Affordable Care Act possibly a good thing ?

[C908]

First let me say I am not an Obama supporter. When I was laid off 5/1/12 my wife and I lost all of our Health insurance. I couldn't afford Cobra at $900.00 a month and trying to get a policy on my own wasn't much better. Because of some small pre-existing conditions on both of us the rates were not affordable. We have been under constant stress not having medical insurance. I decided to check into the affordable care act. To my surprise we qualified for a large monthly tax credit. It seems since we only have my wifes income and her employer doesn't offer insurance along with our age the new program works in our favor. We are getting a Blue Cross Blue Shield of KC policy for about $100.00 a month after our tax credit. I thought we would probably have a high deductable but it's only $600.00 per person with $600.00 total out of pocket per person for the year. I've already paid my first month which goes into effect April 1st. Even with out insurance my wife has continued doing her well woman exam and we just had to pay cash. I stopped going for my yearly physicals once the insurance stopped. I immediately made an appointment for my physical to take place a couple days after the new policy kicks in. Getting this policy for us is such a relief so maybe the affordable care act is a good thing. In all of my research I found out the most important thing in using the tax credits is to show an accurate estimated income for 2014. If you end up making more than you list as your estimated income then you have to pay back a portion of the credit that was allowed. I would think someone working on commission would have a hard time doing this. Luckily my wife is hourly so I was able to be pretty accurate with my estimation.

[Patrick]

As much of a train wreck as ACA has been, it surely should work for some. Keep us informed.

[old2soon]

As big a train wreck as obuminatercare IS it ABSOFRIKKINLUTELY has to work for some/a few/now and then. The good reports are THE ones that WILL get ballyhooed while the bad news is swept under the ole proverbial floor covering. RIDE SAFE.

[Jess Tolbirt]

Bevs policy cost 300 a month with 6000 deductable,,,she is disabled and has no income,, how is she supposed to pay for this?

[.]

ACA is far from perfect but I suspect it is also just as far from being the disaster so many began reporting even before it was implemented to any degree and thus have a vested interest in seeing it fail regardless of whom it hurts should that come to pass.

That being said, ACA was never designed to only help Obama supporters, and now that reports are coming out that it helps people from the more conservative part of the political spectrum perhaps there is hope the Heritage Foundation and the Republican Party will reclaim their brainchild and begin working for its success rather than its failure.

And, should that unlikely event come to pass, perhaps the Democrats will act like grown-ups and continue working for its success as well.

C908, It doesn't matter who you vote for, life can be quite rocky with no health insurance which, in this country, is often the equivalent of no health care or sadly inadequate health care (the "Cadillac driving Welfare Queens" and "strapping young bucks" of the Reagan mythology to the contrary). I wish you and your wife well as all of this progresses, sir.

[Patrick]

And how was ACA initially to be paid for ?  Well, now in obamas latest budget is 5.5 billion slated for ACA.

[Paxton]

It works for me:
No denial of coverage because of pre-existing conditions. Keeping my disabled step son in my insurance until he turns 26.
Able to incur family med expenses w/o the worry that when we reach $1M we'd be out of coverage
and would have to mortgage our house. 

Yes, we like our own doctors and we kept them. So did the wife and step son.
Better coverage, same insurance company.
Policy went from $1250 per month down to $845. 
It took me 23 minutes to get the whole deal closed over the internet.

Interestingly, I know a lot of people who are happy with it. I don't know anyone personally who dislike the ACA.
However, from what I learned here, I guess there are folks out there for whom the ACA does not work.

RIDE SAFE

[RainMaker]

My rates doubled and my deductible doubled.   So I'm on the other side of the fence.

[MP]

I am glad for you, Paxton.  There are "winners".

However, there are also millions of losers.  Millions have lost their coverage, which they wanted to keep.  Millions have had their premiums and deductibles skyrocket.  What about them?  Just "too bad"  because you won?

They said they were doing it because 30-40 million did not have coverage.  The estimate now, by the CBO, is that 10 years from now, there will STILL be 30 million uninsured.

So, a complete upheaval of our system, at a cost now estimated to be approaching $1 Trillion, and we will still have about the same number uninsured.

But, you, and some others, are "winners".

Congratulations.

MP

[Serk]

I'm glad it's helping some people, but...

Having the government come to my neighbor's house, put a gun to their head, take 1/2 of their income and give it to me would be good for me.

That wouldn't make it right.

[LandElephant]

My large company that I work for has been slowly moving us to ACA compliance for 2015. To keep my payment close to what I had last year, I not have no co-pay.  But I have to pay the first $1, 000 and then 20% of ALL cost afterwards with no maximum.

Sound great. Last year $30 co-pay and $1, 500 deductible. For us to keep the same plan our premiums would have tripled. That's whats coming down the road.

As far as Republicans taking responsiblity for this idea. I was lousy back then and failed. Shows how much of a lack of imagination that the present administration has that they couldn't come up with their own idea.

Glad it helped you out. But please tell us how much of a subsisdy you are receiving to off set the cost of your plan.

Charlie Morse
Land Elephant

[Paxton]

"... But please tell us how much of a subsisdy you are receiving to off set the cost of your plan."
================================================================

Charlie; I don't know whether you are addressing your question to me.  ???
Notwithstanding, my answer is None. I do not qualify for the subsidies.

RIDE SAFE

[Jeff K]

How does taking subsidies work with asset seizure after your demise? I'm not sure of the particular rules. 

[Daniel Meyer]

My rates went up by more than your premium total...

[Odin1]

 For every winner there has to be alot of losers, that how wealth redistribution works.

[musclehead]

ACA is far from perfect but I suspect it is also just as far from being the disaster so many began reporting even before it was implemented to any degree and thus have a vested interest in seeing it fail regardless of whom it hurts should that come to pass.

That being said, ACA was never designed to only help Obama supporters, and now that reports are coming out that it helps people from the more conservative part of the political spectrum perhaps there is hope the Heritage Foundation and the Republican Party will reclaim their brainchild and begin working for its success rather than its failure.

And, should that unlikely event come to pass, perhaps the Democrats will act like grown-ups and continue working for its success as well.

C908, It doesn't matter who you vote for, life can be quite rocky with no health insurance which, in this country, is often the equivalent of no health care or sadly inadequate health care (the "Cadillac driving Welfare Queens" and "strapping young bucks" of the Reagan mythology to the contrary). I wish you and your wife well as all of this progresses, sir.

oh please, the heritage foundation would never have came up with a 2700 page expansion of government like this.  we all knew it would help some fairly poor people, however the middle class is bearing the brunt of this and I thought that was who the dems claim to care about?

couldn't we have helped out the ones that had no healthcare without massive expansion of beuaracratic red tape and government? yes, yes we can....

[Fritz The Cat]

The real winners are the healthcare industry and the rich.

[98valk]

notice also how the blue states have a lesser increase compared to others.
"I believe in spending the wealth around" obumer to joe the plumber

http://blog.heritage.org/2013/03/18/obamacare-projected-premium-increases-by-state/

http://www.heritage.org/research/projects/impact-of-obamacare

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/obamacare-affect-health-insurance-rates-184314709.html
$6k for a 60 yr old male.

[billyjakester]

Those of you who consider yourselves 'winners' are missing two important points: 

1. Your confusing "health insurance" with "health care".  What good is an excellent health insurance plan when a needed specialist  no longer participates in the ACA.  Or your first choice for a hospital is no longer available and you're driving 50-100 miles to an "in network" ACA approved hospital.  Or the special drugs a family member requires are completely out-of-pocket because they are not included in the new abbreviated drug formulary.......AND their complete cost does NOT count against your deductible and you could not afford their cost even if they were part of the deductible.

Let's revisit this in twelve months and see how many Doctors (and hospitals) have opted out.  It's already happening now with more older enrollees vs. young (healthy) enrollees.  Let's see what your deductibles will be.  AND your taxes to support this disaster.

2.  You're accepting an all powerful third party (the Federal government) inserting their rules, ideas, goals, and morals between you and your doctor.  Have you not read or watched anything on the news in the last twelve months ? ? ?  If you believe Harry Reid saying all these ACA horror stories are lies ,then you deserve what you will eventually get.

Right now, statistically, the "losers" (and future losers after the 2014 elections) far and away outweigh the "winners".  And at what dollar cost to everyone ? ? ?

If you're in one of the statistically large metropolitan areas the odds are these events will be somewhat diluted and not occur as quickly, but in many (most ?) outlying areas with fewer health care professionals, this is a 'real' fact of life today.

bill

[MP]

If it is so d**ned good, why is it so hard to get people signed up, if it so good for them?

Why are WE spending MILLIONS to try to convince them?

Why do they have to be threatened with fines, oops, taxes, if they don't?

For any other good product, people line up for BLOCKS to buy it!

Yet, they must be FORCED into buying this.

MP

[Jeff K]

Bump,

I know if they push you into medicaid your assets are subject to seizure after you kick off. But how about if you take subsidies?

How does taking subsidies work with asset seizure after your demise? I'm not sure of the particular rules. 

[MP]

Bump,

I know if they push you into medicaid your assets are subject to seizure after you kick off. But how about if you take subsidies?

How does taking subsidies work with asset seizure after your demise? I'm not sure of the particular rules. 

I have some neighbors that have been boasting about how they now qualify for Medicaid, under the new ACA rules.

They are not rich, but they do have assets that are worth several hundred thousand dollars, but their income is low.

I have lately been hearing about the "clawback" of funds spend by Medicaid on recipients  They do NOT BELIEVE me when I tell them that the government can take their assets upon death.

I think a LOT of people are going to be surprised by this.

MP

[MP]

Bump,

I know if they push you into medicaid your assets are subject to seizure after you kick off. But how about if you take subsidies?

How does taking subsidies work with asset seizure after your demise? I'm not sure of the particular rules.  

I have some neighbors that have been boasting about how they now qualify for Medicaid, under the new ACA rules.

They are not rich, but they do have assets that are worth several hundred thousand dollars, but their income is low.

I have lately been hearing about the "clawback" of funds spend by Medicaid on recipients  They do NOT BELIEVE me when I tell them that the government can take their assets upon death.

I think a LOT of people are going to be surprised by this.

AND, by the fact that more and more clinics, hospitals, and Drs. are REFUSING to take new Medicaid patients.  So, you may have to travel hours to get to a DR or facility that will accept them. And, if they are NOT in your ACA approved plan, you have to pay 100% of the charge, and what you pay does NOT go against your deductible.

There are soooooo  many ways to get screwed by this law.

MP

[rocketray]

as the Family Doctor in the house.......when was the last time the government told you the truth about anything???  never???  what government program is solvent  ???  Medicare??  LBJ stole the surplus...      it is bankrupt     the Post Office ??  ditto   try Mark Levins' book     "tyranny and liberty"      then look up  on "you tube "    "all wars are bankers wars"  then try   "themoneymasters.com"   it is all about the printing of the money....it should be as Kennedy ordered with the U.S. Treasury printing the money for the people at no cost,interest or debt   they killed him for that    the FED charges us 6% to print counterfeit    loans it to the banks  they own at 1/2%   they then loan to us at 5-30%   so they get ...20% interest on counterfeit???   look up Ron Paul    define theft    a none mutual financial transaction   so the IRS is theft  right??    YEP   you do not want the government in control of anything   it is just a bunch of scumbag lawyers that go to office to get rich and squander our money       we had charity hospitals run by doctors that to maintain their County Medical Association had donate so many hours to be members then supported by the public to pay them for charity they provided without the government graft and corruption

[BF]

The pre-existing part and less than a handfull of other parts of the ACA are indeed past due for implementaion and should have been law years ago.......HOWEVER, on the whole, if the ACA is all that wonderfull, then why does mr wonderfull himself keep delaying the implementation of the employer mandate?

Politics is the reason for the treason.  Even Obama understands that Obamacare is toxic to democrats getting elected. 

[Bighead]

If it is so d**ned good, why is it so hard to get people signed up, if it so good for them?

Why are WE spending MILLIONS to try to convince them?

Why do they have to be threatened with fines, oops, taxes, if they don't?

For any other good product, people line up for BLOCKS to buy it!

Yet, they must be FORCED into buying this.

MP

+1 and if it is soooooo good why don't all of the folks in Washington that voted it lawincluding the POS errrr POTUS and his family have to get on the plan?

[OnaWingandaPrayer]

Bump,

I know if they push you into medicaid your assets are subject to seizure after you kick off. But how about if you take subsidies?

How does taking subsidies work with asset seizure after your demise? I'm not sure of the particular rules. 

I have some neighbors that have been boasting about how they now qualify for Medicaid, under the new ACA rules.

They are not rich, but they do have assets that are worth several hundred thousand dollars, but their income is low.

I have lately been hearing about the "clawback" of funds spend by Medicaid on recipients  They do NOT BELIEVE me when I tell them that the government can take their assets upon death.

I think a LOT of people are going to be surprised by this.

MP

the dead ones will not care...there loved ones will be pissed to the max

[old2soon]

BigHead-i believe the liar in chief AND his scum sucking asshole buds are exempted from a c a-BUT I might be not correct.  And IF a c a is all THAT good WHY are the politicos exempted from the very law they are ramming down our collective throats or up our collectives asses?? AND WHAT zackly happened to-if you like your current insurance you can keep it??  OH OH OH OH I KNOW this one-heavens to murgatroid-they lied-AGAIN.  RIDE SAFE.

[Serk]

Bump,

I know if they push you into medicaid your assets are subject to seizure after you kick off. But how about if you take subsidies?

How does taking subsidies work with asset seizure after your demise? I'm not sure of the particular rules. 

Now that's a comforting thought, just fills me with warm fuzzies... So, once you've racked up some bills, the government has a vested interest in you dying as quickly as possible...

Where have we heard of something like that before...

Oh yeah...

Sol's Euthanasia [Soylent Green]

[Paxton]

CA;
This is a good analysis that outlines the provisions of the law. Thank you for sharing it.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/obamacare-affect-health-insurance-rates-184314709.html

That older people have to pay higher premiums than younger people, that is the norm.
That has always been the same regarding insurance rates and it will continue to be so,
ACA or not.

If young people do not enroll in sufficient numbers then, as before the ACA,
rates will go up. That's good old Capitalism.
The rates are set by insurance companies. They are in the business of profiting
from their services. Making money for their shareholders, as they should.
If memory serves me, the insurance companies lobbied in favor of the ACA.

Suppose that young people could opt out of paying Social Security.
Where would the money come from to maintain a retired recipient's standard of living,
especially if she/he/them are primarily dependent on Social Security and Medicare.

As a side note, even if you strongly dislike the ACA, going to their website and
lookin' around might not be a bad idea.

It might more accurately answer some of the specific questions I've seen in this thread...
or it might further confirm one's fears and anxieties about this law. WHATEVER

Now the existential question; Have you hugged your Fat Lady Today?

RIDE SAFE

[BF]

CA;
This is a good analysis that outlines the provisions of the law. Thank you for sharing it.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/obamacare-affect-health-insurance-rates-184314709.html

That older people have to pay higher premiums than younger people, that is the norm.
That has always been the same regarding insurance rates and it will continue to be so,
ACA or not.

If young people do not enroll in sufficient numbers then, as before the ACA,
rates will go up. That's good old Capitalism.
The rates are set by insurance companies. They are in the business of profiting
from their services. Making money for their shareholders, as they should.
If memory serves me, the insurance companies lobbied in favor of the ACA.

Suppose that young people could opt out of paying Social Security.
Where would the money come from to maintain a retired recipient's standard of living,
especially if she/he/them are primarily dependent on Social Security and Medicare.

As a side note, even if you strongly dislike the ACA, going to their website and
lookin' around might not be a bad idea.

It might more accurately answer some of the specific questions I've seen in this thread...
or it might further confirm one's fears and anxieties about this law. WHATEVER

Now the existential question; Have you hugged your Fat Lady Today?

RIDE SAFE

                   ..............................YAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWNNNNNNNN...........................

[big d]

I truly am glad to hear that you and your wife got health insurance. But let's not forget all tax paying citizens have been paying into the aca for the last three years. I would hope that someone would benefit.

[C908]

I would like to add I am a taxpayer every December to the tune of about $2200.00 so I feel like I pay my fair share of taxes. Another thing someone mentioned as a negative part of this program is doctors not accepting the plan. The first thing I did was check the three doctors we have been seeing for years and luckily they were all in network. I know this whole ACA thing has many problems but for now I am very thankful to get my wife and I signed up.   

[donaldcc]

  Happy for you C908 that this has been helpful for you.  I can understand the stress caused by no insurance and waiting for the calamity to happen.  A great country like ours should help out with these kind of problems. 

  These programs may have a lot of faults, but efforts should continue to be made to support and assist people like you. 

  We all want to avoid fraud in these programs, but to deny the truly deserving in those efforts is a mistake.

[Bighead]

  We all want to avoid fraud in these programs, but to deny the truly deserving in those efforts is a mistake.

I don't think anyone here or anywhere else wants to deny anyone healthcare it is just a mattter of how this was done. Sure am glad it has helped c908 out, but how many has it hurt?

[Paxton]

"... but how many has it hurt?"
==============================================

That is a good question, Bighead.

Before replying I counted in my mind how many actual people do I REALLY know who signed up with the ACA
and say they are satisfied. I counted 9 families.

I've seen people on TV programs saying that they've "been hurt by OBAMACARE."
I will not discount nor dispute their experiences.

My main point is that I PERSONALLY do not know anyone who has been hurt as the result of signing up for the ACA.

RHETORICAL QUESTION: I wonder, how many families do folks PERSONALLY know who have in fact
been hurt by signing up for the ACA. I am not challenging anyone to answer this question.
I am submitting it for your consideration.

I know that some of us have been PERSONALLY hurt by the ACA and I do not discount your feelings on the matter.

I am thinking that the pros and cons of the ACA differ from one state to another.
Some state Governors have chosen to not accept Fed money for Medicaid expansion.
Good, bad or indifferent, that too impacts the level of service that your state residents receive.

RIDE SAFE

[musclehead]

CA;
This is a good analysis that outlines the provisions of the law. Thank you for sharing it.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/obamacare-affect-health-insurance-rates-184314709.html

That older people have to pay higher premiums than younger people, that is the norm.
That has always been the same regarding insurance rates and it will continue to be so,
ACA or not.

If young people do not enroll in sufficient numbers then, as before the ACA,
rates will go up. That's good old Capitalism.
The rates are set by insurance companies. They are in the business of profiting
from their services. Making money for their shareholders, as they should.
If memory serves me, the insurance companies lobbied in favor of the ACA.

Suppose that young people could opt out of paying Social Security.
Where would the money come from to maintain a retired recipient's standard of living,
especially if she/he/them are primarily dependent on Social Security and Medicare.

As a side note, even if you strongly dislike the ACA, going to their website and
lookin' around might not be a bad idea.

It might more accurately answer some of the specific questions I've seen in this thread...
or it might further confirm one's fears and anxieties about this law. WHATEVER

Now the existential question; Have you hugged your Fat Lady Today?

RIDE SAFE

this has been designed for young people to opt out and pay the miniscule fine. why would someone young and healthy need catastrophic health insurance? what are the odds they will need major surgery and procedures? slim and none.
the law is designed for failure so the government can come in and rescue us all 

[G-Man]

For every winner there has to be alot of losers, that how wealth redistribution works.

[Skinhead]

RHETORICAL QUESTION: I wonder, how many families do folks PERSONALLY know who have in fact
been hurt by signing up for the ACA.I know that some of us have been PERSONALLY hurt by the ACA and I do not discount your feelings on the matter.

I know of several, I had a discussion with one of them last night and I hope he responds with details.  Another is a couple both recently retired (Obama supporters) and their premium and deductble went up, can't recall by how much.  The negative impact seems to be primarily the tax paying middle class, who were footing the bill before this Obamination was passed.  We'd have been further ahead to take the money thrown away on the ACA website, cost of hiring new IRS employees and other administrators who add nothing to actually providing health care, and advertising to get people to sign up, plus the cost of all the salaries of the scum suckers in Washington who wasted their time comming up with this mess, plus all the hidden prok and fees in the ACA, Put that money in a fund and reimburse the folks with out health care for their costs from that fund.

[Patrick]

This system was designed for and counting on young folks to pay more than their fair share. Of course, the opposite of convention. But, its not happening.
The vast majority will pay more as will the taxpayers, already happening.
If someones rates drop, rest assured the taxpayers are picking up the difference.