# F\*ck Obmama and ACA **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 13, 2016, 7:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/f-ck-obmama-and-aca/743020 "2016-01-13T07:53:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e8c25b/32.png) [@excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/excavating_for_a_mind)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/f-ck-obmama-and-aca/743020/21 "2016-01-13T15:12:45Z")
> [@The Great Sun Jester](#): > > With you in general terms on ACA. It was a mistake to not take a Machiavellian approach to getting fully-funded single-payer through a treasonous congress. All ACA did was force-feed health insurers and limit, to some extent, their ability to completely screw people over. Personally, my health insurance hasnt’ changed price in any real way since before ACA. I agree, and quoted just to add that, IMO, all the ACA did (and can do) is prop up the terribly inefficient and potentially corrupt system of third-parties (insurance companies) dipping their greedy fingers into the health-care funds ultimately benefiting nobody but themselves. Without the ACA, the current system of paying for healthcare would have lasted for another 5-10 years before it collapsed (like the housing bubble did). Of course, that would have been a major disruption to the economy, but it would have forced a complete scrapping of the dual-payer system. With the ACA, we will be saddled with this system for decades to come, with various politicians applying whatever band-aid solution is [del]most popular[/del] least objectionable to the voting public at the time. It will now take decades for the US to adopt a single-payer system. ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/f-ck-obmama-and-aca/743020/22 "2016-01-13T15:16:35Z")
I’ve been paying more for eggs and less for apples. **F\*ck Obmama**. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Vorlon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@The\_Vorlon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Vorlon)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/f-ck-obmama-and-aca/743020/23 "2016-01-13T15:25:02Z")
Allowing for inflation, you should really show up with a small bag of Susan B. Anthony’s. Or Two dollar bills. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Flyer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/flyer/32/7298_2.png) [@Flyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flyer)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/f-ck-obmama-and-aca/743020/24 "2016-01-13T15:35:00Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Wow, your math is bad. It also blessed insurers with millions more young, healthy clients who make fewer claims. Not quite. > [@](#): > > Enrollment in the ACA exchanges is lagging for Hispanics, young people, and men, despite compliance penalties having gone into effect this year. While approximately 10.2 million have enrolled in the exchanges and another 12 million are newly enrolled in expanded Medicaid programs, there are still 18 million people who remain uninsured but are eligible for coverage. > **[Three Challenges Impacting The Future Of Obamacare](https://www.forbes.com/sites/billfrist/2015/07/03/three-challenges-impacting-the-future-of-obamacare/#2715e4857a0b15e0ff72189b)** > > By Sen. Bill Frist, MD -- Last week’s Supreme Court decision puts the Affordable Care Act firmly and securely into institutional and cultural permanence. It still bears flaws due to its imperfect construction and divisive passage, but after five... ---
**Author:** ![actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e79b87/32.png) [@actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/actualliberalnotoneofthose)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/f-ck-obmama-and-aca/743020/25 "2016-01-13T15:42:23Z")
My premiums went up significantly pre-Obama. I dropped it. Now I have insurance again. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/f-ck-obmama-and-aca/743020/26 "2016-01-13T15:57:44Z")
I’m paying more and getting less. I usually write it off as being something like taxes; I’m paying to help cover those who really can’t afford anything. And besides, before the ACA I was paying a bit more each year to cover the cost of all the people hospitals treated who couldn’t pay. So in the end its really not all that different. That’s on a good day. On a bad day I agree the ACA sucks. I was hoping for a more socialized medicine and what we got favors the insurance companies and medical care companies way too much. We also didn’t get the tort reform we were promised. We could be better off scrapping it and starting over than trying to fix a lemon. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/f-ck-obmama-and-aca/743020/27 "2016-01-13T16:09:08Z")
My premiums were going up before Obamacare and they’re going up after Obamacare. The big difference is that now my policy doesn’t magically reclassify things to eliminate coverage I used to have. Meanwhile, my daughter, who was denied health insurance by every insurance company in the state of Missouri, now has a silver-level plan that she can actually afford. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/f-ck-obmama-and-aca/743020/28 "2016-01-13T16:13:57Z")
I have a preexisting condition, so without ACA I would never have been able to leave my mediocre old job or move away to a place I could afford to buy a home. My expenses for medical have gone up, but no matter your insurance policy, cancer is fucking expensive. ---
**Author:** ![kittenblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ba8739/32.png) [@kittenblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kittenblue)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/f-ck-obmama-and-aca/743020/29 "2016-01-13T16:20:51Z")
> [@kopek](#): > > I’m paying more and getting less. I usually write it off as being something like taxes; I’m paying to help cover those who really can’t afford anything. And besides, before the ACA I was paying a bit more each year to cover the cost of all the people hospitals treated who couldn’t pay. So in the end its really not all that different. > > That’s on a good day. On a bad day I agree the ACA sucks. I was hoping for a more socialized medicine and what we got favors the insurance companies and medical care companies way too much. We also didn’t get the tort reform we were promised. We could be better off scrapping it and starting over than trying to fix a lemon. What, specifically, are you getting less of? How has the lack of tort reform affected your experience of getting health care? How does this show up in your basic experience with your doctor? I have health insurance through my employer. We have had slight premium increases, but this year they added some new plans and deductibles went up for some plans. I switched plans and have a lower premium, but new available options have resulted in me spending more…but getting more. ---
**Author:** ![WildBlueYonder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ce7236/32.png) [@WildBlueYonder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildBlueYonder)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/f-ck-obmama-and-aca/743020/30 "2016-01-13T16:41:46Z")
> [@septimus](#): > > I’ve been paying more for eggs and less for apples. **F\*ck Obmama**. lucky you??? > [@Askthepizzaguy](#): > > _The Republicans: Elect us and we’ll make sure your government works for us, and not you!_ aint that the truth but its the same for either party. Same ole same ole, the good ole boys network > [@BigT](#): > > People need to stop pretending like the ACA did not force increased costs on the insurers, since it makes them cover more. 250% seems a bit harsh, but it is true that costs went up due to taking on more people. And employers did have to start insuring more people, which might mean they wind up contributing less on a per-employee basis. > > And the exchanges are a joke for those at the low end who already had insurance. Because they lack employer contributions, they are more expensive unless you can get subsidies–which you can’t if your employer offers insurance and you aren’t eligible for Medicaid. And I’m in Arkansas, where Medicaid was expanded. > > I only hope the penalty will get more people in and bring the prices down. Ya need MORE people on the plan to make it cheaper? what percentage is it now, the ones on and the ones off? Medicaid was expanded was not expanded enough in this state I cant see where the insurance companies were hurting for money… how many people pay for this coverage but do not even use it? Why would 250% be harsh? Especially if it correct. A few decades ago I told my auto insurer what percentage my car insurance went up over the last decade…he said that was not possible…well the figures were there > [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](#): > > I don’t have any pre-existing conditions or prescriptions. Yet my privately-bought health insurance premiums have gone up by over 250% in two years. > > Is anyone having the same problem, or are you reaping the riches? what are riches?:dubious: Our income is in the donut, no discounts, but unaffordable premiums and high copays and high deductibles that will never be met ---
**Author:** ![Damuri\_Ajashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/f-ck-obmama-and-aca/743020/31 "2016-01-13T17:01:34Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > I’d suggest the OP start looking at the Exchanges, but chances are he’s in a red state that refuses him that option. > > In which case it’s much less ‘fuck Obama’ and much more ‘Fuck your Republican state government’. There is a federal exchange that is available to everyone. There are two obvious sources of the problem. Obamacare set standards on insurance so that insurance that never actually covered anything now has to cover quite a bit, especially if your insurance had a high deductible, high copays and a low annual payout limit. These plans basically paid out after about $5000/year but stopped paying out at some low level like $50,000/year and dropped your coverage the year after you hit that cap or developed some condition. ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/f-ck-obmama-and-aca/743020/32 "2016-01-13T17:05:52Z")
> [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](#): > > I don’t have any pre-existing conditions or prescriptions. Yet my privately-bought health insurance premiums have gone up by over 250% in two years. > > Is anyone having the same problem, or are you reaping the riches? You should be happy. Your old plan likely had a lot of loopholes and didn’t protect you as much as you think it did. The ACA created standards, and likely yours didn’t meet them, so that’s why you’re paying more. Or you’re just too lazy to look up an exchange. Or you live in a red state where your GOP governor didn’t expand Medicaid for the sole purpose of pissing you off and making you think its Obama’s fault rather than theirs ---
**Author:** ![maxjohnson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90db22/32.png) [@maxjohnson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maxjohnson)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/f-ck-obmama-and-aca/743020/33 "2016-01-13T17:29:14Z")
My premium is 0 but I have to pay the penalty cost. ---
**Author:** ![Lacunae\_Matata](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lacunae\_Matata](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lacunae_Matata)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/f-ck-obmama-and-aca/743020/34 "2016-01-13T19:05:03Z")
> [@Damuri\_Ajashi](#): > > There is a federal exchange that is available to everyone. Not exactly. The Mr. was released from his job in August, 2.5 years after an accident that left him unable to work. (It’s a public agency, and was legal for them to fire him due to compelling need.) There was no way we could afford COBRA on our income, so we tried to get insurance. Our state didn’t expand Medicaid, and my husband hasn’t completed his medical treatment via workers comp, so he isn’t officially disabled per guidelines. The expansion was meant to cover families/individuals whose income falls between 33-133% of the federal poverty rate definition. The exchanges kick in at 133%+. Our income falls within that bubble - the kids became eligible for public health coverage, but Tony and I are screwed if we break a hip or something. (And, when the Littlest Miss is in school next year, I will get a job just for health insurance. Until then, I can’t afford to pay for childcare for her and home assistance for my husband - that would cost more than I would earn, by far.) ---
**Author:** ![Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a9a28c/32.png) [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oslo_Ostragoth)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/f-ck-obmama-and-aca/743020/35 "2016-01-13T19:11:17Z")
re: people telling me to go through the exchanges: I looked into that, and it would have only saved me $15 - $20 per month. Not hundreds. No Ramen, but no iPhone either. ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/f-ck-obmama-and-aca/743020/36 "2016-01-13T19:14:01Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > it is true that costs went up due to taking on more people. > [@BigT](#): > > I only hope the penalty will get more people in and bring the prices down. Well, which is it? ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/f-ck-obmama-and-aca/743020/37 "2016-01-13T19:25:25Z")
Back when I had no insurance at all, a visit to a general practitioner at the local poverty clinic cost me $50. Now that my employer provides ACA-compliant insurance, the same trip to the same doctor is $250. Insurance pays $70, I pay $180. (Plus the $16 deducted from my paycheck every week.) I have yet to use any service that was not available to me before. My out-of-pocket expenses have more than tripled. So far, the ACA has cost me more than it has benefited me. ---
**Author:** ![yellowjacketcoder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/4bbf92/32.png) [@yellowjacketcoder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yellowjacketcoder)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/f-ck-obmama-and-aca/743020/38 "2016-01-13T19:30:30Z")
> [@mbh](#): > > Back when I had no insurance at all, a visit to a general practitioner at the local poverty clinic cost me $50. > > Now that my employer provides ACA-compliant insurance, the same trip to the same doctor is $250. Insurance pays $70, I pay $180. (Plus the $16 deducted from my paycheck every week.) > > I have yet to use any service that was not available to me before. My out-of-pocket expenses have more than tripled. > > So far, the ACA has cost me more than it has benefited me. $16/week is bargain basement price for a plan. My plan costs more in a month than you pay in a year. So the reason you have such a high co-pay is you have such a low-cost plan. But now you’re insured if you get hit by a car/cancer/etc ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/f-ck-obmama-and-aca/743020/39 "2016-01-13T19:31:02Z")
> [@mbh](#): > > Back when I had no insurance at all, a visit to a general practitioner at the local poverty clinic cost me $50. > > Now that my employer provides ACA-compliant insurance, the same trip to the same doctor is $250. Insurance pays $70, I pay $180. (Plus the $16 deducted from my paycheck every week.) > > I have yet to use any service that was not available to me before. My out-of-pocket expenses have more than tripled. > > So far, the ACA has cost me more than it has benefited me. Why wouldn’t you just tell them you don’t have insurance? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/f-ck-obmama-and-aca/743020/40 "2016-01-13T19:31:12Z")
> [@mbh](#): > > Back when I had no insurance at all, a visit to a general practitioner at the local poverty clinic cost me $50. > > Now that my employer provides ACA-compliant insurance, the same trip to the same doctor is $250. Insurance pays $70, I pay $180. (Plus the $16 deducted from my paycheck every week.) So you go to the doctor at the local poverty clinic, and s/he charges more for people with insurance? Why don’t you tell him you don’t have insurance and pay the fifty bucks? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/f-ck-obmama-and-aca/743020.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/f-ck-obmama-and-aca/743020.md?page=3)