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Obamacare Supporters Feel the Fear
American Interest ^ | 02/14/2013

Posted on 02/14/2013 9:13:38 AM PST by SeekAndFind

Obamacare supporters are unleashing a massive public relations campaign, turning to political networks and sports teams to help them sell the new law to a skeptical public. For the Affordable Care Act to succeed in expanding the ranks of the insured, many of the 30 million currently uninsured need to purchase an insurance plan in the new exchanges the law sets up. But advocates worry that it could be difficult to convince people to sign up for coverage. The WSJ reports:

According to backers of the law, enrollment faces big obstacles as polls and focus groups suggest a majority of uninsured people aren’t aware of the new coverage options or the availability of subsidies toward the cost of health insurance premiums. Many respondents also say they have had bad experiences with finding health insurance or paying medical debts.

“This is a very skeptical audience,” said Rachel Klein of Enroll America, a nonprofit group set up by the founding members of Families USA, a group that campaigned for the law’s passage.

While Enroll America is relying on door-to-door grassroots political action to build support for enrollment, other states are using celebrity power to improve Obamacare’s brand. But the law faces bigger problems than bad branding and a lack of awareness.

It might seem odd that the law’s supporters should need to convince Americans to purchase a plan, given that those who don’t will be taxed. But the tax will be less expensive than the cost of coverage. The minimum tax per person will be $695 per year. Higher earning individuals will have to pay more: a couple who makes $100,000 per year, for example, will be taxed around $2,025. That may sound like a lot, but the CBO estimates that the annual premiums for the least-expensive plan offered under the new law would reach about $12,000 for a family and about $5,000 for an individual (all figures can be found here).

This means that for a lot of people paying the tax will be cheaper than buying insurance. And since the new law prevents insurance companies from denying you coverage or charging you more if you have a pre-existing condition, you can always buy a plan later if you develop an expensive medical condition.

Over time, more and more people are going to figure this out. Many healthy people (especially the young and the single) will just pay the tax, knowing they can get it later if they need to. In the meantime, everybody with expensive health care problems will flood into the system, driving up costs and premiums. Then even more healthy people will choose the tax over the increasingly expensive insurance premiums, in turn forcing premiums up even higher.

Keeping this dynamic from undermining the new health care system is going to be one of the biggest tests Obamacare will face. There may be ways around it. As of 2010 Massachusetts’s similar plan has successfully raised its insurance rate from about 90 percent up to 98.1 percent. But it will be a serious challenge. This glitzy “buy insurance now” marketing campaign is a sign that the government recognizes this vulnerability and fears it.

More Coverage from Via Meadia:



TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: healthcareexchange; healthinsurance; obamacare
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To: CSM

You underestimate your opponents. They know exactly what they are doing. Deliberately destroying our current system of healthcare insurance so they can replace it with what they really want.....single-payer government-run healthcare. They aren’t quite as stupid as most folks think. Insane, demented, evil and bent on either taking complete control or destroying completely, yes. But stupid or morons, no.

“The law forces insurers to take pre-existing conditions, so they killed their own business model. Morons.”


41 posted on 02/14/2013 10:25:31 AM PST by XenaLee (The only good commie is a dead commie.)
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To: XenaLee
You underestimate your opponents. They know exactly what they are doing. Deliberately destroying our current system of healthcare insurance so they can replace it with what they really want.....single-payer government-run healthcare.

Yes. As a thug once said, "never let a crisis go to waste". They are creating a crisis, and when the effects of Obamacare are causing maximum carnage they will announce we MUST have single-payer "for the children". And they will blame Republicans for all of it, whether that makes sense or not. Since 90% of the media are their fellow travelers, they might just succeed in rewriting that history. Low-information voters won't know the difference, and they are legion.
42 posted on 02/14/2013 10:48:37 AM PST by LostInBayport (When there are more people riding in the cart than there are pulling it, the cart stops moving...)
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To: Truth2012

“I am not going to the doctor for much anymore. I don’t plan to either. I am opting out of the entire system. Reduce stress, exercise more, healthy eating. Prevention and holistic medicines and teas, and when it is my time, I am ready to go and meet the big guy upstairs.

DONE.”

I’m with you. And as an added bonus, when you don’t take their drugs, you don’t need a whole cabinet full of drugs that are for cascading side effects. You know, take drug A, get side effect A, so take drugs A, and B, where B is for A’s side effects, which causes side effects necessitating drug C... and on and on.


43 posted on 02/14/2013 10:55:43 AM PST by brownsfan (Behold, the power of government cheese.)
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To: SeekAndFind
The IRS will take it out of your bank accounts, charge your credit cards, and if necessary take the money out of your refund check from the IRS. One way or the other you are going to pay for the illegals, minorities, and anyone who wants to break into our Country, their health-care! After all, it's FREE!!!!!

Eight Deuce on the Loose!!!

44 posted on 02/14/2013 11:16:39 AM PST by paratrooper82 (82nd ABN Div. 1/508th BN "Fury From the Sky")
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To: Smokin' Joe

My husband was laid off last year 3 months after having prostate cancer surgery. He’s working at a start up that doesn’t have insurance, and Cobra coverage runs out in 7 months.

He’s been looking at buying insurance for all of us. He won’t qualify, and he’s had insurance coverage for over 20 years non-stop.

We were hoping to move out of California,but it looks like we’ll be here a while longer. California has Cal-cobra whic adds another 18 months to his coverage.

The insurance companies said he’ll be eligible for coverage in 2014 because of the-pre-existing conditions cannot be applied after that because of Obamacare.

Not sure what the new law will do to rates., but I will add I’m glad he’ll be able to get insurance.

I’ve always thought that people who have insurance and get a serious condition should still be able to buy it.

It’s bad enough to get laid off because of cancer (we talked to a lawyer and had a good case, but he said it would every stressful only husband, and that would be bad for his health).

I don’t know why this bill had to be so big. There were issues beforehand, but I think they could have been handled in smaller bills.


45 posted on 02/14/2013 11:17:41 AM PST by luckystarmom
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To: fatnotlazy

“If they show up at my door, I won’t answer.”

Oh I answered the door, and told them they had 10 seconds to get off of my property, and that 5 of them were gone.

I got a couple of threats about the law, mumble, mumble, mumble.

I asked, Are you threatening me? They quickly left.


46 posted on 02/14/2013 11:18:20 AM PST by Bshaw (A nefarious deceit is upon us all!)
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To: SeekAndFind

Most of the “uninsured” aren’t going to get off their couch to buy something unless it is the latest iPhone or game machine.

And Obama already gave away the phones so they can’t use that gimmick.


47 posted on 02/14/2013 11:42:43 AM PST by OrangeHoof (Our economy won't heal until one particular black man is unemployed.)
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To: XenaLee

I agree with you and was really just responding to the useful idiots. You are correct tho, the elites are destroying the system by design.


48 posted on 02/14/2013 12:17:55 PM PST by CSM (Keeper of the Dave Ramsey Ping list. FReepmail me if you want your beeber stuned.)
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To: Smokin' Joe
I’m Catholic. I’m self employed. I won’t buy Obamacare. Period.

Same for me. This "Enroll America" thing troubles me. I don't remember if it's in the final version that became law but one of the bills I read had provision for forced enrollment of some individuals. I seem to recall that it applied to both Medicaid and private insurance but I really don't remember.

I have already decided that I won't pursue coverage on the exchange. Exchanges are pointless if they only sell identical policies. They have to function as screening mechanisms to route some into Medicaid, some into subsidized private coverage and others into unsubsidized private coverage. Once I give my details I'm going to be stuck with whatever Uncle Sam decides I need. I'm not going there. Looks like I'll remain uninsured for a long time to come. Health sharing is the only option I can see.

49 posted on 02/14/2013 12:30:11 PM PST by PeevedPatriot
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To: Mr. Know It All

Actually, Mr. Doesn’t know it all, the law as it stands now allows one to sign up for insurance at any time with no denial for preexisting conditions. Therefore, one could sign up for Zerocare in the ambulance on the way to the hospital, and care would be covered by insurance.


50 posted on 02/14/2013 1:41:37 PM PST by Prince of Space (Be Breitbart, baby. LIFB.)
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To: Prince of Space
Therefore, one could sign up for Zerocare in the ambulance on the way to the hospital, and care would be covered by insurance.

You can sign up any time you want, but just because an insurance company has to take you as a policy holder doesn't mean that you are covered immediately. They could make you wait several days, weeks, or whenever they're "policy term" dictates. If you don't have insurance when you get in that ambulance, you're not going to have it by the time you get out.

So, good luck with your plan to go without insurance, genius.

51 posted on 02/14/2013 2:40:13 PM PST by Mr. Know It All
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To: Prince of Space

The pre-existing condition only applies to children at this time. It will kick into effect in 2014.

My husband says it’s strange that this is very good for us because he was diagnosed with stage 3 prostate cancer 1 1/2 years ago, and then he was laid off a few months later.

We can’t get private insurance. They won’t cover him. Cobra runs out in September, and then we’ll have Cal-Cobra for another 1 1/2 years.

It’s strange to think that a person who has had insurance for over 20 years and really never used it, but then gets cancer and becomes uninsurable.


52 posted on 02/14/2013 6:58:42 PM PST by luckystarmom
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To: Mr. Know It All

Um, well actually, I plan on going without Zerocare because signing up for it will violate my religious beliefs as a Catholic. If you consider someone who objects to Zerocare on religious grounds to be a deadbeat, then so be it. The govt. is forcing our hand on this, but you obviously will do as you are told.


53 posted on 02/14/2013 10:05:59 PM PST by Prince of Space (Be Breitbart, baby. LIFB.)
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To: Prince of Space
Um, well actually, I plan on going without Zerocare because signing up for it will violate my religious beliefs as a Catholic. If you consider someone who objects to Zerocare on religious grounds to be a deadbeat, then so be it. The govt. is forcing our hand on this, but you obviously will do as you are told.

I am also a Catholic. Having health insurance is not a violation of my Catholic beliefs. Having health insurance is part of my belief that you should take responsibility for yourself. In Missouri, I can cancel the part of my health insurance that covers contraception and abortifacients. It doesn't save me any money, so I generally don't bother. I just don't plan to use that coverage because I'm a Catholic.

If you do not have health insurance and you get sick or injured, you are on the hook for your bills. If you can't pay them, you are ward of the state. If you could have afforded health insurance, then you are a freeloader. If you have to go bankrupt because of medical bills, then we all end up paying for your decision to be uninsured.

So yes, I had insurance last year, I'll have it this year and I'll have it next year and beyond because it's personal responsibility. Just because Obama passed a law telling me to buy insurance doesn't mean I'm going to run out and cancel my insurance like an idiot.

"Obamacare" is not a health plan that you buy. It is a set of regulations on the health insurance industry and a tax to enforce a mandate that you buy health insurance from somebody. Being a Catholic doesn't mean you should be a fool or a deadbeat. Get health insurance.

54 posted on 02/15/2013 7:19:35 AM PST by Mr. Know It All
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To: Mr. Know It All
Being a Catholic doesn't mean you should be a fool or a deadbeat. Get health insurance.

Why should someone who is young and in perfect health buy insurance? Shouldn't that be a decision that a free and sovereign citizen makes for him or herself?

The conceit that one must to be chained to a health insurance plantation because Massa' knows what's best for you is fine for a serf, but not for an American Citizen.

55 posted on 02/15/2013 7:27:08 AM PST by Sirius Lee (All that is required for evil to advance is for government to do "something")
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To: Sirius Lee
Why should someone who is young and in perfect health buy insurance?

People who are young and healthful get into car accidents and develop cancer and so forth. Young people can frequently get cheaper insurance than older people because their health problems are rarer.

Do what you want Mr. Sovereign Citizen, but if you end up with massive internal bleeding because your car blew a tire and you hit a tree, please just die and don't go to a hospital where I'll have to pay your bill.

I have to ask: when did failure to take responsibility for yourself become a conservative value?

56 posted on 02/15/2013 8:23:09 AM PST by Mr. Know It All
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To: Mr. Know It All
Do what you want Mr. Sovereign Citizen, but if you end up with massive internal bleeding because your car blew a tire and you hit a tree, please just die and don't go to a hospital where I'll have to pay your bill.

Exactly. See how easy freedom is?

I have to ask: when did failure to take responsibility for yourself become a conservative value?

To correctly weigh the risks and cost to benefit ratios of maintaining perfect health vs paying for a service you are not likely to need IS a Conservative value.

Individual sovereignty - look it up.

I suggest you worry about your own body, gramps, and stop asking young people to pay for your upkeep via a larger pool of suckers. The fact that you think it's okay for the government to allow insurance companies to steal the fruit of my labors simply for the crime of having been born proves only that you and Conservatism are strangers.

Maybe you can show me the clause in the Constitution that allows the federal government to compel a U.S. citizen to engage in involuntary commerce.

57 posted on 02/15/2013 12:39:42 PM PST by Sirius Lee (All that is required for evil to advance is for government to do "something")
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To: Sirius Lee

Show me where I said I thought it was okay to mandate insurance coverage. I just said that whether or not there is a mandate insurance coverage is a good idea.

You are just another person who has rationalized his irresponsibility by calling it freedom. No doubt, if you found yourself needing medical care you couldn’t pay for, you would find some suitable rationalization for accepting care on someone else’s dime. Note that you never hear about people refusing medical care they can’t afford. You’re no different than any other freeloader in that respect.


58 posted on 02/15/2013 1:10:28 PM PST by Mr. Know It All
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To: SeekAndFind
Over time, more and more people are going to figure this out. Many healthy people (especially the young and the single) will just pay the tax, knowing they can get it later if they need to. In the meantime, everybody with expensive health care problems will flood into the system, driving up costs and premiums. Then even more healthy people will choose the tax over the increasingly expensive insurance premiums, in turn forcing premiums up even higher.

In other words, the healthy won't fill the coffers, and the sick will drain the system.


59 posted on 02/15/2013 1:17:53 PM PST by COBOL2Java (Fighting Obama without Boehner & McConnell is like going deer hunting without your accordion)
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To: Mr. Know It All
No doubt, if you found yourself needing medical care you couldn’t pay for, you would find some suitable rationalization for accepting care on someone else’s dime.

Gratuitous assertion gratuitously debunked. I had a bad motorcycle accident right after I graduated college - no insurance - broken wrist and two ribs. I paid out of pocket. I had to put a big chunk of it on credit card because at the time I wasn't as, let's say, comfortable financially as I am now, but I paid it off.

You’re no different than any other freeloader in that respect.

No, you're a coward who fears the free market. If weighing the risks and making cost/benefit decisions for ones self is what you call rationalization, then you have business calling yourself a Conservative. You're nothing but a frightened old man who resents the fact that other people are young and healthy and can do without. God I pity you.

60 posted on 02/15/2013 1:42:46 PM PST by Sirius Lee (All that is required for evil to advance is for government to do "something")
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