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After more than three years, $400 million, and a steady stream of assurances from the Obama administration, the government's healthcare exchanges should have been ready to go.
But the problems with Obamacare, at first brushed off as the result of an overwhelming initial response, run much deeper than the Obama administration would like to admit.
"These are not glitches," an insurance executive who has taken part in many conference calls on Obamacare told The New York Times. "The extent of the problems is pretty enormous. At the end of our calls, people say, 'It's awful, just awful.'"
And while the problems with Obamacare were discussed among insiders for months, warnings that it would almost certainly crash on launch were ignored.
After two weeks of building frustration, everyone wants answers – would-be enrollees, Republican opponents, and embarrassed Democratic supporters.
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Dave has been a journalist for more than 35 years, including 18 spent at The Baltimore Sun. He has worked as a writer, editor, and page designer at different times in his career. He's interviewed a number of well-known personalities - ranging from punk rock icon Joey Ramone to Apple Inc. co-founder Steve Wozniak.
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Dave has a BA in English and Mass Communications from Loyola University Maryland.
WHY NOT ENROLL IN OBAMA CARE?
Eligible insurance clients will simply choose to self-insure and pay the penalty in 2014 of up to 2.5% of their 2013 gross income to the IRS rather than bother to enroll for now. If you have no pre-existing conditions or chronic medical problems, then why enroll at all? I am getting to that point because of two issues I have with ObamaCare, as it is in practice today:
First, the policies available on the State Exchanges are comparatively limited. Many, such as Blue Cross or Blue Shield PPO have significantly smaller physician in-network lists ( 22,000 ). As a result, most enrollees in ObamaCare will have to find a new doctor because their family doctor is not on the insurers approved list. In short, you can not keep your doctor. This is especially important with patients who do have a pre-existing condition or known health risk (heart).
Secondly, if your income is much over $24,000-$25,000/year you begin to lose Federal subsidizes to your monthly premiums, as they start to drop-off after that. By the time you are earning $45,000/year (individual), you receive no subsidy. ( $2500/ year premiums for a Silver Policy and $5,000 annual out-of-pocket expenses, plus co-pays for each service.
This anti-Obamacare is bullshit. I'm furious that you tea-party Republicans and all your propaganda spewers have taken over the weather network, exposing us all to your poison! I'm from Canada and somehow don't have the fears about any changes that American's have. Likely because we in Canada have better healthcare (universal like every other civilized country in the world), are better educated than Americans, and more well-travelled (you can check out all these comparative statistics by checking life expectancy in countries with universal healthcare and Language/math proficiency stats). It's a slam dunk for us. I know that glitches in the sign-up process for Obamacare are annoying, but it doesn't take a genius to figure out that Republican hackers are behind it and that universal healthcare is not something to be afraid of- it's just a change, idiots! Thank God I'm Canadian- we're the Country America aspired to be! You derailed a number of years ago and are about to implode! Unfortunately because of your former glory you have a huge and powerful economy which will take the rest of the world down with it. But you're past it, we need to look to maybe China now- without the vitriol for leadership. You're done, finished, too needy, too nasty and too racist to carry on. You are becoming the laughing stock of the world. OMG- " imagine everyone has the chance to get healthcare, this is the worst thing that cold happen." You guys are certifiable. Go away quietly and hide your shame.
Sorry , Valerie is incorrect and must be one of the left wing liberals who is only listening to the mainstream news and doesn't want to admit that this system is majorly flawed and isn't living up to the stated objectives the president promised. I am a Canadian and our health care system isn't as perfect as Valerie would like to believe. We have a shortage of doctors and huge cost increases as people age. This isn't sustainable so services will have to be cut more. Yesterday I heard that physicals will now only be covered every 3 years, but haven't confirmed that yet. Already there are long wait times for a lot of surgeries that aren't life threatening and people are sent home from hospital too early. We should have a fee charged when you need health care to prevent misuse of the system also.
Indeed Mac, Valerie has been listening to the media outlets (controlled by the Government) that never divulge the truth even if it hit them in the face. The Obama plan is deceptive in nature and will be used as a tool extract extra taxes from its citizens and ultimately control peoples lives. When you control the money you control the people! This is the essence and purpose of Socalism. Most of the politicians wielding power are all corrupt with little or no moral values that they put into public practice. At least the likes of Rand Paul and Ted Cruz have the gonads to boldly speak out and call a 'spade a spade'. Prayers for America required!