Name:   copperline - Subject:   Jobs Date:   3/6/2015 9:58:58 AM

Not exactly.    Healthcare.gov isn't just a welfare program for people who are unemployed & disabled..... it's the same policy you can purchase directly from the insurance companies outside the marketplace except you can participate in an insurance pool with other subscribers.  It's a way for everyone to get the benefits of group rates, to not be faced with the prohibitive prices of individual policy pricing....or employers who change their employee healthcare policies annually in response to their needs to hold down expenses.

That's exactly the concept behind employer-sponsored insurance pools, except the policy is portable (you keep it when you change jobs) ... and (if you qualify for tax credits), your premiums are adjusted to your income.  If you don't qualify for tax credits, you pay a premium just like any other medical insurance plan....based on group rates.

I'm glad unemployment is down, more people can have salary income & healthcare insurance....  The ACA simply gives us a much needed option we didn't have before.   I expect that more businesses will opt to direct their employees to Healthcare.gov in the future and rid themselves of the hassles of managing small group policies.... this a headache most employers would be glad to be rid of.