Name:   copperline - Subject:   CLUELESS RESPONDS TO KNOW IT ALL Date:   6/3/2015 12:24:47 AM

Reality check!  More people are covered by insurance now than ever before... getting needed medical care, earlier than before.  More people are in the insured pool who were previously excluded by insurance companies who were becoming increasingly good at cherry picking and eliminating certain subscribers in order to enhance their profits.   It's still capitalism at work, and the previous system didn't have mercy on the uninsured.    The rate increases are not being sought by the government, you know.

The new system isn't 'government run healthcare' either.   At best, its a hybrid of for-profit insurers and regulations that prohibit price gouging, pre-existing condition exclusions, and maxmimum portability of the policies.     Anyone who does not think that gov't needs to establish regulations over critical sectors of our economy is dangerously short sighted.....especially when it comes to a national healthcare policy.

It has not helped the situation that conservatives have continually attacked the ACA, doing all they could to scare off new enrollees and interfer with the benefits of the new law.     Many of the locals I talk think that my "Obamacare policy" is somehow different from the one they got from Blue Cross Blue Shield.   They are afraid to use the Federal Exchange as a marketplace for their own insurance needs because they think it is some sort of trick by 'that Black Guy in the White House".  

But many of them are, for one reason or another, finding that they NEED to get a policy from a federal exchange because there is no way they can otherwise get access to the lower premiums of an insurance pool.   Ask my brother in law,  an ardent Obama-hater.   Diagnosed with cancer, he's unable to work due to treatment.     Social Security Disablilty and Medicare are not going to provide health insurance to his wife and dependents.  

Prior to ACA, he would be hopelessly indigent, with his wife and child at risk.... in short order.  That's why we need the ACA.   If conservatives would stop their hysterical attacks... .and admit their complete lack of an alternative plan... then we will see what the market can do.  

Of course, if the Supreme Court rules in favor of the latest conservative attack... be prepared for a national crisis with some pretty bad political fall out for all of us.   Supporters and Opponents alike.   But don't blame us.   We built the boat, you shot holes in the transom.   Don't blame us for your aim.