As legislators and the President focus their efforts on the repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act, they may want to keep in mind the financial consequences. Since its inception, far fewer Americans have filed for personal bankruptcy. Personal bankruptcy filings are down 50 percent since 2010. Coincidentally, those same seven years represent the time frame when the 2010 federal law designed to provide health insurance coverage for the majority of Americans took effect.
Personal bankruptcy filings have dropped from 1,536,799 in 2010 to 770,846 in 2016. Medical bills remain the leading cause of personal bankruptcy. Unlike other debts, medical bills are often unexpected, involuntary, and can be for very large amounts.
Two other contributing factors add to the decline: an improved economy and changes to bankruptcy laws in 2005 that made it more difficult and costly to file. However, expanded health coverage played a significant role in the recent decline of personal bankruptcy filings.
Some of the most important financial protections of the Affordable Care Act apply to all consumers, whether they get their coverage through Obamacare or the private insurance marketplace. These provisions include mandated coverage for any pre-existing conditions, an end to annual and lifetime coverage caps. It also allows young people to be covered by a family policy until age 26.
The first attempt to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act was in March, failed to gain enough Congressional support and never came to a vote. Then in April, details of a new replacement plan were released. Although President Trump has said that the new version will cover pre-existing conditions, the revised law gives states discretion to allow insurance companies to increase rates for consumers with an existing illness.
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Those who have experienced illness or injury and found themselves overwhelmed with medical debt should contact an experienced Miami bankruptcy attorney. In bankruptcy, medical bills are considered general unsecured debts just like credit cards. This means that medical bills do not receive priority treatment and can easily be discharged in bankruptcy. Bankruptcy laws were created to help people resolve overwhelming debt and gain a fresh financial start. Bankruptcy attorney Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws to protect their assets and get successful results. Since 1996 Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys’ help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade & Garcia website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.