Posted on 11/03/2013 6:58:10 AM PST by dennisw
The first month of the new health law’s rollout reveals an unexpected pattern in several states: a crush of people applying for an expansion of Medicaid and a trickle of sign-ups for private insurance.
This early imbalance — in some places, nine out of 10 enrollees are in Medicaid — has taken some experts by surprise. The Affordable Care Act, which expanded Medicaid to cover millions of the poorest Americans who couldn’t otherwise afford coverage, envisions a more even split with an expanded, robust private market.
“When we first saw the numbers, everyone’s eyes kind of bugged out,” said Matt Salo, who runs the National Association of Medicaid Directors. “Of the people walking through the door, 90 percent are on Medicaid. We’re thinking, what planet is this happening on?”
The yawning gap between public and private enrollment is handing Republicans yet another line of criticism against President Obama’s health overhaul — that the law is primarily becoming an expansion of a costly entitlement program.
Supporters, however, caution against reading too much into the early numbers. Some of the states that set up their own exchanges, including Maryland, are suffering Web site glitches similar to those of the national system, and that is delaying private plan enrollments.
But if this trend continues, experts say it could prove costly for states that will have to help pay for some of these new Medicaid enrollees. It would widen disparities between the states that opted to expand the entitlement program and those that have not.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
The inside the Beltway experts and geniuses are stumped. But they aren’t worried because they get paid (most likely via your taxes) if they are wrong or right.
“in some places, nine out of 10 enrollees are in Medicaid — has taken some experts by surprise.”
They need better “experts”.
Classic Cloward-Piven. "Unexpected" only by morons.
I would bet less than 1000 people have signed up
But, but, but....the liberals PROMISED us that we would save money by getting people to pay for their own way instead of getting the taxpayers to foot other peoples medical bills!
I’ve suspected this from the beginning.
Most Obama voters will “skate” past the problems of Obamacare via waivers, subsidies, or medicaid.
The regime has a strong record on rewarding friends and punishing enemies.
That’s the Chicago Way.
Certainly, not experts in human economic behavior.
Certainly, not experts in economics.
Experts at working for government bureaucracies, perhaps.
So is that an admission that government-run healthcare doesn't work? I mean, wasn't Medicaid supposed to cover "the poorest" anyway? And if it isn't covering the "poorest" who is being covered?
“We weren’t sure what to expect,” Arkansas Medicaid spokeswoman Amy Webb said. “We have been very pleased with the response.”
Ms. Webb lies. This is exactly what they were expecting. This was their plan all along.
From a story about it early this year:
"Earlier today, the Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services notified state officials in Arkansas that it has approved the states' Medicaid expansion plan. And this is not any old expansion plan: Arkansas will be the only state in the country that will use Medicaid dollars to purchase private health insurance for its new public program enrollees."
"There are about 200,000 Arkansans who qualify for the Medicaid expansion. Instead of having them enroll in the public program, like other states will do, Arkansas will send them to their new health insurance marketplace to buy individual plans. When they get to the point of purchase, the Medicaid agency will foot the tab for their health insurance coverage."
Yup ,they want everyone on the dole and the insurance companies out of business.
Yes - said "experts" knew the conditions that were needed for "success" and just assumed that it would occur. Like my wife is wont to say, "I know how they vote".
Safe bet.
This crafty scheme must mean US taxpayers will be paying for these new Arkanasa Medicaid enrollees.. Not Arkansas taxpayers
Great! We were all pissed at Brewer when she signed on to the Medicaid expansion. This is going to bankrupt Arizona
I'm thinking, "What planet are you from?"
Geez, and this guy is supposedly at the top of his profession. As I was just remarking to my husband, we both saw this coming 5 or 6 years ago.
It's hard to believe how stupid thse people are.
Lots of new leaches hanging off the taxpayers.
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