Let’s get real folks.

“Virtually every American has someone with an existing health condition in their family at any given time” 

Dan Mendelson, CEO, Avalere

The Texas lawsuit filed by Republican Attorneys General and supported by the Trump Administration would end the ACA, aka Obamacare.

In so doing, it would end protections for those with pre-existing conditions.

Make no mistake, if Trump et al win the suit and you have to change health insurance plans, you are at real risk of losing coverage  – or having to pay so much you can’t afford it.

Despite President Trump’s assertions, there is No Republican plan to assure those with hypertension, diabetes, a history of heart disease, cancer, anxiety disorder, or any other health condition will be able to afford health insurance.

Not sure if you have a pre-ex?  Here’s a list.

What does this mean for you?

For some, this election is a matter of life and death.

Healthcare is the central issue in the 2020 election.

If Republicans are able to keep healthcare out of the conversation, they win. If Democrats make healthcare THE issue, they win – with one big caveat.

Insurers and hospitals are making record profits, while a family of four has to spend $21,000 before they get any coverage.

Healthcare is unaffordable for middle-income families without subsidies or employer support. In many areas, the cheapest bronze plan is around $13,000 and comes with an $8000 deductible. Before mom dad and the kids get any benefit other than preventive care, they’re out $21,000.

Rural Americans are more likely to have high-deductible plans. And, even if the premiums are subsidized, there’s still their monthly cost plus an $8,000 deductible.

That is, if they can find a provider when they need care.

121 rural hospitals have closed over the last 10 years – 44 in the past three years. with the biggest impact in states in the south and central US where the combination of under-insured patients and no Medicaid expansion has left many small facilities on the brink of bankruptcy – while dozens more have closed.

Meanwhile, back in DC…

There’s been zero meaningful progress on drug prices, an issue of particular concern to seniors. Likewise, all the talk about surprise medical bills has yielded exactly no solutions, as hospital lobbyists have successfully quashed meaningful reforms.

Millions of us have pre-existing conditions; we risk losing coverage – and paying much more – if the Trump-supported Texas lawsuit to overturn Obamacare is successful.

While consumers are getting hammered, hospitals, health systems, and health insurers are raking in the billions.  Near-record profits for insurers, and very strong margins for pharma device manufacturers and hospitals stand in stark contrast to flat wages for most Americans.

Here’s the caveat. Sure, Republicans have no solution to the healthcare coverage and cost crisis. But Americans – at least the ones who vote – don’t want Single Payer.

What does this mean for you?

If Democrats stay focused on healthcare reform and avoid Single Payer, they win.

If not, they lose.

Mike Bloomberg may be our next President.

If his long-shot bid works, healthcare will be the issue that wins it for him.

I know, Bloomberg??? Riiiiiiiiight…

Up until a week or so ago, I didn’t think the guy had a shot. Here’s why I’ve changed my thinking.

Bloomberg is relentlessly focusing on healthcare – which is THE biggest issue for voters.

He is hitting voters where they are most vulnerable;  fear is the most powerful motivator – and there’s nothing scarier than our screwed up healthcare system. Bloomberg’s massive TV and social media campaign is very effectively messaging around our fear of losing healthcare, fear of bankruptcy due to high bills, fear of no coverage for pre-existing conditions, fear of dying penniless and in pain.

But it issues aren’t important unless you get your messaging right and get it out there.

So far Bloomberg has spent a quarter-billion dollars on his campaign.

That is – literally – nothing to him. The guy is is worth $60.5 billion dollars. He’s the 14th richest person in the world. He can, and will spend whatever it takes.  He could buy every ad in the SuperBowl and have more money in his bank account the next day just collecting interest on his billions.

He will far outspend ALL his Democratic rivals put together.

Oh, and Bloomberg is very, very smart about this internet thing. His digital strategy helped Democrats win both houses in Virginia.  He’s putting together a digital campaign that far outpaces what the Democrats are doing – and will likely be much more sophisticated and effective than Trump’s.

Back to healthcare.  If you’ve seen any of his ads – and I’m betting you’ve seen a lot of them – they focus on protecting your healthcare, reducing your healthcare costs, controlling surprise medical bills, and reducing drug costs.

Not much in the way of an actual plan, but very good messaging.

When you dig deeper you learn he supports a Medicare-based public option – you can buy into a government plan if you don’t like any of the other options – but he’s no Single Payer guy.

What does this mean for you?

Don’t discount Bloomberg.