Q Talk

[stevieb]

So before this thread disappears, which it is almost certain to do, let me just support the notion of backing up opinions with data... Of course, the feel good 'data' made public by the administration is pretty suspect, as much data put forth by many administrations is...

I understand a reputable independent research company (and yes, they too might have vested interests in their 'data') reports that of the eight or so million that purportedly signed up, approximately five million consisted of those who lost their insurance, thanks to the rather glaring broken promise, and then re-signed up, many at a greater cost for less coverage, for a new policy. They further report that of those who signed up, less than one million represent those who previously had no coverage...

I fully believe that everyone should have access to basic health care. I'm just not sure this was the best approach, but am open-minded enough to accept that if this program is ultimately successful it should be acknowledged as such. Conversely, I would hope the pie in the sky folk who are willing to buy the claims of success, seemingly hook, line and sinker, touting the success of a program in its infancy and with obvious serious flaws simply because they like it's author or for no other reason than because said author is seen as a kindred political spirit, are equally as willing to admit it to be a colossal failure if that turns out to be the case.

Personally, I'm not sure tweaking is all that is required and am not sure I'd be all that upset to see it scrapped and a more planned approach implemented from scratch, assuming that in the interim those who are currently covered, remain covered in some fashion.

[suzyQ3]

On 4/1/2014 kittymomNC said:

On 4/1/2014 suzyQ3 said:

I love how people decide what's an "entitlement." I don't remember who said this, but it's spot-on:

"See this, this is the problem with entitlements, they're really only entitlements when they are something other people want. When it's something you want, they're a hallmark of a civilized society the foundation of a great people"

Agree! There are other sayings that I can't quote right now, but basically to the effect that sometimes a few have to sacrifice for the good of many. I think that's what's happening now -- we're seeing so many ads about the few (and some of those are being proven false ads with actors and not real people with real stories), but not enough about all the success stores, people getting help with health problems for the first time, and yes, people who might have died if it were not for this health care opportunity. And I think it's a sad state of affairs that so many states did not take the billions of dollars the Fed was offering for expanded Medicaid and leaving so many with no coverage. Good grief, this was FREE to the states for three years and then they would only have to foot the bill for 10% of the cost for some time after that. How selfish can anyone be to deny people what they so desperately need, especially when it's paid for!

One more point - there were too many subsidies being given to insurance companies who offered Medicare Advantage, enabling the insurance companies to make more profit. All they did was take some of that away. There's nothing whatever wrong with regular Medicare and a supplement - I LOVE IT!

Yes, I remember reading exactly that about the insurance companies and Medicare Advantage. It was a reform that was overdue.

As an aside, obviously there is going to be a cost attached to healthcare reform. But the benefits to individuals and society as a whole are well worth it. It's hard to believe that it's taken so long to take this first step.

[kittymomNC]

This thread will disappear eventually, I'm sure, but in the meantime, I would like to pose one question, and I ask this in all sincerity and with no malice toward anyone, no matter what your position is.

I don't understand why those who are so against this program have not shown us their "alternate plan". When this program was being proposed and discussed, why didn't we see that plan, why was it not rolled out in a factual and definitive way, discussed, and voted on? We all heard the reasons why the current plan would fail, why it wouldn't be good for the country, why it would run up the deficit, etc. etc. etc. But we never heard that "alternate plan". Even now, with the ACA in full swing and people getting coverage who could not get it before, all that is talked about is still "repeal it" - WHY? I have an open mind, and if there had ever been another viable plan, I for one would have been very willing to listen, as I'm sure many lawmakers would have as well. But still today, we hear "repeal it", we never heard "here is our plan and here is exactly how it will work", now we don't hear "okay, ACA is the law now, how can we help fix the parts that don't work as well as they should?"

So, with all that said, my question is simple -- where was "the alternate plan" 4 years ago, and where is it now?

[stevieb]

I have no idea, kittymom, but what I do know, sadly, is that neither side of the aisle seems even remotely willing to listen to the other side. It's so unfortunate because there are good minds of all ilks and who knows what creative and wonderful things might have evolved by truly working together. A dream, I know, but dreams are good... It seems that in years past partisan differences might well have existed but there was also the capacity to cooperate. These days, it seems there's just so much rancor, and that's pretty much all there is... I will say that my own personal opinion is that the absence of a better plan doesn't necessarily make a seriously flawed plan more desirable. I speak here not necessarily about the ACA but am merely making a somewhat general statement.

Hoping you have a lovely evening.

[kittymomNC]

On 4/2/2014 stevieb said:

I have no idea, kittymom, but what I do know, sadly, is that neither side of the aisle seems even remotely willing to listen to the other side. It's so unfortunate because there are good minds of all ilks and who knows what creative and wonderful things might have evolved by truly working together. A dream, I know, but dreams are good... It seems that in years past partisan differences might well have existed but there was also the capacity to cooperate. These days, it seems there's just so much rancor, and that's pretty much all there is... I will say that my own personal opinion is that the absence of a better plan doesn't necessarily make a seriously flawed plan more desirable. I speak here not necessarily about the ACA but am merely making a somewhat general statement.

Hoping you have a lovely evening.

I guess my thought is that there are many parts of this plan that are good, and several "leaders" who were against this program have said that - they would keep this part, and that part, and that part, etc. So even though this is not perfect, and no one has ever said it was, I still think its better than the way it was...

I had to get individual insurance for the last 15 years and I won't even go into what it cost me, and I'm healthy. I also had a "rider" on my policy for a health issue I had so I had no coverage for that. They even put a rider on my policy that they would not cover any problem with my left shoulder--Why--because I had bursitis in it once many years ago! They can't do that any more. There are no caps on coverage now, you can't be turned down because of pre-existing conditions, you can't be dropped if you get sick, young people can stay on their parents' plan, companies have to cover employees for mental health (how important that is!)....seniors have benefited by gaining a free physical every year on Medicare, closing the prescription drug "donut hole", having a colonoscopy paid for. And if insurance companies don't spend at least 80% of your premium on your health care, they have to refund it to you. My insurance company for 15 years never even spent 20% of my premium on my health care - they just made a profit on my premiums, and a big one!

So I do have to disagree with you on the point that, maybe this plan is flawed, but I don't think seriously enough to make it better by going back to the way it was. Yes, fix what's wrong, make it better, but don't go backwards. I try to be an optimistic person (although my patience is wearing thin) and hope that eventually, people will again be able to work together for the good of all the people, instead of working against each other for the good of their own jobs.

Hope you have a good evening as well.

[sarpy]

We cancelled our AARP membership 20 yrs. ago and we still get mailings from them to rejoin. I wish they would give up. I think at the next mailing I am going to write ""Deceased"" on the envelope and mail it back to them.

[Sylanne]

Five yrs. ago husband & I also cancelled, did not renew the AARP membership b/c of of the overload of junk mail generated by them by selling our mailing address.

As we got older, tons of junk mail was sent to me & my husband---same things that needed to be shredded. Many of these mailings were 7 pages, w/our name & address printed on various parts. We both received the SAME mailings of life insurance, long term nursing home insurance. etc. What a nightmare of junk mail.

I would never advise anyone to join AARP---the so called membership discount of 10% to members is not worth the junk mail hassle.

[insomniac]

I've been a member for several years; I could not tell you a single benefit it's gotten me.

[febe1]

Obviously, ARRP must have lost many many memberships since they're coming to the Q. The mailing they do are persistent. I've returned many with "no" and take me off the list, but they never do. They're very hungry.

[IamDoodles]

On 4/3/2014 taja123 said:

Obviously, ARRP must have lost many many memberships since they're coming to the Q. The mailing they do are persistent. I've returned many with "no" and take me off the list, but they never do. They're very hungry.

You are correct. AARP has lost tens of thousands of members due to its support of ObamaCare.