More Erosion of PPACA

Two months ago, the Obama Administration dropped the PPACA provisions for long-term care insurance. Yesterday, the administration announced it would let each state define its own package of "essential health benefits." The politics are understandable--the administration now can deflect Republican charges that Washington is imposing a rigid, one-size-fits-all health care system on every state. However, we know from the country's experience with Medicare and Medicaid that state variations in government health care programs disserve the public. Perhaps, HHS can limit state discretion enough to ensure that PPACA still will provide good coverage throughout the country.

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