Obamacare's fatal flaw
Sep 23, 2013 12:37:03 #
Obamacares Fatal Flaw
By Onan Coca / 23 September 2013 / 45 Comments
168 Share408 44
CNN Money ran an interesting piece recently covering just a few of the people who would not be signing up for Obamacare in the coming months. The articles author chose several people from a variety of places along lifes path, and each stand out for their own reasons. There is the older gentleman who wont sign up for reasons of principle, there is the young family who wont sign up because they just cant afford it. But the one that exposes one of Obamacares fatal flaws is the person I want to focus in on.
For some folks, health insurance just isn't a good deal. Take Jessica Birge, 29, who is studying nursing and works as a medical assistant. Her job gives her $100 a month for medical expenses, though she does have dental and vision coverage through her employer. But she doesn't have a lot of medical expenses since she rarely goes to the doctor, opting instead to go to a local clinic for her annual exams. Though she knows she needs insurance in case she gets into an accident, she doesn't think Obamacare is very affordable. "I don't really want to pay a penalty, but it's more economical for me to pay $300 a year [in fines] than $200 to $300 a month for insurance I don't use," said Birge, acknowledging she may get insurance in several years, when the penalties get more onerous.
Ms. Birges story points out the hole in the Obamacare scheme. For millions of Americans in their early 20s through their early 30s, there is no reason to pay for the health insurance Obamacare offers because they are just too healthy. For these folks, it would simply be easier and cheaper to pay the penalty and be done with the system for that tax year. Without these millions of workers paying into the insurance scheme, there will be no way for prices to be made affordable in the healthcare program.
This hole in planning unmasks the Obamacare scheme as nothing more than a way to move forward the administrations European style socialist agenda. Without the money pouring in from millions of young American workers, the insurance will not make healthcare more affordable and the millions of Americans will be without healthcare insurance. These were the two main reasons given by the Democrats for needing to pass Obamacare, and the system they created simply perpetuates the problem they sought to solve.
youngfolksThe only thing that Obamacare does now that is different from before? It makes the government play a major role in healthcare. Consider it before Obamacare, healthcare prices were rising. Now healthcare prices are still rising. Before Obamacare, millions of Americans were without health insurance. Now millions of Americans will be without health insurance. Before Obamacare, people could move freely between health insurers, some using insurance provided by their employer others engaging the insurance companies directly. Now the government will have a role to play in any insurance engagement.
The only thing that changes was that the government got involved. I would argue that this is not a change for the better. Getting the government involved will create a new, giant bureaucratic system that will be needed to engage both insurance companies and the regular citizen. More bureaucracy always means more government waste.
If you think that the designers of the Obamacare plan didnt foresee the problems that would develop because of the plan, then you are fooling yourself. These problems were brought up by Republicans and normal thinking people, long before Obamacare was passed. The Democrats and the administration just swatted them aside and said they wouldnt be problems at all. The real truth of the matter is that they didnt care that Obamacare wasnt really a solution to the healthcare problems we faced. That wasnt the point. Obamacare was the Trojan horse sent into the walls of our country, not to improve healthcare, but to ensure centralization of power in Washington, D.C.
Obamacare was designed to make us (we, the people) weaker and the federal government stronger.
By Onan Coca / 23 September 2013 / 45 Comments
168 Share408 44
CNN Money ran an interesting piece recently covering just a few of the people who would not be signing up for Obamacare in the coming months. The articles author chose several people from a variety of places along lifes path, and each stand out for their own reasons. There is the older gentleman who wont sign up for reasons of principle, there is the young family who wont sign up because they just cant afford it. But the one that exposes one of Obamacares fatal flaws is the person I want to focus in on.
For some folks, health insurance just isn't a good deal. Take Jessica Birge, 29, who is studying nursing and works as a medical assistant. Her job gives her $100 a month for medical expenses, though she does have dental and vision coverage through her employer. But she doesn't have a lot of medical expenses since she rarely goes to the doctor, opting instead to go to a local clinic for her annual exams. Though she knows she needs insurance in case she gets into an accident, she doesn't think Obamacare is very affordable. "I don't really want to pay a penalty, but it's more economical for me to pay $300 a year [in fines] than $200 to $300 a month for insurance I don't use," said Birge, acknowledging she may get insurance in several years, when the penalties get more onerous.
Ms. Birges story points out the hole in the Obamacare scheme. For millions of Americans in their early 20s through their early 30s, there is no reason to pay for the health insurance Obamacare offers because they are just too healthy. For these folks, it would simply be easier and cheaper to pay the penalty and be done with the system for that tax year. Without these millions of workers paying into the insurance scheme, there will be no way for prices to be made affordable in the healthcare program.
This hole in planning unmasks the Obamacare scheme as nothing more than a way to move forward the administrations European style socialist agenda. Without the money pouring in from millions of young American workers, the insurance will not make healthcare more affordable and the millions of Americans will be without healthcare insurance. These were the two main reasons given by the Democrats for needing to pass Obamacare, and the system they created simply perpetuates the problem they sought to solve.
youngfolksThe only thing that Obamacare does now that is different from before? It makes the government play a major role in healthcare. Consider it before Obamacare, healthcare prices were rising. Now healthcare prices are still rising. Before Obamacare, millions of Americans were without health insurance. Now millions of Americans will be without health insurance. Before Obamacare, people could move freely between health insurers, some using insurance provided by their employer others engaging the insurance companies directly. Now the government will have a role to play in any insurance engagement.
The only thing that changes was that the government got involved. I would argue that this is not a change for the better. Getting the government involved will create a new, giant bureaucratic system that will be needed to engage both insurance companies and the regular citizen. More bureaucracy always means more government waste.
If you think that the designers of the Obamacare plan didnt foresee the problems that would develop because of the plan, then you are fooling yourself. These problems were brought up by Republicans and normal thinking people, long before Obamacare was passed. The Democrats and the administration just swatted them aside and said they wouldnt be problems at all. The real truth of the matter is that they didnt care that Obamacare wasnt really a solution to the healthcare problems we faced. That wasnt the point. Obamacare was the Trojan horse sent into the walls of our country, not to improve healthcare, but to ensure centralization of power in Washington, D.C.
Obamacare was designed to make us (we, the people) weaker and the federal government stronger.
Sep 23, 2013 12:56:37 #
As you're pointing out, bcheary, any socialistic program, like the ACA, requires that those who can subsidize those who can't, or won't. So, for the base population of the U.S. it's 1/2 blessing and 1/2 curse.
But...for SOMEONE it's ALL blessing. I don't buy into it being the insurance companies, it's definitely not all good for them. But for someone it's a benefit, either short-term, or long-term, or both.
Who?
But...for SOMEONE it's ALL blessing. I don't buy into it being the insurance companies, it's definitely not all good for them. But for someone it's a benefit, either short-term, or long-term, or both.
Who?
Sep 23, 2013 14:48:12 #
Danilo wrote:
As you're pointing out, bcheary, any socialistic program, like the ACA, requires that those who can subsidize those who can't, or won't. So, for the base population of the U.S. it's 1/2 blessing and 1/2 curse.
But...for SOMEONE it's ALL blessing. I don't buy into it being the insurance companies, it's definitely not all good for them. But for someone it's a benefit, either short-term, or long-term, or both.
Who?
But...for SOMEONE it's ALL blessing. I don't buy into it being the insurance companies, it's definitely not all good for them. But for someone it's a benefit, either short-term, or long-term, or both.
Who?
Frankly, I think that we are all getting screwed one way or another. Worst piece of garbage legislation to ever be signed into law. The funny thing is that all those in favor of it are going to get screwed just as bad. The morons who voted for and support Obunmmercare deserve what they get! Problem is that they are sucking the rest of us into that morass and making us pay for it.
Sep 23, 2013 14:58:57 #
Danilo wrote:
As you're pointing out, bcheary, any socialistic program, like the ACA, requires that those who can subsidize those who can't, or won't. So, for the base population of the U.S. it's 1/2 blessing and 1/2 curse.
But...for SOMEONE it's ALL blessing. I don't buy into it being the insurance companies, it's definitely not all good for them. But for someone it's a benefit, either short-term, or long-term, or both.
Who?
But...for SOMEONE it's ALL blessing. I don't buy into it being the insurance companies, it's definitely not all good for them. But for someone it's a benefit, either short-term, or long-term, or both.
Who?
True so let's go along with Republican platform of eliminating all the government handouts and subsidized programs including Social Security or FDRCare, Medicare or LBJCare and ACA or ObamaCare. Let's get rid of them all...just like the Republican Party Backers and the party Leadership want. It is the ultimate Republican goal. If you support a Republican Candidate at any level you are supporting the end of these programs. If you don't believe it well, you're just the fool they've been looking for.
Sep 23, 2013 16:37:52 #
For those interested in how the Insurance Exchange may help them, I recommend this site: https://www.healthcare.gov/what-is-the-health-insurance-marketplace
The healthy young Americans (early 20's-30's) you referred to may decide that just a catastrophic plan is best for them- they now have that choice. Also, early 20's (up to 26) may stay on their parents' plan. For many young Americans, that's a huge help, especially for those whose parents have terrific health plans with their employers but who are unemployed/underemployed themselves.
Low income families will qualify for a subsidy to help pay premiums/co-pays/deductibles. Go on-line and research the details. As Danilo stated, for 1/2 the population, this could be a blessing- especially those who just barely do not qualify for Medicaid but NEED to be insured to prevent becoming bankrupt...
I do believe that if all of us pay in SOMETHING, rather than just a small percentage of us paying it ALL, it HAS to improve the state of healthcare. Call me optimistic...
The healthy young Americans (early 20's-30's) you referred to may decide that just a catastrophic plan is best for them- they now have that choice. Also, early 20's (up to 26) may stay on their parents' plan. For many young Americans, that's a huge help, especially for those whose parents have terrific health plans with their employers but who are unemployed/underemployed themselves.
Low income families will qualify for a subsidy to help pay premiums/co-pays/deductibles. Go on-line and research the details. As Danilo stated, for 1/2 the population, this could be a blessing- especially those who just barely do not qualify for Medicaid but NEED to be insured to prevent becoming bankrupt...
I do believe that if all of us pay in SOMETHING, rather than just a small percentage of us paying it ALL, it HAS to improve the state of healthcare. Call me optimistic...
Sep 23, 2013 21:00:01 #
RixPix wrote:
True so let's go along with Republican platform of... (show quote)
Your reply is too simplistic, Rix...I feel that you let us down.
Sep 23, 2013 21:47:02 #
The problem with the Republican leadership's plan for affordable health care is that they simply don't have one. Apparently they don't see it is a problem that so many people can't afford health care insurance. And the Republicans obviously have no interest in regulating the insurance companies by forcing these companies to bring down insurance rates, which would obviously cut into their extravagant profits.
Sep 23, 2013 23:08:21 #
rook2c4 wrote:
The problem with the Republican leadership's plan for affordable health care is that they simply don't have one. Apparently they don't see it is a problem that so many people can't afford health care insurance. And the Republicans obviously have no interest in regulating the insurance companies by forcing these companies to bring down insurance rates, which would obviously cut into their extravagant profits.
You're correct. The problem the Republican's have with the Affordable Care Act is that it begins to control the profit structure of the insurance carriers and those carriers are spending a lot of money through political donations and anti-ACA propaganda to sabotage the program.
Sep 23, 2013 23:09:15 #
Danilo wrote:
Your reply is too simplistic, Rix...I feel that you let us down.
So you don't have answer. Well, if the ACA goes your Medicare is next that's for sure. Talk about your slippery slope.
Sep 24, 2013 06:36:53 #
President Eisenhauer warned us about the Military/Industrial Complex. Were he alive today he might warn us about the Medical/Insurance/Pharmacological Triumverate.
Mark Twain told us we have the greatest government anybody could want. "After all," said Twain, "It's the best government money can buy!." (Or words to that effect.)
My pirch is that common decency obliges citizens to help other citizens. Pure and simple.
As to young people not needing insurance, I'm instructed that my 25 year old granddaughter recently visited a dermatologist concerning an ingrown hair that was bothering her. Turns out it was melanoma. . She's one fortunate young lady on two counts. She has insurance, and the doctor caught it in time. On the other hand she had the good sense to go to the doctor, which was partly motivated because he had insurance coverage.
We can thank Ronald Reagan for brainwashing Americans into thinking that people who need a helping hand are merely shiftless dumb asses who won't work. That's not a legacy I'd brag about were I a Republican.
All the best,
Martin
Mark Twain told us we have the greatest government anybody could want. "After all," said Twain, "It's the best government money can buy!." (Or words to that effect.)
My pirch is that common decency obliges citizens to help other citizens. Pure and simple.
As to young people not needing insurance, I'm instructed that my 25 year old granddaughter recently visited a dermatologist concerning an ingrown hair that was bothering her. Turns out it was melanoma. . She's one fortunate young lady on two counts. She has insurance, and the doctor caught it in time. On the other hand she had the good sense to go to the doctor, which was partly motivated because he had insurance coverage.
We can thank Ronald Reagan for brainwashing Americans into thinking that people who need a helping hand are merely shiftless dumb asses who won't work. That's not a legacy I'd brag about were I a Republican.
All the best,
Martin
Sep 24, 2013 07:10:49 #
Will S
Loc: SW VA
Who pays for emergency visits when a patient has no insurance? And many lower income people use the emergency rooms quite a bit. The hospital pays and in turn passes those costs on to other consumers, in turn which raises the cost of health care for all. Our health care system has been broken for many years and this is the first time somebody actually tried to fix it. (Coming from a 35 years Hospital Social Worker (my wife))
I am figuring most of the people on this board are fairly well to do and you can get or have health coverage if you choose. Well what about people who don't have that advantage? Difference between the 2 political parties in our country is one party cares too much and the other party doesn't care at all..(I am not making a political statement.. it's fact)I have heard.. many times..living in the Bible belt (and I have nothing against religion)
"The Lord helps those who help themselves"- However myself spending 2 years in The Southern Lutheran Seminary.. I never ever found that exact quote in the bible.. I did find however.."How you treat the lest of my brethren is how you treat me"....So WWJD?
I am figuring most of the people on this board are fairly well to do and you can get or have health coverage if you choose. Well what about people who don't have that advantage? Difference between the 2 political parties in our country is one party cares too much and the other party doesn't care at all..(I am not making a political statement.. it's fact)I have heard.. many times..living in the Bible belt (and I have nothing against religion)
"The Lord helps those who help themselves"- However myself spending 2 years in The Southern Lutheran Seminary.. I never ever found that exact quote in the bible.. I did find however.."How you treat the lest of my brethren is how you treat me"....So WWJD?
Sep 24, 2013 07:20:53 #
Oh Oh, now you done it,
you should not have showed the loop hold,
just for the Gov. to close it.?
you should not have showed the loop hold,
just for the Gov. to close it.?
Sep 24, 2013 07:47:14 #
I have no truck with Obama but fair is fair. He wanted legislation -Congress WROTE IT. Remember Pelosi's infamous statement - paraphrase "We have to pass it so we can see what's in it" - .
Sep 24, 2013 07:51:18 #
RixPix wrote:
You're correct. The problem the Republican's have with the Affordable Care Act is that it begins to control the profit structure of the insurance carriers and those carriers are spending a lot of money through political donations and anti-ACA propaganda to sabotage the program.
You speak as though insurance companies only have one product. Naïve at best. Individual health care has been a losing product for decades. Group health was always sold in connection with a group life insurance policy which is were the profit came from. The ACA will eliminate the group life insurance and people will have to purchase individual life policies. That will produce greater profit for the insurance companies.
Every thing I have read pertaining to the rate structure of the ACA indicates higher premiums. Perhaps you can enlighten us on exactly how the ACA is going to control the profit of insurance companies?
Sep 24, 2013 08:01:23 #
Will S wrote:
Who pays for emergency visits when a patient has n... (show quote)
You are wrong on several counts: People have no insurance for many reasons. When the ACA gives free coverage to those that have no money who pays for that? The same people that pay for uninsured hospital care now.
"Difference between the 2 political parties in our country is one party cares too much and the other party doesn't care at all." Where is your proof of that statement? The only difference between the existing parties is how they get to spend your money.
"I am figuring most of the people on this board are fairly well to do and you can get or have health coverage if you choose." If you believe that you haven't been paying attention.
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