Has the Affordable Care Act been a success?

There were some early bugs and it remains complex. Yesterday, the House passed legislation that would repeal the ACA. Obama will obviously veto the bill. However, the number people that have signed up for coverage under the ACA is well ahead of schedule. If the Republicans are successful in repealing the law down the road, what do they have in mind as an alternative?

More than 11.3 million people have signed up for coverage under the Affordable Care Act in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, according to data released Thursday that provides the first national snapshot of enrollment for 2016. The total includes 8.6 million people (76 percent) through last Saturday in the 38 states using the federal marketplace, HealthCare.gov, as well 2.7 million people (24 percent) who enrolled in coverage as of Dec. 26 in the 13 state exchanges. Enrollment is well ahead of the figures announced in late 2014, when more than 7.1 million people had signed up for 2015 plans through the federal and state exchanges – 6.5 million via HealthCare.gov and 633,000 in the 14 states that were then running their own insurance marketplaces. wrote:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2016/01/07/more-than-11-3-million-americans-signed-up-for-obamacare-report-says/?tid=sm_tw

Yes.

No.

What was the question?

Rocinante wrote:What was the question?

What is your favorite candy bar?

So far it is undefeated. I think it's time to print t-shirts.

Giant Moose wrote:So far it is undefeated. I think it's time to print t-shirts.

Should we wait until after the natty game to evaluate the ACA?

I think it's a terrible thing. Healthcare for all = SOCIALISM

You have to be on Medicaid or work for the government or a large corporation that could afford to shield you (so far) from the realities of the ACA in order to have any concept of the ACA of being anything other than a fiasco.

Its an unmitigated failure. Costs of premiums have skyrocketed as have deductibles and out of pockets. Doctors are leaving the profession in droves, there are rampant hospital and practice closing as well as layoff.

2013, I had a BCBS PPO with a $5000 total out of pocket with a monthly premium of $250.
2014 (first year of the ACA)   same policy  $7500 total out of pocket and a monthly premium of $590
2015   same policy $7500 total out of pocket with a monthly premium of $620

Its harder to schedule an appointment and you have to jump through more hoops. Doctors get told more now than ever how they practice medicine by the insurance companies as they now have the government fully behind them in controlling costs ( ie  denying treatment and rationing )

The ACA is an abomination. Its an oxymoron. It should have been called the " increase premiums and deductibles, government control and rationing of health care act"

It was never about Care or making it Affordable. It was just another power grab by the Marxists and Socialist in Washington.

Vlad wrote:I think it's a terrible thing. Healthcare for all = SOCIALISM

There's nothing terrible about being told you need to pay the bill for someone else's idea or else...

I think it's terrible because it forces families to spend a huge portion of their monthly wages for insurance with punishing deductibles. Obama is facing a symbolic veto of a bill that would scuttle his signature work. Obamacare is the ultimate pyramid scheme, is is unsustainable.

Floyd Robertson wrote:I think it's terrible because it forces families to spend a huge portion of their monthly wages for insurance with punishing deductibles. Obama is facing a symbolic veto of a bill that would scuttle his signature work.

Affordable Care Act... Patriot Act... Defense of Marriage Act...

lol, politicians playing 'democracy'

as someone who is staunchly pro-life, I do not believe in healthcare.

so, no - it's been a tragedy of monumental proportions that Americans have access to affordable healthcare. It's simply not what jesus would want and I live by His teachings.

No. I want a single payer healthcare system.

AnomanderRake wrote:No. I want a single payer healthcare system.

I want 75 acres of mixed farmland/woods but mostly woods. I also want two vehicles, a pack of 5 dogs, a dual tap kegerator and a 9' Brunswick pool table with 1.5" slate and rubber gum rails.

Other people need to pay for it through the implied threat of violence of our benevolent elected officials.

Robert J Sakimano wrote:as someone who is staunchly pro-life, I do not believe in healthcare.

so, no - it's been a tragedy of monumental proportions that Americans have access to affordable healthcare. It's simply not what jesus would want and I live by His teachings.

Except it's not affordable...

Jethro Bodeen wrote:You have to be on Medicaid or work for the government or a large corporation that could afford to shield you (so far) from the realities of the ACA in order to have any concept of the ACA of being anything other than a fiasco.

Its an unmitigated failure. Costs of premiums have skyrocketed as have deductibles and out of pockets. Doctors are leaving the profession in droves, there are rampant hospital and practice closing as well as layoff.

2013, I had a BCBS PPO with a $5000 total out of pocket with a monthly premium of $250.
2014 (first year of the ACA)   same policy  $7500 total out of pocket and a monthly premium of $590
2015   same policy $7500 total out of pocket with a monthly premium of $620

Its harder to schedule an appointment and you have to jump through more hoops. Doctors get told more now than ever how they practice medicine by the insurance companies as they now have the government fully behind them in controlling costs ( ie  denying treatment and rationing )

The ACA is an abomination. Its an oxymoron. It should have been called the " increase premiums and deductibles, government control and rationing of health care act"

It was never about Care or making it Affordable. It was just another power grab by the Marxists and Socialist in Washington.

Correct. As a self employed person the act is any but affordable. Currently paying $955.00 per month for tWife and I.

Thanks a lot, Obama.

Bob, aren't you and wife 1%ers? Everything is affordable from your perspective.

Robert J Sakimano wrote:as someone who is staunchly pro-life, I do not believe in healthcare.

so, no - it's been a tragedy of monumental proportions that Americans have access to affordable healthcare. It's simply not what jesus would want and I live by His teachings.

Sarcasm noted but please point our how this is affordable for anyone making more than 30k a year.

Those folks are getting health care at an affordable price. 80/20 coverage. If anything serious happens to those them that can't afford the 20 percent. It's simple math Bob.

CheesySpartan wrote:

Robert J Sakimano wrote:as someone who is staunchly pro-life, I do not believe in healthcare.

so, no - it's been a tragedy of monumental proportions that Americans have access to affordable healthcare. It's simply not what jesus would want and I live by His teachings.

Except it's not affordable...

it's the government keeping you down.

Triple Sparty wrote:Bob, aren't you and wife 1%ers? Everything is affordable from your perspective.

my wife is.. I take out the trash, mow the lawn, shovel the drive and perform other duties as assigned.

duffy munn wrote:

Robert J Sakimano wrote:as someone who is staunchly pro-life, I do not believe in healthcare.

so, no - it's been a tragedy of monumental proportions that Americans have access to affordable healthcare. It's simply not what jesus would want and I live by His teachings.

Sarcasm noted but please point our how this is affordable for anyone making more than 30k a year.

Those folks are getting health care at an affordable price. 80/20 coverage. If anything serious happens to those them that can't afford the 20 percent. It's simple math Bob.

depends on the priorities of the person in question.. if a flat screen TV, a cell phone, etc are more important to them than the opportunity to have affordable healthcare, that's the decision they have to make.

xsanguine wrote:Other people need to pay for it through the implied threat of violence of our benevolent elected officials.

Yawn.

Robert J Sakimano wrote:

Triple Sparty wrote:Bob, aren't you and wife 1%ers? Everything is affordable from your perspective.

my wife is.. I take out the trash, mow the lawn, shovel the drive and perform other duties as assigned.

I thought you had a kid?

Turtleneck wrote:

Robert J Sakimano wrote:my wife is.. I take out the trash, mow the lawn, shovel the drive and perform other duties as assigned.

I thought you had a kid?

she (sorry For bin) does shovel some.. it can be a big help.

Robert J Sakimano wrote:

Turtleneck wrote:

I thought you had a kid?

she (sorry For bin) does shovel some.. it can be a big help.

I thought the purpose of children was to do all the work. And to get you another beer during the game.

Turtleneck wrote:

Robert J Sakimano wrote:she (sorry For bin) does shovel some.. it can be a big help.

I thought the purpose of children was to do all the work. And to get you another beer during the game.

it's nice to assign duties that I don't enjoy doing otherwise.. especially when she (sorry For bin) has f'd up and has been told to complete the assigned duties without any demonstration of attitude.

I kinda hate asking her (sorry For bin) to grab me a beer. Plus, I don't sit still really well, so I'm always kind of moving around anyway - so I'll just grab my own beer, as needed.

People who are always moving annoy me.  I am a great relaxer.

xsanguine wrote:

AnomanderRake wrote:No. I want a single payer healthcare system.

I want 75 acres of mixed farmland/woods but mostly woods. I also want two vehicles, a pack of 5 dogs, a dual tap kegerator and a 9' Brunswick pool table with 1.5" slate and rubber gum rails.

Other people need to pay for it through the implied threat of violence of our benevolent elected officials.

I know you're just trolling but I'll humor you, in your anarchy fantasy someone would just come kill you and your family and take all of your stuff.

Robert J Sakimano wrote:

duffy munn wrote:

Sarcasm noted but please point our how this is affordable for anyone making more than 30k a year.

Those folks are getting health care at an affordable price. 80/20 coverage. If anything serious happens to those them that can't afford the 20 percent. It's simple math Bob.

depends on the priorities of the person in question.. if a flat screen TV, a cell phone, etc are more important to them than the opportunity to have affordable healthcare, that's the decision they have to make.

You didn't really answer my question. And "affordable" health care isn't really a choice. Unless they choose to get fined by the feds for not signing up.

Sorry Bob, I know your bleeding heart thinks this act is a good thing but it really isn't. It's a scam.

AnomanderRake wrote:

xsanguine wrote:

I want 75 acres of mixed farmland/woods but mostly woods. I also want two vehicles, a pack of 5 dogs, a dual tap kegerator and a 9' Brunswick pool table with 1.5" slate and rubber gum rails.

Other people need to pay for it through the implied threat of violence of our benevolent elected officials.

I know you're just trolling but I'll humor you, in your anarchy fantasy someone would just come kill you and your family and take all of your stuff.

What's stopping them from doing so now?

xsanguine wrote:

AnomanderRake wrote:


I know you're just trolling but I'll humor you, in your anarchy fantasy someone would just come kill you and your family and take all of your stuff.

What's stopping them from doing so now?

The same reason you pay your taxes, fear of going to prison.

That's a new one.... Taxes keep criminals at bay.

So why are people dying and having their shit stolen today?

xsanguine wrote:That's a new one.... Taxes keep criminals at bay.

So why are people dying and having their shit stolen today?

I never said taxes keep criminals at bay. Your reading comprehension is awful and nothing you have said in this thread has been on topic.

duffy munn wrote:

Robert J Sakimano wrote:depends on the priorities of the person in question.. if a flat screen TV, a cell phone, etc are more important to them than the opportunity to have affordable healthcare, that's the decision they have to make.

You didn't really answer my question. And "affordable" health care isn't really a choice. Unless they choose to get fined by the feds for not signing up.

Sorry Bob, I know your bleeding heart thinks this act is a good thing but it really isn't. It's a scam.

okay.

duffy munn wrote:

Robert J Sakimano wrote:depends on the priorities of the person in question.. if a flat screen TV, a cell phone, etc are more important to them than the opportunity to have affordable healthcare, that's the decision they have to make.

You didn't really answer my question. And "affordable" health care isn't really a choice. Unless they choose to get fined by the feds for not signing up.

Sorry Bob, I know your bleeding heart thinks this act is a good thing but it really isn't. It's a scam.

Duffy, this might make you tilt. Not sure. Still trying to figure out what tilting means.

62 House votes to repeal Obamacare, Congress finally passed a bill it could send to President Obama’s desk. That won’t change anything, of course, given Obama’s inevitable veto. Since it looks like we won’t be getting rid of Obamacare anytime soon, maybe it’s worth assessing how well the law is doing nearly six years after its passage.

It’s time for an Obamacare checkup.

Despite much doom and gloom portended for years by the law’s opponents, Obamacare looks surprisingly . . . healthy. Consider its performance on four major fronts.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/a-checkup-for-obamacare-reveals-a-positive-prognosis/2016/01/07/f3e13c10-b582-11e5-9388-466021d971de_story.html

The answer to this question probably depends on which side of the aisle you fall under.

Having said that, we will become a one payer system sooner or later, I think.

Rocinante wrote:People who are always moving annoy me.  I am a great relaxer.

You would hate me. I pace, fidget, look all over. I pretty much live every moment of my life as if I was watching Baylor's final possession in the Cotton Bowl.

The_Dude wrote:The answer to this question probably depends on which side of the aisle you fall under.

Having said that, we will become a one payer system sooner or later, I think.

that's my preference.. under the Affordable Care Act, the corporations are still getting wealthy..

The_Dude wrote:The answer to this question probably depends on which side of the aisle you fall under.

Having said that, we will become a one payer system sooner or later, I think.

That's the only silver lining of the ACA. It's one step closer to single payer.