Obamacare is the greatest social program this country has seen in 50 years.

[Hoyt]

57. Wow, an unsecured loan at 4 to 5% is usurious. What's corrupt is the amount schools charge

Last edited Mon Mar 31, 2014, 09:36 AM - Edit history (1)

nowadays.

Since at least the early 70s insurance companies have paid Medicare claims, credentialed providers, handled beneficiary claims, even determined medical necessity.

Truthfully, I do not think the government could have managed the ACA. Heck, they could not even design a web site to sign folks up efficiently, damn near wrecking the whole badly needed social program. And that cones from someone whose first real - and favorite - job was working on the startup of a state Medicaid agency in the 1970s. Nowadays insurance companies handle the majority of administration of Medicaid too, even taking risk. Would have never thought that would happen, but governments just weren't willing to invest the money in systems when they could essentially finance it by hiring private companies to pay the freight.

Today, 30% of Medicare beneficiaries voluntarily choose to use Medicare Advantage programs because they get more than through traditional Medicare, including a cap on out-of-pocket expenses. The elderly would still be going without prescription meds, or cutting them in thirds, if the Part D Medicare program had not been enacted in 2005 and run by private insurers. Right or wrong, the government would not have passed it otherwise.

Single payer, with government handling everything and taking the initial risk, didn't have a chance passing this Congress. I'm glad we got a chance to start this important social program after years of doing nothing following defeat of Hillarycare, even if a few insurance companies make a buck or two before the government ratchets down on them. Beats doing nothing.

Finally, the people griping the loudest now, would still gripe if by a miracle the government had enacted a public option because the premiums, or taxes to pay it, would not have been much cheaper (7 or 8% according to Congressional Budget Office). Somehow, I don't think premiums, or equivalent taxes, of $460 a month rather than $500 would have quelled the Obama bashing.