The Senate's new health care proposal meant to repeal and replace Obamacare could cost older Americans thousands of extra dollars out of pocket.
Under the new proposal, age will be a factor in how much the government thinks someone should pay.
Depending on who you are, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle agree that low and moderate income Americans should have a cap on how much they have to spend on health care premiums.
But how much someone pays and who's eligible for tax credits to offset health care spending depends on who controls the purse strings.
Under Obamacare, a single, 31-year-old woman had her premiums capped at about $2,500 a year.
In the new Senate proposal, Republicans said she should pay less.
She saved big, with premiums maxing out at just $1,300 a year.
But as that woman ages and nears retirement age while making $48,000 a year, it’s bad news.
Under Obamacare, she was on the hook for about $4,600.
But the Senate plan removes that cap, with no financial protection if her premiums go up.
And a married couple just a year or two away from being eligible for Medicare ends up getting gouged too.
Together, they had to pay up to $5,300 under Obamacare.
The Senate proposal ups that nearly $9,000.
In both cases, older patients are likely to face higher premiums from the get-go.
Obamacare had limited them to paying three times more than younger, healthier people.
The Senate plan would allow insurance companies to charge them up to five times the cost of that original young woman's health care plan.
Single Woman, age difference
Single Woman
31
Making $30,000
Obamacare: Capped at $2,454, forced to buy more expensive comprehensive care, could pay just one third of an older patient’s premium
Senate: Capped at $1,290, likely able to buy less expensive bare bones plan, could pay just one fifth of an older patient’s premium
Single Woman
62
Making $48,000
Obamacare: $4,637, forced to buy more expensive comprehensive care, could pay 3 times a younger patient’s premium
Senate: No Cap, likely to need more expensive and complete coverage than someone younger, could pay up to 5 times a younger patient’s premium
Various households of two
Single Parent with One child
34
Making $45,000
Obamacare: Capped at $4,347, forced to buy more expensive comprehensive care, could pay just one third of an older patient’s premium
Senate: Capped at $2,655, likely able to buy less expensive bare bones plan, could pay just one fifth of an older patient’s premium
Married Couple
27 and 29
Making $55,000
Obamacare: $5,313, forced to buy more expensive comprehensive care, could pay just one third of an older patient’s premium
Senate Proposal: $4,895, likely able to buy less expensive bare bones plan, could pay just one fifth of an older patient’s premium, could pay up to 5 times a younger patient’s premium
Married Couple
58 and 59
Making $58,000 combined
Obamacare: Capped at $5,603, forced to buy more expensive comprehensive care, could pay 3 times a younger patient’s premium
Senate: No Cap, likely to need more expensive and complete coverage than someone younger, could pay up to 5 times a younger patient’s premium
Families of Five, age difference
Family of Five
Parents are 34 and 35
Making $86,000 combined
Obamacare: Capped at $8,307, forced to buy more expensive comprehensive care, could pay just one third of an older patient’s premium
Senate: Capped at $5,074, likely able to buy less expensive bare bones plan, could pay just one fifth of an older patient’s premium
Family of Five
Parents are 54 and 55
Making $86,000
Obamacare: Capped at $8,308, forced to buy more expensive comprehensive care, could pay 3 times a younger patient’s premium
Senate: Capped at $9,030, likely to need more expensive and complete coverage than someone younger, could pay up to 5 times a younger patient’s premium
About to hit retirement
Married Couple
63 and 64
Making $16,000
Obamacare: $325, forced to buy more expensive comprehensive care, could pay 3 times a younger patient’s premium
Senate: $320, likely to need more expensive and complete coverage than someone younger, could pay up to 5 times a younger patient’s premium
(but thanks to Medicaid cuts, someone on such low income could find themselves losing coverage)
Married Couple
63 and 64
Making $55,000
Obamacare: $5,313, forced to buy more expensive comprehensive care, could pay 3 times a younger patient’s premium
Senate Proposal: $8,910, likely to need more expensive and complete coverage than someone younger, could pay up to 5 times a younger patient’s premium
Cox Media Group