Re: “Collins unveils details of ACA alternative” (Page A1, Jan. 24):

In the desperate Republican search for something to replace the Affordable Care Act before at least 18 million Americans are cut off from their health benefits, Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana have once again dragged out a doubtful bill they first introduced two years ago.

The bill purports to allow states to retain the ACA if they choose to. Alternatively, it would create a complex alternative for the states, shipping funds from the federal government to them at smaller amounts than the current insurance premium subsidies, while allowing states to create catastrophic insurance pools.

According to analyses of this bill by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities and Families USA, shuffling funds to the states would result in less support to current subsidy beneficiaries.

Catastrophic plans have the result of socking the sick and the poor with even higher medical bills, through much higher deductibles and significantly lower rates of coverage. And people with pre-existing conditions may not be covered under the bill.

Current health insurers may well be more leery of this future market than they are of the ACA-created markets, reducing competition and increasing rates and costs. Inevitably, Maine’s poor would be hit the hardest.

By returning health care choices to the states, Sen. Collins’ plan would seem to condemn Mainers to the good graces of Gov. Paul LePage, who has resisted expanding health care coverage in Maine, and seems likely to take the least effective, most punishing option.

Roughly 80,000 newly insured Mainers could very well be at risk from the Collins-Cassidy bill. Sen. Collins should be accountable for this bill. Contrary to her customary practice, she should hold at least two town meetings in February, during the Senate recess, to explain this bill and hear from Maine voters.

Gordon Adams

member, Mainers for Accountable Leadership

Brunswick