The Next Attack Against Obamacare: If You Like Your Doctors, You Won’t Be Able To Keep Them

[Playinghardball]

Opponents of the law have begun advancing another related argument against reform: if you like the doctor or hospital you have, you may not be able to keep them. Remember that while the Affordable Care Act does establish some network adequacy standards — insurers are required to ensure a sufficient choice of providers (including providers that specialize in mental health and substance abuse services) and offer essential community providers to serve predominately low-income and medically underserved populations. Big provider networks aren’t necessarily better, however.

Industry surveys show that premiums are “the most important factor in consumers’ choices” and that more than half of those surveyed would opt for “a narrow-network product if it cost them at least 10 percent less than an equivalent with broader choice.” That was certainly the experience in Massachusetts, where a 2010 law actually required health plans to offer tiered-or limited-network products “priced 12 percent below their broad network product.” Three years later, a state’s attorney general report found that membership in these limited networks grew by almost 50 percent.

More here: http://thinkprogress.org/health/2013/11/02/2879821/like/
Discovered on the Obamadiary

[NYC_SKP]

1. Like the "keep your healthcare" bit, here's the deal.

Those who bemoaned the "keep your healthcare" bit, did so by interpreting the president's words to mean "no matter what, I'll protect you and your current plan.", which was neither what was meant nor something remotely possible.

It meant that nothing in ACA would force you to give up your plan, a false criticism from the right.

NOW, with this "keep your doctor" thing, it's the same dynamic.

A number of people will be offered plans that don't have their current doctor in the group. I might find that the best value is an ACA plan with Kaiser, but my doctor isn't in that group.

The illogical claim that could be made: "Obama took my doctor away!"

Thanks, Obama.

[WinkyDink]

2. Jesuitical much? Obama NEVER should have EMPHASIZED "If you like.....if you want..."