Obamacare *sigh* (Page 4) the real slim DEEPy: the average corporate profit is 2%, and 16% is supposed to make healthcare cheaper??? the real slim DEEPy: and, what of the corollary to that axiom? if it makes sense to you, then... and a percentage is a ratio- sliding scale as to how much the insurance pay-out is. if insurance stops negotiating down the payout, their 16% allows for the premiums and profits to skyrocket. its very simple math (Edited by the real slim DEEPy)  Serabi: SPECIAL REPORT Saturday, October 12, 2013 2:11 PM EDT The Soaring Cost of a Simple Breath The high price of commonly used medications for conditions like asthma contributes heavily to health care costs in the United States. Drugs account for 10 percent of the country’s $2.7 trillion annual health bill, even though the average American takes fewer prescription medicines than people in France or Canada, said Gerard Anderson, who studies medical pricing at the Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University. Being able to afford prescription medications in America often requires top-notch insurance or plenty of disposable income, and time to hunt for deals. And unlike other countries, where the government directly or indirectly sets an allowed national wholesale price for each drug, the United States leaves prices to market competition among pharmaceutical companies, including generic drug makers. But competition is often a mirage in today’s health care arena — a surprising number of lifesaving drugs are made by only one manufacturer — and businesses often successfully blunt market forces. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/13/us/the-soaring-cost-of-a-simple-breath.html?emc=edit_na_20131012 Serabi: Am I the only one confused? From the Start, Signs of Trouble at Health Portal By ROBERT PEAR, SHARON LaFRANIERE and IAN AUSTEN. Published: October 12, 2013 1177 Comments Two weeks after the rollout, few would say his hopes were realized. For the past 12 days, a system costing more than $400 million and billed as a one-stop click-and-go hub for citizens seeking health insurance has thwarted the efforts of millions to simply log in. The growing national outcry has deeply embarrassed the White House, which has refused to say how many people have enrolled through the federal exchange. Even some supporters of the Affordable Care Act worry that the flaws in the system, if not quickly fixed, could threaten the fiscal health of the insurance initiative, which depends on throngs of customers to spread the risk and keep prices low. “These are not glitches,” said an insurance executive who has participated in many conference calls on the federal exchange. Like many people interviewed for this article, the executive spoke on the condition of anonymity, saying he did not wish to alienate the federal officials with whom he works. “The extent of the problems is pretty enormous. At the end of our calls, people say, ‘It’s awful, just awful.' ” Interviews with two dozen contractors, current and former government officials, insurance executives and consumer advocates, as well as an examination of confidential administration documents, point to a series of missteps — financial, technical and managerial — that led to the troubles. Politics made things worse. To avoid giving ammunition to Republicans opposed to the project, the administration put off issuing several major rules until after last November’s elections. The Republican-controlled House blocked funds. More than 30 states refused to set up their own exchanges, requiring the federal government to vastly expand its project in unexpected ways. The stakes rose even higher when Congressional opponents forced a government shutdown in the latest fight over the health care law, which will require most Americans to have health insurance. Administration officials dug in their heels, repeatedly insisting that the project was on track despite evidence to the contrary. Dr. Donald M. Berwick, the administrator of the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in 2010 and 2011, said the time and budgetary pressures were a constant worry. “The staff was heroic and dedicated, but we did not have enough money, and we all knew that,” he said in an interview on Friday. Administration officials have said there is plenty of time to resolve the problems before the mid-December deadline to sign up for coverage that begins Jan. 1 and the March 31 deadline for coverage that starts later. A round-the-clock effort is under way, with the government leaning more heavily on the major contractors, including the United States subsidiary of the Montreal-based CGI Group and Booz Allen Hamilton. One person familiar with the system’s development said that the project was now roughly 70 percent of the way toward operating properly, but that predictions varied on when the remaining 30 percent would be done. “I’ve heard as little as two weeks or as much as a couple of months,” that person said. Others warned that the fixes themselves were creating new problems, and said that the full extent of the problems might not be known because so many consumers had been stymied at the first step in the application process. Confidential progress reports from the Health and Human Services Department show that senior officials repeatedly expressed doubts that the computer systems for the federal exchange would be ready on time, blaming delayed regulations, a lack of resources and other factors. Deadline after deadline was missed. The biggest contractor, CGI Federal, was awarded its $94 million contract in December 2011. But the government was so slow in issuing specifications that the firm did not start writing software code until this spring, according to people familiar with the process. As late as the last week of September, officials were still changing features of the Web site, HealthCare.gov, and debating whether consumers should be required to register and create password-protected accounts before they could shop for health plans.  OCD_OCD: ..."Although President Obama repeatedly claimed that health-insurance premiums for a family would be $2,500 lower by the end of his first term, they are actually about $3,000 higher—a spread of about $5,500 per family. Health insurers have been understandably reluctant to discuss the coming price hikes that are driven by the Affordable Care Act. Mark Bertolini, CEO of Aetna, the country's third-largest health insurer, broke the silence on Dec. 12. "We're going to see some markets go up by as much as 100%," he told the company's annual investor conference in New York City." ... http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323936804578227890968100984.html  davidk14: . I heard on the radio....A Blue Shield members insurance will be canceled due to it not 'complying' with the new law. (What happened to keeping your insurance if you like it President Obama?????) His new insurance will cost much more per month and went from $1000 deductible to $6500 per person. He did not sign up at this point. I heard on the radio....33 million have logged onto the website....only 55,000 have signed up. The reason, the new healthcare law......SUCKS! .  harlett anathema: did any of You actually believe for a moment,that the sitting senate did a well thought out thorough job...of renovating health insurance.... all's you had too do was take a good look at their faces.. too have seen the glee they were full of...from getting away with passing a new full of very sneaky new taxes bill.... they are all bold faced liars... the democratic's are standing behind the progressive liberals whose every intention is too destroy the LIBERTY of every Citizen of The United States of America.. and replace it with the strict and restricting principles of socialism..... if they can destroy the reputation of every republican..soil every sound & reasonable conservative values & principles....especially any that have too do with sound fiscal practices.. then they succeed in going back too a very out of control one party democracy...where the middle class does not exist and labors endlessly too try and make ends meet.... when they speak of blurring the lines between the haves and have not they are speaking of lusting too see... those living on the government's dime living with more then those working....too support them self & theirs...They are raising your children when out of your house too believe it's is their due them too support the masses,willingly....  ...they aren't reaching into your children & Young Adults CONSCIENCE,Conscious & Sub-Conscious to redirect them...mean while... i can go and have blood drawn send those vials too several different labs.. and be charged differently for the same test....I can be scheduled for mir.. at several different places and be charged differently....we pay for the cost of machine they use.. the labs rent, the salaries of the staff and for the maintenance of those machines... what we pay depends on where we sent... there are md's who have no business being in business...they are so inadequate...or just freakin lazy and bored with their career choice..... OCD_OCD: The cost is ridiculous. I won't be able to keep the concierge doctors I have now. The doctors I go to don't accept insurance, but I can get a blood test for $45 and if I use insurance, the laboratory charges the insurance company $380 for the same blood test. If I used insurance, the blood test would not be covered, so I'd have to pay $380 for it and then they'd add it to my annual deductible of $5000 out of pocket expense, which means that people like me, who are healthy, would have to pay a monthly premium for insurance (that I never use and costs me out of pocket if I do) AND pay for the mark-up between paying cash for it and using insurance. I go to the doctor and pay $50/visit. No monthly premiums, no marked-up cost for jerking around with insurance companies and their rates. I have catastrophic coverage for anything above $20,000. Will I have option to do that now? No. I'll be paying about $5-600.00 per month with a yearly deductible of about $10,000.00. So the bottom line is that I'll have to pay between $5000-7200/year and THEN pay up to $10,000.00 MORE out of pocket before Obamacare pays for anything at all. That's a minimum of $15,000 to $17,200/YEAR out of my pocket for something that I now spend probably less than $500/year for. And if I don't pay it and choose to pay the "penalty", it can be up to 10% of my earnings! Bastards. THIS SUCKS HORRIBLY! davidk14: . My current employer is going out of his mind. When he offered his job proposal to me recently, he was unable to offer me medical coverage at this time because he has no idea what to offer.He is a small business owner and has spent many an hour with his accountants and lawyers and the like and still can not get his arms around this behemoth. My medical coverage from my last employer has canceled me so at this time, I'm in God's hands. . harlett anathema: ..i just heard this morning...that Connecticut sent out over a thousand dismissal notices to Doctors,who were the primary care Doctors /Specialists for those on Medicade ,who received them Yesterday...The State has made no major announcement,to forewarn it's Eldery,who only have two weeks too make their choices.. enroll etc before they are cut off until next year...this is made worse from the State refusing too give these Doctors any rhythm or reason for their dismissal.... the democrat's knew exactly what full of they were passing into law... unimpeded....they have done nothing but make health insurance more expensive,complicated... the blatant corruption i am witnessing sickens me....i can't stand too hear the first word of adulterated & depth less distortion spoken.... Our federal Government will willfully & knowingly waste all of the new tax dollars they are receiving from us... on purpose... and i just adore being called a freakin racist over demanding answers from Obama for going behind the Public's back and changing how federal agencies operate... or expecting from Him too show some fiscal freakin restraint and common sense... Is anyone other then myself.. freakin disturbed at seeing OBAMA roll His eyes up into head with that BORED expression on His face when He has TO AWARD OUR SOLDIERS WITH THE MEDAL OF HONOR...... i am so grateful that i don't have to hear that creepy freakin Rangle glee & giggle at how it's the nature of a politican too be a corrupt liar full of ..every single day as New Yorkers are stuck with....y they celebrate him is beyond me...he disgraces everyone...it is not beyond reason too ask NEW YORKERS too give a new fresh faced democrat a chance....is it.... will you folks please get rid Rangle all freakin ready...and ELECT SOMEONE ELSE ...shoot..... harlett anathema: Yes i know i can make loud noise.... how much does anyone wanna bet that the Doctor's & Specialists being dismissed aren't on the State or federal governments medicade fraud watch list.... (Edited by harlett anathema)  Kaiya_: Obamacare isnt even designed to give anyone healthcare. its ONLY about taxing and controlling us and also they want most of us to pass away before the economic system crashies. OCD_OCD: http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/30/politics/obamacare-white-house-pressure/ (CNN) -- White House officials have pressured insurance industry executives to keep quiet amid mounting criticism over Obamacare's rollout, insurance industry sources told CNN. After insurance officials publicly criticized the implementation, White House staffers contacted insurers to express their displeasure, industry insiders said. Multiple sources declined to speak publicly about the push back because they fear retribution. But Bob Laszewski, who heads a consulting firm for big insurance companies, did talk on the record. "The White House is exerting massive pressure on the industry, including the trade associations, to keep quiet," he said. Laszewski, who's been a vocal critic of Obamacare, said he's been asked by insurance executives to speak out because they feel defenseless against an administration that is regulating their business -- and a big customer."... OCD_OCD: Top Hospitals Opt Out of Obamacare Americans who sign up for insurance on the state exchanges may not have access to the nation's top hospitals, Watchdog.org reports. http://health.usnews.com/health-news/hospital-of-tomorrow/articles/2013/10/30/top-hospitals-opt-out-of-obamacare  DEEP_acheleg: just a report from the chats. from day 1 of the healthcare.gov roll out, dems have been near totally silenced, or jumped ship against obama for this very obvious sabatogue of our health care system. the only dem sticking by his guns in the philo room is a very vocal 9/11 truther, whom is otherwise, a real great guy... also made known on day 1 of the roll out- if the website is down, you can reach healthcare.gov over the phone at 1-800 -fuck-you (no lie, its the real number- prolly a "favor" from a phone company which was denied an exception) harlett anathema: ....did everyone believe,that forcing health insurance companies,to insure pre-existing conditions come out their profits...or....that adding mental health features and duration etc etc ..be a free benefit... looks like..the reason they divided the nation over 50 & under 50..ta start.. is... the new insurance LAW everyone must be insured for prenatal and birth control...makes sense doesn't it... that they are now looking at ...children ages.. and are fixing too divide... them....decide when a teen is biologically reproductive mature...and force pre natal and birth control upon parents policies...no gender discrimination.....makes me wonder how many parents will take the males parents insurance policies ta court for a pay out for their daughter & grandchild... Affordable heath insurance was always a lie...folks from all walks of life here in the states were convinced that they were gonna be given benefits for FREE....that they got ta PAY LESS for... didn't it sound to good to be TRUE............... | Politics Chat Room 70 People Chatting Similar Conversations |
