ObamaCare hits this week; reach for your wallet
ObamaCare will be back in the news this week, as some of the new coverage mandates begin to take effect.
Democrats who were hoping that seeing what’s in the bill would prompt voters to give them a boost will not be happy to see stories like this one appearing in the Hartford (Ct.) Courant:
The state’s largest health insurer was granted rate hikes Friday that will be well over 20 percent for some plans, drawing sharp criticism from the attorney general.
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Connecticut requested a wide range of premium increases, which will take effect Oct. 1, to cover the costs of new benefits required by federal health reform. Higher prices mostly affect new members shopping for a health plan on the individual market rather than people who have group plans through an employer or some other organization.
The Connecticut Department of Insurance approved Anthem’s request without changes, including a boost of as much as 22.9 percent just to comply with one provision: eliminating annual spending limits per customer. But it’s unclear how much more customers will pay because of the variety of plans and the complexity of other factors, such as a person’s age.
(snip)
All of Connecticut’s major health insurers filed proposed rate changes for new plans, or revised plans, to cover the new benefits. Besides Anthem, the only other health insurer that has been approved thus far was Aetna, which requested an average 24.7 percent increase over last year for small-group HMO plans. State regulators agreed to an average increase of 18 percent for all of Aetna’s small-group plans and 14.2 percent for large-group and middle-market plans.
People shopping for insurance on the individual market are, of course, the people who needed health reform the most. That doesn’t seem to be working out for them anywhere, which is no real surprise. (Btw, the attorney general, Richard Blumenthal, happens to be the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Connecticut.)
Closer to home, a writer at InsureBlog reports the following changes in the Georgia health-insurance market:
All but two health insurance companies have withdrawn from offering maternity benefits.
Only a handful of companies will still write “child only” health insurance plans.
As of this date, it is almost impossible to find a rate for children’s health insurance if they are under age 19 and you are looking for coverage to be effective on 9/23/10 or later.
Some companies have either withdrawn from offering major medical business or are dropping hints they will be out of that market in 18 months or less.
Many have already indicated higher premiums for the 4th quarter of 2010 and later, especially on children under age 19.
Companies are starting to push limited benefit plans as “more affordable” alternatives to true major medical insurance.
Several companies have introduced new plans with stripped down benefits in an attempt to make their product look more appealing.
Drug formulary’s are changing, so the drug that is covered under your plan now may not be covered in the future.
Doctor and hospital networks are shrinking in an effort to further control costs but also has the effect of limiting access to a wide range of medical providers.
One way to look at these changes is to view them, as numerous Democrats acknowledged during the ObamaCare debate, as the first step toward a single-payer health system.
Given that even Bill Clinton is now admitting that he was wrong during the debate to advise Democrats that the bill would be a political winner “the minute” it became law, I doubt this policy of willing a train wreck upon the health-insurance market will end up working — for patients or Democrats.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
158 comments Add your comment
CAIR Bears
September 20th, 2010
3:44 pm
“What I want is to have a government that will protect me from corporations like Blue Cross. ”
That makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. Instead of complaining about a company, go find another carrier.
CAIR Bears
September 20th, 2010
3:45 pm
“Are you stupid Jackie?”
Yes, more than you’ll ever know.
Linda
September 20th, 2010
3:50 pm
BW @ 3:33, Check out the 1st couple of paragraphs of the Declaration of Independence. Our rights come from God & privileges come from the government. Our rights cannot be taken away, whereas privileges come & go. The difference between the two if THE foundation of America, the reason the American Revolution was fought.
ATLBadger
September 20th, 2010
3:50 pm
Can we just get rid of Medicare too? I mean, if we’re too cheap to support health care for young, productive people, why should we pay to support health care for old, unproductive people who are just steps from death anyways? No Medicare type vouchers either. Just nothing but the good ol’ free market for the old folks. Since the free market always works, I’m sure someone will come up with a way to profit off of health care and still provide old people with the diabetes, heart disease, and cancer treatments they need to stay alive.
Drifter
September 20th, 2010
3:51 pm
It’s hard for the GOP to whine about this issue when they had the opportunity to address it and did nothing. At the least the Democrats had the courage to address it. But the bottom line is that we’ll spend 50% more than any other country (as a percentage of GDP) on health care, we still won’t cover everyone and we’ll still get poor results.
Peter
September 20th, 2010
3:51 pm
Hey…….The Ghost From The Past…….why would a ghost need Vaseline ?
left wing
September 20th, 2010
3:52 pm
CAIR Bears That makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. Instead of complaining about a company, go find another carrier.
First, their anti-trust exemption means that in the Atlanta market, BCBS dominates the field.
Second, what makes you think that any other insurance company would act differently? They don’t have to.
Third, until now (at least as of Thursday), when the “pre-existing condition” kicks in, I would now have that option. I haven’t had it before.
BW
September 20th, 2010
3:58 pm
@ Linda
Theoretically all 300 plus million of us have the right to do whatever we want…in practice you know that’s not true. How many “rights” have been curtailed in the name of national security alone? Some issues will be decided on the needs of the many outweighing the needs of the few.
BW
September 20th, 2010
3:59 pm
@ CAIR Bears
This is not a true free market economy. It’s not as easy as going to another provider for service everytime.
Jefferson
September 20th, 2010
4:00 pm
1 insurance company is all we need.
left wing
September 20th, 2010
4:01 pm
I believe the preamble of the US Constitution says “. . . promote the general Welfare”. Which is what gives the government the right.
CAIR Bears
September 20th, 2010
4:07 pm
“This is not a true free market economy. It’s not as easy as going to another provider for service everytime.”
Oh, then you’re going to hate Obamacare.
CAIR Bears
September 20th, 2010
4:08 pm
“Which is what gives the government the right.”
There is nothing in the US Constitution that grants the government power to make anyone buy anything.
CAIR Bears
September 20th, 2010
4:08 pm
HAHAHAHAH!!!!!!
More House Democrats stressing independence from Pelosi, Obama
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/19/AR2010091904585.html
CAIR Bears
September 20th, 2010
4:10 pm
“First, their anti-trust exemption means that in the Atlanta market, BCBS dominates the field.”
You’re not looking very hard.
“Second, what makes you think that any other insurance company would act differently? ”
Competition.
“Third, until now (at least as of Thursday), when the “pre-existing condition” kicks in, I would now have that option.”
That’s what you think.
Jefferson
September 20th, 2010
4:10 pm
Is it the paying for insurance or not being able afford it that bothers you Kyle. I know a lot of people that can’t afford it, and many that love money so much they don’t like parting with it. What a decision.
CAIR Bears
September 20th, 2010
4:11 pm
“How many “rights” have been curtailed in the name of national security alone?”
Are you an Al Quida operative? If not, none.
BW
September 20th, 2010
4:11 pm
@ CAIR Bears
One can argue that the requirement of car insurance isn’t forcing people to buy something because you don’t have to drive…but in Atlanta….seriously…
CAIR Bears
September 20th, 2010
4:12 pm
“One can argue that the requirement of car insurance isn’t forcing people to buy something because you don’t have to drive…but in Atlanta….seriously…”
Bad example, BW.
BW
September 20th, 2010
4:14 pm
@ CAIR Bear
Am I an al-Qeada operative? If I’m not with you I’m against you huh? You’re no better than a “liberal” with that line of thought. If the government can’t do anything right in the first place then why did the Patriot Act have to be implemented? Conservatives aren’t for less government they are for their type of government.
Drifter
September 20th, 2010
4:14 pm
What about the government forcing you to provide for your retirement and to buy disability insurance (aka Social Security)?
BW
September 20th, 2010
4:16 pm
@ CAIR Bears
Explain the bad example for me.
CAIR Bears
September 20th, 2010
4:16 pm
BW
What rights were taken away?
Algonquin j. Calhoun
September 20th, 2010
4:17 pm
Why do Republicans have a problem with rich people paying a fair share of taxes and poor people having medical care? It’s obvious the Republinazis are in the pocket of the insurance companies and the health care providers. Addison Graves Wilson, who famously called Obama a liar, is nothing more than a hand puppet for the health care and insurance vampires. The increases in premiums you spoke of are just the latest bit of dishonesty from the health care/insurance/Republinazi morons@
CAIR Bears
September 20th, 2010
4:19 pm
“Explain the bad example for me.”
Car insurance and health insurance are totally different. The problem with all of this is the simple fact that we can’t get insurance across state lines. If that were to happen then you’d see more competition and less local monopolies. Yes, I hate dealing with insurance companies and yes, a lot of things they do is bad for customers, but to think that government will do a better job is just wrong.
CAIR Bears
September 20th, 2010
4:19 pm
“Why do Republicans have a problem with rich people paying a fair share of taxes and poor people having medical care?”
Because Republicans work for a living instead of living off of welfare like Democrat voters. Also, we don’t believe in communism.
CAIR Bears
September 20th, 2010
4:20 pm
“It’s obvious the Republinazis are in the pocket of the insurance companies and the health care providers. ”
Demotards are, too. Obama is in bed with big oil companies like BP.
Sucks, don’t it.
CAIR Bears
September 20th, 2010
4:20 pm
“Addison Graves Wilson, who famously called Obama a liar, is nothing more than a hand puppet for the health care and insurance vampires.”
Proof please, not mindless opinions.
Linda
September 20th, 2010
4:26 pm
BW @ 3:58, “…men…are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights…life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness…”
Our inalienable rights, endowed by God, are natural & morally universal & cannot be taken away.
Our legal, civil or statutory rights are privileges & can be taken away, as we have seen more during the last 20 mts. than in the past 70 yrs.
TINSTAAFL
September 20th, 2010
4:27 pm
Algonquin j. Calhoun
The rich already pay more than their fair share of taxes.
Also, while we are at it, please define ‘fair’ by an objective value system. If you cannot objectively define ‘fair,’ I fail to see how it can be accurately codified into law.
CAIR Bears
September 20th, 2010
4:32 pm
Gotta love the left wingers who have wealth envy of those who worked hard to get what they have.
left wing
September 20th, 2010
4:32 pm
Algonquin j. Calhoun Nowadays, Republicans care about people making over $250,000. Democrats care about people making over $200,000.
One of the few things I can agree with tea partiers on, is that those we elect don’t do what we want; they do what corporations and people with really deep pockets want. Please never repeat that I agreed with them ever, ever again.
In today’s world, we have our choice of plutonomy or theocracy. Take your pick.
I’m leaning towards a system, where people are randomly selected, like a lottery, to take government office. Assuming that person’s taxes are paid in full, of legal age, not previously or currently a felon, etc, that person is now the new congressman/senator/govenor, etc. One term of office only. We would end up with some really stupid people and some really brilliant people, but they would be beholden to no one but their own opinions.
TINSTAAFL
September 20th, 2010
4:41 pm
Mmmm yes left wing. Tell me. How horrible was it living in the theocratic Bush years? What with abortion being banned, prayer time reinstituted in school, and a gay marriage ban amendment passed.
What? You mean the religious right has made absolutely no significant gains in any of their platform topics in over twenty years?
Hyperbole and disinformation you say. Ahhh! Explains everything. For a second there I thought you and I might be living in different universes. . . or one of us was delusional.
breasonable
September 20th, 2010
4:43 pm
Left Wing – “Promote” the general welfare does not mean “provide” for the general welfare. The central government has no business doing ANYTHING with health care – it’s not their job. The states are not prohibited though. But the states have made a mess by requiring certain coverages, therby raising costs. Free access across state lines would help EVERYONE. Pre-existing conditions, caps, all of that would improve with real American competition.
Aquagirl
September 20th, 2010
4:43 pm
@ left wing, yeah, tough cookies, you had the nerve to have a kid with a medical condition. Kindly just take your daughter out back and shoot her.
Better yet, wait until she gets critically ill, then take her to the ER, where they have to treat her. You can screw these wingnuts out of a lot more money that way.
TINSTAAFL
September 20th, 2010
4:46 pm
Aquagirl
I like your implicit admission that the ‘wingnuts’ are the ones that pick up all the slack. Might wanna get that head of yours checked out. We wouldn’t like you to start having ‘right’ ideas. (pun intended)
Linda
September 20th, 2010
4:48 pm
Mr. Calhoun @ 4:17, What exactly is your definition of a fair share of taxes for the rich to pay? Are you aware that the top 1% of the earners paid 19% of the taxes & that the top 10% of earners paid 49% of the taxes BEFORE the Bush tax cuts & that during the Bush tax cuts, the top 1% of the earners have been paying 36% of the taxes & that the top 10% of the earners have been paying 68% of the taxes?
Can you see that productive people pay more taxes when the tax rates are lower?
Are you aware that 3% of all taxpayers pay 98% of all taxes?
Rockerbabe
September 20th, 2010
4:49 pm
All of this stuff has been going on for years; my medical insurance policies offered by my employer has done almost all of the above things, but since it was done on the “down low”, it wasn’t noticed so much.
I’ve seen $5 copays for MD visits all they way up to $50 now.
I’ve seen most of my name brand meds be eliminated or a hefty charge unless generics are used. So classes of drugs have been eliminated altogether.
The kids used to be thrown off the parent’s plan at 18 or 21; at leas they can now stay covered untill 26.
Maternity benefits – what a shame, but that could be considered discrimination against women, because, men have few if any restictions on the type of care they can receive.
I even had one plan that allowed only one hospital here in Atlanta and no out-of-network benefits at all!
All of this has happened to me from the years 1990 to 2009. So please, stop blaming President Obama; this has been going on for a long time and just because YOU didn’t know it, doesn’t make it a new happening.
Linda
September 20th, 2010
4:50 pm
Mr. Calhoun @ 4:17, I saw those poor people who don’t have medical care laying on the side of the road, being turned away from hospitals & by doctors & clinics.
HL
September 20th, 2010
4:51 pm
What is with a real democracy – not a states based. Every vote should count, then it is easier for everyone.
However, what is the complaint about health care. I am from Germany and everything is more or less ok (compared to the US). No one needs to worry about coverage etc. Ok, including Social Service and Health care taxes can go up to 42% – but – why not when I do not have to worry about my health, my retirement (how many people lost there retirement in the last 2 years???) etc. Ok, I am not saying it is the far better system. I think that especially the unemployed money should be shortened (not indefinite anymore…) and more handled like in the US.
But a basic security in health would be good.
The argument that the best health care is in the US is not true anymore, you get only what you pay for – even if it is proven to be a wrong treatment. When you cannot afford the best treatment you won’t get it. In Germany or England you still would get it.
btw, – when I read things like “I don’t want to pay for other people’s health” – what happened to community, what happened to the christian idea of helping each other?
@Peadawg:
““If the Republicans were a responsibly opposing party then we would have a healthy bill”
Again, they tried but the Democrats said NO to everything the republicans wanted to do w/ the bill.”
Well, you are just totally wrong, the republicans denied to work together for a compromise, they didn’t want to change a thing.
No wings
September 20th, 2010
4:51 pm
When the Repubs take control of the House and puts a STOP TO HEALTH CARE REFORM
do you think the Insurance companies will lower the price.
How it affects you « ObamaCare 411
September 20th, 2010
4:51 pm
[...] How it affects you In How It Affects You, Obamacare on 09/2010 at 8:00 AM Sept. 20, 2010 – Brace yourselves as ObamaCare hits your wallets Starting September 23, expect the following provisions to take in affect. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution) More > … [...]
left wing
September 20th, 2010
4:52 pm
Actually, TINSTAAFL the theocratic Bush years stopped research using stem cells (simply for religious reasons) which potentially could cure spinal injuries. I have no reason to expect it could cure Crohn’s, but I can always hope.
pat
September 20th, 2010
4:55 pm
Welp, since we are going to get even more screwed by the health care companies, I say we support the drug black market. Black markets make drugs cheap….
fair and imbalanced
September 20th, 2010
5:01 pm
Kyle,
How does this compare the the cost of Bushwar Iraq?
Aquagirl
September 20th, 2010
5:03 pm
Tinstaafel, no, everyone will pay for that kid’s care, including myself. It’s only wingnuts who will complain about those deadbeat sick kids. I would prefer the child get regular medical care. It’s not only common human decency, it’s cheaper to take care of people BEFORE they end up in the emergency room.
Funny how y’all had no problem when Bush provided a huge socialized medicine program to the wrinkled class. But then they can vote, so what’s a little bribery if it results in Republicans keeping political power? All those old geezers could trot off to town halls and scream about socialized medicine being the End Of America As We Know It.
Linda
September 20th, 2010
5:04 pm
HL @ 4:51, You asked what happened to community & the Christian idea of helping each other. We still have both although the Progressives in our government have tried extremely hard to pervert religion. The first hospital in the US was started by an individual & many in the US today are still maintained by Christians.
Please don’t confuse Robin Hood & Jesus Christ. The Bible says to render to Caesar what is his & to God what is His. It says nothing about giving God’s money to the government so that is can be recycled & redistributed. The fed. govt. is not a charity & does not “do” God’s work.
Left wing management
September 20th, 2010
5:05 pm
“Costs of ObamaCare hit this week”
Huh? Yeah, and?
This begs a question. Namely that we can do anything relative to health care without more COSTS. And LOTS more of them.
How do your market-fetishized (pseudo-) alternatives get us solvent on HC ny more effectively?
[ silence .................. silence ..................... ]
It’s what I thought. The answer is: It DOESN’T.
Jefferson
September 20th, 2010
5:11 pm
These are good provisons.
Aquagirl
September 20th, 2010
5:17 pm
Well, Linda, then why do so many people think the government should be poking about in people’s bedrooms, banning abortion, or this other junk? How about you and all these christians pay for the illegal immigrants who need dialysis, instead of making taxpayers of DeKalb and Fulton pick up the tab? Oh, that’s right, hospitals shouldn’t treat illegal immigrants, Jesus would kick their @$$es out of the hospital.
Poor HL has not figured out our christians are only christian when using the force of government as a bludgeon against those they dislike. Jesus should have a police badge. Using government to feed the poor is socialist-communist unAmerican behavior.