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http://www.hughhewitt.com/mits-john-gruber-obamacares-meltdown/

MIT’s John Gruber On Obamacare’s Meltdown
Wednesday, November 13, 2013

posted by Hugh Hewitt

EXCERPT

HH: And last question, the real more is thirty to forty percent before subsidy, taxpayer-funded subsidy in an era of massive deficits. Am I clear on that? That’s your estimate, is that the average cost of insurance for an American is going up thirty to forty percent?

JG: By my estimate, it’s thirty percent before tax credits, but that’s not relevant, because the tax credits will lower the cost. On average, it will fall once you factor in taxes.

HH: Did Americans know that when Obamacare was passed?

JG: Did Americans know, yeah, well, did Americans know that? I don’t know, actually, what Americans knew when Obamacare was passed.

HH: Do you think the President ever said your average cost is going up thirty percent, but you’ll get some tax credits?

JG: No, he didn’t say that.

HH: Do you think Democrats anywhere said that? Did you ever say it on the record?

JG: Did I ever say it, yeah, I did reports for a number of states which said exactly that.

HH: But did you ever come on a show like this and say hey, we’ve got to adopt this, your health insurance is going up thirty percent, but there’ll be some tax credits?

JG: I believe I did, but I don’t know for sure.

HH: I’d love for a citation, Professor. Come back. I appreciate the time very, very much. We’ll post the transcript and the audio of my conversation with Jon Gruber later tonight.

End of interview.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/03/26/live-chat-on-healthcare-reform-with-economist-jonathan-gruber.html

Hello everybody! Happy to be here for my first live chat by Jonathan Gruber March 28, 2012 at 12:01 PM

EXCERPTS

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Can you explain what the government health plan will cost the individual if he/she makes $20K, 50K, 100K, 200K, Millionaire?by MaryM March 28, 2012 at 12:06 PM

This is very complicated. But roughly speaking most folks won’t be affected. The winners will be those who are low income or in por health. the losers will be those few indiviiduals who are in excellent health and non-poor, who might see their prices in the non-group market go up, and the very wealthiest, who will pay a new Medicare tax . but for most americans you won’t really see a difference by Jonathan Gruber March 28, 2012 at 12:08 PM

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What are out of work Americans, who can only (barely) afford rent, food and car payment (of they’re lucky) supposed to do when they are sick and need to see a doctor multiple times? State aid doesn’t help those who “make too much” on unemployment, because $340/week is living in the lap of luxury, according to the income guidelines. That tiny bit of money is eaten up in bills and leaves nothing left for co-pays, Rx costs, and health care costs. Were starving, there are no jobs, and if you’re single with no kids, you’re just out of luck. What is our government doing to help those who aren’t playing the system by having multiple illegitimate children and living off of food stamps, HUD housing, and whatever else they can get, and have no intention of getting back to work? What about those who have been looking for a year but can’t find anything that wouldn’t be a pay cut from unemployment? Is help on the way or not?by Jon Wagner March 28, 2012 at 12:11 PM

Great question. The bottom line is that the ACA approach is one where we redistribute towards those in need, but within a budget conscious approach that makes individuals who can afford care pay for it. BAsically those who are below the average income in the U.S. either get free public insurance (if they are very poor) or get tax credits to offset the cost of private insurance, so that no one has to pay more than 9.5% of income for quality insurance. There is a mandate to buy, but htat mandate has an affordability exemption so that no one is mandated if they have to pay more than 8% of income.by Jonathan Gruber March 28, 2012 at 12:13 PM

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