How many know someone who will save money by using the exchanges?

[abelenkpe]

It's been an interesting week on FB seeing so many of my far flung friends realize they will potentially save a lot of money through the exchanges. But for everyone posting happy news of savings there seems to be one or two who respond to such threads with dire warnings of financial apocalypse and doomed failure without really looking at the information provided on what the real costs are in their area. Are republican pundits trying to confuse the issue of Obamacare with the debt ceiling in the hopes that people are too misinformed to understand the difference? I wonder how the next couple of weeks will play out. Do you guys know people pleasantly surprised by the rates offered? Or those still fearful?

[NYC_SKP]

1. I will save over $700/month

I pay over $1,400/month now for just me under COBRA.

[abelenkpe]

2. Yeah, COBRA

So many of my friends were paying outrageous prices under COBRA. They are so relieved!
And I'm happy for them! And happy to see my conservative and moderate friends realize this program will help them. It might soften a heart or two. HOpe everyone is able to realize some savings.

[pnwmom]

3. One of my relatives will save a great deal compared to the COBRA he's on now

and won't have to worry about coverage running out when COBRA is over.

[janlyn]

4. Not only will I save money but,

I will not be turned down for coverage. I was laid off in june and decided not to use cobra coverage as I could not afford the rates. I found out it was cheaper to get new individual coverage.
I consider myself fairly healthy other than high blood pressure and migraines. Who knew that would be enough to deny me coverage. So here I sit, with no coverage. I am counting on the Oct. 1st sign up as I have no other options without employment giving me health benefits.

[abelenkpe]

7. I hope it works out for you!

And hope you find a job you love too, if you are looking.

A company I worked for went bankrupt last year and so many are in your same situation. We still have insurance through my hubby's work but need to compare the prices to see if the exchanges are a better deal.

[NCTraveler]

5. It will be interesting to see how it all works out.

Will those who do save money receive the same benefits and out of pocket costs? Can they get an upgraded plan in the exchange for the same price they are paying know, making up for what appears to be exchange insurance that lower income persons will not be able to afford. Will it truly have negative economic consequences, further pissing people off at insurance companies?

I am not sure many people really understand how it is all going to work or work out.

I currently know a couple of people who will be forced(for lack of a better work) into the exchange or pay a fine(tax). They are very nervous about it. I am helping one of them figure out what their best move is. All of these people I know in this situation are currently uninsured. On the good side, they will have insurance. The bad side, insurance does not equal health care. The person I am helping is lower income and lives paycheck to paycheck. They cannot afford any additional costs in their life.

[dem in texas]

6. My daughter and my nephew

My daughter will save about $225 a month. Not sure on nephew, but he is paying over $600 a month, he lives in a remote area of West Texas and is a cancer survivor. These factors may affect what he is paying now,don't know what his savings will be, but I know it will be a lot.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

8. I know many people because I live in the great BLUE state of Maryland and my

wonderful governor established the health care exchanges earlier this year. They are working out beautifully and Maryland can expect to see its premiums decline by 50%--on average--over the course of the year. Next year, they are expected to go down even more.

Thanks, Governor O'Malley.

Anyone who lives in California or New York should be experiencing the same.

[TheKentuckian]

9. As I sit here and think about, no one comes to mind that isn't in a group plan

so that leaves a couple of uninsured folks that can't save off of zero and aren't really able to see much value unless their luck runs out.

That isn't unusual probably, I work with insurance everyday. Most folks are in groups though my heart breaks for the folks with individual junk policies, even the better off folks (except the few that are really comfortable but wanted that cheap rate and then don't want to live with the high cost shares and try to soak up funds that working class and poor folks with few options really need).

Some days I'd love to tell some upper crust snobs trying to game shit to shut the fuck up and pay their fucking deductible instead of having to help them get over some how, some way.