I supported and defended the ACA. Sucker that I was.

[gcomeau]

2. The ACA was far from ideal...

...but the idea that it was worse than not implementing it is ludicrous.

California and Montana have both progressed to the point where the quotes for plans on their exchanges are firming up and they're both showing that costs of those plans are lower.

http://medcitynews.com/2013/06/montana-average-price-of-health-insurance-lower-with-obamacare/

"Lindeen noted that many had expected the policies to be more expensive, because, under the law, they must offer a set of "essential health benefits" and insurers cannot turn away or charge more for unhealthy people.

However, the analysis shows that the products sold on the marketplace will cover more services and more people, yet still cost less than policies sold without ACA rules, she said.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/27/opinion/krugman-the-obamacare-shock.html?_r=0

Well, the California bids are in — that is, insurers have submitted the prices at which they are willing to offer coverage on the state’s newly created Obamacare exchange. And the prices, it turns out, are surprisingly low. A handful of healthy people may find themselves paying more for coverage, but it looks as if Obamacare’s first year in California is going to be an overwhelmingly positive experience.

"Does anyone believe that some businesses won't dump health insurance altogether, forcing employees onto the exchanges and into the welcoming arms of insurance companies? "

You do realize that businesses get that insurance for their employees FROM INSURANCE COMPANIES TOO... right? You're "in the welcoming arms of the insurance companies" either way so what are you talking about???