Pregnancy to cost 425% more under Donald Trump's health plan compared to Obamacare (cancer +140,000)

Pregnancy to cost 425% more under Donald Trump's health plan compared to Obamacare
House Speaker Paul Ryan says changes to healthcare bill will 'lower premiums while keeping protections for the most vulnerable in place'
Katie Forster @katieforster Thursday 4 May 2017 12:48 BST

US citizens with the most serious forms of cancer could have to pay up to $140,000 (£109,000) more for health insurance under a proposed amendment to Donald Trump’s new healthcare bill, analysts have claimed.

Fierce debate over what the bill will mean for people with pre-existing conditions has threatened to derail a fresh bid to push the reforms through after they collapsed in March.

The President has tried to make clear that provisions for people with illnesses such as cancer and diabetes will not be reduced, saying earlier this week the new healthcare plan “will be every bit as good on pre-existing conditions as Obamacare”.

A 40-year-old with a severe form of cancer such as lung or brain cancer could be liable for a $71,880 (£56,000) surcharge, while those with metastatic cancer could see a rise of $140,510, according to calculations by liberal think tank Center for American Progress.

People with colorectal, kidney and other cancers, and those with breast cancer under 50, may have to pay a surcharge of $28,230 (£22,000), and a middle-aged person with autism could have to pay $5,420 (£4,200) for coverage.

And a completed pregnancy, with no or minor complications, will result in a premium hike of $17,060 (£13,200) - a 425% increase.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/donald-trump-health-american-healthcare-act-pregnancy-insurance-obamacare-trumpcare-a7717216.html