Death Panel Discussion: Obamacare Costs Skyrocket; When Does It Stop?

Mish Talk ^ | 29 August 2016 | Mike “Mish” Shedlock

[Lorianne]

Middle-class households are finding more of their Obamacare costs are coming out of their own pockets.

Self-covered individuals are hit hardest, but employers providing coverage have fought back against rising costs by reducing plan benefits.

Deductibles are up 67% since 2010. That’s seven times more than wages. And the cost of prescription drugs is out of sight.

Please consider Burden of Health-Care Costs Moves to the Middle Class: “Overall, health-care spending across the economy reached 18.2% of gross domestic product as of June, up from 13.3% in 2000, according to Altarum Institute, a health research group.

David Cutler, a Harvard health-care economist, said this may be “a story of three Americas.” One group, the rich, can afford health care easily. The poor can access public assistance. But for lower middle- to middle-income Americans, “the income struggles and the health-care struggles together are a really potent issue,” he said.

[Buckeye McFrog]

Next Stop: Single Payer

[Brilliant]

No. The next stop is Government Option. Then Single Payer. It’s the bait and switch. But none of them will work, so they need to go slowly, always leaving an exit to the next more socialist program, when the last one doesn’t work. You don’t want to get to the final solution too soon.

[Mr. Douglas]

It’s saving me a bundle since I have no health car insurance, don’t use health care, and don’t have to pay the penalty. ~$42k after tax dollars saved since January 1, 2014.

People are finding out you can shop around for health care (not to be confused with health care insurance) just like you shop around for a car or gardening service. Lots of money is being saved by prudent shoppers.

[DoughtyOne]

Next stop the free market...

Trump is going to end Obamacare and let the markets work.  We'll go from single or very few payers, to many payers in just a few years.


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...this is a general all-purpose message, and should not be seen as targeting any individual I am responding to...

[Lorianne]

This is true. If you are paying cash you can bargain with health care providers and even pharmacies.

Cut out the middle man.

[Pollster1]

That’s easy. It stops when Congress does their job and defunds this unconstitutional abomination. Or it stops when we elect a patriot to the (currently vacant) office of President, and a real president grants blanket lifetime waivers to all US citizens and to all employers.

[Mr. Douglas]

I’ve gotten too many stories from personal acquaintences and folks here on FR in private messages that save between 70-90% on the original price, often for treatments that were originally priced at upwards of $100k.

Insurance companies bring a LOT of extra costs to the table.

[Mr. Douglas]

If you are paying cash you can bargain with health care providers and even pharmacies.

---

It’s not just cash. Credit cards work just as well. It’s just that they are dealing with a paying customer. They charge the insurance company $80,000 because, well, because they can. But you come in needing surgery and guess what? They can do it and still make a significant profit at a cost of $10k-$15k, and you’re out the door, all fixed up.

[Organic Panic]

As is my understanding and experience the law now forbids a different price for paying cash as it does for paying with insurance. If I had non emergency care I needed I use to shop around. Now, it doesn’t matter. I’m sure before Obama is out of office “the secretary shall determine” that ALL care must be paid for with insurance. No one will be allowed to pay cash.

[Lorianne]

Yep, I agree.

[Bratch]

[DonaldC]

“If you are paying cash you can bargain with health care providers and even pharmacies.”

I’ll believe this when prices are online like they are with any other product or service.

[Mr. Douglas]

Freedom ain’t what it used to be. ;-)

My strength is that we VERY rarely use doctors. I haven’t seen one for many years. I do see a chiropractor for $25 a visit a couple times a year, and I see the dentist from time to time for about $100 for cleaning, x-rays, etc.

Heck, my last dentist visit was my first in six years and my teeth and gums were in great shape. It’s because we take personal responsibility for our health - and we very much trust in the Lord.

[353FMG]

What is most disturbing about Obamacare is that it increases the unemployment rate. Employers can no longer afford to hire if they have to contribute to the employee’s medical insurance. The country really screwed itself when they put Hussein in the White Mosque and things will not be any better under HRC. Are we really that desirous to destroy ourselves? Anyone with a job today cannot afford to vote for Clinton in November.

[Mr. Douglas]

To be frank, my wife and I don’t do prescription drugs. She takes some over the counter stuff for allergies. She does feed me eight pills a day though. One is fish oil, another is turkey tail, another is EHT. I don’t know what the others are. But it’s all natural stuff and its function is to suplement our food supply so we don’t get cancer, high blood pressure, etc.

We grow our own chickens and eggs as well, and will be adding a few head of beef probably next spring. Every year we are a little more off the grid - and apparently more healthy than most americans who are our age (almost 63). But it could be genetic. My father is in his late 80’s and, though not as strong as me, sees the doctor about as often.

[Buckeye McFrog]

It stops when Congress does their job

Thanks. I was really needing the comedy break today!

[Scythian_Reborn]

Rumor has it that age 35 all Obama Care recipients must report for carousel

[Leep]

[1Old Pro]

Next Stop: Single Payer

Yep, by the second year of a Hillary administration.