uneasy, lonely, awkward figure," We’ve also learned that he has no desire or capacity to lead the world.

[Amica Nostra 4,803]

55 minutes ago, yuna628 said:

Most people? Perhaps. Perhaps not. But a great deal of people? Absolutely. Come to some states on the east coast and we're all looking at the same hefty premium. Again BCBS is asking for a 52% premium increase as they continue to hold a virtual monopoly in several states - that is on top of a monthly bill that for most people totals in upwards of $700. A bill so expensive that it's entirely prohibitive in actually using it. I've dived deep into this subject ever since politicians and insurance companies got behind the desk to flesh it all out behind our backs - and there is one thing I've always said: the affordable in the affordable care act, is a misnomer. The affordability is only for the few, the lucky that are eligible, and certainly not the majority. However the aspects that have affected the majority are the things that everyone typically agrees on and likes - such as not being denied and extra coverage. These things are the real good things about the bill. I also can't really say that the Dems aren't the only persons interested in reforming healthcare - the bones of the ACA were a mishmash of the Clinton years, of which many republicans contributed ideas (when republicans actually did contribute ideas) to it. But gone are those days when people had spines... intentionally forgotten. I am thankful we only have a few more months to worry about insurance companies draining us dry, as we're moving on to really great workplace coverage. And it's stunning actually the comparison to the poor plan we're paying for now at a loss of so much money compared to the new excellent plan that will cost us very little.

The bones od the aca is Romney care which is in fact a "conservative" and market approach to reform.

 

 

[eieio 1,594]

8 hours ago, ccneat said:

So what was the average increase in all premiums since the ACA was put into place? And how does that compare to prior periods? Correlation is not causation...but we need to get the data first. 

Rush said the average premium increase has been 200%. He is right over 98% of the time.

 Another huge issue with the aca are the huge deductibles. 

Edited July 11, 2017 by eieio

[yuna628 9,676]

8 hours ago, ccneat said:

The bones od the aca is Romney care which is in fact a "conservative" and market approach to reform.

 

 

And yet Romneycare was typically called a success. I suppose we'd have to look at if it also caused premiums to spike, had high deductibles, and overall discouraged individuals to seek healthcare because they had spent all their money on premiums. Another odd point is that while atypical employer based plans are more expensive compared to private or exchange plans, premium rates for these plans not only grow at a slower rate, but grow at a historically low rate even when they jump. In 2010 they increased by 3% and 2011 by 9% and then rose by lower percentages. KFF estimated that these larger jumps were not caused by the ACA mandating added benefits either - but rather rising healthcare costs in general. The difference between better quality of coverage in employer plans and exchange plans seem staggering to me. This year dramatic increases in premiums are due to market bleeding, as insurers continue to pull out there is less participation and overall monopolies that aren't sustainable. KFF says of rising premiums on the exchange:

Quote

Across these major cities in 2016, the second-lowest silver premium for a 40-year-old non-smoker ranged from $186 per month in Albuquerque, NM to $719 in Anchorage, AK, before accounting for the tax credit that most enrollees in this market receive. In 2017, the second-lowest silver premium for a 40-year-old non-smoker living in these cities will range from $229 in Louisville, KY and Cleveland, OH to $904 in Anchorage, AK, before accounting for the tax credit.

Of these major cities, the places with the largest increases in the unsubsidized second-lowest silver plan were Phoenix, AZ (up 145% from $207 to $507 per month for a 40-year-old non-smoker), Birmingham, AL (up 71% from $288 to $492) and Oklahoma City, OK (up 67% from $295 to $493). Meanwhile, unsubsidized premiums for the second-lowest silver premiums will decrease in Indianapolis, IN (down -4% from $298 to $286 for a 40-year-old non-smoker), Cleveland, OH (down -2% from $234 to $229), Boston, MA (down -1% from $250 to $247), and Providence, RI (down -1% from $263 to $261) and increase just 1% in Little Rock, AR (from $310 to $314).

http://www.kff.org/health-reform/issue-brief/2017-premium-changes-and-insurer-participation-in-the-affordable-care-acts-health-insurance-marketplaces/

 

Keep in mind that 'silver plans' they mention are sometimes the only choice offered now. Bronze plans were dumped by many insurers in the 2016-2017 season. And while the subsidy is great, not everyone is able to qualify. I certainly know my husband wouldn't if we were going to keep our old plan. What we certainly know is that the more companies that participate drives down costs.. that's before you start even working on overall healthcare costs, of course to get costs down to as low as Rand Paul would like it, we'd need hundreds or thousands to participate which is a pipe dream.

[Amica Nostra 4,803]

1 hour ago, eieio said:

Rush said the average premium increase has been 200%. He is right over 98% of the time.

 Another huge issue with the aca are the huge deductibles. 

Rush Limbaugh is a congenital liar.

[GrifEtSabine 4]

On 7/10/2017 at 4:28 PM, jg121783 said:

This is not an accurate comparison. When someone buys a house they take ownership of it and responsibility for upkeep. How can you say republicans took "ownership" of Obamacare when they didn't vote for it, didn't endorse it and didn't agree to "maintain" it. The Obamacare situation is more like democrats building a rickety house then abandoning it and saying their neighbor (republicans) is responsible for its upkeep. By the way Obamacare took years to pass and it could take years to repeal and fix the damage done by it.

 

It is not a fallacy. The numbers show that statement to be completely true. Furthermore I have personally seen my premiums triple and the quality of the plan go down at the same time. I even had a couple years when I couldn't afford the premium and paying several thousand dollars in tax penalties was a better option for me. I have not talked to a single person who has not seen their premiums at least double along with higher deductibles and less coverage. As I have said before the amount of people who have health insurance is not an accurate measurement of the success or failure of health care legislation. Cost and quality of care are more important metrics that are ignored by both sides.

 

As an example my wife is pregnant and we paid $300 (out of our own pocket because we haven't met our deductable yet) to see a specialist for no more than 5 minutes and answer a few questions for him. That was after the discount the insurance company got us. One time I got something in my eye and they billed me $400 just to read an eye chart. Health care costs are out of control and it is that way because everyone is worried about how many people have insurance regardless of how expensive it is or how high the deductibles are and no one seems to care about doctors and hospitals price gouging everything you could imagine.

Is your wife and child healthy?