Obamacare Guarantees Higher Insurance Premiums

[Gfted1]

Read it and weep.

[Pidesco]

I though most of Obamacare's provisions only became effective in 2014. What exactly is forcing private insurers to increase premiums so much?

[Valsuelm]

I though most of Obamacare's provisions only became effective in 2014. What exactly is forcing private insurers to increase premiums so much?

 

Anticipation? Exploiting the market?

 

Some provisions of it are already in effect. One of the biggies, the mandate that says you need to purchase insurance doesn't go into effect until 2014 (even though many of the more corrupt states are already mandating it amongst some of their populace (ie: New York and college students)), but some the rest of it, such as the increase in age for required coverage of dependents is already in effect.

 

Also, despite the myth believed by many who supported it, 'Obamacare' is not a blow to the evil insurance companies. Many insurance companies were very much in support of that bill and lobbied for it as they well knew it would increase their profits. You didn't hear about that much in the main stream media though.

Edited January 7, 2013 by Valsuelm

[Gorgon]

Mandated insurance for everyone. That's gotta be a huge boost to the sector. Or, yall could learn from ze Germans. Turns out a well managed universal healthcare system is cheaper and more effective. The doctors hate the idea because it will mean they will make less money, ditto the carriers and HMOs. It's only really good for one group : the end users.

 

Also, this is an opinion piece, don't let the fancy titles fool you

 

 

Sally C. Pipes is President, CEO, and Taube Fellow in Health Care Studies at the Pacific Research Institute. Her latest book is The Pipes Plan: The Top Ten Ways to Dismantle and Replace Obamacare (Regnery 2012).

 

 

Bought and payed for. They have a world for when journalists get up to this kind of malarkey. Good thinh she's not a journalist then, having to be objective and everything, but an 'academic'.

[Pidesco]

These guys disagree with Pipes.

 

https://www.shrm.org/hrdisciplines/benefits/Articles/Pages/Health-Premiums-2013.aspx

 

In 2012, U.S. companies and their employees saw the lowest health care premium rate increases in six years, according to an analysis by consultancy Aon Hewitt. The average health care premium rate increase for large employers in 2012 was 4.9 percent, down from 8.5 percent in 2011 and 6.2 percent in 2010. In 2013, however, average health care premium increases are projected to jump up to 6.3 percent.

[Hurlshort]

Seriously, my health care costs were skyrocketing before Obamacare even got passed. The system is broken. I don't think Obamacare will fix it, but all the people who attack it instead of coming up with reasonable solutions and alternatives are just another part of the problem.

 

The cost of insuring my family of four through my employer right now is $600 a month. We are young and healthy, we don't smoke, we barely drink, we don't take part in bull riding or anything. That's crazy. My employer is shelling out a good deal more than that as well.

[Meshugger]

How can insurance premiums go up if the pool of recipients grow? Did only extremely healthy people insure themselves before?

[BruceVC]

Seriously, my health care costs were skyrocketing before Obamacare even got passed. The system is broken. I don't think Obamacare will fix it, but all the people who attack it instead of coming up with reasonable solutions and alternatives are just another part of the problem.

 

The cost of insuring my family of four through my employer right now is $600 a month. We are young and healthy, we don't smoke, we barely drink, we don't take part in bull riding or anything. That's crazy. My employer is shelling out a good deal more than that as well.

 

Come now Hurlshot you are being a little disingenuous when you imply you don't have any activities that are considered dangerous? What about PC gaming and the stress factor that comes with that, I'm sure you can understand insurance companies wanting to increase your premiums. You do realize how much a broken fingernail caused by slamming hard on that keyboard can harm your overall health?

[Valsuelm]

How can insurance premiums go up if the pool of recipients grow? Did only extremely healthy people insure themselves before?

 

There's a number of reasons. You can sum most of them up with the word: Corruption.

 

Some of them:

 

'Mental Health' has a bit to do with it. 15 years ago few insurance companies covered 'mental health' under their general plans. Much like most still don't cover dentistry. A variety of things changed this and now just about all if not all insurance plans out there cover 'mental health'. There are an ever increasing number of people going to folks in the 'mental health' field, and they are not cheap. Nor are the drugs they dish out like candy. 'Having a bad day? Would you like some Zoloft?' Quite seriously that's how easy it is in many a psychiatrists office to either score (if you're looking for it, which many are) or be given (if you're not) these drugs. I know more than few people who play the system to get their drugs, and I also know more than a few people who have been given drugs they never really even wanted. Who picks up the bill? People who pay insurance premiums if insurance picks it up, or taxpayers if medicare/caid/etc picks up the tab.

 

There is also a TON of fraud and price gouging in the health care industry from top to bottom. And there's a lot of top. The administration departments in your average hospital are very top heavy with extremely overpaid incompetents.

 

And then there's just your good ole variety price gouging on the part of the insurance company. Much like skyrocketing gas prices after Katrina.... something totally not based on any reality but a circumstances a big company can take advantage of to fib and jack up prices for bigger profits.

 

Then you have an ever expanding idea of what the 'health care industry' should be providing for you. Not too long ago for example you weren't getting abortions (the non life threatening kind, which is most of them), contraceptives, sex changes, various cosmetic surgeries, or other various elective things such as Viagra under insurance plans either. Increasingly you are finding that you are, and in some cases because of some law some idiots somewhere passed.

 

And last, but not even remotely least is the ever increasing addiction/belief that you need 'medicine' to cure every ailment (real or perceived) under the sun by your average American. Got the sniffles? Run to the store and get medicine X. It didn't go away in a few days? Heed the BS on that medicine's label and go to your doctor for some prescription drugs. Get some real rest, and eat healthy? 'Huh? That won't cure it!?' says your average Joe these days. well actually sir average brainwashed Joe... most of the time it will. And most of the time you'd never have gotten sick in the first place if you were living a healthy life to begin with. What's a healthy life? Exercise, rest, little to no drugs or alcohol, no processed foods, all natural foods, etc.

 

I could write a lot more.... but there's a synopsis.

[alanschu]

Seriously, my health care costs were skyrocketing before Obamacare even got passed. The system is broken. I don't think Obamacare will fix it, but all the people who attack it instead of coming up with reasonable solutions and alternatives are just another part of the problem.

 

The cost of insuring my family of four through my employer right now is $600 a month. We are young and healthy, we don't smoke, we barely drink, we don't take part in bull riding or anything. That's crazy. My employer is shelling out a good deal more than that as well.

 

I remember when my health care premiums cost like $44/month haha. Then the government decided to fully subsidize it. Of course, it didn't affect me much as my income was so low (student) that my premium was subsidized anyway (they had a scaling subsidy from a floor to a ceiling based on how much your annual income was).

 

EDIT: Fixed hilarious typo.

Edited January 7, 2013 by alanschu

[Azure79]

Seriously, my health care costs were skyrocketing before Obamacare even got passed. The system is broken. I don't think Obamacare will fix it, but all the people who attack it instead of coming up with reasonable solutions and alternatives are just another part of the problem.

 

The cost of insuring my family of four through my employer right now is $600 a month. We are young and healthy, we don't smoke, we barely drink, we don't take part in bull riding or anything. That's crazy. My employer is shelling out a good deal more than that as well.

 

Come now Hurlshot you are being a little disingenuous when you imply you don't have any activities that are considered dangerous? What about PC gaming and the stress factor that comes with that, I'm sure you can understand insurance companies wanting to increase your premiums. You do realize how much a broken fingernail caused by slamming hard on that keyboard can harm your overall health?

 

I enjoy your posts way too much.

[Calax]

And last, but not even remotely least is the ever increasing addiction/belief that you need 'medicine' to cure every ailment (real or perceived) under the sun by your average American. Got the sniffles? Run to the store and get medicine X. It didn't go away in a few days? Heed the BS on that medicine's label and go to your doctor for some prescription drugs. Get some real rest, and eat healthy? 'Huh? That won't cure it!?' says your average Joe these days. well actually sir average brainwashed Joe... most of the time it will. And most of the time you'd never have gotten sick in the first place if you were living a healthy life to begin with. What's a healthy life? Exercise, rest, little to no drugs or alcohol, no processed foods, all natural foods, etc.

 

Reason number 6 I am not currently dead via suicide

[Gfted1]

Like many other anticonvulsant medications' date=' Lamotrigine also seems to act as an effective [b']mood stabilizer...[/b]

 

Other side-effects include loss of balance or coordination' date=' double vision, crossed eyes, pupil constriction, blurred vision, dizziness and lack of coordination, drowsiness, insomnia, anxiety, vivid dreams or nightmares, dry mouth, mouth ulcers,[sup'] [/sup]memory and cognitive problems, mood changes...

 

What the...

[Wrath of Dagon]

Obamacare mess is just going to collapse of its own weight. People are expected to buy their own insurance but they can't afford it. From what I understand just buying catastrophic coverage is no longer an option, which will drive up the costs even more. Medicare is already collapsing and taking the country with it. We do desperately need medical reform, unfortunately no one's come up with anything like a solution yet.

[Calax]

Like many other anticonvulsant medications' date=' Lamotrigine also seems to act as an effective [b']mood stabilizer...[/b]

 

Other side-effects include loss of balance or coordination' date=' double vision, crossed eyes, pupil constriction, blurred vision, dizziness and lack of coordination, drowsiness, insomnia, anxiety, vivid dreams or nightmares, dry mouth, mouth ulcers,[sup'] [/sup]memory and cognitive problems, mood changes...

 

What the...

Dude, it actually kicked my depressions ass rather than just making it so I didn't go manic all over the walls.

[alanschu]

He was pointing out that a "Mood stabilizer" has the side effect of "Mood changes."

[Calax]

He was pointing out that a "Mood stabilizer" has the side effect of "Mood changes."

Yeah? And when you stabalize a mood instead of going :_(

 

you go :-l

[Nepenthe]

He was pointing out that a "Mood stabilizer" has the side effect of "Mood changes."

If I had to guess, I'd say that there are several reasons for mood changes, and it affects one of them. And messing with something that can cause mood changes, but isn't doing it, might cause mood changes.

[Oerwinde]

Seriously, my health care costs were skyrocketing before Obamacare even got passed. The system is broken. I don't think Obamacare will fix it, but all the people who attack it instead of coming up with reasonable solutions and alternatives are just another part of the problem.

 

The cost of insuring my family of four through my employer right now is $600 a month. We are young and healthy, we don't smoke, we barely drink, we don't take part in bull riding or anything. That's crazy. My employer is shelling out a good deal more than that as well.

 

I currently pay $32 a month for basic coverage, deducted from my paycheck. Meaning all my dr visits, hospital treatment, surgery, etc. is covered. Through my wife's employer we have 100% dental coverage (cleaning/polishing/extractions/fillings/etc), with some exceptions, and like 80% prescription coverage after a $40 annual deductable (first $40 is on us, after that the plan covers 80%). I believe we also have 80% optical coverage. This is entirely covered by her employer, we don't pay a cent for that plan.

 

One reason I like living in Canada. Sure I lose 23% of my income to taxes, but I won't go bankrupt due to medical concerns.

Edited January 8, 2013 by Oerwinde

[Gorgon]

Lol, lightweight. 35% and 25% VAT for everyone.

[Valsuelm]

Like many other anticonvulsant medications' date=' Lamotrigine also seems to act as an effective [b']mood stabilizer...[/b]

 

Other side-effects include loss of balance or coordination' date=' double vision, crossed eyes, pupil constriction, blurred vision, dizziness and lack of coordination, drowsiness, insomnia, anxiety, vivid dreams or nightmares, dry mouth, mouth ulcers,[sup'] [/sup]memory and cognitive problems, mood changes...

 

What the...

 

Par for the course for any psychotropic. They wreak incredible damage on the mind and body in the long run, and the vast majority of the time they just mask whatever issue(s) it was that had person A in 'need' of them to begin with. Note that 'need' here is akin to someone who 'needs' opium. There is little difference between the guy on the street corner peddling illicit drug Y to person Z who wants to escape life for awhile, than there is from the guy in the white coat peddling his goods. That said, sometimes it is good to attempt to escape life for awhile if it's become a hell. A permanent vacation in the form of spending the rest of your life in a bottle or on drug X from your problem(s) is a horrendous idea as you've not really fixed your problems but taken on a new one that will eclipse the old. The most hopeless drug addicts are the ones who think they don't have a problem and believe what they're told when they're told they 'need' a drug. The long term consequences for themselves and those around them are rarely less than and often greater than the guy who takes to the needle.

Edited January 8, 2013 by Valsuelm

[AGX-17]

Read it and weep.

 

Well, it was the Republican congress in the 90s that came up with Obamacare as a response to the Clinton administration's attempts to pursue universal healthcare or at least healthcare reform. Newt Gingrich loved Obamacare back when it was his idea.

 

Incidentially, the article is by a libertarian think-tank employee so I'm not quite convinced of skyrocketing premiums.

Edited January 8, 2013 by AGX-17

[Gfted1]

So those of you disputing the accuracy because this article is from a third party are saying these statements are false?:

 

When Obamacare was making its way through Congress, the Congressional Budget Office warned that premiums in the individual market would increase by 10-13 percent.

 

Even the law’s designers admit that it will raise premiums. Massachusetts Institute of Technology Economics Professor Jonathan Gruber, one of Obamacare’s chief architects, estimated that premiums in Wisconsin would rise by about 30 percent by 2016 following implementation of the law. Most of the Badger State’s individual insurance market will see an even larger increase, averaging about 41 percent.

 

According to a report conducted by Gruber, 59 percent of the individual market will end up paying more after taking the subsidies into account. The average increase? Nearly a third.

[Meshugger]

Legalize drugs, tax them and subsidize incurance with said taxes so people can buy anti-depressants for a more affordable prices.

 

The circle is then complete.

[alanschu]

He was pointing out that a "Mood stabilizer" has the side effect of "Mood changes."

Yeah? And when you stabalize a mood instead of going :_(

 

you go :-l

 

 

I understand what a mood stabilizer does.

 

I chuckled when I saw that a mood stabilizer has a side effect of not stabilizing your mood, but rather changing it.