In 2017, very little changed in net health insurance coverage, but below the surface, some significant shifts occurred in sources of coverage. In 2017, net enrollment in private and public coverage increased by only 191,000 people. The individual market, however, lost nearly 1.8 million enrollees in 2017 a decrease of 10.5 percent in a single year dropping from 17 million people at the end of 2016 to 15.2 million at the end of 2017. That drop occurred almost entirely among people who did not qualify for Obamacare subsidies.
Bush has endorsed abstinence education as an effective means ofreducing early sexual activity, providing a foundation for personalresponsibility, and enduring marital commitment. Washington isaware of the undesirable contents of "safe sex" education programsand the findings in the professional literature concerning theeffectiveness of genuine abstinence programs.
The Prescription Drug Security Card could provide meaningful helpfor low-income seniors who do not have access to drug coverage.These seniors should be the priority for Washington policymakers,who can and should provide this help while creating a frameworkfor expanding drug coverage in tandem with overall Medicare reform.