For those behind Obama care, how much can costs go up?

I assume there is no argument that costs will go up under the new health care law. I know that some provisions MAY be struck down, but all likely will not. If you are going to argue that costs will go down, please report your monthly insurance premium and what is generally included and your deductibles and please report back if the law is implemented so we can see if you were right (or I was).

For those in favor of the laws, in general, how much would be too much for costs to increase?

I realize those opposed that any amount is too much. But for those that favor it, there is a point at which the costs would outweigh the benefits.

I recognize that some of those out there that are opposed actually want universal health care and they just feel that Obamacare is not the right way.

I am sorry for bringing up cost/benefit so much, I know it is easier to make life changing decisions on emotion. I am just soo curious about the real world and how people think, where there limits are. tongue:

It's a difficult read, but from what I gather, the CBO report estimates that cost will both go up and down, depending upon your situation.

http://cbo.gov/ftpdocs/121xx/doc12119/0 ... lation.pdf
(I really hate wading through these documents.)

Effects on Health Insurance Premiums. Under PPACA and the Reconciliation Act, premiums for health insurance in the individual market will be somewhat higher than they would otherwise be, CBO and JCT estimate, mostly because the average insurance policy in that market will cover a larger share of enrollees’ costs for health care and provide a slightly wider range of benefits. The effects of those differences will be offset in part by other factors that will tend to reduce premiums in the individual market; for example, purchasers in that market will tend to be healthier than they would have been under prior law, leading to lower average costs for their health care. Although premiums in the individual market will be higher on average, many people will end up paying less for health insurance—because the majority of enrollees purchasing coverage in that market will receive subsidies via the insurance exchanges. Premiums for employment-based coverage obtained through large employers will be slightly lower than they would otherwise be; premiums for employment-based coverage obtained through small employers may be slightly higher or slightly lower.

My bare bones, huge deductible, health insurance went up 20% last year. How much did yours go up?

Dem talking points:
1) Health care costs will go down because goverment managers administering the plan will earn a lot less than those HMO execs and rich stockholders.
2) The Feds will pay much less for equipment and supplies because they have so much purchasing power. (The same American goverment that pays $900 for a hammer.)
3) The Feds will be more efficient, instead of having expensive MRI machines sitting unused in many metro clinics, you will just have a central one in Denver with a long line that gets constant use.

Medicare is much more efficient than for profit insurance companies.

Kate wrote: Medicare is much more efficient than for profit insurance companies.

But....
1) Private insurance patients are making up the difference for Medicare patients, why some doctors won't take new Medicare patients.
2) Medicare is having hugh cost overruns as hospitals and doctors petition their reps to get better pricing.

My insurance dynamic changed on too many variables to say a straight percentage and have it have meaning, but my insurance went up by about 10% and in general I have to pay for everything up to about 15k a year except a basic physical/discount on scripts. It is for the first time in my life more than our mortgage and something we are starting to think we need to do without.

I am more concerned with having a mandate to buy vs. some private company raising their service fees.

You ain't getting medicare for all, it's like saying it would be great if everyone got $1,000,000 dollars tomorrow, and part of why it will not happen for some time is that we will now be stuck with Obamacare or its new morphed form. The acceptance of this plan, "just to see what's in it" cost us any reasonable public health care or private health care, we are stuck now....the courts won't end up changing that too much, neither will congress, I bet. Plus I don't believe you in the long run.

I have another question for those experts out there.

Given that we have already debated for 200 years to get the current mix of services....just the right proportions. Why not simply reduce every program by some % vs. debating which ones....taking advantage of all of that previous debate. Really all we need to debate now is how much to reduce spending. Funding is another debate, but on the spending side, it is only reduce right? and we already have an acceptable mix % (on average). My concern is that if we reinvent the wheel, it will get reinvented even more in the favor or corp interests and not peoples. Thoughts?

It will be interesting to see how millions of resisters get treated and to watch them pay the fines or the consequences of tax evasion. This might create some unrest.

I would buy into the Ryan plan if there was an option to pay the actual costs and get medicare as it is now. All the polls show that most Americans want medicare,as I do. Just raise the price to reflect the true cost and if the private sector wants to compete- fine with me. I am all about choice.

Kate wrote: It's a difficult read, but from what I gather, the CBO report estimates that cost will both go up and down, depending upon your situation.

http://cbo.gov/ftpdocs/121xx/doc12119/0 ... lation.pdf
(I really hate wading through these documents.)

Effects on Health Insurance Premiums. Under PPACA and the Reconciliation Act, premiums for health insurance in the individual market will be somewhat higher than they would otherwise be, CBO and JCT estimate, mostly because the average insurance policy in that market will cover a larger share of enrollees’ costs for health care and provide a slightly wider range of benefits. The effects of those differences will be offset in part by other factors that will tend to reduce premiums in the individual market; for example, purchasers in that market will tend to be healthier than they would have been under prior law, leading to lower average costs for their health care. Although premiums in the individual market will be higher on average, many people will end up paying less for health insurance—because the majority of enrollees purchasing coverage in that market will receive subsidies via the insurance exchanges. Premiums for employment-based coverage obtained through large employers will be slightly lower than they would otherwise be; premiums for employment-based coverage obtained through small employers may be slightly higher or slightly lower.

My bare bones, huge deductible, health insurance went up 20% last year. How much did yours go up?

You just have to love the presumption that having health insurance will lead to healthier individuals. That might be true if everyone starts consuming more health care, which will raise the cost far above what anyone has predicted, but having health insurance is no guarantee that everyone, or even most everyone, will go to the doctor on a regular basis for wellness checks even if it doesn't cost them a cent out of pocket to do so. A lot of people will still only go to the doctor when they feel sick. If they don't feel bad, then why go to the doctor, right?

Is there a mandate hidden in that law somewhere that says the government will fine you if you have health insurance but don't go for an annual no-cost-to-you wellness exam? I know that Pelosi said the bill had to be passed so we could find out what was in it, but I haven't heard that anyone has found that in the law - yet.

Is there another mandate that says you have to go as soon as you start feeling bad instead of a week, a month, 6 months or a year later? Is there a hidden mandate that says you have to consult with a nutritionist and adhere to their recommendations? I'm betting not. Is there a mandate in there that you must exercise a certain amount and fill out, under the threat of prosecution for perjury, a government form certifying that you have performed your required exercises? Probably not, but you never know.

Why will having health insurance automatically mean that you will be healthier with ObamaCare than without it? Last I knew, every retired person who died of cancer was covered by insurance. Having Medicare didn't keep them healthier, did it?

Why do people get so angry at those who don't have car insurance? It is mandated.....and the uninsured motorist causes us all to pay more for our own auto insurance.....yet I don't see any on the right saying we should get rid of mandated auto insurance, that it's unconstitutional. If you are going to say that this is a state issue, then would you be OK with each state mandating that their citizens all have health insurance? Are the state constitutions so different that they can mandate insurance but the feds cannot?