Obamacare cost...

[Omaha 680]

There are two issues with heathcare in the US - accessibility and cost. Quite honestly the US does both quite poorly, particularly relative to comparable nations. We spend about double the OECD average with little to no added value by most measures.

Obamacare does address accessibility but it doesn't really address cost.

Anyone with an understanding of basic economics realizes this is the worst combination they could have arrived at. Literally, doing nothing would have been better.

[VirginiaCougar]

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Oh, Obamacare is flawed. But it is worth noting that fact checking your chart shows many, many inaccuracies sold for ideological purposes but not inherently valid. Its a big part of the problem, we can't have the serious conversation about health care costs as narrow ideologies and partisan politics both push parties farther and farther apart and away from necessary debate and compromises.

http://www.cpt12.org/news/index.php/...h-care-repeal/

[snowcat]

There are strong incentives for businesses to stay under 50 full time (or equivalent) employees. For many (most) companies it will also be likely less expensive to just drop coverage all together and pay the penalties. If the goal was to increase coverage, it looks like this will be a failure.

http://www.nfib.com/Portals/0/PDF/Al...0Provision.pdf

[Eddie]

Anyone with an understanding of basic economics realizes this is the worst combination they could have arrived at. Literally, doing nothing would have been better.

This is the problem - right here.

I don't think accessibility has been addressed - people are getting dropped right and left. Companies hiring plans have changed so that they are focused on p/t employees who don't require coverage. In the end, less people have coverage than had it in the past.

And costs have been driven so high that some who do have it now won't be able to afford it in the future. Right now my employer pays most of my insurance costs. But I also know that there is very little wiggle room for future costs - so as they increase those increases will be passed along to me. It is what it is - we are a small non-profit on a government contract that isn't going to increase due to the current economy. So the choice is to fire people, drop coverage, or pass along costs to employees. Either way - this is going to harm the employees much more than it helps them.

[VirginiaCougar]

There are strong incentives for businesses to stay under 50 full time (or equivalent) employees. For many (most) companies it will also be likely less expensive to just drop coverage all together and pay the penalties. If the goal was to increase coverage, it looks like this will be a failure.

http://www.nfib.com/Portals/0/PDF/Al...0Provision.pdf

Also true, but coverage will still exist/expand due to the state exchanges or Fed program. But yes, that is another problem with the flawed bill. I found it ironic for that group to note the free-riding.

[snowcat]

Oh, Obamacare is flawed. But it is worth noting that fact checking your chart shows many, many inaccuracies sold for ideological purposes but not inherently valid. Its a big part of the problem, we can't have the serious conversation about health care costs as narrow ideologies and partisan politics both push parties farther and farther apart and away from necessary debate and compromises.

http://www.cpt12.org/news/index.php/...h-care-repeal/

I read the article and don't see where the show inaccuracies in the chart. I see other claims being fact checked though.

Explosion of bureaucracy: Tipton said the law would create 24-28 new agencies. His staff cited an article that estimates there will be 180 new programs, boards, panels, etc.

Gardner cited a similar concern for bureaucracy, holding up a complex organization chart with elaborate lines and ovals prepared by the Republicans.

Here’s the chart and the Republicans’ interpretation of newly created government bureaucracy. (Also here)

[Goatnapper'96]

Many companies are using the perception of "Obamacare" to transfer larger portions of annual increases to employees - to get that liability off their books and have employees carry a greater percentage of the costs.

My company partially self insures except for one small company we own that we maintained our insurance through a large rural telecom coop. The coop premiums skyrocketed this year. Your point that insurance premiums have been going up for quite sometime illuminates some of the deep problems we have with our health care system, but you lose credibility as soon as you start to argue that components of the health bill are not the primary independent variable in the much-larger-than-normal-which-has-been-much-higher-than-inflation-for-sometime health insurance premiums. Fundamentally, when you force insurers to take everyone and not be able to individually price the premium based upon individual risk while simultaneously incenting gaming of the system by the young and healthy the result will always be very large increases in premiums for those buying insurance. It is a mathematical financial neccesity. The honest answer should be from those supporting Obamacare (which I don't think you are doing entirely) "we know premiums are skyrocketing but this is a social cost we all have to share in to ensure everyone is insured and has access to healthcare."

[Shaka]

I work for a large company and my rates went way up this year. Biggest single year increase I have ever seen.

Same

[Color Me Badd Fan]

I zoned out on Virginia Cougar once he said that Obama and the Democrats were seeking out Republican input on healthcare back in 2009-2010. What a compete load of shit. When did Obama ever countenance Republicans prior to the 2010 midterms?

[CardiacCoug]

Here's an example of what needs to be fixed in US healthcare:

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/56...alker.html.csp

The Coxes have incurred costly medical expenses, almost $100,000, and friends have set up a fund at America First Credit Union under the name KayLee Cox.

So not only does this family have a horrible tragedy with their little girl but they have to worry about being bankrupted, too. Families and neighbors who may not have much money feel obligated to scrape together money to give to a corporation with I think around $5 billion in annual revenue (Intermountain).

[Uncle Ted]

Deseret Industries cuts Employees hours to avoid Obamacare "serve as many people as possible."

Deseret Industries, a Mormon church-owned non-profit in Salt Lake City, has slashed its workers' hours to fewer than 30, circumventing a provision under the Affordable Care Act that requires companies to provide health insurance to full time employees.


Under the Affordable Care Act, companies with more than 50 employees must offer health insurance to employees who work 30 or more hours a week.


The company, according to the The Salt Lake Tribune, serves as a one year training program intended to help people fleeing from war-torn countries to learn the skills necessary for employment. Workers are paid a beginning wage of $7.25 per hour, but are not provided health insurance.


A spokesperson for the LDS Church told the paper that the company cut the hours in order to "serve as many people as possible."


The Affordable Care Act goes into effect January 1.

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.co...hours-to-avoid

[VirginiaCougar]

Deseret Industries cuts Employees hours to avoid Obamacare "serve as many people as possible."



http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.co...hours-to-avoid

Yes, the "opportunity" for many more folks, particularly immigrants to not have health insurance of any type. Who would want health insurance or health care access anyway, isn't that a form of tyranny..... ?

[il Padrino Ute]

Yes, the "opportunity" for many more folks, particularly immigrants to not have health insurance of any type. Who would want health insurance or health care access anyway, isn't that a form of tyranny..... ?

You're not very good at snark, are you?

[VirginiaCougar]

You're not very good at snark, are you?

Well, it generated a response - didn't it? While it certainly could have been better, I guess it was sufficiently snarky.

[The_Douger]

The whole fine thing is what bugs me. There needs to be some incentive that makes paying the fine worse than actually getting coverage.