Do you like Obamacare?

Deb · Post by **Deb** » Wed Nov 20, 2013 8:21 am

I have exactly one plan to choose from. It will cost me and DH over $1400 per month with a $3000 deductible each and an 80/20 co-pay. We don't qualify for subsidies. There is another company that just came forward offering coverage but it won't include the Mayo Clinic which is my primary care physician. There's nothing to like about it from my end.

wmonique2 · Post by **wmonique2** » Wed Nov 20, 2013 12:27 pm

Lesley,

Right back at you! Ditto!

Monique

Leah · Post by **Leah** » Wed Nov 20, 2013 2:05 pm

I agree monique :)

Sheila · Post by **Sheila** » Wed Nov 20, 2013 6:49 pm

I agree. Having once spent 6 months waiting for permission to have a necessary back surgery; having had my group policy cancelled when my husband (owner of the company) died; having been gouged after that death when I had to get an individual policy; having the same insurance company deny coverage of my lower back EVER; having my second husband's health insurance policy cancelled when he died; I agree. Health insurance in this country has been broken for years. Give the ACA a chance to work.

Sheila W

lorimoose · Post by **lorimoose** » Wed Nov 20, 2013 7:13 pm

I agree Sheila!

Lori

patc73 · Post by **patc73** » Wed Nov 20, 2013 8:06 pm

Sheila, I thought losing my husband's insurance once was bad, but twice! We all need to be able to afford our own, and hopefully now we can!

nancyl · Post by **nancyl** » Wed Nov 20, 2013 8:40 pm

Well said Monique!!!!!

And, also wanted to let you know that I loved your book. Hope you are working on a new one.

Nancy

Lesley · Post by **Lesley** » Wed Nov 20, 2013 10:23 pm

I had an accident on the job. I got sick. I went to hospital. I came out with HUGE debt and lost my health insurance. I had to pay for COBRA. I had to go on disability, which is about 1/2 of what I as making then, and is about a 1/3 of what I would have been making had I been able to go on working.
I could not afford my rent, to pay for COBRA and to pay off my debt. I moved in with my son, and battled until I was declared disabled and got early Medicare, and social security which is WAY less than it should have been.
And now? I am struggling with turning my disability income into a pension on which I will be able to survive.

People should not have to pay insurance for all their working lives only to lose it because of an accident or illness, and be left in debt. It's totally ridiculous.

I remember when Medicare part D was rolled out. What a mess. Apart from the fact that it was not paid for and that it still has huge holes in it (namely the donut hole) it took a lot of time and work to get it going smoothly. NO big program rolls out problem free, especially one that is being actively sabotaged as this one is.
Also, the states were meant to make their own websites. The ones that did so are going fine.
Give this time.

Well said, Sheila.

terre · Post by **terre** » Thu Nov 21, 2013 12:15 am

I agree with Deb...there has got to be a better plan, this is hurting a lot of people. I think everyone deserves health insurance, but why not leave Medicare and Medicaid alone and open up state borders so we can shop for ourselves. That way you can shop insurance companies, there is competition and you can purchase what you need and can afford. I also think that pre-existing conditions should be covered. I respect everyone's opinion....but it's human nature to look at things from our personal vantage point.

robinc2525 · Post by **robinc2525** » Thu Nov 21, 2013 9:15 am

I think it depends on where you live. We have only one insurance company in my state participating in the exchange. I have an individual plan that I bought several years ago after I was suddenly widowed. That plan has served me and my young children very well. This year when I got sick I hit my deductible which of course was not fun to pay all that money, however, once I hit it my insurance has paid for everything 100%- doctors, prescriptions, compounded prescriptions, tests, everything. Under the new ACA plans, my monthly premium goes up, Uceris and Lialda (two drugs I was on this past year) are not covered on the new plans AT ALL, I can no longer use the hospital where both my babies were born and where I have had preventative care done (100% paid under my old plan), AND since you can't cross state lines on the new plan (the state line is literally 10 minutes from my house), I can no longer see my doctor.

It bothers me when I turn on the tv and people say that all the old insurance plans were crappy and subpar and they need to be done away with. That is insulting and not true. I am a responsible woman who has always provided insurance for myself and my children and I chose a plan that was RIGHT for us. My plan was not cheap to begin with and now I will be paying MORE for less, and I lose doctors, hospitals and medications if I need them.

All that said I am optimistic and I am not opposed to change if it actually is for the better. Sometime I get the feeling though that many leaders (on both sides) care more about keeping their jobs than about what best for Americans.

terre · Post by **terre** » Thu Nov 21, 2013 9:23 am

robinc2525, my heart goes out to you.....and I totally agree with the last statement you made in your post.

Sheila · Post by **Sheila** » Thu Nov 21, 2013 12:19 pm

I'm so sorry you are having such difficulty with your insurance. I know that some states, Florida included, has not cooperated or contributed in any way toward implementing the ACA. In many cases, states have put roadblocks in the path of implementation. The people of the State suffer because of that decision. Try contacting your state representative or senator and let them know you want the state to step up and make the ACA work.

Sheila W

terre · Post by **terre** » Thu Nov 21, 2013 1:00 pm

....or ask your representative or senator to repeal it. I'm very upset with the thought of losing my doctor who I have gone to for years and then to think you can't use a certain hospital...on top of that deductibles that you will never be able to afford to meet. Sorry, but this is just how I feel.

I'll refrain from further comments, this just leaves me with a very heavy heart. All deserve to have health insurance, that I totally agree with.

Leah · Post by **Leah** » Thu Nov 21, 2013 6:24 pm

I guess because I live in California ( which was one of the first to start getting ready for the ACA), I am not seeing what some of you are. There are at least 6 different Insurance companies vying for our business and all are comparable price wise. I have to agree with Sheila. Some of the states who refused to cooperate, now have made it very difficult for the people in those states. So sorry for those of you who live there.

I know that many are upset with how this whole thing has rolled out, but I don't think it will be repealed. The Republicans have tried 40 times to do that ( wasting a lot of time on something they knew would never pass). It is the law of the land right now and if anything, they should only find a way to improve it- not extinguish it

Leah.

lorimoose · Post by **lorimoose** » Thu Nov 21, 2013 6:43 pm

Hello,

I agree with Leah. I still would have preferred a one payer system, but this is a good first step. I am sorry it is not going as well for people in some other states. Hopefully, it will get better soon.

Lori

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Do you like Obamacare?

do you like obamacare?