Obamacare Explained in One Sentence

[idamtnboy]

Did you notice the third good looking box is government owned and managed? It's a book drop for the local library!

It looks rather dull and unimaginative compared to the two on the right.

Or could it be that it just reflects a priority for function over flash!!

[rd1978]

On October 1, 2013 people that simply could not afford health care coverage for themselves or their families will finally be able to purchase affordable health care insurance. YES!!

You're kidding, right? You honestly believe that? It's not going to happen, and that's the real shame of this whole ACA debacle.

[ems]

On October 1, 2013 people that simply could not afford health care coverage for themselves or their families will finally be able to purchase affordable health care insurance. YES!!

You're kidding, right? You honestly believe that? It's not going to happen, and that's the real shame of this whole ACA debacle.

No, I'm not kidding. Do I think it will be done overnight... of course not. Do I think this is finally the beginning of healthcare for all... yes!

[Cutnstuf]

On October 1, 2013 people that simply could not afford health care coverage for themselves or their families will finally be able to purchase affordable health care insurance. YES!!

You're kidding, right? You honestly believe that? It's not going to happen, and that's the real shame of this whole ACA debacle.

No, I'm not kidding. Do I think it will be done overnight... of course not. Do I think this is finally the beginning of healthcare for all... yes!

I agree. It won't happen overnight, nothing that's worth anything, does. And it's about time we catch up with the rest of the civilized world.

[PST]

On October 1, 2013 people that simply could not afford health care coverage for themselves or their families will finally be able to purchase affordable health care insurance. YES!!

You're kidding, right? You honestly believe that? It's not going to happen, and that's the real shame of this whole ACA debacle.

It's not just pie in the sky any more. In states that are making an effort to make this work, contracts are already signed with insurers, web sites are up, and educational efforts have started. The best example is Covered Califoria. You can punch in your demographics and see an estimate of what a "silver" plan will cost. The carriers involved are the big players:

• Alameda Alliance for Health
• Anthem Blue Cross of California
• Blue Shield of California
• Chinese Community Health Plan
• Contra Costa Health Plan
• Health Net
• Kaiser Permanente
• L.A. Care Health Plan
• Molina Healthcare
• Sharp Health Plan
• Valley Health Plan
• Ventura County Health Care Plan
• Western Health Advantage

This is happening. It may not go so well in states trying to sabotage the effort.

[DreamStalker]

On October 1, 2013 people that simply could not afford health care coverage for themselves or their families will finally be able to purchase affordable health care insurance. YES!!

You're kidding, right? You honestly believe that? It's not going to happen, and that's the real shame of this whole ACA debacle.

It's not just pie in the sky any more. In states that are making an effort to make this work, contracts are already signed with insurers, web sites are up, and educational efforts have started. The best example is Covered Califoria. You can punch in your demographics and see an estimate of what a "silver" plan will cost. The carriers involved are the big players:

• Alameda Alliance for Health
• Anthem Blue Cross of California
• Blue Shield of California
• Chinese Community Health Plan
• Contra Costa Health Plan
• Health Net
• Kaiser Permanente
• L.A. Care Health Plan
• Molina Healthcare
• Sharp Health Plan
• Valley Health Plan
• Ventura County Health Care Plan
• Western Health Advantage

This is happening. It may not go so well in states trying to sabotage the effort.

I just tried the calculator at the link you provided and the cost came out to one Medi-Cal

What the hell is a Medi-Cal? Is that equal to one USD?

OK, the first number I entered was for an unemployed person, they get a Medi-Cal.

The next was for minimum wage worker who would basically have nothing to spare after paying for living expenses cuz unless they live with their parents, they won't have enough to pay for utilities or food or some other necessary expense and their monthly cost is $469 with a tax credit of $337 (but do they have to pay the full price and wait for the tax credit at then end of the year? ... that won't work.

[Cereal Killer]

I just put my parents' numbers in the calculator and it is $15,636. Wow! That is a lot more than they are paying for private insurance now!

I smell a rat. Their insurance company has told them to check back October 1 to get rates for 2014.

[CapnLoki]

The next was for minimum wage worker who would basically have nothing to spare after paying for living expenses cuz unless they live with their parents, they won't have enough to pay for utilities or food or some other necessary expense and their monthly cost is $469 with a tax credit of $337 (but do they have to pay the full price and wait for the tax credit at then end of the year? ... that won't work.

I believe the subsidy money goes directly to the insurance company. Thus, the monthly payment is $132. Also, the numbers assume the person takes the Silver option. With a lower cost plan, the subsidy is the same, so its possible the monthly could be as low as $50, or about the same as the worthless "catastrophic insurance" available in some states.

[CapnLoki]

I just put my parents' numbers in the calculator and it is $15,636. Wow! That is a lot more than they are paying for private insurance now!

I smell a rat. Their insurance company has told them to check back October 1 to get rates for 2014.

The calculator gives average rates for a Silver plan. On the MA exchange, which has been running for several years, there is a large spread between companies. And the Bronze plans aren't bad if you can handle a $2000 deductible with co-pays.

EDIT: I just checked the cost for a 64 y/o in MA- For a Silver Low plan the range is $674 to $938. As I said the range is large, so it pays to shop. Also, the Bronze plans started at $471, and since the subsidy is the same regardless of the plan, this could be a very inexpensive option for some people. Hopefully, where ever you are, the State has encouraged as many companies as possible to participate.

[DreamStalker]

The next was for minimum wage worker who would basically have nothing to spare after paying for living expenses cuz unless they live with their parents, they won't have enough to pay for utilities or food or some other necessary expense and their monthly cost is $469 with a tax credit of $337 (but do they have to pay the full price and wait for the tax credit at then end of the year? ... that won't work.

I believe the subsidy money goes directly to the insurance company. Thus, the monthly payment is $132. Also, the numbers assume the person takes the Silver option. With a lower cost plan, the subsidy is the same, so its possible the monthly could be as low as $50, or about the same as the worthless "catastrophic insurance" available in some states.

Doesn't really matter though ... it is all unsustainable and a worthless attempt to keep things the same.

[ChicagoGranny]

[ChicagoGranny]

Our own Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr has been sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison. One down and 534 to go!

[Cutnstuf]

Our own Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr has been sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison. One down and 534 to go!

Well, maybe not all 534, but certainly a good percentage of them.

[rd1978]

You may have noticed that it was made public earlier this week that the provision in Obamacare that caps out-of-pocket expenses has been postponed by one year. Now, the media would have you believe that this was done as a concession to the big and powerful insurance lobby. But to understand the true motivation behind the change, you need to think a little. . .

Q: What does a cap on out-of-pocket expenses mean? A: Any cost not borne by the insured would, necessarily, be borne by the insurer.

Q: What would the insurer need to do under those circumstances? A: Raise rates to compensate.

Q: Postponing this provision of Obamacare by one year means it goes into effect when? A: Jan 1 2015

Q: What will take place in Nov 2014, which would have been after the cap went into effect but with the postponement now, conveniently, comes before it?
A: The 2014 mid-term elections

Q: Is there really any doubt this postponement was a calculated political decision to prevent a huge increase in premiums in an election year? A: Of course not!

[49er]

And of course, conservative politicians always do everything for the good of the people right?

My take on the situation is Obama is acting like the guy at the car dealer who offers to buy a car over the sticker price. I mean really, insurance companies need another year to comply? They haven't been able to figure out with all the time they have had and their million dollar fortunes?

Actually RD1978, you should be glad these waivers keep popping up. My fear is if this keeps happening, Democrats and Independents leaning in that direction are going to stay away from the polls next year out of disillusionment which would give all of Congress to Republicans making it possibly easier to repeal Obamacare.

49er

You may have noticed that it was made public earlier this week that the provision in Obamacare that caps out-of-pocket expenses has been postponed by one year. Now, the media would have you believe that this was done as a concession to the big and powerful insurance lobby. But to understand the true motivation behind the change, you need to think a little. . .

Q: What does a cap on out-of-pocket expenses mean? A: Any cost not borne by the insured would, necessarily, be borne by the insurer.

Q: What would the insurer need to do under those circumstances? A: Raise rates to compensate.

Q: Postponing this provision of Obamacare by one year means it goes into effect when? A: Jan 1 2015

Q: What will take place in Nov 2014, which would have been after the cap went into effect but with the postponement now, conveniently, comes before it?
A: The 2014 mid-term elections

Q: Is there really any doubt this postponement was a calculated political decision to prevent a huge increase in premiums in an election year? A: Of course not!