Obamacare a Smashing Success

[calamity]

But you won't hear too many people spreading the news. That's just the nature of the beast here in the land of the free.

As you know by now, almost all the news about the implementation of the Affordable Care Act has been positive. Millions of people now have coverage. The rate of uninsured is at its lowest in decades. More insurers are lining up to participate in the exchanges. Many conservative states are coming around to expanding Medicaid and insuring their poorer citizens. There’s been no premium “death spiral.” Growth in premiums and overall spending are slowing significantly. All terrific.

Yet as we’ve discussed before, President Obama doesn’t get much credit for these developments, in large part because they’re disconnected in the public mind from this vaguely-understood thing called “Obamacare” that folks keep hearing is destroying our freedom.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs...h-care-obama-cant-win-no-matter-what-happens/

 

[Beaudreaux]

deleted due to incompatible link language being stopped by filter

 

[calamity]

When I read this "almost all the news about the implementation of the Affordable Care Act has been positive" I had to stop reading die to my :bs: meter sounding a loud alarm and a flashing its red light in my eyes.

Here, take a look...

:roll:

 

[Beaudreaux]

But you won't hear too many people spreading the news. That's just the nature of the beast here in the land of the free.

When I read this - "almost all the news about the implementation of the Affordable Care Act has been positive" - I had to stop reading due to my :bs meter sounding a loud alarm and flashing its red light in my eyes.

 

[ttwtt78640]

By gosh, you are right - more folks now have medical care insurance! Who could have predicted that by making something mandatory, heavily regulated at the federal level, and either giving it away or heavily subsidizing it would actually increase its use?

The other beauty of implementing things in phases, well in advance of their (still delayed?) start dates, is that the "shock wave" (public/market reaction) precedes the implementation date. This allows the bulk of the "shock wave" to occur before the new policy "starts" making the new policy (partial) actual implementation seem a bit less shocking.

 

[calamity]

By gosh, you are right - more folks now have medical care insurance! Who could have predicted that by making something mandatory, heavily regulated at the federal level, and either giving it away or heavily subsidizing it would actually increase its use?

The other beauty of implementing things in phases, well in advance of their (still delayed?) start dates, is that the "shock wave" (public/market reaction) precedes the implementation date. This allows the bulk of the "shock wave" to occur before the new policy "starts" making the new policy (partial) actual implementation seem a bit less shocking.

Yeah. Much better would have been if all those millions were still without insurance. :roll:

 

[lifeisshort]

Yeah. Much better would have been if all those millions were still without insurance. :roll:

Not so much.



CURL: We overhauled U.S. health care — to insure 4.2 ...



www.washingtontimes.com/.../curl-we-completel...





The Washington Times





Mar 16, 2014 - Still, the obvious question is: We changed the $2.7 trillion health care ... will still have left 31 million people without health insurance while ...


Obamacare leaves millions uninsured. Here's who they are ...



www.washingtonpost.com/.../obamacare-leaves-mil...





The Washington Post





Jun 7, 2013 - We talk less about the millions who will remain uninsured. ... Still, some might not find it affordable, and the health care law does allow for an ...


The Coverage Gap: Uninsured Poor Adults in States that Do ...



kff.org/health.../the-coverage-gap-uninsured-p...








Kaiser Family Foundation





Apr 2, 2014 - In states that do not expand Medicaid, nearly five million poor uninsured ... coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplaces—will facilitate ...


PBS- Healthcare Crisis: The Uninsured



PBS- Healthcare Crisis: The Uninsured








PBS





About 44 million people in this country have no health insurance, and another 38 million have inadequate health insurance. This means that nearly one-third of ...


Not 'Everybody' Is Covered Under ACA - FactCheck.org



Not ‘Everybody’ Is Covered Under ACA

 

[sangha]

By gosh, you are right - more folks now have medical care insurance! Who could have predicted that by making something mandatory, heavily regulated at the federal level, and either giving it away or heavily subsidizing it would actually increase its use?

I can tell you who couldn't predict it - the right wingers

And it's not the only thing they couldn't predict. They couldn't predict that Medicare per capita spending would go down, that insurers would rush to join the exchanges, that the web site would be fixed and that their republican representatives would be twisting themselves in knots trying to figure out how to join the expansion of Medicaid without looking like complete jackasses

 

[ttwtt78640]

Yeah. Much better would have been if all those millions were still without insurance. :roll:

Equating "having access" to something and making it either free or heavily subsidized based on income are not the same thing. Everyone could have a Cadillac ATS, eat at five star restaurants, enjoy a private school education and live in a luxury condo too if only their personal cost were limited to zero or X% of their income.

 

[sangha]

Not so much.



CURL: We overhauled U.S. health care — to insure 4.2 ...



Page Not Found - Debate Politics Forums...





The Washington Times





Mar 16, 2014 - Still, the obvious question is: We changed the $2.7 trillion health care ... will still have left 31 million people without health insurance while ...


Obamacare leaves millions uninsured. Here's who they are ...



Page Not Found - Debate Politics Forums...





The Washington Post





Jun 7, 2013 - We talk less about the millions who will remain uninsured. ... Still, some might not find it affordable, and the health care law does allow for an ...


The Coverage Gap: Uninsured Poor Adults in States that Do ...



kff.org/health.../the-coverage-gap-uninsured-p...








Kaiser Family Foundation





Apr 2, 2014 - In states that do not expand Medicaid, nearly five million poor uninsured ... coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplaces—will facilitate ...


PBS- Healthcare Crisis: The Uninsured



PBS- Healthcare Crisis: The Uninsured








PBS





About 44 million people in this country have no health insurance, and another 38 million have inadequate health insurance. This means that nearly one-third of ...


Not 'Everybody' Is Covered Under ACA - FactCheck.org



Not ‘Everybody’ Is Covered Under ACA

Do you have any current info on the enrolled, or are you incapable of recognizing that your #'s are outdated

Here's some more recent #'s

Almost 29 million cocvered under ACA

 

[lifeisshort]

Do you have any current info on the enrolled, or are you incapable of recognizing that your #'s are outdated

Here's some more recent #'s

Almost 29 million cocvered under ACA

One day ago. Current enough?

This week’s double-barreled release of government statistics on health insurance coverage leaves us with only one question: How many Americans are insured because of Obamacare? Remarkably, the two highly-regarded government surveys released this week do not even agree whether the number of uninsured increased or decreased. The survey that received a great deal of attention said there were 3.8 million fewer uninsured. The other, which was hardly noticed, found that there were 1.3 million more uninsured.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported preliminary results on the expansion of health insurance coverage. Its National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) interviewed 27,000 people in the first three months of this year. The survey estimates that the number of uninsured dropped by 3.8 million since 2013. That represents a 1.3 percentage point decline in the uninsured rate, from 14.4 percent last year to 13.1 percent early this year.

Estimates from an even larger survey of the uninsured from the nation’s premier statistical agency, the Census Bureau, were released a few hours later. The Census Bureau has been collecting information on health insurance for decades based on the Current Population Survey (CPS). Data were collected from a sample of 68,000 households in February, March, and April of 2014. That survey found that 42 million—13.4 percent of the population—were uninsured in 2013. Interesting, but last year’s uninsured rate tells us nothing about how much the Affordable Care Act (ACA) expanded health insurance coverage this year.


We Still Don't Know How Many People Obamacare Enrolled - Forbes

 

[sangha]

One day ago. Current enough?

This week’s double-barreled release of government statistics on health insurance coverage leaves us with only one question: How many Americans are insured because of Obamacare? Remarkably, the two highly-regarded government surveys released this week do not even agree whether the number of uninsured increased or decreased. The survey that received a great deal of attention said there were 3.8 million fewer uninsured. The other, which was hardly noticed, found that there were 1.3 million more uninsured.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported preliminary results on the expansion of health insurance coverage. Its National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) interviewed 27,000 people in the first three months of this year. The survey estimates that the number of uninsured dropped by 3.8 million since 2013. That represents a 1.3 percentage point decline in the uninsured rate, from 14.4 percent last year to 13.1 percent early this year.

Estimates from an even larger survey of the uninsured from the nation’s premier statistical agency, the Census Bureau, were released a few hours later. The Census Bureau has been collecting information on health insurance for decades based on the Current Population Survey (CPS). Data were collected from a sample of 68,000 households in February, March, and April of 2014. That survey found that 42 million—13.4 percent of the population—were uninsured in 2013. Interesting, but last year’s uninsured rate tells us nothing about how much the Affordable Care Act (ACA) expanded health insurance coverage this year.


We Still Don't Know How Many People Obamacare Enrolled - Forbes

Forbes may not know, but the chart I posted provides a clear answer. Here's link to the site that has compiled the #'s complete with supporting links
ACASignups.net | Tracking Enrollments for the Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare)

 

[lifeisshort]

Forbes may not know, but the chart I posted provides a clear answer. Here's link to the site that has compiled the #'s complete with supporting links
ACASignups.net | Tracking Enrollments for the Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare)

You need to read the rest of the Forbes article not just the teaser I posted. The gov numbers that were released are complete BS.

 

[LowDown]

But you won't hear too many people spreading the news. That's just the nature of the beast here in the land of the free.

The largest insurance company participating in Obamacare in Minnisota just dropped out of the market. Doesn't sound like a "smashing success".

 

[Greenbeard]

So far so good.

[table="width: 500, class: grid"]
[tr]
[td]Coverage[/td]
[td]Consensus estimates are that the ranks of the uninsured shrank by about 10 million people this year[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Health Care Price Growth[/td]
[td]Has fallen below 2 percent[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Health Care Spending Growth[/td]
[td]Remains near historic lows (spending actually fell in the first quarter of 2014); health spending estimates for the end of the decade now a half a trillion dollars below where they were when the ACA passed[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Premium Growth for Employer-Based Plans[/td]
[td]Down to the lowest rate since the '90s this year (Employee Health Insurance Costs Barely Increased This Year)[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Exchange Premiums[/td]
[td]In 2014: premiums were 15% below expectations
In 2015: benchmark silver premiums are dropping or staying flat in many rating areas; the average rate increase plans of all metal tiers looks like it'll be low-to-mid single digits [/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Quality[/td]
[td]Hospitals are getting safer, new delivery models are improving care quality[/td]
[/tr]
[/table]

Coverage and quality up, cost curve bending. Pretty good start!

 

[GBFAN]

Most surveys would agree that more people are covered under ACA - some estimate as much as 5% more.

However, they fail to consider the cost of the coverage. First, most new signees receive Medicaid, which the government has to pay for. Second, most new signees are eligible for government subsidies, which, once again, taxpayers are going to pay. The government is real fond of touting that the COST of insurance has gone down (AFTER the subsidies). They fail to take the cost of subsidies into consideration.

In short, a significant portion of the population was driven off their current healthcare, and forced to accept substandard policies (compared to what they had before ACA), and when the cost of subsidy is considered, at a significantly increased cost.

But, not to worry, the IPAB is going to take care of everyone who complains ....

 

[calamity]

Not so much.



CURL: We overhauled U.S. health care — to insure 4.2 ...



Page Not Found - Debate Politics Forums...





The Washington Times





Mar 16, 2014 - Still, the obvious question is: We changed the $2.7 trillion health care ... will still have left 31 million people without health insurance while ...


Obamacare leaves millions uninsured. Here's who they are ...



Page Not Found - Debate Politics Forums...





The Washington Post





Jun 7, 2013 - We talk less about the millions who will remain uninsured. ... Still, some might not find it affordable, and the health care law does allow for an ...


The Coverage Gap: Uninsured Poor Adults in States that Do ...



kff.org/health.../the-coverage-gap-uninsured-p...








Kaiser Family Foundation





Apr 2, 2014 - In states that do not expand Medicaid, nearly five million poor uninsured ... coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplaces—will facilitate ...


PBS- Healthcare Crisis: The Uninsured



PBS- Healthcare Crisis: The Uninsured








PBS





About 44 million people in this country have no health insurance, and another 38 million have inadequate health insurance. This means that nearly one-third of ...


Not 'Everybody' Is Covered Under ACA - FactCheck.org



Not ‘Everybody’ Is Covered Under ACA

We all know there is a coverage gap and that the GOP is to blame.

 

[sangha]

Most surveys would agree that more people are covered under ACA - some estimate as much as 5% more.

However, they fail to consider the cost of the coverage. First, most new signees receive Medicaid, which the government has to pay for. Second, most new signees are eligible for government subsidies, which, once again, taxpayers are going to pay.

The revenue for those expenses is paid mostly by insurance companies and people who make more than $250k/yr in unearned income. Boo-the-freaking-hoo on them

The government is real fond of touting that the COST of insurance has gone down (AFTER the subsidies). They fail to take the cost of subsidies into consideration.

Pitiful attempt to double count the cost of subsidies. Your post fails

In short, a significant portion of the population was driven off their current healthcare, and forced to accept substandard policies (compared to what they had before ACA), and when the cost of subsidy is considered, at a significantly increased cost.

I love the way the right can't decide if ACA required plans to have too much coverage, or not enough.

 

[GBFAN]

The revenue for those expenses is paid mostly by insurance companies and people who make more than $250k/yr in unearned income. Boo-the-freaking-hoo on them



Pitiful attempt to double count the cost of subsidies. Your post fails



I love the way the right can't decide if ACA required plans to have too much coverage, or not enough.

One thing about ignorance ... they always know what they think they know.

 

[MTAtech]

Most surveys would agree that more people are covered under ACA - some estimate as much as 5% more.

However, they fail to consider the cost of the coverage. First, most new signees receive Medicaid, which the government has to pay for. Second, most new signees are eligible for government subsidies, which, once again, taxpayers are going to pay. The government is real fond of touting that the COST of insurance has gone down (AFTER the subsidies). They fail to take the cost of subsidies into consideration.

In short, a significant portion of the population was driven off their current healthcare, and forced to accept substandard policies (compared to what they had before ACA), and when the cost of subsidy is considered, at a significantly increased cost.

But, not to worry, the IPAB is going to take care of everyone who complains ....

The cost of insurance is calculated before subsidies. But nice try though.

Also, Obamacare was designed with special taxes that fund subsidies and Medicare expansion.

It really is interesting watching conservatives grasp for straws in their attempt to deny Obamacare successful, after all their predictions ended up being wrong.

 

[calamity]

A

The cost of insurance is calculated before subsidies. But nice try though.

Also, Obamacare was designed with special taxes that fund subsidies and Medicare expansion.

It really is interesting watching conservatives grasp for straws in their attempt to deny Obamacare successful, after all their predictions ended up being wrong.

They are simply not credible, and make that more and more evident with each BS argument. It's as if they are proud of their ignorance.

 

[KevinKohler]

Can someone explain something for me? Maybe it depends by state....but there are several employees where I work who don't have health insurance yet. When asked why they didn't get government insurance, the response was the same...they tried, but they make too much money.

And of course, being part time (which now means less than 30 hours per week), they don't get company insurance. And it's not like they make so much that they can afford a personal plan...


I haven't really looked into this, because I don't like headaches, and it doesn't really affect me...but is this how it/s being done? By pay scale? And if so, doesn't there seem to be a gap...or are those employees just stupid?

 

[MTAtech]

Can someone explain something for me? Maybe it depends by state....but there are several employees where I work who don't have health insurance yet. When asked why they didn't get government insurance, the response was the same...they tried, but they make too much money.

And of course, being part time (which now means less than 30 hours per week), they don't get company insurance. And it's not like they make so much that they can afford a personal plan...


I haven't really looked into this, because I don't like headaches, and it doesn't really affect me...but is this how it/s being done? By pay scale? And if so, doesn't there seem to be a gap...or are those employees just stupid?

Why don't you ask them what they mean by "too much money?" Anyone, regardless of income, can get a plan on the exchange. Subsidies are available for those earning lower than 400% of the poverty rate, which is close to $100,000 a year. So, unless these part-time employees earn $100,000 a year, they can even get subsidies.

 

[KevinKohler]

Why don't you ask them what they mean by "too much money?" Anyone, regardless of income, can get a plan on the exchange. Subsidies are available for those earning lower than 400% of the poverty rate, which is close to $100,000 a year. So, unless these part-time employees earn $100,000 a year, they can even get subsidies.

So then they're idiots.


To be honest, I KNEW they were idiots...I just didn't know if they had no clue as you what they were talking about with the AHCA.

Odds are, they are lying, and haven't even tried to sign up.

No part time employee at BJ's is making more than 25k per year, let alone 100K.

 

[MTAtech]

So then they're idiots.


To be honest, I KNEW they were idiots...I just didn't know if they had no clue as you what they were talking about with the AHCA.

Odds are, they are lying, and haven't even tried to sign up.

No part time employee at BJ's is making more than 25k per year, let alone 100K.

The poverty rate for a family of four is $23,850. They likely could get full subsidies or expanded Medicaid.