‘Train Wreck?’: US Braces For Obamacare Unknown

Apr 25, 2013 4:49pm
gty repeal healthcare nt 120629 wblog Train Wreck?: US Braces For Obamacare Unknown

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It has been a little more than three years since since Obamacare was signed into law and it is still 251 days until the majority of the law kicks in. After that, nobody really know what’s going to happen. One senior Democrat recently predicted a “train wreck” unless the Obama administration does a better job explaining how things are going to work.

The one thing that everyone knows for sure is that the law is complicated. Republicans have assembled a seven-foot tower of paper to represent all of the regulations and rules that will go along with the law.

Americans’ still don’t really understand or like the law. But they don’t want to get rid of it.  Republicans no longer agree that the law should be repealed. But even Democrats are publicly nervous about what happens when the law finally takes effect and people have to buy insurance or pay a tax.

What lies at the end of the line on Jan. 1, 2014? A “train wreck” if you ask Sen. Max Baucus,  a key author of the law who helped dash progressive dreams of a more liberal overhaul.

Baucus, who announced this week he would retire from the Senate in 2014, told HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius the administration hasn’t done enough to prepare for the law or educate the public about its provisions.

Chief among those is the creation of new health care exchanges, which are supposed to offer people without employer-sponsored health insurance a menu of options. But they’re over-budget, behind schedule, and fighting uncooperative governors in some states.

Nobody knows more about the exchanges than lawmakers and their staffers, who the law requires to leave the federal health care system and join the exchanges with other people on the individual market.

What’s not yet clear is how the federal government will be able to continue to subsidize the health insurance of lawmakers and their staffs  they way it does for other federal workers and the way most large employers do.

It is for that very reason – the subsidy – that most employees are not allowed to buy their insurance on the exchanges.

But a Politico story that suggested lawmakers are trying to weasel out of the requirement they buy health insurance on the exchanges caused a bit of a stir in Washington Thursday morning. Republicans pounced on the idea that Democrats were trying to make Americans buy health insurance they didn’t want themselves.

Democrats said they were doing no such thing.

“[Senate Majority Leader Harry] Reid is committed to ensuring that all members of Congress and Congressional staff experience the benefits of the Affordable Care Act in exactly the same way as every other American,” read a statement released by Reid’s office. “He believes that this is the effect of the legislation as written, and that therefore no legislative fix is necessary. There are not now, have never been, nor will there ever be any discussions about exempting members of Congress or Congressional staff from Affordable Care Act provisions that apply to any employees of any other public or private employer offering health care.”

Republicans have their own problems. They’ve been arguing since Barack Obama signed the bill into law that it should be repealed. That served them will in 2010, but not 2012, when the president cruised to reelection.

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., has made rebranding a priority. Part of that effort was to push an Obamacare alternative that would preserve some of the more popular provisions in the law while shelving things like the exchanges and the requirement that Americans have insurance or a pay a fee.

But conservative Republicans, like staffers for Sen. Ted Cruz, according to Buzzfeed, actively campaigned in Republican circles to defeat Cantor’s bill. They want the party to stay the course and focus on repealing all of the law.

That’s just what’s going on in Washington. Out in the country, states and insurers predict skyrocketing rates for people buying insurance as individuals – the very people the law is supposed to help – as they begin to insure more sick people.

CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield, the largest insurer in Maryland, predicted this week it would need to raise rates 25 percent, on average, for individual insurance buyers because it would have to offer insurance to more people who require more care. That proposal has to be approved by the state insurance administration. Read more on that from the Baltimore Sun.

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User Comments

Now the WH, Congress and their staffers are trying to figure out a way that THEY can be exempt from Obamacare. The President is now spending our tax money, $1.5 million to hire a PR firm to sell us on Obamacare. Can’t have WH tours and flights on time because of the Obama sequester but can spend millions on a healthcare take over that they don’t even want…Stop the madness.

Posted by: Freedom | April 25, 2013, 5:05 pm 5:05 pm

“”"”"CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield, the largest insurer in Maryland, predicted this week it would need to raise rates 25 percent, on average”"”" Obama: “”the average family of 4 will see their rates go down.”" Yeah sure, another misspoken moment?

Posted by: Commonsenseparty | April 25, 2013, 5:06 pm 5:06 pm

CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield, the largest insurer in Maryland, predicted this week it would need to raise rates 25 percent, on average——————-Yeah well once the other insurance companies / exchanges are in place who cares what BCBS charges ? They are a rip off operation anyway , just like ALL the major healthcare insurance providers . They see the writing on the wall and once REAL competition comes into the picture over time ( competition subsidized by the 3.8% ACA tax on the richest Americans ) scamming companies like BCBS will be done for , and they know it . They are just getting what they can now , because pretty soon their rate increase / price gouging days will be over .

Posted by: davem | April 25, 2013, 5:13 pm 5:13 pm

davem | April 25, 2013, 5:13 pm — Well, let’s see, the exchanges have been given another year for set up because the desired affect of lower insurance wasn’t happening. Do you think there is some sort of competition that will take CFBC and others out of business? Is it hard for you to understand one of the principle authors of the law is calling it a trainwreck and it’s only going to get worse? Do you still believe it is “deficit neutral”?

Posted by: Commonsenseparty | April 25, 2013, 5:17 pm 5:17 pm

davem | April 25, 2013, 5:13 pm — You do understand that insurance premiums rise in direct relation to health care costs right?

Posted by: Commonsenseparty | April 25, 2013, 5:19 pm 5:19 pm

let me see the republicans spent a total of 33 votes and 50 million dollars to kill obamacare even knowing it wasnt gonna do any good people like whats in obamacare until they found out its obamacare then all of a sudden they dont want what they want seems strange to me let the nprocess go tru then see whats what I dont belive a dammed thing a republican says Im also not gonna pass judgement till I see for myself

Posted by: TRL | April 25, 2013, 5:23 pm 5:23 pm

You do understand that insurance premiums rise in direct relation to health care costs right?———-You love your kool aid don’t you . Lmao…

Posted by: davem | April 25, 2013, 5:31 pm 5:31 pm

The good news is that HusseinCare will help the Boston terrorist back to a full and wonderful recovery, even with the pre-existing conditions. Hell, we’re being told he may have been radicalized here in the US? Now that’s the American way. Bring in an immigrant. Put him on a watch list, because he may dangerous and then give him all taxpayer benefits he needed to help his endeavor! Help him with housing, food, pay for his education (where our own domestic terrorists end up as professors), give him a cell phone (maybe to use in a radical action), a modest income so he can enjoy living in his radicalization! Not every county is will to import, house, feed, educate, provide health care for… all that so we can radicalize them to hate us for what we’ve done, as any good Islamic Terrorist, or Socialist would. Remember, the terrorists in Boston we are told were just regular American boys whom smoke dope and end up as terrorists. It’s typical. Maybe more so in the 1960′s. Want to radicalize a typical American boy? Give them all the assistance needed to allow them to not have to spend time working, but rather devoting time to learn what their radical, US hating, former domestic terrorists are guiding their thinking into believing. Then, once they are set up to live off the tax payer, give them a tax payer funded loan they won’t be paying back so they can devote their lives to the radical studies of the tenured domestic terrorist leftist professors. Isn’t it great we have terrorists as University professors in teachers and colleges and schools? Those socialist welfare systems are great! What even better is that terrorists not only now legally immigrate hear and live off us while learning to be radicals, we offer that opportunity to our own people to radicalize themselves as well by our school system. The socialists, democrats, teachers unions, and professors and teachers are really making a big difference. You have earned the credit. Why do we allow former terrorists to be professors at schools and pay them to do their job with tax payer money through student loans. It’s practically money laundering to support terrorism and the training of new recruits.

Posted by: TexBork_2013 | April 25, 2013, 5:33 pm 5:33 pm

We will need a ton more doctors, a ton of nurses, a ton of insurance carriers, and a ton of real estate with clinics on them. We had better get to work, but like in California, the only thing they did? Create an app for that. Good job CA, and good luck.

Posted by: Angelgroove | April 25, 2013, 5:33 pm 5:33 pm

The bandaids will go on for years. Look forward to favoritism, special exemptions and exclusions, and bureaucratic log jams. Guaranteed. One thing it won’t be is affordable for the average American. Good for the poorer classes, but that’s the deal. The insurance companies never complained.

Posted by: newcountryman | April 25, 2013, 5:45 pm 5:45 pm

Well if the individual mandate that the insurance companies claimed they always wanted does indeed prove to be a failure we can go to a public option or single payer.

Posted by: Lieberman | April 25, 2013, 5:48 pm 5:48 pm

How anyone believed average costs would go down when everyone must be covered under the new law is like believing in the tooth fairy.

Posted by: newcountryman | April 25, 2013, 5:49 pm 5:49 pm

How anyone believed average costs would go down when everyone must be covered under the new law is like believing in the tooth fairy.

Posted by: newcountryman | April 25, 2013, 5:49 pm 5:49 pm

Or Hope and Change.

Posted by: Sue | April 25, 2013, 5:53 pm 5:53 pm

How anyone believed average costs would go down when everyone must be covered under the new law is like believing in the tooth fairy.
————————–
Adding healthy people to the pool does indeed lower prices. That’s what the insurance companies themselves said. Meanwhile the conservatives still believe in the austerity confidence fairy no matter how much it’s proven wrong.

Posted by: Lieberman | April 25, 2013, 5:54 pm 5:54 pm

Posted by: Lieberman | April 25, 2013, 5:54 pm 5:54 pm

You’re going to get much poorer and blaming Obamacare on Republicans isn’t going to work. LOL!

Posted by: Carl | April 25, 2013, 5:58 pm 5:58 pm

The individual mandate is originally a Republican idea. And I like everyone else is doing much much better now that we stopped a Republican induced austerity driven recession.

Posted by: Lieberman | April 25, 2013, 6:00 pm 6:00 pm

Since Obamacare was enacted, family premiums have climbed nearly $2,000 per year. Larger increases are expected in 2014 when the full law is in effect. Change!

Posted by: MP | April 25, 2013, 6:01 pm 6:01 pm

The Republicans are perfecty happy to let healthcare costs skyrocket. They have no alternative to offer.

Posted by: Lieberman | April 25, 2013, 6:02 pm 6:02 pm

And I like everyone else is doing much much better now that we stopped a Republican induced austerity driven recession.

Posted by: Lieberman | April 25, 2013, 6:00 pm 6:00 pm

Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) was just cut 10.7% for all recipients and Obama signed the cuts into law. He’s a Democrat. LOL!

Posted by: Carl | April 25, 2013, 6:04 pm 6:04 pm

The Republicans are perfecty happy to let healthcare costs skyrocket. They have no alternative to offer.

Posted by: Lieberman | April 25, 2013, 6:02 pm 6:02 pm

Who cares? You have Obamacare to choke on now. You voted for it. LOL!

Posted by: Carl | April 25, 2013, 6:05 pm 6:05 pm

I already received a refund from my insurance company courtesy of Obamacare.

Posted by: Lieberman | April 25, 2013, 6:07 pm 6:07 pm

Lieberman…….adding healthy people? News flash…the older you get, the more unhealthy you become. I got this bridge for sale…….

Posted by: longbinh69 | April 25, 2013, 6:08 pm 6:08 pm

“No matter how we reform health care, we will keep this promise to the American people: If you like your doctor, you will be able to keep your doctor, period. … If you like your health care plan, you’ll be able to keep your health care plan, period. … No one will take it away, no matter what.” – President Barack Obama, June 2009

Bwahahahaha!! No. He lied. And we told you so. The fact that Democratic politicians are freaking out speaks volumes. Democrats own it.

Posted by: SJ | April 25, 2013, 6:10 pm 6:10 pm

Posted by: longbinh69 | April 25, 2013, 6:08 pm 6:08 pm

We already know Republicans invent their own economics to suit their scams, But the complaint the INSURANCE COMPANIES had to the demand that they expand coverage is that people wait till they become ill before buying insurance. THEY CLAIM that adding people to the pool who pay in before they become ill or elderly lowers costs.
Nobody is buying your bridge except conservatives.

Posted by: Lieberman | April 25, 2013, 6:12 pm 6:12 pm

I already received a refund from my insurance company courtesy of Obamacare.

Posted by: Lieberman | April 25, 2013, 6:07 pm 6:07 pm

Oh yeah, I got a refund last August. I pay $10,000 a year for an individual plan with a $3,500 deductible (that pays nothing until that deductible is reached). I got a refund check for $160. Shortly afterward, my monthly premiums were raised by $110. Thanks for saving me money, Obama! At this rate, I won’t be able to afford insurance within a couple of years.

Posted by: Eric | April 25, 2013, 6:12 pm 6:12 pm

Posted by: Lieberman | April 25, 2013, 6:12 pm 6:12 pm

Give your unicorn a daily walk. Maybe they’ll discount your health insurance premiums. LOL!

Posted by: Carl | April 25, 2013, 6:13 pm 6:13 pm

Healthcare costs are rising much faster than inflation. They’re going up no matter what plan is put in place. But the GOP has NO plan…that’s their problem.

Posted by: Lieberman | April 25, 2013, 6:15 pm 6:15 pm

Posted by: Carl | April 25, 2013, 6:13 pm 6:13 pm

With arguments like that it’s no wonder you got trounced last election.

Posted by: Lieberman | April 25, 2013, 6:16 pm 6:16 pm

The United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers is reportedly the first union to officially call for repeal of the Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare. The health care law is prompting some serious buyer’s remorse in Big Labor, which worked hard on behalf of the administration to pass it:

Here are some excerpts from the union’s statement:

“Our Union and its members have supported President Obama and his Administration for both of his terms in office.

But regrettably, our concerns over certain provisions in the ACA have not been addressed, or in some instances, totally ignored. In the rush to achieve its passage, many of the Act’s provisions were not fully conceived, resulting in unintended consequences that are inconsistent with the promise that those who were satisfied with their employer sponsored coverage could keep it.

These provisions jeopardize our multi-employer health plans, have the potential to cause a loss of work for our members, create an unfair bidding advantage for those contractors who do not provide health coverage to their workers, and in the worst case, may cause our members and their families to lose the benefits they currently enjoy as participants in multi-employer health plans.

For decades, our multi-employer health and welfare plans have provided the necessary medical coverage for our members and their families to protect them in times of illness and medical needs. This collaboration between labor and management has been a model of success that should be emulated rather than ignored. I refuse to remain silent, or idly watch as the ACA destroys those protections.

I am therefore calling for repeal or complete reform of the Affordable Care Act to protect our employers, our industry, and our most important asset: our members and their families.”

Aw, that’s too bad. Elections have consequences, union members. The ACA is now law. You contributed millions to Obama’s election campaigns and made all of this a reality. Enjoy!!

Posted by: Hope n Change | April 25, 2013, 6:20 pm 6:20 pm

Yes the unions want single payer, or a public option. however they don’t want the Republican ‘plan’….nothing!

Posted by: Lieberman | April 25, 2013, 6:21 pm 6:21 pm

But the GOP has NO plan…that’s their problem.

Posted by: Lieberman | April 25, 2013, 6:15 pm 6:15 pm

But you vote for Democrats and this is THEIR plan, exclusively. They have all the answers according to you. So stop whining and start paying. LOL!

Posted by: Carl | April 25, 2013, 6:23 pm 6:23 pm

Hear a kool-aid factory is being built on the outskirts of Chicago. They can’t make enough of that stuff.

Posted by: longbinh69 | April 25, 2013, 6:23 pm 6:23 pm

Yes the unions want single payer…

Posted by: Lieberman | April 25, 2013, 6:21 pm 6:21 pm

Medicare is single payer, covers about 14 percent of the population, and is nearly bankrupt. LOL!

Posted by: Carl | April 25, 2013, 6:25 pm 6:25 pm

I’m saving already. It’s you who are doing the whining. You’re not going to repeal the ACA without offering the public a better alternative….and you don’t have one.

Posted by: Lieberman | April 25, 2013, 6:26 pm 6:26 pm

Posted by: Carl | April 25, 2013, 6:25 pm 6:25 pm

So expand Medicare to cover everyone and properly fund it. You can help too.

Posted by: Lieberman | April 25, 2013, 6:27 pm 6:27 pm

I guess we had to pass it to find out what’s in it.

Posted by: newcountryman | April 25, 2013, 6:29 pm 6:29 pm

At this rate, I won’t be able to afford insurance within a couple of years.————–No worries mate , you’ll be fine . That is what the ACA does . If you can’t afford it Uncle Sam will help out . Unless you make too much money to qualify that is . Is that you ? If a person makes say $70k a year (i.e. middle class ) then $10k is only 1/7th of their income , which is about the same amount healthcare takes out of the US economy ( 1/6 th ) so the costs are right in line . If you want cheaper insurance you’ll need to get in a lower tax bracket , simple eh ?

Posted by: davem | April 25, 2013, 6:29 pm 6:29 pm

Healthcare costs are rising much faster than inflation.

Posted by: Lieberman | April 25, 2013, 6:15 pm 6:15 pm

Inflation and a weak dollar are right-wing myths. We’ve experienced neither during the Obama years. Right-wingers just love a fairytale…..

Posted by: dems march on | April 25, 2013, 6:30 pm 6:30 pm

Indeed there is no HIGH inflation or weak dollar.

Posted by: Lieberman | April 25, 2013, 6:32 pm 6:32 pm

You’re not going to repeal the ACA without offering the public a better alternative….and you don’t have one.

Posted by: Lieberman | April 25, 2013, 6:26 pm 6:26 pm

I don’t want to repeal the ACA. I want it to bankrupt you.

Posted by: km | April 25, 2013, 6:33 pm 6:33 pm

I guess when premiums increase 25%-50% in the next few years it will be the Republican’s fault? Figures.

Posted by: newcountryman | April 25, 2013, 6:33 pm 6:33 pm

I want it to bankrupt you.
———————————-
So sorry your bitter wishes are failing. I’m saving already.

Posted by: Lieberman | April 25, 2013, 6:34 pm 6:34 pm

Indeed there is no HIGH inflation or weak dollar.

Posted by: Lieberman | April 25, 2013, 6:32 pm 6:32 pm

That’s what I’m saying. The reason food prices are skyrocketing and food is sold in smaller packages is because inflation and a weak dollar are right-wing myths.

Posted by: dems march on | April 25, 2013, 6:35 pm 6:35 pm

Posted by: newcountryman | April 25, 2013, 6:33 pm 6:33 pm

The Republicans will never do anything to stop insurance companies from gouging the public. If you repeal the ACA that’s what you’re going back to.

Posted by: Lieberman | April 25, 2013, 6:36 pm 6:36 pm

Lieberman; And the government can spin gold from lead now I suppose?

Posted by: newcountryman | April 25, 2013, 6:38 pm 6:38 pm

and a weak dollar are right-wing myths.
—————————

If the dollar is so weak you better invest heavily in gold, it’s really safe you know…..LOL!!!

Posted by: Lieberman | April 25, 2013, 6:38 pm 6:38 pm

So sorry your bitter wishes are failing. I’m saving already.

Posted by: Lieberman | April 25, 2013, 6:34 pm 6:34 pm

Then why are Democrats like Harry Reid and Steny Hoyer trying to exempt themselves and their staffs from the Obamacare provisions they wrote into the bill? They should be praising it for saving them all so much money!

Posted by: km | April 25, 2013, 6:39 pm 6:39 pm

How many Rs would be having a complete meltdown / hissy fit if Obama had a mega expensive library or whatever named after him , complete with mega-expensive gala , right in the midst of a major economic crisis with the nation deep in debt ? Lots , if not all . On the other hand , I’ve personally not heard one Democrat / liberal on any forum I’ve seen complain about the Bush Library , the money spent on it or the opening ceremonies , or any other part of it .

Posted by: davem | April 25, 2013, 6:40 pm 6:40 pm

The Republicans will never do anything to stop insurance companies from gouging the public.

Posted by: Lieberman | April 25, 2013, 6:36 pm 6:36 pm

Insurance lobbyists and Democrats wrote the ACA. LOL!

Posted by: Carl | April 25, 2013, 6:41 pm 6:41 pm

Posted by: km | April 25, 2013, 6:39 pm 6:39 pm

Ask Harry Reid I’m sure he will be happy to explain it to you.

Posted by: Lieberman | April 25, 2013, 6:41 pm 6:41 pm

If the dollar is so weak you better invest heavily in gold, it’s really safe you know…..LOL!!!

Posted by: Lieberman | April 25, 2013, 6:38 pm 6:38 pm

Gold, stocks, and bonds are all in a bubble. LOL!

Posted by: Carl | April 25, 2013, 6:42 pm 6:42 pm

Posted by: Carl | April 25, 2013, 6:41 pm 6:41 pm

Exactly! The insurance companies wanted the individual mandate in order to be able to afford to cover preexisting conditions.
Without it they will not expand coverage.

Posted by: Lieberman | April 25, 2013, 6:43 pm 6:43 pm

Posted by: Carl | April 25, 2013, 6:42 pm 6:42 pm

It’s best to ignore right-wingers when discussing markets or economics.

Posted by: Lieberman | April 25, 2013, 6:45 pm 6:45 pm

Has anyone recalled that during the entire healthcare debate over the last 4 years the insurance companies have been strangely quiet through it all? They will simply pass costs along. A single person whether with private insurance or through his employer will subsidize family coverage premiums. It’s simple economics. And it’s still a big unknown whether family premiums will go down. I’m betting they won’t. Now Canada has something close to single payer and some of them like it because the costs are hidden in their tax structure. But it’s not anything like Obamacare, aka; Affordable Health Care.

Posted by: newcountryman | April 25, 2013, 6:45 pm 6:45 pm

the insurance companies have been strangely quiet through it all?
——————————-
Yeah, because they helped write the ACA.

Posted by: Lieberman | April 25, 2013, 6:47 pm 6:47 pm

I think gold is a buying opportunity now. I have a bid in now for a 1897 gold double eagle at Heritage. I have some I bought over 20 years ago at $400 each. The bubble I’m concerned about now is stocks.

Posted by: newcountryman | April 25, 2013, 6:47 pm 6:47 pm

“Yeah, because they helped write the ACA.” That doesn’t bother you?

Posted by: newcountryman | April 25, 2013, 6:49 pm 6:49 pm

When a member of his own party calls it a train wreck about too happen that is down right scary and yet he is bound and determined get things his way, God help us till 2016.

Posted by: kymm | April 25, 2013, 6:50 pm 6:50 pm

Face it, the ACA was a free market compromise between the government and the insurance industry. If it fails you’re looking at a public option at the least, and the insurance companies are truly afraid of that kind of competition.

Posted by: Lieberman | April 25, 2013, 6:50 pm 6:50 pm

From 1999 to 2009, Kaiser found that the insurance premiums had climbed 131% or 13.1% per year.

But of course, that wasn’t a problem for Republicans at the time. That was top of the line Republican health care performance.

Posted by: Doug | April 25, 2013, 6:51 pm 6:51 pm

That doesn’t bother you?
————————
No, I was not opposed to attempting to expand coverage using private insurance. but if the GOP derails it there will be no choice but to turn it over to the government. This is the free market’s last shot.

Posted by: Lieberman | April 25, 2013, 6:54 pm 6:54 pm

Some say government take over of public healthcare was the whole objective anyway. You can still buy optional catastrophic healthcare coverage in Canada, but I understand it’s quite expensive. Bottom line is Canada pays lots of taxes for a cafe healthcare system and many like it that way, but if you have a real health problem you still have rationing issues unless you have private coverage. This Obamacare is not going to be everything some of you believe it’s cracked up to be.

Posted by: newcountryman | April 25, 2013, 7:01 pm 7:01 pm

It will lower the emergency room visits.

Posted by: newcountryman | April 25, 2013, 7:02 pm 7:02 pm

I trust anything Democrats do. I’m no idiot.

Posted by: Lieberman | April 25, 2013, 7:02 pm 7:02 pm

Posted by: Lieberman | April 25, 2013, 7:02 pm 7:02 pm

can’t you do better than that?

Posted by: Lieberman | April 25, 2013, 7:03 pm 7:03 pm

Illegal aliens can still use emergency rooms as always and taxpayers pick up the tab as always Everyone wins!

Posted by: Lieberman | April 25, 2013, 7:04 pm 7:04 pm

if you have a real health problem you still have rationing issues

Posted by: newcountryman | April 25, 2013, 7:01 pm 7:01 pm

Like what?

Posted by: Doug | April 25, 2013, 7:04 pm 7:04 pm

From 1999 to 2009, Kaiser found that the insurance premiums had climbed 131% or 13.1% per year.

But of course, that wasn’t a problem for Republicans at the time. That was top of the line Republican health care performance.

Posted by: Doug | April 25, 2013, 6:51 pm 6:51 pm

Shhhh! Comparing anything to the Republican achievements isn’t fair – because the standards are so low.

Posted by: Ruth | April 25, 2013, 7:05 pm 7:05 pm

Well kindergarten hour must have arrived….remember conservatives, destroy the ACA at your own peril! Your own free market oriented insurance companies helped write it in order to save their own skins.

Posted by: Lieberman | April 25, 2013, 7:07 pm 7:07 pm

POSTED BY: LIEBERMAN | APRIL 25, 2013, 7:03 PM 7:03 PM

Schizophrenics talk to themselves a lot. Maybe Obamacare will help.

Posted by: Deb | April 25, 2013, 7:07 pm 7:07 pm

Posted by: newcountryman | April 25, 2013, 7:01 pm 7:01 pm

That’s because it’s looking very much like there is a general conflict of interest in proving health insurance for profit. You only make money by covering the healthy and cutting off the sick.
A non-profit government system would be more efficient at distributing coverage.

Posted by: Lieberman | April 25, 2013, 7:11 pm 7:11 pm

“A non-profit government system would be more efficient at distributing coverage.” Only a socialist would believe such a thing.

Posted by: newcountryman | April 25, 2013, 7:20 pm 7:20 pm

“Illegal aliens can still use emergency rooms as always and taxpayers pick up the tab as always Everyone wins!” I sure hope this comment is from a troll.

Posted by: newcountryman | April 25, 2013, 7:22 pm 7:22 pm

Doctors I know love cash.

Posted by: newcountryman | April 25, 2013, 7:23 pm 7:23 pm

Someone has to pay the nurses, doctors, janitors, etc. They don’t work for nothing.

Posted by: newcountryman | April 25, 2013, 7:26 pm 7:26 pm

Someone has to pay the nurses, doctors, janitors, etc. They don’t work for nothing.

Posted by: newcountryman | April 25, 2013, 7:26 pm 7:26 pm

Somebody has to pay the executive salaries and profit made by insurance companies.

Posted by: Ruth | April 25, 2013, 7:28 pm 7:28 pm

Gotta love the socialists telling the serfs, We aren’t going to tell you what’s in it until you are already screwed with it. No wonder the republicans didn’t want any part of their names involved in the steaming pile of democrat legislation. Hell, many of the Democrats knew this was a socialist revolutionary moment, but eventually, by using hundreds of millions of tax dollars, the socialists were able to buy the votes of the rest of the Democrats to ensure trillions in taxes would be confiscated from the people and that medical costs would skyrocket 50-80% and that doctors would leave their jobs as more people were placed into the welfare state, knowing all along, they were going to press for amnesty for an additional 22,000,000,000 people to be added to the system overloading it… destroying small businesses… those surviving will have to lay off people or cut hours to pay for it… those that can’t will drop and force their employees to buy the Hussein dictated insurance… when it bankrupts them, they will have to turn to the socialist system again for help paying for all the expensive dictates of socialism, but don’t worry, what the socialists broke, they will subsidize… with more taxes for people to pay. This is the Obama Nation the socialists have created for us. It’s all thanks to the Jackass party and their socialist agenda and Hussein our Leninist dictator.

Posted by: TexBork_2013 | April 25, 2013, 7:29 pm 7:29 pm

Posted by: newcountryman | April 25, 2013, 7:20 pm 7:20 pm

I don’t know how else to explain it. The insurance companies themselves declared that they cannot afford to cover preexisting conditions without the individual mandate. The ACA is the free market solution….expand coverage using private insurance. You don’t have any other free market options according to the insurance industry itself.
if your plan is to just leave millions of Americans uninsured then don’t be surprised if you keep losing elections.
The only other option will be for the government to cover them.
So unless you want government insurance, instead of fighting the ACA you better get in there and help make it work. because otherwise you’re out.

Posted by: Lieberman | April 25, 2013, 7:35 pm 7:35 pm

Posted by: TexBork_2013 | April 25, 2013, 7:29 pm 7:29 pm

I guess you weren’t cut off your health insurance because you have cancer and you’ve passed your limit.

I guess your health insurance premiums didn’t go up over 13% every year for the last decade like everybody else’s under the Republican system. That’s over 130% in 10 years.

Posted by: Jim | April 25, 2013, 7:39 pm 7:39 pm

this has become the game of thrones.take over the u.s. with open borders promising every illegal the chance to become legal with free healthcare welfare and social security and the vote themselves in power for ever…..quite clever…
the obamacare is already a disaster and you will be paying cash for medical services.doctors dont want obamacare and dont want to get paid 50 cents an hour for being a doctor. our boy king and his party have bit off more they he and his party could even remotely chew.

Posted by: catman | April 25, 2013, 7:58 pm 7:58 pm

I say let this train wreck happen. it will be the only way for Americans to see the mess Congress, especially the Democrats, have gotten us into. and I’m not espousing the Republicans one whit. they have collectively sold us down the river.

Posted by: mark | April 25, 2013, 8:06 pm 8:06 pm

I guess what nobody really has discussed on here is the under employment Obamacare is causing. Ask the clerk at your local grocery who was able to get 35 to 38 hrs a week or your local wlamart employee or your favorite waiter or waitress how it has affected them. They just went from 35 to 38 hrs a week down to less than 30 thanks to Obamascare! Companies are cutting all their hours. Any idiot that cant see this is definetly one of Obamas sheep. Keep the bickering and name calling up thats all u seem to have left. Only time will tell but my bet is that a lot of people are gonna be screaming coming 2014!

Posted by: Vincent1 | April 25, 2013, 8:08 pm 8:08 pm

take over the u.s. with open borders

Posted by: catman | April 25, 2013, 7:58 pm 7:58 pm

The bulk of the people who came here illegally came under the last Republican president. You can tip your hat to him, and his Republican majority Congress.

Posted by: Jerry | April 25, 2013, 8:09 pm 8:09 pm

I hate to admit it, but it looks like Nancy Pelosi was right.

Posted by: newcountryman | April 25, 2013, 8:19 pm 8:19 pm

Doctors I know love cash————–Way too many of them are better golfers / skiers than they are at what they get paid to do . Dr.s are supposed to go into medicine mainly because they want to help people , not because they want to drive a Bentley and vacation in Aspen . Get the big money out of medicine , no Dr. needs to be making more than the US military pays their medical professionals . Anything more is gouging the sick .

Posted by: davem | April 25, 2013, 8:34 pm 8:34 pm

The bulk of the people who came here illegally came under the last Republican president. You can tip your hat to him, and his Republican majority Congress.———–Don’t forget that right winger icon Reagan who gave ~3,000,000 illegals instant amnesty in California . And some people blame liberals for the mess in California ? Go figure…

Posted by: davem | April 25, 2013, 8:36 pm 8:36 pm

When ABC News calls Obamacare a train wreck, then you know its a disaster. They’ve been defending this bill and Obama for 3 years now, and all of sudden they turn on their messiah? I guess you should have read it before you passed judgement on it.

Posted by: Brad | April 25, 2013, 8:46 pm 8:46 pm

Get ready for the service sector, the faint little glimmer that has buoyed the “jobless recovery” to collapse under part-time labor and failure to meet expectations of mediocrity.
It’s agonizing to see what’s happened to this country in a few short years. It’s wrong. It’s got to stop.

If you have children and grandchildren, think of their bleak future. Do what you can: speak, rally, meet, cooperate, and become active to turn this ship around.

Posted by: TAG | April 25, 2013, 8:56 pm 8:56 pm

How could our nation’s leadership pass such a bill as Obamacare and NOT know what the bill contains? HOw damn stupid! No wonder America is falling apart from within.

Posted by: R.B. | April 25, 2013, 9:04 pm 9:04 pm

I deserve unlimited healthcare for a very low monthly premium (or even better, FREE!) . Doctors and nurses should work for minimum wage and multiple generations of taxpayers should pay for any costs exceeding my premiums . This is the best way to keep my costs low and quality of life high . I deserve it because I breathe air .

Posted by: davem | April 25, 2013, 9:11 pm 9:11 pm

The Joint Committee on Taxation recently released a 96 page report on the tax provisions associated with Affordable Care Act. The report describes the 21 tax increases included in Obamacare, totaling $1.058 trillion – a steep increase from the initial assessment, according to the Tax Prof Blog. The summer 2012 estimate is nearly twice the $569 billion estimate produced at the time of the passage of the law in March 2010.

From the released document:

E. Imposition of Annual Fee on Health Insurance Providers
An annual fee applies to any covered entity engaged in the business of providing health
insurance with respect to United States health risks. The fee applies for calendar years beginning
after 2013. The aggregate annual fee for all covered entities is the applicable amount. The
applicable amount is $8 billion for calendar year 2014, $11.3 billion for calendar years 2015 and
2016, $13.9 billion for calendar year 2017, and $14.3 billion for calendar year 2018. For
calendar years after 2018, the applicable amount is indexed to the rate of premium growth.

President Obama promised to lower health insurance premiums by $2,500.

He lied.

This is a top of the line administration.

Posted by: Dan | April 25, 2013, 9:13 pm 9:13 pm

Shhhh! Comparing anything to the Republican achievements isn’t fair – because the standards are so low.

Posted by: Ruth | April 25, 2013, 7:05 pm 7:05 pm

Shhhh! Let’s not talk about the topic of the article. Let’s blame Republicans for Democrat policies.

Democrats are concerned that Obamacare’s provision requiring lawmakers and staffers to join the exchanges, if it isn’t revised, could lead to a “brain drain” on Capitol Hill, as several sources close to the talks put it.

The problem stems from whether members and aides set to enter the exchanges would have their health insurance premiums subsidized by their employer — in this case, the federal government. If not, aides and lawmakers in both parties fear that staffers — especially low-paid junior aides — could be hit with thousands of dollars in new health care costs, prompting them to seek jobs elsewhere. Older, more senior staffers could also retire or jump to the private sector rather than face a big financial penalty.

Good, this is exactly what the law mandates. Democrats wrote it, Obama signed it, the Supreme Court said it was constitutional. Now it’s time for Obamabots to eat their peas. Mmmm, taste your new life of poverty.

Posted by: Stephie | April 25, 2013, 9:25 pm 9:25 pm

So expand Medicare to cover everyone and properly fund it. You can help too.

Posted by: Lieberman | April 25, 2013, 6:27 pm 6:27 pm

LOL! If Medicare was a company that complied with standard accounting principles (GAAP), they would have already gone bankrupt years ago. There isn’t enough money in the world to cover its current obligations, let alone support the remaining 86% of the population. Medicaid alone is going to bankrupt some states. The salad days are about over. Big premium increases and even bigger benefit cuts are inevitable. The Utopian world Progressives always dreamed of is here, full of poverty, government dependence, and ignorance. Embrace it. You helped make it possible.

Posted by: Ruben | April 25, 2013, 9:33 pm 9:33 pm

Mmmm, taste your new life of poverty.
—————————-

LOL!! GOP favored illness for profit medicine will bankrupt everyone. Those ACA peas are tasting pretty good actually.

Posted by: gop doa | April 25, 2013, 9:34 pm 9:34 pm

Embrace it. You helped make it possible.
———————————-

We are.
It’s much better than anything the GOP has offered.
It’s just that simple….the GOP has no working alternatives

Posted by: gop doa | April 25, 2013, 9:35 pm 9:35 pm

. There isn’t enough money in the world to cover its current obligations, let alone support the remaining 86% of the population.
————————

That’s Fox talking again
Medicare is more efficient than any private alternative.

Posted by: gop doa | April 25, 2013, 9:38 pm 9:38 pm

What is your alternative.
The public won’t accept nothing
Without a viable alternative you’re wasting your time.

Posted by: gop doa | April 25, 2013, 9:40 pm 9:40 pm

Posted by: Stephie | April 25, 2013, 9:25 pm 9:25 pm

From 1999 to 2009, Kaiser found that the insurance premiums had climbed 131% or 13.1% per year.

But of course, that wasn’t a problem for Republicans at the time. That was top of the line Republican health care performance.

Posted by: Doug | April 25, 2013, 6:51 pm 6:51 pm

Shhhh! Comparing anything to the Republican achievements isn’t fair – because the standards are so low.

Posted by: Ruth | April 25, 2013, 9:51 pm 9:51 pm

NOW YOU will have to PAY for YOUR STUPIDITY!!!

Posted by: GDC | April 25, 2013, 10:38 pm 10:38 pm

Will we have to pay as much as under the Republican stupidity when our health insurance premiums went up an average of 13% every year for ten years?

Posted by: Gill | April 25, 2013, 11:17 pm 11:17 pm

How are the Liberals that sucked for health ,going to like working part time now , you got what you ask for !

Posted by: Terry | April 26, 2013, 4:09 am 4:09 am

POSTED BY: DAVEM | APRIL 25, 2013, 6:40 PM 6:40 PM it was payed for with PRIVATE DONATIONS, NOT taxpayers money, like Pres.Obama and family outings.

Posted by: Lizzie43 | April 26, 2013, 9:36 am 9:36 am

POSTED BY: DAVEM | APRIL 25, 2013, 8:36 PM 8:36 PM you forgot to add that before Pres.Reagan signed the amnesty bill, the senate was in a death lock and the DEMOCRATS promised on their mothers graves they would help CLOSE the border, but after they conveniently forgot ALL about it, just like now, promise get the law passed and then forget and blame the other side.

Posted by: Lizzie43 | April 26, 2013, 9:43 am 9:43 am

Healthcare is not a right, when the government sets a new rule that applies to everyone, that new status quo becomes the floor. Just like minimum wage, just like education, just like trying to get everyone into college. When everyone has the same thing, people who have more, be it money, talents, skills abilities, they get preferential treatment, like better better healthcare, more products and more services, and more job opportunities. Welcome to the jungle, and while you teachers told you you may not have to compete for everything in life, they lied, and the world they were selling does not exist.

Posted by: Future Useful Idiot | April 26, 2013, 9:44 am 9:44 am

POSTED BY: RUTH | APRIL 25, 2013, 9:51 PM 9:51 PM compared to democrats which have NONE.

Posted by: Lizzie43 | April 26, 2013, 9:44 am 9:44 am

and the world they were selling does not exist.——we’re going to prove you wrong

Posted by: no dog eat dog thank you | April 26, 2013, 10:00 am 10:00 am

capitalism has created the innovation in medicine in the US that everyone from around the world flocks too. liberalism will put it on the same footing as the uk where a routine heart procedure can cost you your life . we are animals trying to survive in a world where darwinism is ignored. we cant save everyone and doctors dont work for free. if you you want an RN or Nurse practioner to deliver your medical care than have at it. there is a major major major difference between a real board certified doc and the rest of the providers. obamacare has already lead to rationing of care and will become the norm quickly.

Posted by: catman | April 26, 2013, 10:37 am 10:37 am

ObamaCare has been largely a SHAM on the people of this country.

Of course it is a train wreck……..it was always a LIE, in the first place. It was NEVER paid for, in any way!

Posted by: Rick McDaniel | April 26, 2013, 10:38 am 10:38 am

Medical coverage is dependant on the individuals stage of life! Birth control or maturnity care may be important to one age group while hip replacement and memory care another. Why does it make sense to have a one size fits all medical insurance policy makes sense?

Posted by: Common _ Sense | April 26, 2013, 10:54 am 10:54 am

obamacare has already lead to rationing of care and will become the norm quickly—————————–rationing of care is already the norm. Insurance companies have been doing it all along.

Posted by: no dog eat dog thank you | April 26, 2013, 10:57 am 10:57 am

It is said that when everyone has medical insurance they will no longer use the emergency room for non-emergency care! Why do you think that people who call 911 when McDonald’s runs out of chicken nuggets will “wait” a week for a doctor’s appointment? There needs to be incentive to wait for an appointment!

Posted by: Common _ Sense | April 26, 2013, 10:58 am 10:58 am

Only to socialists does a right equal government dictates, fines, fees, taxes, and demands. That also what they call freedom. You have to purchase rights from the government or face Federal punishment, because as socialists have always said, compassion comes from confiscation and extortion. Pay or pay and they ain’t playin’. Your rights are forced upon you against your will. Whatever makes the party and government happy. It’s all about controlling the people and making demands of them. Socialists create and force government dependency so that all can be controlled until such a point that after generations have passed, nobody could or would ever have the capability to live on their own and those whom can and do will be considered a threat to the government and hunted down and made an example of. Right now, people whom can take care of themselves are considered a joke, but that will change. That is why the left make fun of people are being responsible and preparing themselves for that in case it happens. Why would the government and propaganda media outlets seemingly want people not to be prepared for the event of any kind of disaster? Why the push against self and family preservation and responsibility? Fear? Why do people fear people who are prepared for disaster? Would not those people be the example of a good idea? Everyone should be told to always be prepared, not the opposite. Don’t wait to lay in the socialist hammock and don’t let the government force you against your will to prostrate yourself to it just so that it can take your liberties, arrest them, and then carefully ration some of your freedoms back to you as the socialists deem fit. We can regain the freedoms we gave away to the socialist democrats, but we have to reject government forced dependency and turn away from the ideas of our government removing our rights and then forcing us to buy them back from the government. Socialist BS like that may be popular with eastern bloc European and Bolivian third world nations, but the USA is better and superior to that and ever step closer to socialism is a step backwards and down. It is ignorant, myopic, and self-defeating and it needs to stop. Those whom want that life, it’s out there. There’s plenty of other socialist nations to choose from. Let at least one nation stand free and above the rest and let those whom hate that leave. People don’t come from socialist nations to the USA for more socialism. They come here to get away from it. Don’t f it up. Stop f’ing it up. No more socialism. When Hussein et al are gone from office, we will have to tear down the framework that has been built by the dictator, his czars, and the socialist-democrat party. It has to be ripped out and we must restore the freedoms and liberties previously taken from the people. Then we must forever stand on guard against the socialists from ever mounting such a revolution again. If we let them, they will destroy us with it and take the nation down.

Posted by: TexBork_2013 | April 26, 2013, 11:11 am 11:11 am

And you thought the economy is bad now, just wait until this kicks in.

Posted by: Billy Bob | April 26, 2013, 11:18 am 11:18 am

Posted by: TexBork_2013 | April 26, 2013, 11:11 am 11:11 am

Uh, HELLO!
Obamacare isn’t socialism.
It’s the free market adjustment by mandating that private insurance companies expand their coverage.

Posted by: paul | April 26, 2013, 11:24 am 11:24 am

15 page application for obama care. nancy pelosi is the most disliked congress person and now george bush has an approval rating equal to obama. the worm is turning and the senate can be had by the gop.

i have previously stated i had a highly paid employee resign because she made too much money for her kids too get free college tuition. what a great world obama has created. one where work is a four letter word.

Posted by: catman | April 26, 2013, 11:26 am 11:26 am

And in other news…
A South Bend, Indiana, jury has found that the signatures that got Obama and Hilary on the 2008 ticket were FAKED.

Our current president is there only by fraud.
He needs to be removed from office, (along with Biden) and EVERYTHING he fraudulently signed into law, REVOKED.

ASAP.

Posted by: polly | April 26, 2013, 11:31 am 11:31 am

Obamacare isn’t socialism. It’s the free market adjustment by mandating Posted by: paul | April 26, 2013, 11:24 am – – – – – – – – When the government “mandates” something it is “socialism”! Only those who do not understand capitalism and freedom think otherwise!! It is like saying you get a chose between lethal injection, electric chair, hanging and a firing squad!

Posted by: Common _ Sense | April 26, 2013, 11:57 am 11:57 am

Obamacare will be as fundamental and help as many people as Social Security and Medicare. Five years from now we’ll be hailing it as a great program.

The republicans tryed to pull the same crap in the 1930s and 1960s about Social Security and Medicare. They never learn.

The republicans are taking their cue from the health insurance industry which is ripping off millions of Americans and funds all this right wing opposition.

If the republicans had a viable plan as an alternate then we should be debating. Since they have none their credibility on this issue is non-existant.

Posted by: tmferretti | April 26, 2013, 12:08 pm 12:08 pm

yeah right tm. good luck finding a doctor.a real doctor nonetheless. most are not accepting new patients and certainly not accepting obama bucks.if you have no insurance doctors…real doctors want cash.

further most businesses are cutting hours to avoid insurance requirements or dropping insurance.

Posted by: catman | April 26, 2013, 12:42 pm 12:42 pm

The Affordable Care Act? Thats a strange name for a program that will neither be affordable or offer quality care! Its a bit like walking onto a used car lot and finding a great looking late model car marked down to a super low price, only to find out the engine is missing!
Obamacare is indeed going to be a very expensive train wreak, that will really impact the middle class and job creation in a very negative way! But the SCOTUS said we must get on-board for ride, even if it is a run-away train! I can’t wait to hear all the horror stories about the IRS seizing paychecks and bank accounts from middle class families that couldn’t afford the $20,000 per year train ticket to ride! Liberal Democrats will be running for cover and in fear of losing all their political power, yes Obamacare will be a train wreak for the middle class and the Democratic Party that didn’t read the BILL before passing it!!!!

Posted by: BK RIDER II | April 26, 2013, 1:08 pm 1:08 pm

Obama is the most radical, destructive and worst President in history. He is arrogant, a pot head, lazy (only works 10am to 4pm) incompetent, lawless, a fraud, never had a real job, aloof and a COMMUNIST. Obama and the Democrat party are continuing to destroy the great US economy. In four plus years they have; deficit spent $6.8 trillion (most of any Pres.) with nothing to show for it, increased national debt to $16.8 trillion and counting, real unemployment rate of 15%, no job growth, 8.5 million lost jobs, 24 million underemployed, black/hispanic unemployment over 20%, hate oil/coal industries, fossil fuels, military, private sector, success, constitution, right to bear arms, over 1,808 soldiers killed in Iraq/Afgn since Obama became Pres., one in five people in poverty (highest ever), stole $716 billion in Medicare benefits from seniors to fund Obamacare, which is further destroying jobs and the economy, wasted billions of taxpayer funds on scam clean energy deals like Solyndra and Ener1 to campaign donors, disastrous Obamacare has already raised health rates 50%, is largest tax increase in history and now costs $2.8 trillion, foreign policy of cowardice and appeasement that has allowed at least two terrorist attacks, supports worst Ex Sec. of State in history, Hillary Clinton, who is responsible for the murder of Libyan ambassador and three staffers in Benghazi, supports worst AG in history Eric Holder, who is responsible for killing a border agent, 49 million on food stamps and increased business killing govt regulation/employment more than any other Pres. Obama should be impeached.

Posted by: JJO | April 26, 2013, 1:23 pm 1:23 pm

Obamacare will be as fundamental and help as many people as Social Security and Medicare. Five years from now we’ll be hailing it as a great program.

—Not that is funny. Only a complete idiot would believe that.

Posted by: Billy Bob | April 26, 2013, 1:26 pm 1:26 pm

CATMAN

Doctors are the biggest rip off of all, they overcharge and own companies (should be illegal) where all those procedures you don’t need are performed. Who the hell do you think is paying for their Mercedes and membership at country clubs.

Dr Murray gave MichaelJackson those drugs becuase he made big bucks doing so.

Business now will have some choice, they can go to the exchanges and find health insurance coverage a lot cheaper, most of their employees will do the same.

Give me one or two ideas you have to reduce the cost of health care in this country and we can debate.

Posted by: tmferretti | April 26, 2013, 1:29 pm 1:29 pm

The Affordable Care Act? Thats a strange name for a program that will neither be affordable or offer quality care!
One this is for sure, the cost of healthcare insurance is rising fast! On average 15% – 25% to cover the the cost of the new hidden taxes mandated by Obamacare! Most of the upper crust Democrats will be buying private insurance plans for themselves and will not be on Obamacare because they will want to stay with the doctors they like! However the rest of us will be forced to find a new doctor, if we can find one at all, since many doctors will not be taking folks on Obamacare at all! Americans will really get to see how they were hoodwinked by the Democrats when the Obamacare train rolls into town next year! LOL, LOL, This could be just what the GOP needs to win big in 2016, but a train wreak for the Democrats!

Posted by: BK RIDER II | April 26, 2013, 1:31 pm 1:31 pm

BILLY BOB

You’re being brainwashed by the health insurance industry and all that money they’re putting out to run those phony ads on TV.

I’ll ask you the same thing I asked CATMAN, give me an idea on how to reduce costs.

Posted by: tmferretti | April 26, 2013, 1:31 pm 1:31 pm

A jury in South Bend, Indiana has found that fraud put President Obama and Hillary Clinton on the presidential primary ballot in Indiana in the 2008 election. Two Democratic political operatives were convicted Thursday night in the illegal scheme after only three hours of deliberations. They were found guilty on all counts.

Posted by: Billy Bob | April 26, 2013, 1:36 pm 1:36 pm

Reduce the regulations to common sense regulations. Pass meaningful tort reform, allow insurance to compete across state lines. Just for starters.

Posted by: Billy Bob | April 26, 2013, 1:39 pm 1:39 pm

Former longtime St. Joseph County Democratic party Chairman Butch Morgan Jr. was found guilty of felony conspiracy counts to commit petition fraud and forgery, and former county Board of Elections worker Dustin Blythe was found guilty of felony forgery counts and falsely making a petition, after being accused of faking petitions that enabled Obama, then an Illinois Senator, to get on the presidential primary ballot for his first run for the White House.

Posted by: Billy Bob | April 26, 2013, 1:40 pm 1:40 pm

“Obamacare will be as fundamental and help as many people as Social Security and Medicare. Five years from now we’ll be hailing it as a great program.”

I don’t recall the IRS going after the bank accounts or paychecks of Americans as being a fundamental part of Social Security or Medicare either!

Posted by: BK RIDER II | April 26, 2013, 1:47 pm 1:47 pm

tmferretti | April 26, 2013, 1:29 pm —- Show us one or two ways Obama will lower the cost of insurance for a typical family of 4?

Posted by: Commonsenseparty | April 26, 2013, 1:47 pm 1:47 pm

tmferretti | April 26, 2013, 1:31 pm —- Insurance competition across state lines. Hospitals and clinics requiring a price list for services performed. Tort reform, which Obama himself said would save over $5 Billion per year, but then he said that savings was a tiny percentage of the overall budget. Okay, let’s hear it.

Posted by: Commonsenseparty | April 26, 2013, 1:49 pm 1:49 pm

Just for starters.Posted by: Billy Bob

That’s just it, all you ever suggest is just for ‘starters’. We want to see much much more than just starters, but we never hear anything from the GOP besides just starters.
None of the Republican plans expand coverage more than just a tiny fraction of what Obamacare does.
-and allowing insurance companies to cross state lines will simply allow them to flock to the states with the weakest consumer protections, just like the credit card companies did.

Posted by: paul | April 26, 2013, 2:24 pm 2:24 pm

paul | April 26, 2013, 2:24 pm —- Tom Coburn had a plan and it was a fraction of what Obamacare costs. So, please answer my question of how Obamacare is going to make insurance less expensive for a typical family of 4 as Obama has said it would?

Posted by: Commonsenseparty | April 26, 2013, 2:35 pm 2:35 pm

COMMONSENSE

The exchanges create competition. Any insurance company from any state can go on any exchange. You’ll see commercials for health insurance out number car insurance commercials once Obama care goes into full effect.

Price controls are included. No more $20,000 appendectomies when the hospital down the street charges $600 dollars.

Tort reform was put on the table, The President wanted across the board tort reform not just for doctors. He proposed making the plaintiff in a frivolous lawsuit pay court costs and legal fees if they lost.

No republican plan addresses the biggest problem; 50,000,000 million people getting health care we all pay for. Now they will have to go into Medicaid if they can qualify or pay something. It sure as hell works in Massachusetts which has the best hospitals in the world.

Posted by: tmferretti | April 26, 2013, 2:37 pm 2:37 pm

paul | April 26, 2013, 2:24 pm —- Did you ever think those states should equal the protections of others? Wow, that was difficult huh? Obama gave Credit card companies time to gouge the consumer, so whatever supposed “protections” is mute. Everyone saw their rates rise, no matter how good your credit score was. We have a rookie in office and you guys voted for him twice.

Posted by: Commonsenseparty | April 26, 2013, 2:39 pm 2:39 pm

Does Tom Coburn’s plan increase coverage by on the order of 30 million people? If not you’re not even in the same league.

Posted by: paul | April 26, 2013, 2:39 pm 2:39 pm

Posted by: Commonsenseparty | April 26, 2013, 2:39 pm 2:39 pm

The GOP would never have done anything to protect consumers from credit card companies. That’s a poor joke. Republicans are only interested in weakening consumer protections

Posted by: paul | April 26, 2013, 2:45 pm 2:45 pm

tmferretti | April 26, 2013, 2:37 pm —- I have yet to hear of anything in Obamacaree to be set up sorrectly. I have yet to hear of the typical family of 4 having to pay less for insurance. I have yet to hear of Obamacare estimates dropping, on the contrary. You can theorize all you want, either way, we the people will pay for it through higher health care costs and now through new taxes in Obamacare. And, health care price controls are not in Obamacare. What is stopping providers from charging higher costs? What is stopping the insurers from raising your premiums because of that higher costs?

Posted by: Commonsenseparty | April 26, 2013, 2:55 pm 2:55 pm

The insurance industry said that the individual mandate would lower insurance costs by adding healthy customers to the risk pool.
You don’t believe them?

Posted by: paul | April 26, 2013, 3:07 pm 3:07 pm

COOMONSENSE

As I said, I’ve gotten money back as has the company I work for. Believe me, the plants I got for my yard from that money are not theory.

The exchanges haven’t even begun to operate yet and there will be price controls on hospitals, doctors and health insurance companies, which there should be.

Why do you think the health insurance industry is putting all these BS adds on TV about Obamacare. They know their rip off is over.

Look how Obamacare (really Romneycare) works in Massachusetts, it works just fine and every citizen is covered.

Posted by: tmferretti | April 26, 2013, 3:11 pm 3:11 pm

tmferretti | April 26, 2013, 3:11 pm — The only price control in Obamacare is the insurers 80/20% rule. There is no controls over what providers charge, nor is there a limit on what insurers charge. The exchange set up has been extended another year because it has been seen to have the opposite affect, prices will rise.

Posted by: Commonsenseparty | April 26, 2013, 3:22 pm 3:22 pm

The Unaffordable Care Act will be such a big train wreak the GOP is sure to win big in 2014 and then take back the White House in 2016. Democrats should start packing-up now!

Posted by: BK RIDER II | April 26, 2013, 4:06 pm 4:06 pm

‘Train Wreck?’: US Braces For Obamacare Unknown

Why wasn’t this the headlines 4 years ago? Instead all we got from the so called media is how wonderful this is going to be.

Posted by: wheresmymoney | April 26, 2013, 4:19 pm 4:19 pm

I can’t wait to hear all the horror stories about the IRS seizing paychecks and bank accounts from middle class families that couldn’t afford the $20,000 per year train ticket to ride! Liberal Democrats will be running for cover and in fear of losing all their political power, yes Obamacare will be a huge train wreak for the middle class and the Democratic Party that didn’t read the BILL before passing it!!!!

Posted by: BK RIDER II | April 26, 2013, 4:30 pm 4:30 pm

“….remember conservatives, destroy the ACA at your own peril! Your own free market oriented insurance companies helped write it in order to save their own skins.”

….and it was Big Gavel Nancy who made sure that no one read about it until it was passed!!

Posted by: scooter | April 27, 2013, 1:30 am 1:30 am

The Affordable Care Act? Thats a strange name for a law that will neither be affordable or offer quality care! But then again it was those liberal liars that named it! Do you remember when Obama said, “If you like your health plan, you can keep it.” or “If you like your doctor, you can continue to see your doctor.” or how about, “The health care law won’t add to the debt, not even one dime more.” – Well folks we now know that was all lies, none of that is true! But the biggest lie of all was, “This law will lower the cost of health care and make it affordable to all Americans.”

Posted by: BK RIDER II | April 27, 2013, 1:01 pm 1:01 pm

“….remember conservatives, destroy the ACA at your own peril!”

Oh please, the Liberals are doing a wonderful job of destroying the ACA all by themselves, because they didn’t read it before passing it and then lied about how grand it would be and how much it would cost. Its was all lies!
Now we will watch as Liberals Democrats try to exempt themselves from their own law and run for cover as more and more angry Americans begin to realize they have been duped by Liberal Democrats once again!

Posted by: BK RIDER II | April 27, 2013, 1:17 pm 1:17 pm

Stop listening to Rush and chill.

Posted by: EarlGrayHot | April 29, 2013, 10:10 am 10:10 am

No need to read what’s in it, just sign it into law! Careful what you vote for, you might get it!

Posted by: DRJJJ | April 29, 2013, 7:51 pm 7:51 pm

The law supposedly is going to make congress join the ACA provisions. But does that mean that the President and his family will join as well? It would only make sense for him to pioneer his own “masterwork”.

Posted by: Jin | May 1, 2013, 8:47 am 8:47 am

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