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As Some Got Free Health Care, Gwen Got Squeezed: An Obamacare Dilemma
The New York Times ^ | 19 Feb 2018 | Abby Goodnough

Posted on 02/19/2018 8:33:51 PM PST by Theoria

Gwen Hurd got the letter just before her shift at the outlet mall. Her health insurance company informed her that coverage for her family of three, purchased through the Affordable Care Act marketplace, would cost almost 60 percent more this year — $1,200 a month.

She and her husband, a contractor, found a less expensive plan, but at $928 a month, it meant giving up date nights and saving for their future. Worse, the new policy required them to spend more than $6,000 per person before it covered much of anything.

“It seems to me that people who earn nothing and contribute nothing get everything for free,” said Ms. Hurd, 30. “And the people who work hard and struggle for every penny barely end up surviving.”

A few miles away in another wooded suburb, Emilia DiCola, 28, an aspiring opera singer who scrapes by with gigs at churches and in local theaters, has no such complaints. She qualifies for Medicaid — free government health insurance that millions more low-income Americans have gained through an expansion of the program under the Affordable Care Act.

“I am very lucky to have the coverage I have,” said Ms. DiCola, who lives with her parents along the Merrimack River in Litchfield.

(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Government
KEYWORDS: healthinsurance; medicaid; obamacare; subsidies
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To: Theoria

The natural result, as in all oppressive socialist systems, will be first, to lie and cheat (about income, taxes, whatever the government force you into), the second will be a black market.


21 posted on 02/19/2018 9:03:58 PM PST by PGR88
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To: Jim from C-Town

The IDIOT Republicans WOULDN’T repeal it BECAUSE to many of their BIG donors in the insurance industry are getting HUGE subsidies from Uncle Sam!!!! It is NEVER about Americans it is ALWAYS about themselves and what is BEST for them, if these BASTARDS had to live under O’care they would REPEAL it in a hot minute!!! These SOB’S make laws that THEY don’t have to live under, JUST DISGUSTING!!!


22 posted on 02/19/2018 9:07:05 PM PST by Trump Girl Kit Cat (Yosemite Sam raising hell)
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To: Theoria

The NYTimes suddenly doesn’t like Obamacare? They blame Trump but Trump contributed to Hillary, not Obama.


23 posted on 02/19/2018 9:07:22 PM PST by <1/1,000,000th%
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To: digger48

That’s what I pay just for myself

$1600 mo $1200 deductible.

Was $350/ mo in 2008

Sorry, FRiend.

"Healthcare", healthcare insurance, prescription drugs, hospitalization are all nuts for 1 reason: government interference.


24 posted on 02/19/2018 9:14:31 PM PST by 867V309 (Lock Her Up)
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To: nickcarraway

He tried several times. They probably won’t do it in an election year because the last time they tried the approval was in the crapper. The GOP sucks at self promotion. The tax bill only went up in approval because people saw the results. People wouldn’t see the results of the healthcare prior to the election, and the Dems would have everyone convinced that people will be dying in the streets.


25 posted on 02/19/2018 9:23:30 PM PST by Pinkbell
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To: Theoria
My employer sponsored plan costs me $1,000 per month in premiums with a $6,000 deductible. Has been that way for about 4 years. I haven't set foot in a medical office since Sept 2013. I'm being fleeced for the benefit of others.
26 posted on 02/19/2018 9:25:26 PM PST by Myrddin
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To: Theoria

Ah, the wonders of Government Run Health Care and Socialism.

I’ll bet Gwen supported Obamunism and hates Trump, too.


27 posted on 02/19/2018 9:30:28 PM PST by ProtectOurFreedom
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To: Pinkbell
Dems would have everyone convinced that people will be dying in the streets.

Trump: 'We’re going to take care of people who are dying on the street'

28 posted on 02/19/2018 9:34:03 PM PST by nickcarraway
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To: Theoria

I love how she’s blaming Trump for OMAMAcare.


29 posted on 02/19/2018 9:38:15 PM PST by Trillian
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To: Jim from C-Town
The middle class is squeezed, but make no mistake, a lot of the poor are getting terrible care. In California, we basically have euthanasia fora lot of poor people.

By the way, I had a friend who was middle class and got cancer. He had to take a leave of absence to get chemo. He was still paying for his health insurance. The ACA people called and said it didn't matter if he could still pay for his plan, if he wasn't working he had to go on medicaid. Then he would have lost his cancer and and died. Luckily he stalled long enough to complete his treatment.

Medicare is comprehensive in many states.

Medicare is not for the poor, it's for the elderly. Medicaid is for the poor.

30 posted on 02/19/2018 9:40:00 PM PST by nickcarraway
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To: Alberta's Child
He would have signed any ACA repeal or modification bill that Congress put on his desk.

Neither you or I know that. He was for socialized medicine longer than he was against it, and complained of people dying in the streets during the campaign. When Congress refused to repeal the ACA after promising to do so for seven years, Trump knew it was best to keep quiet because he’s playing on a team of losers.

No sale. During the primaries and general he claimed he would be fighting the "GOP Establishment" and between his brilliance, fight, and negotiating power." He doesn't now get to claim he can't do anything but let the GOP establishment do what they want? He didn't promise to act like a cowering wimp and let the RINOs do whatever they want/ Did he?

So what is your argument? That he lied about how ability to be forceful and negotiate well, or that he agreed with them all along? It has to be one or the other.

31 posted on 02/19/2018 9:47:18 PM PST by nickcarraway (t)
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To: bobcat62

Or just opt out of the system. It’s not great, but why pay 33% or more of your income to get a $7000 deductible?


32 posted on 02/19/2018 9:48:26 PM PST by nickcarraway (t)
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To: Fai Mao

My heat surgery and post-surgical care were 100% covered by Medicaid. I never see a hospital or a doctor’s bill.

Very satisfied with my coverage.


33 posted on 02/19/2018 9:50:48 PM PST by goldstategop ((In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives In My Forever))
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To: digger48

Ask yourself where this goes in five years.

I’ll predict that most people have a $7,000 deductible by 2025...if we make it that far with the current system.


34 posted on 02/19/2018 9:51:38 PM PST by pepsionice
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To: Pinkbell
He tried several times.

Fake news. It was not tied at all. A few phony plans were referred to, nothing was done. Where is the invincible Trump that Trump and his supporters touted?

They probably won’t do it in an election year because the last time they tried the approval was in the crapper. The GOP sucks at self promotion. The tax bill only went up in approval because people saw the results. People wouldn’t see the results of the healthcare prior to the election, and the Dems would have everyone convinced that people will be dying in the streets.

So you are saying he lied about it?

35 posted on 02/19/2018 9:52:04 PM PST by nickcarraway (t)
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To: nickcarraway

If you’re 133% of the federal poverty level and your state has Medicaid expansion - you qualify.

Beats Obamacare.


36 posted on 02/19/2018 9:53:41 PM PST by goldstategop ((In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives In My Forever))
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To: nickcarraway

That is what I meant. Medicaid is comprehensive in many states. In Ohio it is far better than most private insurance and employee sponsored health care plans.


37 posted on 02/19/2018 9:53:56 PM PST by Jim from C-Town (The government is rarely benevolent, often malevolent and never benign!)
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To: Jim from C-Town

Yup. No premiums, no deductibles, no waiting period and comprehensive coverage with low co-payments for doctor’s office visits.

Medicaid also cover prescription drug costs again for a small co-payment.

Hard to beat it.


38 posted on 02/19/2018 9:59:27 PM PST by goldstategop ((In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives In My Forever))
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To: Theoria

The New York Times, All The News Five Years Late.


39 posted on 02/20/2018 12:02:18 AM PST by ArmstedFragg (So Long Obie)
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To: Theoria

“By taking steps that hurt the individual insurance market, Mr. Trump has widened the gulf between people who pay full price for their coverage and those who get generous subsidies or free Medicaid.”

The very next part, you should have copy/pasted as well - because it shows the utter corruption of the NYT...

Trump’s changes have not caused this gulf - Premiums for those paying their own way have been skyrocketing for several years. Trump’s actions did nothing to make the matter worse.


40 posted on 02/20/2018 12:54:00 AM PST by TheBattman (Voting for lesser evils still gets you evil...)
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