ObamaCare:Â We Have To Pass The Bill So We’ll Know What’s In It
Remember that famous remark of the one and only Nancy Pelosi? Referring to the Affordable Care Act, or more commonly known as “Obamacare” but quickly obtaining the nickname of “just another government screw up”. Seriously, if you recall, those words came from the mouth of Ms. Pelosi when debate over the original bill was ongoing. So, they passed it. Now they are still trying to figure out what’s in it.
I will admit that I am not an Obama supporter. I will also admit that I am neither a Republican nor Democrat nor affiliated with any party. I am, however, an American Citizen with a reasonable grasp of what is right and what is wrong. I knew, from the beginning that this “Obamacare” was an ill-advised move by the liberal faction of this country to further entrap those already dependent upon the government for their every need. It appears to me that every government program instituted by either major political party for the past 100 years had more problems than answers. Surely you are all aware of the all too common jokes about government inefficiency. Just do a little research to confirm my statements.
Here we are, November 17, 2013, more than 45 days AFTER the rollout of “Healthcare.gov” or whatever catchy name they chose to hang on this miserable piece of legislation. As of this morning, there are less than 170,000 folks enrolled while millions have received notice from the insurance companies with whom they were insured that their policies were being canceled. This was in spite of the promise that “if you like what you have, you can keep it”. Really? I see the President is dancing around that issue with more moves than a tango dancer on Dancing With the Stars.
I am also having a problem with this President having forced this ill-advised law through Congress and yet he has, by Executive Order, modified or further changed it twice already and is going for three times. Someone please let me know how and why a President can bypass a law of the land by his own manipulation. No Supreme Court Ruling, no Congressional action, just the mouth of Barack Obama saying he’ll delay this, modify that, etc.
I have found it very interesting that several of the Democratic sheep of the Obama fold are breaking ranks now that they are up for re-election. They are being informed by their voters that the voters are sick of being lied to and abused by the political system.
This brings up an entirely different issue which I will address in a later blog post but I will say right here and now that I understand the approval rating for Congress is at 9%. The President’s approval rating is hovering around 40%. Yet, through some contrivance I will never understand or accept, people will go about voting the same folks back into office. I simply cannot understand that. I do hope someone will wake up the populace before the next election and let’s dump those currently in office. I am not one to spout negatives so much, but there if there is one politician in office in Washington D. C. at this writing worth the vote to return that person to office, please let me know who that would be and back up your statement with some facts.
As for Barack Obama, history will find him, in my opinion, as the biggest failure in American Politics. It is easy to see why he was elected and why he was re-elected and the country is suffering for it. Thanks be to God that, at least as of this writing, he is limited to only the two terms but then we must be aware that he is very liberal with these “Executive Orders”.
I fail to see how insurance companies opting to not take other options available to them, and deciding to cancel millions of policies is the fault of Obama. And nothing new on the fact that insurance companies, and patients, can keep their shitty coverage, paying into a system that is happy to let them fall through the cracks, for at least another year? Have any of you lost your insurance? Me, I’ll be gaining it.
Hi Beaniegrl420,
I appreciate you reading and commenting on my blog post. I am very happy for you that you gained some insurance coverage you had not previously enjoyed.
My problem with the ACA is that it was poorly designed and supported by lies and half truths. Obama promised “if you like your coverage, you can keep it”. Not so for millions. I should be their choice if they wish to maintain the coverage you chose to described with adjectives I don’t personally use in print, although I have been known to utter same at times. Not criticizing you, just pointing out that fact.
We have learned that Obama knew of the potential problems with the website as early as March, yet he, maintaining his status as point blank liar, said he had known of problems until advised. Even worse, the problems aren’t going away.
So, there are problems signing up for this coverage, the president continues to pile lie upon lie, and yet we are supposed to accept that. As for me, it won’t happen. Just think of all the government programs that are having troubles, not including the website problems. Is this the system you want to handle your health care? Seriously?
My best to you, and again, thank you for taking time to comment.
Devin, I appreciate your comment. There is nothing in your information stated incorrectly. However, that is the “correctly stated information” according to the propaganda put forth by the Administration, regardless of how your employer attempts to sugar coat it. This Obamacare is, as Kay simply states “a mess”.
I am told that there is no subject taboo on this site and that I am allowed to express my opinion as I see it. I readily admit that I am not politically correct. I will also admit that I read on-line newspapers from around the country each day as well as on-line news sites, both liberal and conservative and some I feel come from alien cultures from another planet. Pursuant to my “license to say what I think”, I will flatly state that our President is a liar. Not just about Obamacare, but about everything he says. The man in incapable of the truth and the Obamacare mess only goes to prove that point to the millions who have lost their insurance coverage.
As I stated in my post, there are now Democrats jumping ship on the issue because they are up for re-election and the folks at home are not happy. When they voted for the bill originally, they assumed the furor over the issue would be long gone before they had to run again. Surprise! It’s not.
Again, I state I am not affiliated any party nor do I vote a “straight ticket”.
I am disgusted with D.C. politics. I am disgusted with my state which allows personal information to be stolen and then reacts like the Keystone Cops looking for a solution. I am upset with school boards that lie to voters to raise taxes, get voted in again and again, and then raise their salaries 157%. School board members who get upset with a football coach because he won’t give her grandson the playing time she thinks he deserves and makes a remark in public that she has a gun and may do something about that. To me, this is how far in the toilet the ideals of the founders of this country have gone.
There are folks still alive, folks I go to church with, who fought in WWII for freedom. I’m sure part of that freedom did not include being fined by the government for not having health insurance they can’t afford.
Oh, and by the way, look at the way the government determines who is eligible for “assistance” in paying for insurance. Notice any similarities in that and welfare? Notice any reference to denying coverage for illegal aliens fro which YOU and I must pay?
Absolutely, no topic is taboo and we encourage candor. Thank you!
Indeed! Your opinion/candor is greatly appreciated.
Personally, I haven’t delved that deeply into the law to determine whether or not coverage is allowed for people who are in this country illegally.
I was simply sharing what I had learned and how it pertains to most Americans. I’ve come to learn knowledge is power. Much like when I step in the voting booth.
I’m hoping for the best outcome for all. Whatever happens, it is my intent to abide by the law as it applies to the healthcare plan I’ve chosen as provided through my employer. I am grateful to have that option.
Thank you for your comments as well.
I agree knowledge is power. That is EXACTLY why I read at least six newspapers from this county and one from Australia and one from England. I read both conservative and liberal news papers as well as several newsfeeds on line. Not that I am, by any means, a highly educated person in terms of degrees, I feel it is my duty to my country and to other folks to know as much as I can. I have opinions on certain topics that would fall under “very liberal:”, while on other topics, “very conservative”.
I may, within the next few days, blog about all my dealings with insurance companies during by 37 years in the legal field. Perhaps that will help to explain why there are problems with health insurance.. Then, there are such things as $75.00 per Tylenol tablet as was indicated on my father’s itemized hospital bill when I demanded an itemized copy. That does NOT include the daily charge of $200.00 for tooth brush and tooth paste.
But on the issue of Obamacare, let’s return to the moving lips of Obama. His remarks recently said he was caught by surprise with the enrollment problems. Yet, now we know that he was briefed in March that the website was having major problems no likely to be corrected by October 1st.. Someone please give me a list of ten things Barack Obama has said that are true. That should be an interesting search.
Wow. Hope someone reminds me to take my own Tylenol with me to the hospital if I ever have the need for an overnight stay.
I look forward to reading your next blog.
Thank you.
I understand the Affordable Care Act (AFC) is confusing for many. Thankfully, the company I worked for has done a good job explaining it and I would like to share some of what I learned.
As I understand it, there are two key provisions of the AFC that we all need to know about: a.) the individual Mandate and b.) the Health Insurance Marketplace.
The mandate for most is to have health insurance beginning January 1, 2014 or pay a penalty when you file your taxes. To avoid the penalty, you will be required to maintain minimum essential coverage. Minimum coverage is one of the following: any employer plan (including COBRA and retiree plans), and individual insurance plan, any plan through a Health Insurance Marketplace, Medicare, Medicaid, The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), TRICARE (veterans and their families), and Veterans health care programs.
The PENALTY for not having health insurance is $95 in 2014 and will increase in 2015 and 2016. In order to avoid the penalty, one must certify that they have health insurance coverage on their annual federal tax return.
Certain uninsured individuals are exempt from the penalty based on their circumstances, such as those who are uninsured for less than 3 months of the year, those who are determined to have very low income and coverage is considered unaffordable, those who are not required to file a tax return because their income is too low, those who are a member of a federally-recognized Indian tribe, those who participate in a health care sharing ministry, and any who are a member of a recognized religious sect with religious objections to health insurance.
The AFC includes a requirement for each state to develop a Health Insurance Market Place or utilize the Marketplace created by the Federal government. Basically, a new way to shop for health insurance.
Market Place Facts: Insurers cannot charge a higher premium or deny coverage based on an individual’s medical condition.
Plans offered must include coverage for essential health benefits, such as doctors’ visits, hospitalization and drug coverage.
Plan options provided must correspond to one of four standard categories. The categories are based on the coverage amount the plan pays. The more a plan pays, the higher the premiums.
More information is available here: http://www.hhs.gov/healthcare/facts/timeline/timeline-text.html
Please correct me if I have incorrectly stated any information.
Thanks, Devin, for taking the time to explain all that.
You are welcome, though I certainly didn’t cover everything I learned when reviewing more information at the website I mentioned. For example, grandfathered insurance plans and tax breaks for small businesses.
What a mess.