Obamacare has got to go

[The Bandstand]

Way to expensive...

[madbrian]

To be replaced by Grammarcare. 

[darquegk]

Or Wonka Care: "YOU GET: NOTHING!"

[John Adams]

The current model for healthcare fees will never allow for affordable healthcare in the US. The current methods for charges/billing are outrageously profitable, and greed always trumps rationality in the US.

Bitter Pill

[sabrelady]

yes.

[sabrelady]

^^^

sabrelady said: "yes.

 

Need an Epipen(TM)?

http://www.businessinsider.com/epipen-cost-increase-healthcare-insurance-2016-8

 

 

 

"

 

[fflagg]

Healthcare should be free! It'll never happen. Take what you can get. 

[SmoothLover]

I think a lot of people were not smart enough to get the best out of what it has to offer. I do wish people would comment through personal experience rather than broad statements. It makes it hard to understand their frustrations.. 

[South Florida]

The ACA didn't go far enough, the insurance companies need to be put out of business.  It will ultimately be a failure, but a nice try.

[Liza's Headband]

South Florida said: "The ACA didn't go far enough, the insurance companies need to be put out of business.  It will ultimately be a failure, but a nice try.

 

"

 

Enjoy the eight-month wait time to see your GP

[Mister Matt]

Enjoy those Fox News conservative scare tactics.

[Petralicious]

South Florida said: "The ACA didn't go far enough, the insurance companies need to be put out of business.  It will ultimately be a failure, but a nice try.

 

" Yes, lets put businesses and industries out of business, or nationalize them.  Venezuela should be our goal. 

 

[javero]

I feel really conflicted about the ACA.  Arguably, it has done little to help the cause of the self-employed or entrepreneurs trying to transition from costly Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) coverage to an ACA-compliant plan.  Yet, there are numerous success stories, including a few here at bww, of individuals currently insured thanks solely to the ACA.  They were not fortunate enough to have employer-provided health insurance beforehand due to a number of reasons and perhaps were not eligible for Medicaid or CHIP if they have minor children.

On a slightly different tangent, I still don't know how I'd be able to afford to launch a startup here in the state of Maryland and provide coverage for 5 to 8 employees.  As an exercise, I encourage each of you to work up how much the ACA coverage would cost you to do so in your present neighborhood at prevailing labor rates.  Details on the SHOP Marketplace (Small Business Health Options Program) area available here and here.  I suggest that you owe it to yourself and to your fellow Americans to complete the exercise before further calls to abolish insurance companies who happen to carry a bunch of folks on their payrolls.  I don't believe that class and labor warfare are the answer here.

[brdlwyr]

From my perspective as a small employer which provides coverage - the ACA policies are slightly cheaper than our previous group policies.  However, all are too expensive.  Personally we will be signing up to my wife's employer's group plan (500 employees) and we will save about $1000/month.  

[Liza's Headband]

Mister Matt said: "Enjoy those Fox News conservative scare tactics."

 

As an independent Libertarian, I don't follow Fox News or any other biased media garbage. I watch the BBC and CBC: Canadian patients wait longest to see family doctors

[javero]

Thank you so much for sharing, brdlwyr!  I'm happy that the ACA worked out for your firm, at least for awhile by your own admission.

It's heartening that Americans now at least appear open to an honest discussion about the ACA.  It just doesn't seem to be working across the board.  The US Chamber of Commerce recently presented findings revealing that one in five NY manufacturers cut staff because of the law.  Details here.  I've always thought of the ACA as a "kernel" of an overhaul. Presently, it doesn't appear sustainable as-is. We all recall certain states opting out to avoid Medicaid expansion.  I have no idea how residents and small business owners in those states are faring.

[SmoothLover]

It has been a godsend in NY state for those who make under 23,000. I used to pay 1000 month on an annual income of 24,000. Now I have money for food and clothing.

[Mister Matt]

As an independent Libertarian, I don't follow Fox News or any other biased media garbage. I watch the BBC and CBC

I just speak to friends in countries who use these systems (England, Scotland, Germany, Spain and Canada) and none of them had anything close to those wait times, but as your article indicates, they don't all adhere to the worst case scenario you perpetuate.  When I needed to see a doctor in a very small town in Germany (I studied at a German university), I was granted an appointment the same day, just as my German roommates told me they had experienced.

Regardless, the American government would NEVER consider a national healthcare system, so the point is moot.  The government has never truly been interested in the health care of its citizens.  

[javero]

Obamacare Marketplaces Are in Trouble. What Can Be Done? 

By REED ABELSON and MARGOT SANGER-KATZ (NY Times)

 

[sabrelady]

Liza's Headband said: "Mister Matt said: "Enjoy those Fox News conservative scare tactics."

 

As an independent Libertarian, I don't follow Fox News or any other biased media garbage. I watch the BBC and CBC: Canadian patients wait longest to see family doctors"

 

I burst out laughing  at this cos I am seeing my Family Practitioner tomorrow  ( asked for appt last Fri)

I will say there is a small kernel of truth. Rural patients  can have some difficulty getting appts but that's  not unusual almost anywhere. 

The wait times have come down also for knee/hip replacements as the government prioritizes these. 

Finally, pts who have an oncology  diagnosis MUST be seen by a surgical, medical and radiation oncologist's  within 2 weeks of diagnosis, again government  required prioritizing. 

 

[devonian.t]

Not as expensive as an unjustified Middle East invasion though

[Liza's Headband]

devonian.t said: "Not as expensive as an unjustified Middle East invasion though

 

"

 

Preach! 

[Mr Roxy]

My wife had it and paid thru the nose. She hated it and was glad to turn 65 so she could go on Medicare which she is quite happy with

[The Bandstand]

Liza, you're a libertarian but voted for Sanders? LOL

But what we really need is to open up Medicare for the public. A public option to compete alongside greedy private insurance companies is exactly what we need to drive down costs. It is also the easiest way to ensure that everyone in this country can get health care, and will bring us to universal health care which is exactly what HRC is advocating for.  I agree with petralicious also. We are not Venezuela. Don't do away with private insurance. A single payer would be very bad for this country.

[javero]

"But what we really need is to open up Medicare for the public."

How would it be funded?  It's my understanding that Medicare is primary funded via payroll taxes paid by employers and workers most of whom are entitled to coverage when they reach the age of 65.  And with the remaining baby boomers quickly approaching retirement, the enrollee-to-payer ratio doesn't look that promising.

What will ACA 2.0 look like?   

[The Bandstand]

businesses will pay the government, or the people will pay the government for their health care, just like they do the insurance companies. The ACA will still be there, but they will just have another option (Medicare) in the exchanges under obamacare.