Its easy to understand why Obamacare is so expensive- its because US health care is very expensive. Get sick and it is easy to blow through several hundred thousand dollars. Most of us are going to have health crises like that one or more times in our life. The pre-Obamacare policies were cheaper because they had life time caps in total pay out. If you got really sick, you went bankrupt. 17.5% of the US GDP is health care. So you shouldn't be surprised if you are spending 17% of your income on health insurance.
1
I spent 20 years in the USA on company and purchased health insurance. Telling insurers to cover people with prior conditions will only work if you let them set the premiums as high as they want or need. Insurers cannot afford to take on a breast cancer patient who buys their own insurance at anything less than $5-10,000 a month. This is the problem with ACA with the mandatory coverage and subsidies removed - there are not enough healthy insurance buyers to balance the unhealthy buyers. I pray that God will protect those who will become uninsured and he will banish to hell those who deny people's rights to health care.
2
hello, i'm a young euro person, for a short time of miy life i lived in US. maybe i'm a stupid, can be but really i don't understand your point of view about the healt, the help must be a right not an option, i talk about that with some us and in my opinion it's not socialiasm capitalism and boring thigs that in our years it's really old argument, but i think that in a state that belive to be one of best state in the world, it is a shame tha someone can die everyday because they have not money or income the get an insurance. for me it is weird that someone that have money and have zero problem for the healt, prefer see other US people die because they can't pay. I read more about obamacare it's rally distance to be good, but it's a beginning, and i lived in the south of US how peole said to be catolic and in the same time prefer this system. i know well medicare medicaid... Really help me to understand.... once time your country was like a dream for big part of young guys in the world
3
This country needs a single payor universal access health care system. What we have now, even with the ACA, is wealth care. You get the care you can afford. In country that claims to be as rich as ours surely we can afford to create a system where people, no matter where they are or how much they make, can get the health care they need when they need it. Otherwise our health insurance is worthless.
12
We already have a good system for health care that works. It's called Medicare. Simply add everyone into it; viola, we save billions in currently wasted overhead and cover all citizens. Add competitive bidding for pharmaceuticals and we save billions more. Big Pharma and the corrupt health care lobbyists and the massively overpaid healthcare company executives would howl and the legislators that take millions in bribes to do their bidding would fight to the death.
8
Of those who are actually paying for their insurance under ACA, I don't know anyone who isn't horrified by the outrageously high cost. Sure, if you get a huge subsidy, or your employer has to pay, it's an improvement--but for those of us who earn just enough to be ineligible for subsidy and whose employers call us part time or inependant contractors--and thus pay no benefits--Obamacare definitely needs improvement. Sorry you think I should be more grateful.
I thought Hillary would be the wonk who'd knock herself out to try to fix it. And I believe she would have, given the chance.
I thought Hillary would be the wonk who'd knock herself out to try to fix it. And I believe she would have, given the chance.
10
So - the conclusion rightly drawn...
Free phones and other free stuff show far more vote-buying ROI than does free health care...
Free phones and other free stuff show far more vote-buying ROI than does free health care...
1
Interesting; some ethnicities/races only support their own. Obamacare never worked; the premiums were too high and people are willing to be fined instead. Medicaid in all states worked fine before the unaffordable care act. President Trump (with his business acumen) will initiate something more practical and affordable.
4
Janis, you say that "Medicaid in all states worked fine before ... (ACA)?" When I had absolutely NO income, I could get medicaid here in Michigan (I was not yet 65.) But, when I finally made a little money ($402 a month from a pension,) I was removed from the program, because -- "I made too much money for Medicaid/AMP." You are incorrect! The increased level of coverage was a lifesaver for the woman that I live with (who had breast cancer, yet no income, but was covered under the new Medicaid guidelines.) I can't insure her because we are not married and I am on Medicare myself.
15
Why then don't you marry her? This way she'll have your insurance.
1
She still won't be insured. He is on Medicare. Your spouse won't get it unless she is qualified on her own.
5
I cried last night. Insurance has gone up so much and without some protections my family has non coverable preconditions. What are we supposed to do? They never opened it up across state lines to get some cost savings. What are we to do?
3
For an elderly couple insurance rates are so high that they are unaffordable. Imagine having to pay $1,800/month for a couple. In addition, over $10,000 deductible. The elderly have to pay through the nose while those with pre-existing conditions pay much less. A hairdresser we know used to pay over $2,000/month for medication, etc.. This was before ACA. After ACA he pays around $800. Yet an elderly couple is punished by having to pay the highest rate? Sometimes as much as three times more?
ACA isn't fair. Yes, it brings into its fold people who have previously had no insurance but these people couldn't afford insurance either were it not for extremely generous taxpayer benefits.
ACA needs to be changed. Take away the penalty. And don't force a "one-size-fits-all" policy on everyone, a practice that really drives up the cost.
ACA isn't fair. Yes, it brings into its fold people who have previously had no insurance but these people couldn't afford insurance either were it not for extremely generous taxpayer benefits.
ACA needs to be changed. Take away the penalty. And don't force a "one-size-fits-all" policy on everyone, a practice that really drives up the cost.
2
What are you talking about? First, elderly couples are on Medicare, so even in the most expensive Medicare markets they pay a fraction of what you claim (about $350 for two). Second, if the ACA is repealed and the couple is under age 65, their premiums will sky-rocket because the ACA limits the amount insurers can charge the elderly to three times their lowest rate. Third, no insurer is ever going to try to build provider networks across state lines. This is impractical on every level. I don't expect to see any of your wish list implemented.
What will undoubtedly happen is that employer-based insurance will continue to erode, and prices for everyone will go up. This isn't going to change because healthcare costs are going up. Employers shouldn't be expected to carry the burden of paying for employee healthcare. It makes American employers less competitive in the global market.
What will undoubtedly happen is that employer-based insurance will continue to erode, and prices for everyone will go up. This isn't going to change because healthcare costs are going up. Employers shouldn't be expected to carry the burden of paying for employee healthcare. It makes American employers less competitive in the global market.
6
Obamneycare was 95 percent of the reason Clinton lost.
3
Wrong! Damn email and wild Bill.
It isn't a surprise; perhaps there should have been targeted ads for this particular group? would it have helped? Voting as individuals doesn't provide a lot of influence, but when a group is assumed to be politically nil, it means they can be ignored.
If only: all schools had to continue to teach history and american government studies from elementary through high school, at least there would be some grounding in the connection between voting and governance.
If only: all schools had to continue to teach history and american government studies from elementary through high school, at least there would be some grounding in the connection between voting and governance.
8
I was finally able to get health insurance for myself and my spouse because of the subsidy offered through the Affordable Care Act, and I proudly voted today, as I have in every presidential election since 1980 ... what am I going to do now!? Both myself and my spouse have health conditions that previously made insurance wildly expensive, and, pretty much useless, since it did not cover pre-existing conditions. I'm sure incoming President Trump genuinely doesn't care if we can't afford our medications. Guess we'll just be expected to "hurry up and die, and decrease the surplus population."
21
sunflowersue, there may be a little hope for you, but I am not sure how Kansas works with "uncompensated care." Here in Michigan, when I had absolutely NO income and little in assets, I applied for and got 100% reduction in my financial responsibility for payment. This was for both doctors and hospitals associated with that particular medical corporation. When ACA became available, like you, I immediately applied. This past year, I paid only $122 per month for excellent health care coverage (with subsidy.) Unfortunately, I am now 65 and have to use Medicare. Now I pay $122 for part B, $30 for Medicare Advantage, and have a $4500 max out of pocket for doctors; so I pay $20 for every doctor visit and $45 for every specialist visit. I will never meet that max. One bright spot -- most of my meds are covered at $0 when I get a 90-day supply through a mail-order pharmacy. Good luck with your health insurance -- be sure to look for all options, including PPARX for assistance in paying for meds if the ACA goes away.
2
Dont assume anything about Trump until he starts to govern. I think he said many things to get elected (as did HRC) but I feel he has a heart. I hope I'm right.
1
ConDon will simply keep Obamacare and retitle it Trumpcare.
1
Now 20 million people will feel what Republican and Donald Trumps repeal and replace will mean to them.
BIg Pharma, Medtronic's et. al..., then of course, All the hospitals, and the doctors what will they do with 20 million not insured. Especially the ER's which are forced to treat and admit.
What is the replace plan. We know that selling across state lines does not work. Unless they are just going to tag on to the Federal Employees Plan. The prices are going to be a big shock for the average Joe. The cost of the Nationswide Bluecross &Blue Shield 2017 Standard Self $679.36/mo; Self & family $1645.48/mo with $350/700 deductibles and $7,000/$14,000 out of pocket. So this will not be a free ride for those who are self employed or have no employer insurance. It would have wider networkers.
BIg Pharma, Medtronic's et. al..., then of course, All the hospitals, and the doctors what will they do with 20 million not insured. Especially the ER's which are forced to treat and admit.
What is the replace plan. We know that selling across state lines does not work. Unless they are just going to tag on to the Federal Employees Plan. The prices are going to be a big shock for the average Joe. The cost of the Nationswide Bluecross &Blue Shield 2017 Standard Self $679.36/mo; Self & family $1645.48/mo with $350/700 deductibles and $7,000/$14,000 out of pocket. So this will not be a free ride for those who are self employed or have no employer insurance. It would have wider networkers.
12
Maybe, the "health law advocates who hoped that new benefits might prompt broader political support this cycle for the Democrats who passed the law.", should try signing up for it. And shopping around! Every year! What a waste of time. Go to healthcare.gov's Facebook page. Scary, what is said there.
6
"the finding may be sobering for health law advocates who hoped that new benefits might prompt broader political support this cycle for the Democrats who passed the law." This sounds like the tail wagging the dog. Surely what health law advocates want is good health laws, not political point scoring. (Even if that would help them strengthen their position.)
6
My 27yo had his own insurance for about a year before the ACA put him back on my insurance. When he aged off my insurance last year at 26 he had some sticker shock. He was then incensed to find the poor coverage of the much more expensive insurance. After enduring a number of rants about this I explained to him that he has a vote and should be using it. He voted.
18
....and did that improve his situation?
1
Edward - At the very least it got his ire focused in a more productive direction! We'll have to wait and see what happens next.
4
Wait until he has nothing when this gets repealed, or the replacement is even more expensive. Then you can determine if he is going in a more productive direction, especially when he comes to mom and dad to subsidize now. Then everyone will have gotten what they deserved with their vote.