Meet Butch Matthews, A Republican Who Came To Love Obamacare After Realizing It Will Save Him $13,000

[mota bhai 2,675]

61-year-old Butch Matthews, left, with his wife Debbie

Butch Matthews is a 61-year-old former small business owner from Little Rock, Arkansas who used to wake up every morning at 4 A.M. to deliver canned beverages to retailers before retiring in 2010. A lifelong Republican, he was heavily skeptical of the Affordable Care Act when it first passed. “I did not think that Obamacare was going to be a good plan, I did not think that it was going to help me at all,” he told ThinkProgress over the phone.

But after doing a little research, Matthews eventually realized how much the law could help him. And on Tuesday, his local Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) provider confirmed that he would be able to buy a far better plan than his current policy while saving at least $13,000 per year through Arkansas’ Obamacare marketplace.

Matthews was self-employed between 1997 and 2010, meaning he had to purchase his own plan on the individual market. He chose a Blue Cross Blue Shield plan for himself and his wife that charged a $250 per month premium and had a $2,000 deductible. But the price of that policy kept rising even as it covered fewer of his costs, eventually devolving into his current rate of $1,069 per month with a $10,000 deductible.

...
“I went to Blue Cross Blue Shield, and they don’t even sell that plan anymore, but I could not change it to anything else. So I was locked in with it.”

That all changed once Obamacare’s state-level marketplaces opened to the public on Tuesday. Matthews knew that, at his income level, the law would help him pay for insurance. But even he might not have expected just how good of a deal he could get: his new coverage will cost him absolutely nothing in monthly premiums after factoring in federal subsidies, and has a deductible of $750.

“Which is a lot different from $10,000,” he pointed out, laughing.

...

So what would Matthews tell other Americans who are skeptical about Obamacare? “I would tell them to learn more about it before they start talking bad about it,” he noted. “Be more informed, get more information, take your time and study and not just go by just what you hear on one side or the other. Actually check the facts on it.”

“I still am a very strong Republican, but this… I’m so happy that this came along,” he continued. “Our home is paid for, vehicle’s paid for, this is our expense that we have. We have more expense on medical care than everything else put together, so this is going to be a great help for us.”

http://thinkprogress.org/health/2013/10/02/2721501/butch-matthews-obamacare-convert/

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Oops. The facts on the ground don't support the fearmongering the GOP and it's propaganda organs have been engaged in over the last 4 years? Who would have thought that they're capable of lying to their own constituents?

[JohnR! 5,495]

Mr Matthews may expect a lot of hate mail...

[Danno 1,228]

61-year-old Butch Matthews, left, with his wife Debbie

That all changed once Obamacare’s state-level marketplaces opened to the public on Tuesday. Matthews knew that, at his income level, the law would help him pay for insurance. But even he might not have expected just how good of a deal he could get: his new coverage will cost him absolutely nothing in monthly premiums after factoring in federal subsidies, and has a deductible of $750.

“Which is a lot different from $10,000,” he pointed out, laughing.

...

So what would Matthews tell other Americans who are skeptical about Obamacare? “I would tell them to learn more about it before they start talking bad about it,” he noted. “Be more informed, get more information, take your time and study and not just go by just what you hear on one side or the other. Actually check the facts on it.”

“I still am a very strong Republican, but this… I’m so happy that this came along,” he continued. “Our home is paid for, vehicle’s paid for, this is our expense that we have. We have more expense on medical care than everything else put together, so this is going to be a great help for us.”

http://thinkprogress.org/health/2013/10/02/2721501/butch-matthews-obamacare-convert/

Remember the beauty and expectation of every state program is that each of us "Will get more out of it than we put in."

It's not the way to run a solvent country but it is a way to get votes.

[JohnR! 5,495]

Remember the beauty and expectation of every state program is that each of us "Will get more out of it than we put in."

It's not the way to run a solvent country but it is a way to get votes.

Perhaps that is your expectation, since you are the first to bring it up. Incidentally the quotes was unwarranted when one is paraphrasing or quoting oneself.

[Danno 1,228]

Perhaps that is your expectation, since you are the first to bring it up. Incidentally the quotes was unwarranted when one is paraphrasing or quoting oneself.

Don't make me laugh, what percentage of supporters of Obama care are expecting to pay more, what would you guess that number is?

[JohnR! 5,495]

Don't make me laugh, what percentage of supporters of Obama care are expecting to pay more, what would you guess that number is?

So far you are the only one supporting the notion, therefore, based on evidence, I would have to guess 'zero', unless you are a supporter of the POTUS.

And yes, in another thread some posters, all non-supporters of the ACA, are advocating the notion of going to the ER when they get sick so they don't have to pay for insurance and stick the bill to the rest of us who do.

Ironic, isn't it, that being a deadbeat is the conservative notion of personal responsibility.

Edited October 3, 2013 by Gegel

[Danno 1,228]

So far you are the only one supporting the notion, therefore, based on evidence, I would have to guess 'zero', unless you are a supporter of the POTUS.

Another example of how out of touch you are to believe people are all giddy about paying more and getting less.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Ironic, isn't it, that being a deadbeat is the conservative notion of personal responsibility.

Coincidentally, the current deadbeats are those that will end up paying more under the ACA. And they want me to support their quest to be able to continue to be deadbeats and have me pick up their bills. Laughable.

[Darnell 8,479]

Welcome Aboard, Butch ! See? The Koolaid not contain the poisons we thought it would.

Excelsior !

[Danno 1,228]

"Thanks Obama, even Before our Social Security kicks in we can start living off other tax payers."

[RGinWA 816]

Can we please stop posting positive stories on ACA.

It's depressing all the Republican's.

[JohnR! 5,495]

Another example of how out of touch you are to believe people are all giddy about paying more and getting less.

I was not suggesting that anyone is giddy. I was stating that not everyone share your dishonest persuasion on this matter. Is is quite simple, really.

[Crashed~N2~Me 970]

"his new coverage will cost him absolutely nothing in monthly premiums after factoring in federal subsidies"

You're welcome.

I'm very happy to know I'm helping to pick up his tab.

I may have to twist a cap & celebrate with a few glasses of Mac on Ice. It's time to invite a few peers and have an "Affordable" party.

Edited October 3, 2013 by Crashed~N2~Me

[Crashed~N2~Me 970]

Oops. The facts on the ground don't support the fearmongering the GOP and it's propaganda organs have been engaged in over the last 4 years? Who would have thought that they're capable of lying to their own constituents?

I was told my premiums would go up - they did. I was told I would help pay the cost for others - I am. I was told my taxes would increase - they did. I was told people like this guy would get a free ride - He is. I was told I would have to reduce coverage to cut premiums - I do.

I think that word - "constituents" needs further qualification.

Edited October 3, 2013 by Crashed~N2~Me