Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Former Dem Staffer Backs off on Obamacare
Townhall.com ^ | October 31, 2013 | Bob Beauprez

Posted on 10/31/2013 7:27:21 AM PDT by Kaslin

As a staffer to an Illinois Democrat Congressman who voted for ObamaCare, Sue Klinkhamer "had constituents scream at me, spit at me and call me names that I can't put in print." Still she supported the health care take over engineered by the President and Democratic Congressional Leadership. But, no more.

Now it's personal. And, hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. Klinkhamer is talking.

Because of the provisions of ObamaCare, Klinkhamer has been notified that her insurance premium will more than double – from $291 per month to $647, a 122 percent increase.

Following is the story of Klinkhamer's experience and her rage as published in the Chicago Sun-Times.

Sue Klinkhamer, photo by Donnell Collins for Sun-Times Media

By Carol Marin

Chicago Sun-Times

October 25, 2013

Sue Klinkhamer has a problem.

It’s called Obamacare.

And the irony of her situation is not lost on her. In a recent email addressed to her former boss, Illinois Congressman Bill Foster, and other Democratic colleagues, she wrote:

“I spent two years defending Obamacare. I had constituents scream at me, spit at me and call me names that I can’t put in print. The congressman was not re-elected in 2010 mainly because of the anti-Obamacare anger. When the congressman was not re-elected, I also (along with the rest of our staff) lost my job. I was upset that because of the health care issue, I didn’t have a job anymore but still defended Obamacare because it would make health care available to everyone at, what I assumed, would be an affordable price. I have now learned that I was wrong. Very wrong.”

For Klinkhamer, 60, President Obama’s oft-repeated words ring in her ears: “If you like your health plan, you will keep it.”

Well, possibly not.

When Klinkhamer lost her congressional job, she had to buy an individual policy on the open market.

Three years ago, it was $225 a month with a $2,500 deductible. Each year it went up a little to, as of Sept. 1, $291 with a $3,500 deductible. Then, a few weeks ago, she got a letter.

“Blue Cross,” she said, “stated my current coverage would expire on Dec. 31, and here are my options: I can have a plan with similar benefits for $647.12 [or] I can have a plan with similar [but higher] pricing for $322.32 but with a $6,500 deductible.”

She went on, “Blue Cross also tells me that if I don’t pick one of the options, they will just assume I want the one for $647. ... Someone please tell me why my premium in January will be $356 more than in December?”

The sticker shock Klinkhamer is experiencing is something millions of individual policyholders are reeling from having gotten similar letters from their private insurers.

As UCLA Public Policy expert Dr. Gerald F. Kominski told CBS News this week, “Half of the 14 million people who buy insurance on their own are not going to keep the policies they previously had.”

Part of the reason those policies will be more expensive, he explained, is that Obamacare is requiring insurers to offer “a better product with better protection.”

Congressman Foster, Klinkhamer’s former boss who has since been returned to Congress, told me by phone Friday, “A very large number of people are very grateful” for Obamacare.

No doubt about that.

But right now Sue Klinkhamer, no novice to government or public policy, isn’t among them.

“I am a Democrat and I believe in health care for all,” she said.

“And I was excited that previously uninsured people could now get insurance on the open market. But this is not affordable to me.”

Klinkhamer suggests renaming the Affordable Care Act.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Editorial; Government
KEYWORDS: aca; bluecross; klinkhamer
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-40 next last

1 posted on 10/31/2013 7:27:21 AM PDT by Kaslin
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

One of those old, “be careful what you wish for” thingys.


2 posted on 10/31/2013 7:29:37 AM PDT by FlingWingFlyer (Have you had your ObamaCare Marketplace shopping experience today?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

You’re still an idiot, Sue. The only way out is joining conservatives.


3 posted on 10/31/2013 7:30:02 AM PDT by ZX12R (Never forget the heroes of Benghazi, who were abandoned to their deaths by Obama)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: FlingWingFlyer

This was posted on Tuesday.


4 posted on 10/31/2013 7:30:18 AM PDT by Paul46360
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: All
 photo ocare.png

Help FR Continue the Conservative Fight!
Your Monthly and Quarterly Donations
Help Keep FR In the Battle!

Sponsoring FReepers are contributing
$10 Each time a New Monthly Donor signs up!
Get more bang for your FR buck!
Click Here To Sign Up Now!


5 posted on 10/31/2013 7:30:24 AM PDT by musicman (Until I see the REAL Long Form Vault BC, he's just "PRES__ENT" Obama = Without "ID")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: FlingWingFlyer

Stupidity should hurt.


6 posted on 10/31/2013 7:30:50 AM PDT by Yogafist
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Paul46360

I was working.


7 posted on 10/31/2013 7:31:19 AM PDT by FlingWingFlyer (Have you had your ObamaCare Marketplace shopping experience today?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin
But this is not affordable to me.
Another Lib gets mugged and turns to the Right. Hey, it ain't just about you - this is not affordable to America!!!
8 posted on 10/31/2013 7:32:02 AM PDT by oh8eleven (RVN '67-'68)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

Don’t worry, Sue. Obama will increase the federal subsidy so you can pay less. The taxpayer has plenty of money.


9 posted on 10/31/2013 7:32:31 AM PDT by kabar
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

Someone who knows how please post picture of pigeons coming home to roost.


10 posted on 10/31/2013 7:33:02 AM PDT by Don Corleone ("Oil the gun..eat the cannoli. Take it to the Mattress.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin
Sucker!


11 posted on 10/31/2013 7:36:33 AM PDT by sjmjax (HE)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

*** Because of the provisions of ObamaCare, Klinkhamer has been notified that her insurance premium will more than double – from $291 per month to $647, a 122 percent increase. ***

Awesome. I hope this wench is forced to makes some very difficult financial choices because of Obamacare.


12 posted on 10/31/2013 7:37:08 AM PDT by brownsfan (Behold, the power of government cheese.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin
Life is hard. It's harder when you're stupid.


13 posted on 10/31/2013 7:38:00 AM PDT by MuttTheHoople (Nothing is more savage and brutal than justifiably angry Americans. DonÂ’t believe me? Ask the Germa)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

Schadenfreude-—it’s such a bitch.


14 posted on 10/31/2013 7:38:39 AM PDT by basil (2ASisters.org)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

She will just blame the insurance company, parroting everyone else drinking the obamacare koolaid.


15 posted on 10/31/2013 7:42:45 AM PDT by tuffydoodle (Shut up voices, or I'll poke you with a Q-Tip again.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

Reap what ye sow a**wipes!


16 posted on 10/31/2013 7:50:35 AM PDT by mongo141 (Revolution ver. 2.0, just a matter of when, not a matter of if!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

Another lieberal bit in the ass by Obamadontcare.


17 posted on 10/31/2013 7:53:19 AM PDT by meatloaf
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: sjmjax

Laughing, braying jackass...


18 posted on 10/31/2013 7:53:56 AM PDT by hummingbird (Don't be afraid of the big words.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

Shave her head and drive her through the streets like a French collaborator.


19 posted on 10/31/2013 7:54:08 AM PDT by SargeK
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin
"Because of the provisions of ObamaCare, Klinkhamer has been notified that her insurance premium will more than double – from $291 per month to $647, a 122 percent increase."

This is the ONLY reason she has an ounce of regret. Eat a bag of d!cks, lady.

20 posted on 10/31/2013 7:54:33 AM PDT by Mich Patriot (PITCH BLACK is the new "transparent")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-40 next last

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.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson