Healthcare costs

Advisers beware: With this acquisition, the online retailing juggernaut has set its sights on healthcare.

Some GOP proposals, such as emphasis on HSAs and association health plans, could help put the industry on a more stable footing.

The Affordable Care Act removed a key constraint by making cost-effective healthcare available outside of full-time employment, which gave people many more options around retirement and work.

Senate Republicans’ revised proposal to replace Obamacare would provide an added $70 billion to stabilize insurance exchanges over a decade compared with an earlier version.

Most hope key elements of the healthcare law, including coverage of pre-existing conditions and preventive care services, will remain intact.

Some GOP proposals, such as emphasis on HSAs and association health plans, could help put the industry on a more stable footing.

The Affordable Care Act removed a key constraint by making cost-effective healthcare available outside of full-time employment, which gave people many more options around retirement and work.

With high medical prices causing many workers to contribute less to their 401(k)s, plan sponsors should encourage employees to consolidate savings in their current-employer plan to help them in their post-work years.

Senate Republican leaders plan to unveil a revised version of their healthcare bill later this week after making little progress on winning over party holdouts.

If ACA repeal efforts result in the provision’s elimination, most large organizations will continue to offer rich coverage, but smaller ones aren’t so sure.