So how many got their Obamacare yet?

[bat1]

It's the law!

must have it or pay a fine, I'm told they will keep your tax refund
if you don't get it...

[BBaggins06]

The sky is falling, the sky is falling ... Chinese chickens everywhere!!!

[Rusty Eldora]

I did not do the exchange in WA, don't want to tell them all my private stuff. My health plan has been cancelled, I was 345/mo for a 2K deductible, 7k total out of pocket policy that I really liked. The plan they said is the best replacement is a 5K deductible, 6.3K total OOP but 520 a month!! That is nearly 200 increase for a huge deductible. Looking at my typical healthcare bills of around 4K, it was cheaper to go Gold at 750 per month. But I am out over 4K more each year, that is 15 to 20 less Tgirl visits I can make, that does not sound healthy.

[RallyCola]

as a provider...i can tell you that i won't be seeing any increased revenue from your increased costs. while universal healthcare is appropriate, this implementation leaves so much to be desired and the only people who are benefiting from this are insurance company shareholders.

[nysprod]

I did not do the exchange in WA, don't want to tell them all my private stuff. My health plan has been cancelled, I was 345/mo for a 2K deductible, 7k total out of pocket policy that I really liked. The plan they said is the best replacement is a 5K deductible, 6.3K total OOP but 520 a month!! That is nearly 200 increase for a huge deductible. Looking at my typical healthcare bills of around 4K, it was cheaper to go Gold at 750 per month. But I am out over 4K more each year, that is 15 to 20 less Tgirl visits I can make, that does not sound healthy.

Anyone who voted for Obama because they believed what he said about the Affordable Health Care act, and I fall into this unfortunate group, has fallen for the biggest sucker punch in the history of mankind.

The AHCA is Obama the socialist's wealth re-distribution plan come to life, and it will hurt the middle class most.

I can only hope that all Democrats will join me in renouncing their democratic affiliations and vote strictly Republican going forward.

[Rusty Eldora]

Anyone who voted for Obama because they believed what he said about the Affordable Health Care act, and I fall into this unfortunate group, has fallen for the biggest sucker punch in the history of mankind.

The AHCA is Obama the socialist's wealth re-distribution plan come to life, and it will hurt the middle class most.

I can only hope that all Democrats will join me in renouncing their democratic affiliations and vote strictly Republican going forward.

I am Libertarian and I certainly didn't vote for the One, his big government let me watch everything you do in your life and I know better attitude makes me want to vomit. The R's have been less than desirable in many aspects, but yes we need to vote for pols that are for freedom first.

[95racer]

My Dad's premium increased 34%, deductible 68%, and two of his Parkinson's/ dementia meds will no longer be covered. They will force him on generics which we tried and didn't perform as well. Or we pay cash for the meds.

This is only the beginning. Additional major taxes start in 2014 and employer mandates similar to the private insurance. This has minimum to do with health care and more about redistribution of wealth and control.

[thombergeron]

My Dad's premium increased 34%, deductible 68%, and two of his Parkinson's/ dementia meds will no longer be covered. They will force him on generics which we tried and didn't perform as well. Or we pay cash for the meds.

This is only the beginning. Additional major taxes start in 2014 and employer mandates similar to the private insurance. This has minimum to do with health care and more about redistribution of wealth and control.

Uhhh... how old is your dad? He's got Parkinsons/dementia and he's under 65? That's pretty unusual.

If he's over 65, I'm unaware of any APDs that are not covered by either Medicare Part D or the Medicare Advantage Prescription Plan. You need to get him fully invested in Medicare.

And which major taxes are starting in 2014?

That red map looks really scary until you consider that it's illustrating rates in the individual market, which represents about 3% of the total U.S. population. On the other hand, the percentage of U.S. population that lacked insurance prior to provisions of the ACA taking effect is about 5 times higher than that.

Lots of fact-free whining in this thread. You guys should do a little bias-free reading.

If you think you're getting screwed under the ACA, simply track your costs and request an accounting from your carrier at the end of next year. The ACA requires that carriers maintain an 80% medical-loss ratio. That means 80% of your premium must be spent on care. If it's not, you are entitled to a refund.

And yes, Rally, providers will make less money under the conditions of the ACA. That's a feature, not a bug. Medical care in the U.S. is too expensive. The clinicians I work with understand that because, you know, they're interested in providing care first and making scads of money second. So most are happy to see a reduction in personal income in order to see more people get access to care.

Which is what's happening. More Americans are getting access to healthcare. Five of you post up in here to bitch and moan about how you personally are being screwed by Kenyan socialism, and not one of you even mentions the literally millions of previously uninsured people who now have coverage.

So, screw you. For me, I don't care that your premiums are going up. The vast and overwhelming majority of Americans who are affected by the ACA are having their lives improved by it.

[thombergeron]

I did not do the exchange in WA, don't want to tell them all my private stuff. My health plan has been cancelled, I was 345/mo for a 2K deductible, 7k total out of pocket policy that I really liked. The plan they said is the best replacement is a 5K deductible, 6.3K total OOP but 520 a month!! That is nearly 200 increase for a huge deductible. Looking at my typical healthcare bills of around 4K, it was cheaper to go Gold at 750 per month. But I am out over 4K more each year, that is 15 to 20 less Tgirl visits I can make, that does not sound healthy.


I just took a closer look at this. The math you've presented here is pretty bizarre, but are you actually saying that we should feel badly for you because you will have $4000 fewer dollars to spend on prostitutes next year?

Edit: And another thing, you refused to use the exchange because you're a paranoid whackjob, and now you're bitching at the President because your insurance carrier is ripping you off? You're a fucking libertarian, and you're scared of market-based competition? It is a documented fact that carriers are misrepresenting the savings you can find by just shopping around a little. Get a second quote, doofus.

[thombergeron]

Anyone who voted for Obama because they believed what he said about the Affordable Health Care act, and I fall into this unfortunate group, has fallen for the biggest sucker punch in the history of mankind.

The AHCA is Obama the socialist's wealth re-distribution plan come to life, and it will hurt the middle class most.

I can only hope that all Democrats will join me in renouncing their democratic affiliations and vote strictly Republican going forward.

Weren't you just whining at me the other day that the Democratic Party is in thrall to the big banks? Now they're socialist wealth redistributors? How does that work?

And it's the ACA, genius. Or, if you're not into the whole brevity thing, the PPACA. And the GOP's approval rating is 22%, the lowest it has ever been. Republicans don't even vote strictly Republican anymore.

[broncofan]

This has minimum to do with health care and more about redistribution of wealth and control.
I don't understand this argument. By providing more people with access to health care, wealth is being vastly redistributed? That's not a coherent theory. Yes, people who can't afford health care are now able to get insurance, but they are not being provided with significant wealth. You could make the same argument about any social program, insofar as they provide services to those in need they re-distribute some wealth.

The true test of whether there is a significant redistribution of wealth is whether there is an incentive to work and an opportunity to become wealthy. Both exist and any limit to the latter has more to do with entrenchment of the previously wealthy than any deficiency in our free markets.

And Rusty, with 4k less to spend on prostitutes you might cut down on your out of pocket expenses for std treatment;.

[broncofan]

They will force him on generics which we tried and didn't perform as well.
I thought generics were supposed to be bio-equivalent? Are you talking about him having to take different formulations, or the generic equivalent of an off-patent brand drug?

I am asking because I really don't know.

[tslvr]

Getting health insurance is far different from getting health care. Look at the numbers of doctors and hospitals that are not going to accept these plans because of the lower payouts.

[trish]

To be compliant with the ACA insurers are required to show each policy has an "adequate network of providers." Doctors and hospitals have already examined the reimbursement schedules and signed on to the plans. Don't believe everything Cruz or the looney tune fox news team is trying to scare you with.

[thombergeron]

I thought generics were supposed to be bio-equivalent? Are you talking about him having to take different formulations, or the generic equivalent of an off-patent brand drug?

I am asking because I really don't know.

Interestingly, generics can be subject to a negative placebo effect. Some argue that pharma knows this and markets drugs accordingly, sowing distrust of generics among the general public. The word "generic" itself is problematic, and some have argued that "bio-equivalent" would be a fairer term with fewer negative connotations.

That's not to say 95racer's dad's experience is imaginary. The placebo effect is physiologically real. So he should be able to get name-brand APDs though the Medicare Rx benefit.

[robertlouis]

What a largely meanspirited bunch. It seems that there's still a huge constituency in America that says fuck the poor and the sick. You should be applauding moves towards bringing everyone under the protection of the healthcare umbrella. It's a historic shift.

You do realise that any developed state which can't or refuses to offer affordable healthcare to all its citizens doesn't deserve to be called civilised? Is the US right and every other wealthy western democracy wrong?

[Ben in LA]

This was shared by a friend on Facebook. Need I say anything more?

[robertlouis]

This was shared by a friend on Facebook. Need I say anything more?

I agree Ben.

By the way, who's the deliciously hot young lady in your current avatar? I've temporarily lost all interest in politics. :dancing:

[Ben in LA]

I agree Ben.

By the way, who's the deliciously hot young lady in your current avatar? I've temporarily lost all interest in politics. :dancing:

Isis Mascote.

[robertlouis]

Isis Mascote.

Thank you Ben.

That is, without doubt, a perfect woman.

[Prospero]

She would boost my health for sure (as i am currently invalided out with a slipped disc)

Meanwhile I agree regarding mean spiritedness. It was once characterised in the UK as the "I'm alright jack" attitude.

[Rusty Eldora]

I thought generics were supposed to be bio-equivalent? Are you talking about him having to take different formulations, or the generic equivalent of an off-patent brand drug?

I am asking because I really don't know.

There are many generics that do not perform like the brand. A generic by one mfg may be fine but not another. I know the drugs that two close friends of mine take. Out of about a dozen medicines, 6 can be any of the generics, 1 can be generic from one mfg but not the others, 2 the generic makes them truly sick, and 3 are not available in generic. It is a case by case basis.

[Rusty Eldora]

I just took a closer look at this. The math you've presented here is pretty bizarre, but are you actually saying that we should feel badly for you because you will have $4000 fewer dollars to spend on prostitutes next year?

Edit: And another thing, you refused to use the exchange because you're a paranoid whackjob, and now you're bitching at the President because your insurance carrier is ripping you off? You're a fucking libertarian, and you're scared of market-based competition? It is a documented fact that carriers are misrepresenting the savings you can find by just shopping around a little. Get a second quote, doofus.

I did get quotes from Regence (my previous carrier) and reviewed all 34 plans available in the Washington Exchange. The Regence plan I selected has the larger network and the same cost for the Gold Plan than all of the ones available in my area. Yes, I do not want to enter my data into the exchange because they have horrible security. Buying from Regence Blue Shield (supposedly a good guy Non-profit but their execs all seem to be getting quite rich) allowed me to not enter data into the exchange. Just 2 days ago it was released that VT was hacked with hundreds exposed.

No I am not scared of Market based competition, I have purchased for 20 years health care in the market, and it worked just fine thank you. I would love my old plan back but the ACA killed it dead.

[thombergeron]

I did get quotes from Regence (my previous carrier) and reviewed all 34 plans available in the Washington Exchange. The Regence plan I selected has the larger network and the same cost for the Gold Plan than all of the ones available in my area. Yes, I do not want to enter my data into the exchange because they have horrible security. Buying from Regence Blue Shield (supposedly a good guy Non-profit but their execs all seem to be getting quite rich) allowed me to not enter data into the exchange. Just 2 days ago it was released that VT was hacked with hundreds exposed.

No I am not scared of Market based competition, I have purchased for 20 years health care in the market, and it worked just fine thank you. I would love my old plan back but the ACA killed it dead.

I doubt it. Without accessing the exchange, you would have no eligibility details, and no way of knowing your specific premiums for any those 34 plans.

And I don't know why you're blithely asserting that Blue Shield is a "good guy." The company canceled your policy. And then you came back for more. At a higher price. Blue Shield is taking advantage of you, but you're mad at Obama. You don't seem to be a very well informed consumer.

For instance, Vermont Health Connect was not "hacked." There was a security breach involving a single consumer's information. A hard copy of that single consumer's application was mailed back to that consumer. There was no hacking, and one person was involved.

So again, you don't seem to have a very clear idea of what's actually going on with the ACA. You're not alone. Some very wealthy people with a political agenda are trying very hard to confuse you. And it seems to be working. You need to take some responsibility for better informing yourself.

It's wonderful that America's healthcare delivery system has been working well for you for much of your adult life, but there are tens of millions of your fellow American citizens who were shut out of that system that you've been enjoying.

Now, you may not care about people who are less fortunate than you, but that makes you a fucking asshole. So don't be surprised that when you whine about how your privileged life just became slightly less privileged, nobody gives a shit.

[broncofan]

I just read the story about the Vermont exchange. It happened in one individual case that someone's information was compromised as Thom said. Given the fact that people have their information entered into hundreds of databases at any given time, and many are probably not that secure, this is a really bad excuse. How secure is the database of your gas and electric company?

It seems to me that a lot of people don't want this system to work. It's a reasonable definition of audacity to not enter an exchange because of a personal eccentricity and then complain about the deal you got.

What is it about poorer people who are sick that brings to the surface so many excuses, and such animosity? This brings to mind 95racer's glee at the fact that Detroit had gone bankrupt because he believed it to be the perfect example of liberal excess.

And the Republican party is the party of patriotism? Celebrating the demise of American cities because they think it proves a point, shutting down our government hoping they will get their way, and threatening to push that same government into insolvency so they can blame the African-American guy in office.

[broncofan]

allowed me to not enter data into the exchange. Just 2 days ago it was released that VT was hacked with hundreds exposed.

Hacked means people deliberately breached the security to access people's information. What happened was that one person was accidentally given access to another person's personal details. This is very relevant because the average person, rather than the person seeking out such information, is extremely unlikely to have use for it. You must have an extremely low risk tolerance for this to deter you. Do you not fly on airplanes, drive in cars, or drink water from a tap?

I find it difficult to believe that something "released" two days ago would have been a deterrent for you. Of course, you may have gotten all of these quotes in the last two days, but this sounds like an awful excuse. It sounds like right-wing trumped up nonsense masquerading as a legitimate reason.

And as Thombergeron said, please tell us how you got quotes for premiums from these 34 insurance companies if not through the exchange.

[Rusty Eldora]

I doubt it. Without accessing the exchange, you would have no eligibility details, and no way of knowing your specific premiums for any those 34 plans.


The State of Washington site actually works and does not require you to enter your life history to shop for plans. To access our official exchange go to www.wahealthplanfinder.org and is available for anyone that lists their age, county, and estimated income. I guess the land of Microsoft could get a good site going. When I wanted a plan there when I apply it then takes all of the details.

Yes I am aware that the states covered by healthcare.gov as well as other state exchanges do require you to set up an account et al but our enlightened liberal state thinks you should be able to shop BEFORE you buy.

[VictoriaVeil]

I tried to register about a week after enrollment began. I'm still waiting for my identity to be verified. #letthejokescommence

[trish]

Happy Thanksgiving Day everyone. I'm thankful that millions of families who lived without the security of medical coverage can now have affordable care.

[trish]

I spoke to a friend over the phone today. He’s from Indiana. He had a private health insurance policy with a $10000.00 deductible for which he paid $700.00 monthly. It was going up to $800.00 per month next year. It had no promise that he wouldn’t be kicked from the rolls should a serious on-going illness befall him. He liked his policy in the sense that it was the best he could get and he would certainly have hated to lose given his age ( of 58 years). He doesn’t have wifi in his home. So just this week he signed up on the Affordable Healthcare exchange by phone. He now has a new policy with a $500.00 deductible, that costs $700.00 monthly and for his policy the company receives a $700.00 subsidy making his yearly payout zero dollars. Needless to say, he one very happy customer.

[Rusty Eldora]

Some states seem to have gotten pretty good exchanges going. Trish's example of a friend in Indiana is somewhat akin to mine but I went off exchange to keep the full Blue Shield coverage (national and international) I am paying 750 a month for a 1,000 deductible policy. However I get no subsidy because of my income. In all, this costs me 4K more per year than last year whether I have no health care costs or hit the maximum.

New Mexico thought they had a great exchange, it worked and kept the costs from rising but almost nobody signed up.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/deane-waldman/why-americans-wont-sign-u_b_4485810.html

[Rusty Eldora]

So how is the Joy Joy of being on Obamacare with that glittery Gold, Silver, or Bronzed plan doing for everybody. Happy Anyone. Got to keep your Doctor. Do you have coverage when you Travel. Enjoying those small deductibles compared to your old plan. Everything Groovy?

Well I did get my free Colenoscopy on Wed. Did everyone know that you get a bunch of tests included in your plan not counting toward the deductible. Just amazing I get a $3,000 procedure for free. However, as my premiums jumped by $4000 for the year, I suspect I already paid for that free thing. But what test do I need next year to use the free stuff I pay for.

I didn't want this Turkey foisted on me, but I signed up because I have to have insurance. How about you.

[trish]

Six years ago my aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer. When the banks failed under the Bush recession she lost her job and her coverage. With her preexisting condition she couldn't find insurance. Chemotherapy burnt through her savings and she nearly lost her home. I don't know what her premiums are now or what her deductible is, but I do know that she loves the Affordable Care Act...because she was finally able to get insurance.

The Act was written by the ultraconservative Heritage Foundation, so of course it's flawed. Single payer and Health Care For All would've been a much better system. But there was no hope of getting anything like that through the bipartisan committee that wrote the bill.

[buttslinger]

My Blue Cross from my job is around $200 a month, I just got Dental added on, but I know I'm actually paying much more, it's just PAPERWORKED to hide what I'm really paying.

One reason Obamacare passed when it did is because healthcare costs were going through the roof under Bush.

With absolutely NO proof to back it up, I guarantee you that half that hospital bill, and half that insurance bill is being PAPERWORKED up to those a-cursed one-percenters you hear so much about.

Gaming the System is as American as Cherry Pie.

You can bet the Republican Congress is getting their asses chewed by their constituents (FAT CATS) Obama is messing with their cash cow.

Trust me Rusty, I FEEL FOR YOU paying these outrageous fucking bills, but I feel like we're all in the same boat.

There is, in fact, a scummy bottom of society, the people that make less than ten grand a year, that have almost ALL the cases of AIDs, rampant drug and alcohol is the norm, and the Republicans won't say it, but I think there is a point to be made that they deserve to die a miserable death and shouldn't drag us down with them.

But have no fear. Lord Obama is going to heal them all and stick the bill on those thievin' fat cats. But it's going to take years.

[trish]

And (as the Wolf of Wall Street illustrates) the upper one percent has no rampant drug or alcohol abuse and never contracts communicable diseases.

[buttslinger]

Obama will be known for the Affordable Healthcare Act, Bush will be known for the Iraq War, Clinton will be known for Monica Lewinski.

As the first Black President, Obama walks on eggshells, but I think the first Woman President will roar.

[Ben in LA]

"The Real Numbers On 'The Obamacare Effect' Are In..."

http://www.forbes.com/sites/rickungar/2014/03/10/the-real-numbers-on-the-obamacare-effect-are-in-now-let-the-crow-eating-begin/

[buttslinger]

Even if a Republican House and Senate passed a bill to repeal Obamacare, I am pretty sure Obama would veto it, so the Republicans have been running a game they know is a loser, I guess they do it because Republican voters see Obamacare as white folks buying black folks free insurance. If the lie is better than the truth, of course they're going to go with the lie.

If Obama tries to outlaw cheeseburgers and ice cream, Rand Paul will be President in 2016.

[Ben in LA]

.............

[Turlington]

Misleading much?