>>>>* So help me? I took the time this morning to listen to our President as he attempts to deal with what is now a very real, yet CREATED crisis in health insurance.

(Note it is called health care, yet it is not that, it is health INSURANCE and mostly about who pays and how much, rather than anything else.)

Anyway, insurance companies are going to be "allowed" to offer the earlier "substandard" policies.

But. Those are already cancelled, at least many of them have been. Based on a LAW pssed by Congress, which means to change it, the President cannot just decide to, that has to go right back to Congress. (maybe, are we even sure any more that Congress has a say in anything?)

Insurance companies have spent a lot of money figuring out rates based on the law. Now the law will change (but just for ONE year?) What in the world? At what point are these businesses, which are PRIVATE businesses, by the way, going to just give up?

Government can run at a loss, it can just go print money. Private business cannot run at a loss, not for very long.

How are they supposed to deal with just ONE year? Assuming the idea even gets past Congress? And get it all done in SIX weeks???

I do believe Obama has managed to make what was a close to intolerable situation...WORSE!....*EB

The current "crisis" with Obamacare brings to mind a comarision - at least the Titanic got out of port and did not make a u-turn for a second try at the ice burg.

Pelosi (We have to pass it to see what is in it) still claims you can keep your policy. Even Obama concedes you won't keep your policy.

And, exchange policies are supposed to be subsidized and cheaper.

Who is paying for the "subsidized" payment???

Apparently, the Koch Brothers aren't interested. Jerks.

Koch Brothers spin <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

Did you not know it is in bad form to mention Koch brothers linked to or around political issues? It is a good way to get called a evil Liberal. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/evil.gif" alt="" />

>>>*I just found out that the insurance company I use for a portion of my own medical coverage suggests paying my Doctor $40 per office visit?

An appointment averages 30 minutes, so that is $80 per hour, or a bit less than I would charge to remachine and rebuild a Chevy engine?

No wonder Doctors are opting out.......*EB

And the stories are starting to emerge....

My lady friend lives in an apartment complex. She has a neighbor that is receiving HUD assistance to pay the rent. Seems the lady has no car and rides a bicycle (she is in early 60s with physical problems and on Social Security). She took a tumble off her bicycle and lady friend and I took her to emergency. 3 and a half hours later we picked her up. She had a bill for just under $500 and a prescription. Got the prescription filled, she had to pay $18 for 6 pain killers.

The kicker, the lady is on MediCal (California version of MediCare for low income). She was complaining about she cost as previous prescriptions were no charge. And, she is forced to find a new doctor as her previous doctor is not part of her new Affordable Care Act network.


Story #2.....

Lady friend has been covering her daughter and grandchildren under her medical ($728 per month). Due to life changes (daughter reaching 25 and marriage in the future), they have been dropped. Her premium has not reduced. She did receive notice that under COBRA the grand kids could roll over to individual policies at $528 per month per child.

Welcome to the destruction of the " middle class"....

I have never had health insurance, but will be forced into it in a few months due to the penalty being more. For the ridiculous deductibles plans I priced earlier at 89.00/month will now be 177.00. These plans, especially the Bronze are essentially catastrophic care, which I am ok with, but for double the premiums. I mean 6,500.00, even that would take a very serious life event.