Healthcare reform effects start today

http://christiancentury.org/blogs/archive/2010-09/real-reform-today

Here are the benefits we currently have from the healthcare reform:

Insurance companies can't exclude children based on preexisting conditions.

Certain preventive procedures have to be covered without co-payments.

Young adults (up to age 26) can stay on their parents' plans.

You can't get dropped from coverage when you get sick.

You can switch plans and keep your doctor.

You have the right to appeal claims decisions to a third party.

Lifetime benefit limits are no more.

Rebate checks are being sent to help fill the Medicare donut hole.

More detailed article

EVERYBODY PANIC

I guess that explains the minor rate jumps.

Oh my God, all of that sounds TERRIBLE! The US is DOOMED!!!

D:

I guess that explains the minor rate jumps.

coolbeans90

Oh my God, all of that sounds TERRIBLE! The US is DOOMED!!!

D:

[QUOTE="coolbeans90"]

I guess that explains the minor rate jumps.

Theokhoth

No, these regulations will cost insurance companies money (money is why the insurance industry was pulling these stunts to begin with) and to cover their anticipated losses, they raise rates. It's a little too late for the insurance companies to stop the bill. Furthermore, the individual mandate pretty much guarantees that the insurance companies won't lose out.

Oh my God, all of that sounds TERRIBLE! The US is DOOMED!!!

D:

Wow what Washington idiot thought that any of those things would be a good idea?! :x

[QUOTE="coolbeans90"]

I guess that explains the minor rate jumps.

Theokhoth

Oh my God, all of that sounds TERRIBLE! The US is DOOMED!!!

D:

[QUOTE="black_cat19"]

Oh my God, all of that sounds TERRIBLE! The US is DOOMED!!!

D:

kipohippo021

Too late, he already came and went. :cry:

He just showed up, smiled and said hi, and then proceeded to take everything; there was literally nothing I could do, that charismatic son of a... :x

I guess that explains the minor rate jumps.

I guess that explains the minor rate jumps.

[QUOTE="xJust_CraZyx"][QUOTE="kipohippo021"] Quick, hide your money! Obama is coming to take it!kipohippo021

burn them?

I say:

[QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"][QUOTE="Theokhoth"] The rate jumps are due to insurance companies, not the law (the rates were going up before the law was even in effect). They're raising premiums to feed the "more expensive care" myth and get people to go against the bill, because the ones hurt the most by this bill are the insurance companies.kipohippo021

There's a lot of snark in this thread... as though people are trying bait people. Instead, I'll just say that my belief was that reform needed to happen, such as things like this. What got pushed through Congress goes too far. That is all. An opinion hated by opinionated people and fellow moderators alike! :shock:MAILER_DAEMON

i completely agree with you mr moderator.

Well freedom was good while it lasted. I should have to right to choose my own police department, to pay my own fire bill and pay for ALL levels of school. :evil:

Up to 26 still on parents' insurance...wow :? At what age is someone an adult now?rawsavon

Best thing I could find >_>

[QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"][QUOTE="Theokhoth"] The rate jumps are due to insurance companies, not the law (the rates were going up before the law was even in effect). They're raising premiums to feed the "more expensive care" myth and get people to go against the bill, because the ones hurt the most by this bill are the insurance companies.kipohippo021

[QUOTE="MAILER_DAEMON"]There's a lot of snark in this thread... as though people are trying bait people. Instead, I'll just say that my belief was that reform needed to happen, such as things like this. What got pushed through Congress goes too far. That is all. An opinion hated by opinionated people and fellow moderators alike! :shock:xJust_CraZyx

i completely agree with you mr moderator.

Most Americans think Health care reform should have done more.

[QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"][QUOTE="Theokhoth"] The rate jumps are due to insurance companies, not the law (the rates were going up before the law was even in effect). They're raising premiums to feed the "more expensive care" myth and get people to go against the bill, because the ones hurt the most by this bill are the insurance companies.kipohippo021

No, the purpose wasn't to curb costs, the bill specifically targeted accessability to those who weren't already covered. Realisitcally, the health insurance industry has a MUCH lower profit margin than most other types of business. (3.3%) Raising rates just keeps the industry afloat. Affordability isn't going to be noticably altered by lowering the costs by 3.3% that insurance companies take in. There will have to be some other forms of cost cutting to make a significant difference.

Most Americans think Health care reform should have done more.

Former_Slacker

Depending on what "more" consists of, I also think more should have been done.

[QUOTE="Former_Slacker"]

Most Americans think Health care reform should have done more.

coolbeans90

Depending on what "more" consists of, I also think more should have been done.

_Only 25 percent of the "get-outs" favor requiring health insurance companies to sell coverage to people regardless of pre-existing medical conditions, while 54 percent of the "do-mores" support it. The law requires insurers to cover children regardless of health problems starting this year, and that protection is extended to people of all ages in 2014.

_Among those who want a law that does more, 68 percent favor requiring medium to large companies to provide insurance to their workers or pay a fine; that stands at 28 percent among those who want the government out. The law does not require employers to offer coverage, but it hits companies that have 50 or more workers with a penalty if any full-time employee gets a government subsidy for health insurance.

_The "get-outs" overwhelmingly reject the health care law's requirement that most Americans carry health insurance starting in 2014. But the "do-mores" are split, with 34 percent favoring the mandate, 33 percent opposing it, and 32 percent neutral.

[QUOTE="rawsavon"]Up to 26 still on parents' insurance...wow :? At what age is someone an adult now?Travo_basic

[QUOTE="kipohippo021"][QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"]Er all those changes WILL increase the cost.:|coolbeans90

No, the purpose wasn't to curb costs, the bill specifically targeted accessability to those who weren't already covered. Realisitcally, the health insurance industry has a MUCH lower profit margin than most other types of business. (3.3%) Raising rates just keeps the industry afloat. Affordability isn't going to be noticably altered by lowering the costs by 3.3% that insurance companies take in. There will have to be some other forms of cost cutting to make a significant difference.

[QUOTE="coolbeans90"]

[QUOTE="Former_Slacker"]

Most Americans think Health care reform should have done more.

Former_Slacker

Depending on what "more" consists of, I also think more should have been done.

_Only 25 percent of the "get-outs" favor requiring health insurance companies to sell coverage to people regardless of pre-existing medical conditions, while 54 percent of the "do-mores" support it. The law requires insurers to cover children regardless of health problems starting this year, and that protection is extended to people of all ages in 2014.

_Among those who want a law that does more, 68 percent favor requiring medium to large companies to provide insurance to their workers or pay a fine; that stands at 28 percent among those who want the government out. The law does not require employers to offer coverage, but it hits companies that have 50 or more workers with a penalty if any full-time employee gets a government subsidy for health insurance.

_The "get-outs" overwhelmingly reject the health care law's requirement that most Americans carry health insurance starting in 2014. But the "do-mores" are split, with 34 percent favoring the mandate, 33 percent opposing it, and 32 percent neutral.

Hmm I guess I don't quite line up with these "do-mores."

[QUOTE="coolbeans90"]

[QUOTE="kipohippo021"] But it dosent need to make it more expensive for people as well. Those companies are rich already. Raising rates kinda defeats the purpose of this all. kipohippo021

No, the purpose wasn't to curb costs, the bill specifically targeted accessability to those who weren't already covered. Realisitcally, the health insurance industry has a MUCH lower profit margin than most other types of business. (3.3%) Raising rates just keeps the industry afloat. Affordability isn't going to be noticably altered by lowering the costs by 3.3% that insurance companies take in. There will have to be some other forms of cost cutting to make a significant difference.

These regulatory measures used to protect certain groups of insured people (those who become sick) and provide coverage to groups of uninsured people will raise operating costs for the insurance companies. Insurance companies have rather narrow margins of profit. In order to survive, they can't go bankrupt. So to stay afloat, they find a solution to the problem. Raise premiums on people who already have them. The point of the bill wasn't to help people who already have insurance, it almost exclusively was purposed to expand the number of people covered.

[QUOTE="coolbeans90"]

[QUOTE="kipohippo021"] But it dosent need to make it more expensive for people as well. Those companies are rich already. Raising rates kinda defeats the purpose of this all. kipohippo021

No, the purpose wasn't to curb costs, the bill specifically targeted accessability to those who weren't already covered. Realisitcally, the health insurance industry has a MUCH lower profit margin than most other types of business. (3.3%) Raising rates just keeps the industry afloat. Affordability isn't going to be noticably altered by lowering the costs by 3.3% that insurance companies take in. There will have to be some other forms of cost cutting to make a significant difference.

I sure do love spending more on my premiums.

EVERYBODY PANIC

Theokhoth

[QUOTE="kipohippo021"][QUOTE="coolbeans90"]

No, the purpose wasn't to curb costs, the bill specifically targeted accessability to those who weren't already covered. Realisitcally, the health insurance industry has a MUCH lower profit margin than most other types of business. (3.3%) Raising rates just keeps the industry afloat. Affordability isn't going to be noticably altered by lowering the costs by 3.3% that insurance companies take in. There will have to be some other forms of cost cutting to make a significant difference.

LJS9502_basic

[QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"][QUOTE="kipohippo021"] but more money means more coverage. So by raising prices, arent they kinda destroying the whole point? Some of those are well needed, but alot of those just are another exuse to raise prices.kipohippo021

Here are the benefits we currently have from the healthcare reform:

Insurance companies can't exclude children based on preexisting conditions.

Certain preventive procedures have to be covered without co-payments.

Young adults (up to age 26) can stay on their parents' plans.

You can't get dropped from coverage when you get sick.

You can switch plans and keep your doctor.

You have the right to appeal claims decisions to a third party.

Lifetime benefit limits are no more.

Rebate checks are being sent to help fill the Medicare donut hole.

More detailed article

EVERYBODY PANIC

Theokhoth

USA is going that way

Socialism! Socialism!

Soon God shall destroy the US with a flood.

[QUOTE="kipohippo021"]

[QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"]Quick question...how do you think increasing the medical costs for more people can be done without raising premiums? The money has to come from somewhere.LJS9502_basic

"The 400 of us pay a lower part of our income in taxes than our receptionists do, or our cleaning ladies, for that matter. If you're in the luckiest 1 per cent of humanity, you owe it to the rest of humanity to think about the other 99 per cent."

"I happen to have a talent for allocating capital. But my ability to use that talent is completely dependent on the society I was born into. If I'd been born into a tribe of hunters, this talent of mine would be pretty worthless. I can't run very fast. I'm not particularly strong. I'd probably end up as some wild animal's dinner."

-Warren Buffett

[QUOTE="kipohippo021"]

[QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"]Quick question...how do you think increasing the medical costs for more people can be done without raising premiums? The money has to come from somewhere.LJS9502_basic

[QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"][QUOTE="kipohippo021"] taxes, taxes from the rich. They shouldnt take more from the very people they are trying to help.

wstfld

It didn't go far enough and it is going to be the government's fault when health care companies ramp up premiums to turn customers against further reform.

[QUOTE="wstfld"][QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"]So the rich should support others and others have no responsibility for their own life?:?LJS9502_basic

Automakers shipping jobs over to Canada? We pay at least twice as much as the average of ALL other OECD countries, including us. This effects businesses heavily.

It didn't go far enough and it is going to be the government's fault when health care companies ramp up premiums to turn customers against further reform.

UnknownSniper65

Or when they get pissed off to the point of throwing out those companies.

[QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"]

[QUOTE="wstfld"] Probably not, but unless we want tent cities and slums like a third world country its what has to happen. Former_Slacker

Automakers shipping jobs over to Canada? We pay at least twice as much as the average of ALL other OECD countries, including us. This effects businesses heavily.

There are other, more significant factors in play. 3.3% profiteering from insurance companies doesn't double the cost.

[QUOTE="UnknownSniper65"]

It didn't go far enough and it is going to be the government's fault when health care companies ramp up premiums to turn customers against further reform.

Former_Slacker

Or when they get pissed off to the point of throwing out those companies.

Funny how that works. The insurance companies now have everyone legally required to buy their stuff.