Americans face health care cliffs

Thousands of Iowans and millions across America are about to confront a series of health cliffs.

In January, health insurance premiums will explode, doubling or even tripling, causing the first health care cliff as many will drop their insurance via the exchanges and go without coverage, unable to afford the price. With no health coverage, soon after a second health care cliff will appear — the compounding effects of no health care leading to more and more serious health issues.

Next, a third health care cliff will occur as the uninsured go to hospital emergency rooms and clinics desperate for treatment, triggering a fourth health cliff where hospitals, clinics and providers experience a flood of patients without health care who are unable to pay. This cliff will result in either health providers closing due to bankruptcy or shifting of health costs from the newly uninsured to existing patients and their health insurance payers.

The final health cliff will occur when other health insurance providers raise premiums compensating for greater outlays shifted from the uninsured.

If the Trumpublicans who control everything in government refuse to extend health insurance subsidies, they will own all the pain, ill health and economic effects that result.

Roger L. White

Cedar Falls,