPICK AND KEEP PART OF IT, LIKE KEEPING CHILDREN ON HEALTH CARE UNTIL THEY’RE 26 OR COVERING PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS, BUT DITCHING THINGS LIKE THE INDIVIDUAL MANDATE? I MEAN, DOES IT WORK IF YOU JUST REPEAL PARTS OF IT?

KATHLEEN FALK:

WELL, THERE WILL BE CONSEQUENCES TO REPEALING ANY JUST PARTS OF IT. SO, FOR EXAMPLE, IF THE MANDATE WAS REPEALED, IT MEANS ALL THE REST OF US WHO ALREADY HAVE INSURANCE WIND UP PAYING MORE BECAUSE WE PAY FOR THE HEALTH CARE COSTS OF THOSE WITHOUT INSURANCE WHEN THEY SHOW AT THE EMERGENCY ROOM, FOR EXAMPLE. SO THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE AFFECTED IF YOU CHERRYPICK PIECES.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

KNOWING AS MUCH AS YOU KNOW ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND THIS PROGRAM, HOW DIFFICULT DO YOU THINK IT WILL BE TO ACTUALLY REPEAL AND REPLACE IT?

KATHLEEN FALK:

I THINK VERY DIFFICULT, BECAUSE FOR THE FIRST TIME NOW IN OUR NATION’S HISTORY, PEOPLE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET AFFORDABLE CARE. THAT’S REALLY GOOD HEALTH CARE. EVERYTHING FROM DOCTORS AND HOSPITAL VISITS TO MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE. AND SO TO GO BACK TO THOSE BAD OLD DAYS WILL BE REALLY HARD ON TENS OF MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WHO COUNT ON THIS.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

SUPPORTERS OF REPEAL TALK A LOT ABOUT ALLOWING THE MARKETPLACE TO DICTATE HEALTH INSURANCE CHOICES AND TALK ABOUT ALLOWING FOR PLANS ACROSS STATE LINES. DOES THAT HELP PEOPLE GET ROBUST, LOW-COST INSURANCE?

KATHLEEN FALK:

IN WISCONSIN THE NEWS IS GOOD, BECAUSE THERE ARE MORE CARRIERS HERE, 15 CARRIERS, THAN IN ANY OTHER STATE IN THE NATION. SO THE CHOICES FOR PEOPLE ARE GOOD. IT DEPENDS ON WHERE YOU LIVE IN WISCONSIN, BUT THE AVERAGE CONSUMER IN WISCONSIN HAS A CHOICE OF ABOUT 44 PLANS TO CHOOSE FROM. SO WE ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO SHOP, GO TO THE WEBSITE. THERE’S A COVERING WISCONSIN.ORG WEBSITE. COVERINGWI.ORG WEBSITE. YOU CAN CALL THE TOLL-FREE HOTLINE, 24 HOURS A DAY, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK TO GET FREE, CONFIDENTIAL PERSONAL ADVICE AND CALL AS MANY TIMES AS YOU NEED.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

ONE LAST QUESTION. DONALD TRUMP WON IN WISCONSIN COUNTIES THAT MOST HEAVILY PARTICIPATE IN THE FEDERAL EXCHANGES. HOW DO YOU RECONCILE THAT?

KATHLEEN FALK:

PEOPLE LOVE THEIR HEALTH INSURANCE. THEY REALLY COUNT ON THAT FINANCIAL AND THAT EMOTIONAL SECURITY OF GETTING THE CARE THEY NEED WHEN THEY NEED IT. SO IT WOULD BE HARD TO TAKE THAT AWAY.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

AND YET ONE OF HIS CAMPAIGN MISSIONS WAS TO REPEAL OBAMACARE. SO CAN YOU RECONCILE THAT?

KATHLEEN FALK:

WELL, THE VOTERS WILL MAKE IT KNOWN TO A NEW PRESIDENT AND A CONGRESS ABOUT WHAT THEY WANT. AND RIGHT NOW WHAT WE’RE SEEING IS THEY ARE ENROLLING AT A RECORD PACE BECAUSE THERE ARE STILL PEOPLE UNINSURED. WHILE WE’VE GOT THE UNINSURANCED RATE TO THE LOWEST EVER IN HISTORY, THERE ARE STILL MORE PEOPLE TO REACH. I APPRECIATE HELPING GET THE WORD OUT HERE SO WE CAN MAKE SURE EVERYBODY KNOWS THEY HAVE THIS WINDOW UNTIL JANUARY 31. KATHLEEN FALK, THANKS VERY MUCH.

KATHLEEN FALK:

THANK YOU.