Obama care?

[SilverLeaf]

This is like replacing a server all workstations, because some employees take advantage of the computers and watch porn videos and hoggle up the bandwidth.

So instead of making the employees stop taking advantage, they replace all the systems in hopes it fixes it.

No, I think it might be more like implementing QOS on the network, so that devices with a pre-existing conditions and fewer resources can access the available bandwidth.

Just like healthcare, its so damned expensive because of a few who sue the doctors for frivolous lawsuits,

Yep. Many doctors are refusing to accept patients that need risky or problematic treatments because of the fear of litigation. Many med students are going into less risky fields as well. Malpractice insurance is ridiculous.

the hospitals charge the ins companies 3 times as much as if you were to pay just cash.
Companies would rather make money off a treatment instead of actually researching cures.

Have you ever tried to get a "cash" price for a medical procedure or a non-generic script? My experience has been the opposite. The negotiated insurance price is usually far less than the cash price....especially at the pharmacy.

 

[Knightsman]

No, I think it might be more like implementing QOS on the network, so that devices with a pre-existing conditions and fewer resources can access the available bandwidth.


Yep. Many doctors are refusing to accept patients that need risky or problematic treatments because of the fear of litigation. Many med students are going into less risky fields as well. Malpractice insurance is ridiculous.


Have you ever tried to get a "cash" price for a medical procedure or a non-generic script? My experience has been the opposite. The negotiated insurance price is usually far less than the cash price....especially at the pharmacy.

Not really, adding QOS would fix a lot of the issues, they are overhauling the whole thing, not concentrating on the parts that are making it so expensive and destructive.



Absolutely, I got so mad about it when my wife was to deliver, that I asked about different procedures. And 90% per 3 times as much for insurance. The answer was always because they can.

Cosy of delivery in cash $4000
Ins cost $11000

 

[PCSupportGlasgow]

Oh, boy. You just had to do it, didn't you?

oops


Aghhhhh so if your healthy it the evilness of evil cause you can buy cheap healthcare you dont need (or think feck it im healthy so i will save money by not buying it). let the poor, elderly, handicapped, infirm or just plane unlucky who get some incurable disease just rot or sell up everything they own in the hope it enough for hospital bed?


but if your not healthy or poor it not so evil as you might get the same medical advice as a multi-billionaire withoiut having to send my 90yo grandma out hooking or sacrifice my 3rd child to the lord "richmanneedsakidney" .but wait it can still be the evil of evilness as one day i might be a multi-billionaire and cant have the poor & sick in same place as me. and "oh feck if im a multi-billionaire" i will have over 50 serfs and im going to have to pay for those sniffly nosed feckers insurance.


Also it will turn USA into some sort of healthcare like that run down shanty town third world area called europe where doctors cast spells and conduct ritual dances around patients, and goats n cows roam through hospitals wards; everyone also pays every piece of earnings in tax and penicillin the only medicine. and apart from inventing the modern principles of banking, trade, democracy what would Europeans know about economics and commence.

Also none now works full time as every company doesn't want to pay health insurance for any healthcare but before they all happily paid 75% (obviously after a medical and full disclosure of medical history as no way would i want to hire a premium raiser) and it was all fluffy bunnies and candy rainbows but now it 6000000000x more expensive or just the same or cheaper but feck it lets make everyone part-time so we now need to pay zero. i do hope my company is not successful enough to require 50 employees (hmm is that full-time or part-time i wonder, must be part-time as now everyone works part-time so will not need to buy insurance for them.... but oh feck was that 50 full or part-time ... repeat Ad nauseam)




yup it as clear as mud.

 

[ArtemusComputerTechnology]

Honestly, I do not think this topic should be talked upon on this site. Save your opinions for the political sites.

 

[SilverLeaf]

Honestly, I do not think this topic should be talked upon on this site. Save your opinions for the political sites.

While there is indeed a political/economic nature to this conversation, it is certainly relevant here. The ACA has the potential of helping many self-employed and small business owners and their families get access to healthcare that was previously unavailable.

 

[Kitten Kong]

I had a quick scim of the above, and cannot see this question answered.

Over here, we have the NHS. A portion of our income, from national insurance contributions mean that we do not have to have any 'insurance'; and have free health care. You can obviously pay to go private (should you be in a position to afford it).

With the amount of taxation you guys have, ie city tax, state tax.. list goes on. Is it not feasible for some of this taxation to be put into a similar type of NHS scheme?

I don't mean to open any sore wounds here. I generally stay out of any 'political debates on tn'.

 

[coffee]

My name is tutu. I worked for Renue Computers and I really liked my job. But now I got laid off because of Obamacare. You see, My employer is cutting back and has to let me go to afford the insurance payments. I went to get another job and no one is hiring full time. In fact they told me that I would only get 25 hours a week.

 

[SilverLeaf]

My name is tutu. I worked for Renue Computers and I really liked my job. But now I got laid off because of Obamacare. You see, My employer is cutting back and has to let me go to afford the insurance payments. I went to get another job and no one is hiring full time. In fact they told me that I would only get 25 hours a week.

Poor Tutu. Wow, I had no idea the Renue Computers had over 50 employees. I sure hope you didn't miss out on the tax credits as well.

http://101.communitycatalyst.org/aca_provisions/employer_requirements

 

[mraikes]

And now you're a typical welfare mooch, sitting around all day and spending your money on cigarettes and drinks. That'll teach you to vote for Obama.

 

[SAG]

With the amount of taxation you guys have, ie city tax, state tax.. list goes on. Is it not feasible for some of this taxation to be put into a similar type of NHS scheme?

What do you expect them to do? Take away from the available funds that are used for embezzlement and nefarious ends and use them for the common good??
My god man!
That's just...... un-American!

/Is it bad that I feel the need to clarify that what I said was a joke?
//Oh well.
///

 

[Paul Rodgers]

I had a quick scim of the above, and cannot see this question answered.

Over here, we have the NHS. A portion of our income, from national insurance contributions mean that we do not have to have any 'insurance'; and have free health care. You can obviously pay to go private (should you be in a position to afford it).

With the amount of taxation you guys have, ie city tax, state tax.. list goes on. Is it not feasible for some of this taxation to be put into a similar type of NHS scheme?

I don't mean to open any sore wounds here. I generally stay out of any 'political debates on tn'.

Obama has said that ACA is not a tax, but the Supreme Court in upholding its legality has called ACA a tax.

 

[nlinecomputers]

Sh!t like this happens when you have a starkly polarized government where one half supports welfare for big business and the rich (funded by the shrinking middle class), and the other supports welfare for the poor (funded by the wealthy). Throw in a large helping of FUD, misinformation, and unyielding ideologies; and this is what you get.

Just wait a few weeks when the whole "debt ceiling" issue becomes a possibility, and the risk of a US debt default hangs in the balance.....with substantial consequences worldwide.

Sliverleaf, Do you honestly think that the wealthy are going to pay for this? Is not most employment done by companies that are less then 50 employees? Owners of such places are not what I would call wealthy. But they are not mandated to provide such insurance but those employees who are even less financially secure are the ones that will have to find and purchase insurance. How is this program not yet again putting the bulk of the costs of healthcare on the living paycheck to paycheck middle class? I don't see Bill Gates or Steve Jobs widow being forced to fund large portions of this. Major corporations already provided health care to their employees and THEY are also getting higher premiums because of this.

 

[mraikes]

President Obama, Jesse Pinkman and others explain the ACA (SNL).

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/...n-obama_n_4010927.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular

 

[SilverLeaf]

Sliverleaf, Do you honestly think that the wealthy are going to pay for this? Is not most employment done by companies that are less then 50 employees? Owners of such places are not what I would call wealthy. But they are not mandated to provide such insurance but those employees who are even less financially secure are the ones that will have to find and purchase insurance. How is this program not yet again putting the bulk of the costs of healthcare on the living paycheck to paycheck middle class? I don't see Bill Gates or Steve Jobs widow being forced to fund large portions of this. Major corporations already provided health care to their employees and THEY are also getting higher premiums because of this.

That's a very reasonable question. Honestly, I think a vast majority of people really want to have health care, especially those with families and/or pre-existing conditions. I believe its a smaller group who thinks, "damn, I can't believe I'm being forced to buy insurance....". As I mentioned earlier, the rates you pay can vary dramatically based on income and family size, so even for those living paycheck to paycheck, the costs are not overwhelming. For those doing somewhat better financially, having health insurance is a integral part of protecting your assets in the event of a catastrophe....just like homeowners insurance. The ACA also serves to remove the burden from hospitals losing hoards of money everytime someone without insurance comes into the ER with a serious injury. Of course the hospitals raise prices/reduce services to compensate....which in turn can cause insurance premiums to rise. The ACA requirements help reduce the impact of this cycle.

Also, and I can testify to this personally, one of the biggest impediments to starting a new business or becoming self employed is the lack of healtcare options.....especially if you or a family member have a pre-existing condition. I wonder how many would-be entrepreneurs out there have been held back by this.....or how many talented people are wasting away in a job they hate, just because they need to keep health coverage? The ACA helps here as well.

 

[numnutz]

Some companies business models will have to change and price in the cost of health insurance. Just like many, many other companies do already. We are already paying for many people to have health insurance. My oil company has health insurance for there employes so the price they charge me has that passed on to me. Teachers have health insurance so my school taxes have that padded into it. My bottled water company's employees have health insurance so I pay for that too. I'm sure many things would cost less if most people didn't have some kind of employment health plan. Why shouldn't everyone have health insurance? Prices will probably go up if not premiums the the cost for goods and services will go up some. If Denny's has to raise there price for there breakfast scrambled egg and bacon meal by 40 cents then that what they should do. Or maybe the CEO can take a hit on there 6 or 7 digit salary / bonus? If a child of a less fortunate family can get medical care for chest infection or worse for an additional 40 cents for my breakfast I will sleep ok having to pay extra.

I don't no all the specifics About Obama care I just feel everyone should be covered somehow and if we have to pay or charge more to cover the ppl who we haven't already been paying for all along then we should.

 

[nlinecomputers]

Ok so how much are YOU going to have to pay a year? Fortunately I can get coverage from my wife's health plan. She works at a state funded community college. But the costs I would have to pay would be nearly $5000 year. Which is a ridiculous amount.

And the quality of coverage has already gone down. Many doctors in this town don't accept our insurance and that limits our options. We both have been forced to change our preferred Doctors. Quality health care has to suffer in the light of such things.

You say this is a good thing and experience tells me that costs are just going to continue to rise because doctors are paid not by their clients but by insurance and medicare. That has been driving medical care costs for the past 50 years.

 

[TechLady]

I'm in agreement with the European techs and Rick Steves on this one:

"I'd like to take a short break from my reports in Iceland to discuss tomorrow's launch of Obamacare.

The last wealthy nation in the First World without some kind of national health care is about to get a watered down version of what other nations just assume is the mark of a successful and developed society. And the vested interests — big medicine, insurance companies, and the politicians they employ — are screaming like mad and spending a fortune to stop it. Ads and campaigns of confusion are not directed at my state, but at poorer and less educated states where affordable health care is needed most and people are easiest to frighten and manipulate. (In my state, libraries can direct people to information to understand the new law. In many states, librarians are actually forbidden to provide this service.)

It’s amazing to me that in our great nation, about a fifth of the citizens are unable to afford health insurance, need to go to the emergency room for routine medical needs, and are terrorized by the specter of one serious accident or sickness wiping out their family financially. And, just as amazing, half of our country thinks that’s OK and is fighting mad about the possibility of change. Even more perplexing, many of the people who think this is the best America can afford are the very people who need help the most.

Someone recently asked me, “As a businessman and an employer, what do you think of Obamacare?” My response was that, as a businessman, I don’t think of it at all. I employ 80 people. I imagine my health-care costs might go up a bit. But this is a community issue. My response to Obamacare is as an American who wants to be proud of my country. It is an embarrassment that so many Americans are brutalized by health-care costs. Europeans and Canadians — who spend far less per person on health care, like their care, and have options for rich people to get all the private VIP service they like — marvel at how so much of America is hell-bent on maintaining our status quo.

We’re living through a tsunami of desperate media and political action to help us avoid relatively modest progress in national health care. Think of the toll Presidents Clinton took back in the 1990s and Obama is taking today by standing up to the torrent of media and political flack. Think of the patrons and allegiances of the politicians who fight against affordable health care. Follow the money. What motivates the talking heads, the commercial news services, and the politicians who are working overtime to convince us this is a bad thing? They are captives of the industries (who advertise and donate) that will take a hit when poor and struggling Americans have access to affordable health care.

Those opposed to Obamacare have a powerful and well-funded voice. I believe it’s the slickest marketing initiative money can buy. Those who need the Affordable Care Act don’t have these special interests speaking out in their favor. Study the issue carefully. Ask yourself what motivates the loudest voices pulling out all the stops to shape your opinion: compassion or greed?"

 

[SilverLeaf]

Ok so how much are YOU going to have to pay a year? Fortunately I can get coverage from my wife's health plan. She works at a state funded community college. But the costs I would have to pay would be nearly $5000 year. Which is a ridiculous amount.

And the quality of coverage has already gone down. Many doctors in this town don't accept our insurance and that limits our options. We both have been forced to change our preferred Doctors. Quality health care has to suffer in the light of such things.

You say this is a good thing and experience tells me that costs are just going to continue to rise because doctors are paid not by their clients but by insurance and medicare. That has been driving medical care costs for the past 50 years.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that the ACA is without problems. All I'm saying is that it is a significant improvement over the status quo. I have yet to see a comprehensive plan from another group that is reasonable.

After my states exchange website came back up today, I entered my details (age, location, etc) and received a list of 16 plans from 2 providers to chose from, ranging in price from $189-$437/month. I haven't had the chance to compare them yet. Some have higher deductibles, Rx coverage, etc. Considering that I'm 46 and live in one of the most "unhealthy" states in the nation, that's not too bad. Of course I'd prefer less .

 

[Knightsman]

I'm in agreement with the European techs and Rick Steves on this one:

"I'd like to take a short break from my reports in Iceland to discuss tomorrow's launch of Obamacare.

The last wealthy nation in the First World without some kind of national health care is about to get a watered down version of what other nations just assume is the mark of a successful and developed society. And the vested interests — big medicine, insurance companies, and the politicians they employ — are screaming like mad and spending a fortune to stop it. Ads and campaigns of confusion are not directed at my state, but at poorer and less educated states where affordable health care is needed most and people are easiest to frighten and manipulate. (In my state, libraries can direct people to information to understand the new law. In many states, librarians are actually forbidden to provide this service.)

It’s amazing to me that in our great nation, about a fifth of the citizens are unable to afford health insurance, need to go to the emergency room for routine medical needs, and are terrorized by the specter of one serious accident or sickness wiping out their family financially. And, just as amazing, half of our country thinks that’s OK and is fighting mad about the possibility of change. Even more perplexing, many of the people who think this is the best America can afford are the very people who need help the most.

Someone recently asked me, “As a businessman and an employer, what do you think of Obamacare?” My response was that, as a businessman, I don’t think of it at all. I employ 80 people. I imagine my health-care costs might go up a bit. But this is a community issue. My response to Obamacare is as an American who wants to be proud of my country. It is an embarrassment that so many Americans are brutalized by health-care costs. Europeans and Canadians — who spend far less per person on health care, like their care, and have options for rich people to get all the private VIP service they like — marvel at how so much of America is hell-bent on maintaining our status quo.

We’re living through a tsunami of desperate media and political action to help us avoid relatively modest progress in national health care. Think of the toll Presidents Clinton took back in the 1990s and Obama is taking today by standing up to the torrent of media and political flack. Think of the patrons and allegiances of the politicians who fight against affordable health care. Follow the money. What motivates the talking heads, the commercial news services, and the politicians who are working overtime to convince us this is a bad thing? They are captives of the industries (who advertise and donate) that will take a hit when poor and struggling Americans have access to affordable health care.

Those opposed to Obamacare have a powerful and well-funded voice. I believe it’s the slickest marketing initiative money can buy. Those who need the Affordable Care Act don’t have these special interests speaking out in their favor. Study the issue carefully. Ask yourself what motivates the loudest voices pulling out all the stops to shape your opinion: compassion or greed?"

Its very interesting to me, that you actually think that the force against Obamacare is also behind all of commercial media. Obamacare is what the elites want (who actually owns the media), not the other way around. People, like me, do not want this, because this forces people to buy insurance, and if they don't face fines, or jail time. That's not Freedom, and this country is supposed to be free. This is the first step, to becoming a non free country. That's the opposition, not the fact that there needs to be a change. But that it takes away my right, to choose to have insurance or not.

 

[SilverLeaf]

Its very interesting to me, that you actually think that the force against Obamacare is also behind all of commercial media. Obamacare is what the elites want (who actually owns the media), not the other way around. People, like me, do not want this, because this forces people to buy insurance, and if they don't face fines, or jail time. That's not Freedom, and this country is supposed to be free. This is the first step, to becoming a non free country. That's the opposition, not the fact that there needs to be a change. But that it takes away my right, to choose to have insurance or not.

It doesn't take away you "right to have insurance or not", it merely provides an incentive to have it. You still have the right to not have insurance, just pay the income adjusted tax penalty and move on.

I wish that I was in the position where I could do this....and not worry about how I was going to pay the bills should I slip and fall and break a leg or crack my melon, or come down with west nile or something. I guess the possibility of bankruptcy is also an incentive to have insurance.