How Trump’s health care order could affect thousands on Long Island

By The Associated Press | Updated Oct. 14, 2017
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President Donald Trump’s abrupt move to cut off federal payments to insurers threatens to boost premiums for millions and disrupt insurance markets.

The money goes to companies for lowering out-of-pocket costs like co-payments and deductibles for low- and middle-income customers. The impact could be severe in New York State, which stands to lose more than $870 million in subsidies.

According to The Buffalo News, New York’s Essential Plan – which offers low- cost health insurance to more than 665,000 people statewide – faces a grave future because of Trump’s decision. It reports that Trump’s move is expected to eliminate a quarter of the Essential Plan’s funding.

On Long Island, as of January 2017, more than 300,000 people were enrolled in plans through the state Affordable Care Act exchange, and more than 80,000 were enrolled in the Essential Plan.

New York state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman says he’s joining a multistate effort to sue over Trump’s decision.

He said the Republican president’s decision to end subsidies to insurers for low-income participants would cripple the state’s health care market, drive up insurance costs and cause poor people to go untreated.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has also vowed to fight the president’s latest health-care move.

With Carol Polsky