The truth about the ACA.

[starchief]

Well, I was forced to PAY into SS and Medicare. Talk to the dems.

Still waiting on my Free stuff.

Where does this idea of old folks getting free healthcare come from?

You pay a goodly sum into SS and Medicare your whole working life. Having others ***** about you finally starting to get some of it back is like the bank bitching because you want back the money plus interest for your money they held for you all those years.

Plus you pay for Medicare Part B. $105 (or more) per person per month. Plus paying for any Supplemental health plan you buy (almost every wise person does). Plus any drug plan you get. Plus we pay co-pays for services as well. Substantially cheaper, yes, but far from free.

Cheaper health insurance and 10% off on lodging most places. That's about all the "free stuff" you get for being old unless you are living in poverty.

Other than that we pay the same prices that everyone else does for taxes, products and services (or at least I do).

 

[mdlUK.1]

Plus you pay for Medicare Part B. $105 (or more) per person per month. Plus paying for any Supplemental health plan you buy (almost every wise person does). Plus any drug plan you get. Substantially cheaper, yes, but far from free.

All true but you'll never convince crazy.

 

[krazykats]

I would kill for that premium. What's your deductible?

1000 that is paid first then insurance kicks in 80/20.

It's really a 900+ premium that my company covers a huge part of. They don't pay the best in the world but if we take advantage of the benefits then it works out.

 

[gamecockcat]

The ACA is driving many carriers out of the exchanges. Too many regulations, too many sick people signing up for the coverage, too few young, healthy people signing up at artificially high rates to subsidize the older/sicker, too much red tape for providers.

Adding people to the Medicaid roles did NOT help the healthcare system, the deficit nor (at least according to some articles I've read) did it reduce the use of the ER for normal illnesses.

So far, it has reduced somewhat (but not eliminated) the number of Americans without health insurance, completely blown past the expected/promised cost, has not reduced the average premium, has constricted access to doctors and hospitals, has caused the cancellation of millions of existing policies and, at least according to a study done in Oregon, has not improved health outcomes. Why in the hell are some people still in favor of it?

 

[warrior-cat]

All of this whining about paying for boomers stuff is moronic. I have been paying in for over fourty years now and am still paying in. We baby boomers have supported and still are supporting those who came before us and a lot more of those who came after us now since the democrats have decided to give more of our stuff away. Do your part you lazy bastards! Rant over, thank you for your time.

 

[UKserialkiller]

Look folks. Don't change your health plans. Obama says if you like it, then you can keep it.

Obama: 'If you like your health care plan, you'll be able to keep your health care plan'

 

[Ahnan E. Muss]

The ACA is driving many carriers out of the exchanges. Too many regulations, too many sick people signing up for the coverage, too few young, healthy people signing up at artificially high rates to subsidize the older/sicker, too much red tape for providers.

Adding people to the Medicaid roles did NOT help the healthcare system, the deficit nor (at least according to some articles I've read) did it reduce the use of the ER for normal illnesses.

So far, it has reduced somewhat (but not eliminated) the number of Americans without health insurance, completely blown past the expected/promised cost, has not reduced the average premium, has constricted access to doctors and hospitals, has caused the cancellation of millions of existing policies and, at least according to a study done in Oregon, has not improved health outcomes. Why in the hell are some people still in favor of it?

All true, but I'll tell you why I'm in favor of it: Because without it, I would not have insurance. No insurance company would insure me unless they HAD to. So, yeah, it's a mess, and it has tons of problems. But you asked why, and there is an answer.

 

[Ahnan E. Muss]

My thoughts about healthcare in general:

The entire industry is perfectly designed for everyone with any skin in the game to INCREASE costs. Insurance companies, government entitites, providers, pharmaceutical companies, medical equipment manufacturers, etc, etc. It's the only good or service we have or ever will consume/use where we have no idea of the actual price tag, and no reasonable ability to negotiate or encourage competition. Extremely bizarre.

The ACA really didn't fix any of ^^ those issues. There are plenty of good components of the program, but it created more issues than it solved.

Also --> just because your premiums went up/your plan sucks/your recent ER visit wasn't covered/your surgery was denied.....the ACA isn't the culprit of EVERYTHING. Not defending the stupid legislation, but you can't blame every single issue on Obamacare.

Nailed it.

I have to get an MRI done every couple of years (sometimes more often, sometimes less often). With my previous insurance they sent me to Hospital X. Procedure was charged at something like $3k.

With my current insurance they send me to Hospital Y. Only after the procedure do I find out that this hospital charges $9k - yes, three times as much for the same procedure.

So knowing that now, I'd like to have it done at Hospital X. That should save me money AND save the insurance company money.

Will the insurance company allow this? NOPE, they won't.

WTF?

 

[crazyqx83_rivals88013]

Where does this idea of old folks getting free healthcare come from?

You pay a goodly sum into SS and Medicare your whole working life. Having others ***** about you finally starting to get some of it back is like the bank bitching because you want back the money plus interest for your money they held for you all those years.

Plus you pay for Medicare Part B. $105 (or more) per person per month. Plus paying for any Supplemental health plan you buy (almost every wise person does). Plus any drug plan you get. Plus we pay co-pays for services as well. Substantially cheaper, yes, but far from free.

Cheaper health insurance and 10% off on lodging most places. That's about all the "free stuff" you get for being old unless you are living in poverty.

Other than that we pay the same prices that everyone else does for taxes, products and services (or at least I do).

$105 per person per month plus $10 copays? Dear Lord. Don't break the bank.

And SS and Medicare won't exist for my generation. Why is your generation hellbent on squeezing every solitary cent out of a dying economy?

"The dems did it. The dems did it." way to excuse yourselves from 40 years of ****** voting history.

 

[crazyqx83_rivals88013]

All of this whining about paying for boomers stuff is moronic. I have been paying in for over fourty years now and am still paying in. We baby boomers have supported and still are supporting those who came before us and a lot more of those who came after us now since the democrats have decided to give more of our stuff away. Do your part you lazy bastards! Rant over, thank you for your time.

Your rant is ignorant on an epic level.

And it's "forty."

You didn't support anyone. In fact, I'm positive you've been a drain on everyone.

 

[warrior-cat]

Your rant is ignorant on an epic level.

And it's "forty."

You didn't support anyone. In fact, I'm positive you've been a drain on everyone.

Your too stupid to know anything about me. I have sacrificed more than you know and have been paying into the system for a long time. It is self indulgent mindless people like you who have not paid your dues who think you are owed something just because you exist. Grow up little boy and contribute like those before your lazy *** have.

 

[Anon1640710541]

If anyone wanted to solve the COST of healthcare, it's actually very simple. You'd create an online marketplace (similar to Amazon) for purchasing equipment, prescriptions, doctor visits, surgeries, etc. You give the consumer the power to learn and negotiate, and providers and manufacturers would need to compete in order win business.

But that would be way too easy.

 

[crazyqx83_rivals88013]

Your too stupid to know anything about me. I have sacrificed more than you know and have been paying into the system for a long time. It is self indulgent mindless people like you who have not paid your dues who think you are owed something just because you exist. Grow up little boy and contribute like those before your lazy *** have.

[laughing]

 

[Ahnan E. Muss]

Your too stupid ...

Intentional?

 

[P.PattersonISwalkingthruthatdoor]

If anyone wanted to solve the COST of healthcare, it's actually very simple. You'd create an online marketplace (similar to Amazon) for purchasing equipment, prescriptions, doctor visits, surgeries, etc. You give the consumer the power to learn and negotiate, and providers and manufacturers would need to compete in order win business.

But that would be way too easy.

well, plus:
(1) stop paying providers to do sh*t besides provide care
(2) stop spending health care dollars on sh*t that's not health care

 

[slick rick.ksr]

Look folks. Don't change your health plans. Obama says if you like it, then you can keep it.

Obama: 'If you like your health care plan, you'll be able to keep your health care plan'

Obama......what a f$$khead

 

[MegaBlue05]

I find health care in general to be one of if not the most crooked industry in this country. This new law isn't very good. The old way sucked too. There's too much money to be made to figure out how to make it "affordable" for everyone. I don't know a solution, but I do know it ain't getting better like we were told it would.

 

[starchief]

I find health care in general to be one of if not the most crooked industry in this country. This new law isn't very good. The old way sucked too. There's too much money to be made to figure out how to make it "affordable" for everyone. I don't know a solution, but I do know it ain't getting better like we were told it would.

It is a racket from top to bottom, enabled by paid-off politicians.The most egregious example of this is the Repubs signing off on the Drug program only if it would be agreed that Medicare could not negotiate the price of drugs. Medicare was the only agency with the power to insist upon reasonable prices. That's politicians for you.

The care one gets is great but the price paid for it is outrageous,

When you get in the system it is like you are going down an assembly line with a bag full of money going past a long line of people in the medical field with outstretched hands taking their portion (often outrageous amounts) of the money out of the bag.

 

[Ahnan E. Muss]

The care one gets is great but the price paid for it is outrageous,

More like this: The care one gets is sometimes great, most often not, but the price paid for it is outrageous regardless of the quality of care - and the price seems independent from the quality of the care.

The rest of your post, I agree with.

 

[Levibooty]

When Americans understand single-payer health coverage works in a lot of countries where the citizens are happier than us then maybe we will come to our senses. Healthcare in this country is designed by the medical industry to make the wealthy wealthier.

 

[UKserialkiller]

Obama......what a f$$khead

Stevo. You didn't change your health plan did you? Because if you liked it, you shoulda kept it. Obama said you didn't have to change it if you like it. But if you didn't like it to begin with, then Obama has some health plans on his website that you can choose from. I would choose the Obama Gold plan over the Obama Silver Plan.

Check it out. www.obamacare.gov.

 

[LordEgg_rivals16573]

How many of you all actually believed a government program was going to save you (or the system, or anyone) money? Thank you, and don't forget to blow your brains out as you exit through the gift shop.

 

[warrior-cat]

Intentional?

no, a little intoxicated when posting. But, good non point.

 

[Deeeefense]

The cost of health care providers and drugs is which driving premiums through the roof. Here's a couple of examples:

1. I recently went to an Orthopedic doc for a knee issue. He prescribed an antibiotic that cost $2000 for a one month supply.

2. Several months ago I had an ear infection and had some tingling in the face. The Nurse practitioner I saw directed me to go to the emergency room to get checked for the possibility of stroke. Turned out to be nothing, but I was there a total of about 7 hours, one half hour was spent in xrays, and 20 minutes with a doctor. The rest of time was just waiting around. The bill? $13,000.

You can pass the most fantastic health care bill in the world but in the end somebody has to pay for all this - guess who?

 

[WettCat]

You can pass the most fantastic health care bill in the world

What happens if you pass the worst most costly health care bill in the world...will that help?

 

[warrior-cat]

What happens if you pass the worst most costly health care bill in the world...will that help?

Isn't it funny that no matter how bad it is, it is still fantastic because it happened on Obama's watch. Longer wait times, higher prices, and we have some people who think it was still a good idea. (note) The full cost and affect will not be seen until 2017.

 

[gamecockcat]

All true, but I'll tell you why I'm in favor of it: Because without it, I would not have insurance. No insurance company would insure me unless they HAD to. So, yeah, it's a mess, and it has tons of problems. But you asked why, and there is an answer.

Before ACA, TX had a 'high risk pool' (which I think many states did, also). Partially subsidized by taxpayers, it didn't turn anyone down. The only criteria was that you had to have been declined by an individual carrier. Cost was less than ACA, insureds had access to Blue Cross/Blue Shield network and it was so much simpler. Why didn't the feds just mandate all states have a high risk pool. Oh yeah, because the ACA isn't about insurance - it's about redistribution.

If the ACA was all that, why did Congress insist that their own staff shouldn't be made to enroll because it would cause all the 'talent' to leave for private employers? Why did they exempt themselves?

 

[-LEK-]

Where does this idea of old folks getting free healthcare come from?

You pay a goodly sum into SS and Medicare your whole working life. Having others ***** about you finally starting to get some of it back is like the bank bitching because you want back the money plus interest for your money they held for you all those years.

Plus you pay for Medicare Part B. $105 (or more) per person per month. Plus paying for any Supplemental health plan you buy (almost every wise person does). Plus any drug plan you get. Plus we pay co-pays for services as well. Substantially cheaper, yes, but far from free.

Cheaper health insurance and 10% off on lodging most places. That's about all the "free stuff" you get for being old unless you are living in poverty.

Other than that we pay the same prices that everyone else does for taxes, products and services (or at least I do).

This is the crap I am talking about. Baby Boomers are the most crying non deserving wanting free stuff socialists in our society. Its claims like, we paid into it etc.

How about this:

"According to the institute’s data, a two-earner couple receiving an average wage — $44,600 per spouse in 2012 dollars — and turning 65 in 2010 would have paid $722,000 into Social Security and Medicare and can be expected to take out $966,000 in benefits. So, this couple will be paid about one-third more in benefits than they paid in taxes.

If a similar couple had retired in 1980, they would have gotten back almost three times what they put in. And if they had retired in 1960, they would have gotten back more than eight times what they paid in. The bigger discrepancies common decades ago can be traced in part to the fact that some of these individuals’ working lives came before Social Security taxes were collected beginning in 1937.

Some types of families did much better than average. A couple with only one spouse working (and receiving the same average wage) would have paid in $361,000 if they turned 65 in 2010, but can expect to get back $854,000 — more than double what they paid in. In 1980, this same 65-year-old couple would have received five times more than what they paid in, while in 1960, such a couple would have ended up with 14 times what they put in.

Such findings suggest that, even allowing for inflation and investment gains, many seniors will receive much more in benefits than what they paid in."

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-m...re-and-social-security-what-you-paid-what-yo/

You people milk the system at all costs. So yes, you get tons of free stuff and more subsidies than any group in America.

Such findings suggest that, even allowing for inflation and investment gains, many seniors will receive much more in benefits than what they paid in.

 

[mdlUK.1]

This is the crap I am talking about. Baby Boomers are the most crying non deserving wanting free stuff socialists in our society. Its claims like, we paid into it etc.

How about this:

"According to the institute’s data, a two-earner couple receiving an average wage — $44,600 per spouse in 2012 dollars — and turning 65 in 2010 would have paid $722,000 into Social Security and Medicare and can be expected to take out $966,000 in benefits. So, this couple will be paid about one-third more in benefits than they paid in taxes.

If a similar couple had retired in 1980, they would have gotten back almost three times what they put in. And if they had retired in 1960, they would have gotten back more than eight times what they paid in. The bigger discrepancies common decades ago can be traced in part to the fact that some of these individuals’ working lives came before Social Security taxes were collected beginning in 1937.

Some types of families did much better than average. A couple with only one spouse working (and receiving the same average wage) would have paid in $361,000 if they turned 65 in 2010, but can expect to get back $854,000 — more than double what they paid in. In 1980, this same 65-year-old couple would have received five times more than what they paid in, while in 1960, such a couple would have ended up with 14 times what they put in.

Such findings suggest that, even allowing for inflation and investment gains, many seniors will receive much more in benefits than what they paid in."

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-m...re-and-social-security-what-you-paid-what-yo/

You people milk the system at all costs. So yes, you get tons of free stuff and more subsidies than any group in America.

Such findings suggest that, even allowing for inflation and investment gains, many seniors will receive much more in benefits than what they paid in.

Lol, your tears are adding years to my life.

Keep crying and I'll keep on using all that free stuff you losers whine about.

 

[backbeatcat_rivals376595]

If anyone wanted to solve the COST of healthcare, it's actually very simple. You'd create an online marketplace (similar to Amazon) for purchasing equipment, prescriptions, doctor visits, surgeries, etc. You give the consumer the power to learn and negotiate, and providers and manufacturers would need to compete in order win business.

But that would be way too easy.

This. The healthcare economy is busted because third parties negotiate for payment instead of the patient. Patients, given transparent pricing, would make rational decisions. Providers, knowing that their prices have a marginal demand curve would price accordingly. Speculation in provider contracting by health insurers ruins it.

So, how about this? Make it illegal for health insurers to reimburse providers directly and negotiate prices with the providers. Make insurance a member-only reimbursement arrangement so that it's only job is to spread risk among insureds. If the member shops for lower prices they keep the delta between the indemnity payment and the actual charges.

IDK, maybe there is no model that works.

 

[crazyqx83_rivals88013]

Lol, your tears are adding years to my life.

Keep crying and I'll keep on using all that free stuff you losers whine about.

Are you proud of this?

 

[mdlUK.1]

Are you proud of this?

Please stop. I can't take many more of your tears. I might explode with joy.

And I need to call the government to find out where my free **** is. It's probably with my white privilge card.

 

[crazyqx83_rivals88013]

This. The healthcare economy is busted because third parties negotiate for payment instead of the patient. Patients, given transparent pricing, would make rational decisions. Providers, knowing that their prices have a marginal demand curve would price accordingly. Speculation in provider contracting by health insurers ruins it.

So, how about this? Make it illegal for health insurers to reimburse providers directly and negotiate prices with the providers. Make insurance a member-only reimbursement arrangement so that it's only job is to spread risk among insureds. If the member shops for lower prices they keep the delta between the indemnity payment and the actual charges.

IDK, maybe there is no model that works.

I'm dealing with this right now. I've been billed $2400 for a procedure that I understand is usually paid about 25% of that by insurance companies. I was sent out of network by a specialist. I guarantee the provider won't negotiate with me or give me anything more than a ridiculously insulting 5%-10% discount if I agree to pay cash on the spot.

I wish someone in the industry would ATTEMPT to defend this practice. The system is set up where providers and insurers collude to make themselves copious amounts if cash. They don't even have to disclose costs for procedures that have fixed prices by procedure code. These practices are criminal in any other industry.

 

[crazyqx83_rivals88013]

Please stop. I can't take many more of your tears. I might explode with joy.

And I need to call the government to find out where my free **** is. It's probably with my white privilge card.

You're an idiot. It's been pointed out that you're essentially on a glorified dole and you still play the "I paid my fair share" card. Psychopath.

 

[mdlUK.1]

[roll][roll][roll][roll]

You're an idiot. It's been pointed out that you're essentially on a glorified dole and you still play the "I paid my fair share" card. Psychopath.

 

[mdlUK.1]

Look crazy, I'm sorry you have poor insurance and are struggling to make ends meet but blaming others doesn't win you any friends. Other people have problems too.

 

[UKserialkiller]

Ive paid my share. And I'm willing to give it up.

They should give tax reductions for those who decide to reject the monthly ss payments.

Maybe I'm just a better American Patriot than you wanna be Uncle Sams

 

[crazyqx83_rivals88013]

Look crazy, I'm sorry you have poor insurance and are struggling to make ends meet but blaming others doesn't win you any friends. Other people have problems too.

I dont want any friends. I want your dumb *** to understand that you're on the dole. And that boomers have voted themselves sweet economic perks for 50 years.

 

[mdlUK.1]

I dont want any friends. I want your dumb *** to understand that you're on the dole. And that boomers have voted themselves sweet economic perks for 50 years.

Never said you were a friend. My friends are smarter and no where near as whiny. Sometimes you get what you deserve.

 

[Cattoyz]

Given what I have earned, and will earn, over my career and what has been paid into Medicare and SS (currently at 15.3%), at full retirement (66 1/2 yrs old), I would gladly accept a check for what has been contributed on my behalf and promise to never accept another dime from the government.