Are ObamaCare's 'Markets' Doomed To Fail?
Posted on 05/24/2013 4:55:56 AM PDT by IBD editorial writer
Industrial Policy: What if government created an insurance "marketplace" and no one came? As the launch of the ObamaCare insurance exchanges draws near, that could happen — bringing the reform crashing to the ground.
The premise of ObamaCare's exchanges was that they would provide individuals and small businesses a choice of many competing health plans. And because the plans all have to provide the same benefits, consumers would be able to shop around for the best deal.
But evidence is piling up that the law won't live up to this promise, as insurance companies, small businesses and individuals seek to avoid the exchanges altogether.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.investors.com ...
They are designed to fail. The idea is to destroy the insurance companies, collapse the existing system, create chaos and pave the way for a single-payer system run by the government. That will be the true “Obamacare.”
.
BINGO!
When I buy a car, I want the anti-lock brakes and the front- and side-airbags. I do not want the nitrogen-filled tires or the appearance package. Part of what allows me to get the best car for me at the best price is choosing which features to pay for. Only a liberal would think you could save money and generate competition when everyone has to buy the same government-designed Yugo or Trabant.
I find it amusing, in a sad way, that hospital coverage is optional but abortion coverage is mandatory under ObamaCare.
Or maybe I'm just too cynical. But it's hard to trust the Obama regime in light of current events.
We’ll probably see a two tier system, with the Obamacare compliant facilities as crap while Mayo Clinic and concierge doctors offer the same top notch level of care for those who pay cash.
We may even see insurance plans like they have in Canada. You get a particular diagnosis, like cancer, and you get a cash lump sum to pay your bills. The insurance isn’t called medical insurance, you could use the money theoretically to pay living expenses while ill or pay medical expenses at facilities that only take cash.
“They are designed to fail. The idea is to destroy the insurance companies, collapse the existing system, create chaos and pave the way for a single-payer system run by the government. That will be the true “Obamacare.”
Bingo. The way Obama is going to get members to populate his state exchanges in those states that will have them (or Obama sets up his own federal exchanges in those states that refuse to have state ones) is to force large corporations, in particular public entities, to drop their healthcare plans for their workers and force them into the state exchanges. Blackmail, as it were.
For instance, I have the misfortune to have worked for a public University in Obama’s very blue home state of Illinois. We were all put on notice a week ago by mail, that we will have to sign up by Jan. 1st, 2014 for the Obamacare State Exchange being created here in our all Dem controlled state this very minute. Basically, all state workers, police, teachers, firefighters, health workers, etc. will be forced out of their current employer healthcare plans, and into the State Exchange. All retirees on Medicare (that’s me) will lose their secondary insurance through their former employers, and will be forced into the state exchange as their secondary insurance at greatly increased cost.
Now what humors me, if it weren’t for the fact that they are taking me down with them, is that all of the liberal Profs and Admin at my former public University are going to end up with lousy exchange insurance while losing their current HMO’s, PPO’s, primary plans, etc. that they currently are in. And probably many of them will lose their doctors also. Plus all of the premiums and co-pays have gone up for IL state workers bigtime. So all these Libs are being screwed by the Obama regime that most of them worshipped. Nowadays, not so much. Via the grapevine, hearing complaints now from where I previously worked, lots of them, this is not going over well. Heh, heh. You live by the sword of Obama, you die by the sword when he turns around and shafts you with it.
Yep that's where we are headed.
No, you are not cynical, you are right on-target. When they made the subtle change in nomenclature from “exchange” to “market”, they did so with a purpose.
The free market has FAILED! Time to try something else then.
The notion of a government created and mandated “market” is so laughable on its face. A market is where free people come together to exchange products and services for cash at mutually negotiated prices so both parties benefit to the fullest extent. Heavy-handed government is anathema to markets.
If they wanted markets to “provide individuals and small businesses a choice of many competing health plans,” all they had to do was get the State insurance agencies out of the way with their heavy regulation. Deregulate and you would have thousands of low-cost plans available.
Yes, these “markets” are designed to fail and destroy insurance companies leading to single-payer.
Now the state House and Senate are struggling over the expansion of Medicaid. The state hospital assn. and the doctor's assn. are all for it because they see big bucks coming from the Feds.
But the Feds are exactly like a drug pusher. They give you the big bucks for three years, then you're mostly on your own. Now you're hooked. Whatchagonnado?
Fortunately, Gov. Haley has promised to veto this legislation and the betting is that the veto won't be overturned.
South Carolina Ping
Send FReepmail to join or leave this list.
Keep up with what our Congresscritters are doing. Sign up for the free MegaVote email service here.
It’s the Republicans fault for blocking everything, I’ve already had my dose of the talking point from someone I thought was more intelligent...
Yes!
It was supposed to fail. ObamaCare is supposed to fail. Then they will blame it on capitalism and start pushing for their government-run “single payer” system.
The two-tier thing will be temporary as they will move to ban cash-for-treatment too. Only the elite will be able to access the best care.
is there any way we can not participate in Obamacare?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.