Why do many liberals think Obamacare is a success?
Let me add one more success story.. I have a heart condition, I’ve had it all my adult life and I’ve had 4 heart surgeries - 3 open heart surgeries and one minimally invasive surgery. 15 years before the ACA came into existence, my health insurance was cancelled by my provider after my last heart surgery and since that day getting health insurance has either been incredibly expensive or just impossible. When the ACA went into effect, I got health insurance for the first time at the same rate as other people, through my employer. It was, to me, an absolute miracle. I was able to afford the preventative care necessary for my condition (which, by the way, was mostly corrected through the last heart surgery and I was no longer a huge insurance risk….but that’s a different story) and felt, for the very first time, safe. That year, I also needed a hysterectomy due to a cancer scare and didn’t worry about the costs, which, after surgery, were about $500 in co-pays.But that wasn’t the biggest benefit for me. I was laid off in 2016 and received information on COBRA. It was $400 per month! Generally, if I did receive a COBRA letter after getting laid off or when a company went under (which was rare), it was for $1800-$3000 per month. $400 was incredible! But, I didn’t have to do it. NYS embraced the Medicaid expansion and while on unemployment, I received Medicaid. First time in my life I had health insurance while unemployed and I didn’t have to worry about using my pittance of unemployment dollars to pay for it. During that time period, I had emergency gall bladder surgery for a blockage and paid NOTHING. (Some may say I am living off of the welfare of others while on Medicaid and I say, bite me. I have worked and paid my taxes for more than 25 years and didn’t have health insurance for many of those years. I think I earned a year on Medicaid.)The ACA truly did save me. It saved my life when I had the cancer scare - I got the surgery I needed without constant stress of bills and debt. It saved my life when I had emergency gall bladder surgery. And when I go back to work this month, I will be eligible, once again, for employer provided health insurance. Does it have problems? Sure, but I would rather have it and push our government to fix those problems than have nothing again. And, I think, so would most of us.
Do liberals realize that Obamacare was a failure?
I think that to those who now have medical coverage, and those who have ‘pre-existing’ conditions it is NOT a failure, but a life saver.And maybe we need to answer this question about CONSERVATIVES. Why are they so hell-bent on the average American not having health care, decent wages for their work, decent housing that is not at an outrageous price, and some hope for the future?IMHO, it is a national DISGRACE that wee, the best nation on earth, do not have NATIONAL HEALTH CARE for every single one of our citizens. How to pay for it? Get rid of some of the waste that many conservatives are perfectly happy with. Tax those with ALL THE MONEY at a fair rate. Maybe cut defense spending a little. Not so that wee ar in danger (why do people think we are in danger all the time? After all, we are the only people in the entire history of the WORLD to have ever used a nuclear weapon on our fellow HUMAN BEINGS!) (Of course, that might soon change, if Trump succeeds in goading the nut in North Korea to really launch a weapon!)But how about cutting some of the costs that are CLEARLY (and have been reported many times) totally out of control! Cut some of those costs, which serve nothing to make us safer, but only to line the pockets of the already very rich!And while we are at it, how about reining in some of the insurance companies, who are totally screwing the American People with their ‘negotiated’ prices for actual care, and with the huge amounts they CHARGE for the ‘insurance’ versus what is actually PAID to the providers! For Pete’s sake folks, look at you EOBs once in a while. Do some MATH and see what medical care REALLY costs. Take out the INSURANCE companies and we could save BILLIONS!
Why do many Americans think rallying speaches gives you the ability to lead a Nation?
You hit the nail on the head. It's like last week's Time magazine article (the issue with Hill and Obama on the cover). They made the exact point you are making. Who has the substance? Clinton. Who has the answers? Clinton. Who has the ability to be inspirational and make people feel like that's all we need? Obama. Hillary Clinton is not a great orator, maybe not even a good one. But she is chock full of experience, substance and has what it takes to get that "change" thing actually effected in D.C. I love inspiration from Obama, from anyone. It's hard to find. But I need more, and what I need to vote for President is what I get from Clinton. Answers, the ability to effect change and not just talk about it, and proven time tested ability and political prowess.
Why do Conservatives say Obama lied about his health care promise that 'If you like your plan, keep it. If you like your doctor, keep it.'?
They say it because it was provided as an anti-”Obamacare” talking point.But in one sense it WAS true: junk insurance plans that cost a pittance, featured high deductibles and copays, and paid virtually nothing were no longer permitted. As a result, many Americans who’d opposed Obama from the beginning suddenly decided that those plans were highly desirable, and that Obama had no right to keep them from having such plans if that’s what they wanted.This conviction was helped along by several misconceptions that have been circulating for a while. First, the notion that health insurance isn’t strictly necessary, since getting sick is a “choice,” and they were “choosing” to get exercise and “eat right.” So why should they be “forced” to have insurance if they didn’t intend to have medical problems?Second, the notion that if, despite their efforts, they got sick, they could just pay for it out of pocket. (Never mind the fact that many doctors can’t and won’t take cash for an office visit——the vast majority of Americans could NOT afford even an uncomplicated laparascopic surgery, let alone a more complicated illness or procedure.)And, third—-and this is the most ridiculous one of all—-that the emergency room makes a dandy substitute for every form of health care, and it’s free of charge to boot!I always tell these people, “Obama told the truth. If you like your doctor, you can keep him/her….but it might cost you extra. That’s because the ACA was designed primarily to ensure affordable health care for more Americans, not to provide bargains for people who already have insurance.”
Ameriplan USA Scam? or really a relief to rising costs of Health Insurance?
Ameriplan isn't a scam - but it's not health insurance. They don't PAY anything. Basically, they are selling you a LIST. The providers on the list, don't necessarily give you a discount. It's not guaranteed. It's not regulated. Your $59 a month, is buying you a LIST, of providers, some of which MIGHT give you an unspecified discount. It's not a scam. But it's NEVER going to pay anything, on your behalf.
What is Obamacare (unbiased answer please)?
It seems like everyone I know is a hardcore conservative or liberal, an gives me a really bs answer. Even with my limited knowledge of politics I can see that they are giving me crap. Thank you so Much. (it would be really great if you could how you feel about it in the bottom of your answer. Thanks again!
Why do liberals think the government should provide total healthcare for U.S. citizens?
I don’t like the term “liberal” because I “lean” left-ish I guess? Not on everything - and I think in many parts of the world, a moderate is considered left here.I love this country. I’m an immigrant that really liked it here after studying. I want to contribute to this society. I see numerous stories of people getting sick, and money worries once it happens. If this country is important to me, aren’t the people that live there as well?I would like to live in a country where health isn’t much of a worry. Where people can visit the doctor if sick, and not think “hmm, maybe I’m not that sick; I’ll wait a few days because the doctor would charge me $100 since I haven’t hit a ridiculous deductible yet, and my green stuff should hopefully pass…”.I’m still lucky to have my bad insurance. I know some parents at my kids school - both working, and my crappy insurance is like a luxury they can’t afford. One way to get help - emergency room. A lot of patients without insurance don’t actually pay the bill. When something like that happens, the cost to taxpayers is a multiple of what it should be. Insurance rates go up - and we all still lose.Maintaining the health of the population should be in our best interests. Healthy people are happier. More productive. Can recover better from ailments. Often preventing major problems means preventing major bills.BTW - This isn’t something to just help liberals.In fact, this can help the states which have the highest poverty rates that are generally more conservativeInteractive Poverty Map | State and County Level Poverty InformationRed/blue US states (2004-2016)The states with the highest poverty levels are Arizona, New Mexico, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, West Virginia.If we assume poverty is a good indication of whose that will have a hard time affording healthcare, then looking at the states with the highest poverty ratio, only New Mexico is “liberal”.So “red” states where the highest ratio of people can be helped that lean conservative:ArizonaArkansasLouisianaMississippiAlabamaGeorgiaKentuckyWest VirginiaAm I saying we should spend money on these “red” states to ensure the health of their mostly conservative populace?YES!