Happy New Year: ‘Over 6 million’ and counting

[ProSense]

‘Over 6 million’ and counting

By Steve Benen

It seems like ages ago, but it was early November when the first figures on Affordable Care Act enrollment were released – and they weren’t good. In October, the first month of the open-enrollment period, just 106,185 consumers signed up for health insurance through an exchange, far short of projections, and enough to cause Republicans to point, laugh, and mock, noting a variety of sports venues that hold more than 106,185 attendees.

Seven weeks later, conservatives no longer appear to be smiling.

We talked yesterday about December’s preliminary enrollment numbers: 1.1 million consumers who signed up for health care coverage through the federal exchange marketplace. But that total didn’t include state-based exchanges or Medicaid coverage. Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Marilyn Tavenner released some additional details.

The most recent data indicate that more than 2.1 million people have enrolled in a private health insurance plan through the Federal and State-based Marketplaces since October 1. <…>

Additionally, 3.9 million Americans learned they’re eligible for coverage through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) in October and November. These numbers include new eligibility determinations and some Medicaid and CHIP renewals.

We are encouraged that over 6 million people have been enrolled in Marketplace or Medicaid coverage since October 1, and will work to give millions more Americans the peace of mind that comes with health security in the months ahead.

That’s 6 million U.S. consumers in three months, and for two of those months, as you may have heard once or twice, healthcare.gov wasn’t working especially well.

<...>

What’s more, these totals don’t include Americans who gained coverage through the Affordable Care Act’s policy that allows young adults to stay on their family’s plan until they turn 26.

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http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/over-6-million-and-counting

Again, thanks to all Democrats who stood by and supported the health care law.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024227754

[ProSense]

1. Kick! n/t

[lastlib]

2. Butbutbut.....Benghazi!

And Soshulizm! and Gunz an' Freedum!

Excellent news, Pro Sense! Let's work to keep it going in the new year!

[freshwest]

8. Oh, yeah, you know the drill! n/t

[Kath1]

3. Thanks, Prosense!

Six million and counting! And the Republicans predicting (hoping) it would fail look like fools and lose even more credibility. Looks like we're off to a good start for 2014!

Peace.

[ProSense]

5. Happy New Year.

[Iliyah]

4. K & R

Many are still bitching about Obamacare but thank goodness its potential out weighs all the bullshit negativity. As the years go on it will get better with no help from our friends from across the aisle.

Thanks!

[ProSense]

7. Evidently,

the more the enrollment numbers go up, the more disappointing it is to some.

[Pisces]

6. Wow, where is the wall to wall news coverage of these numbers???

[freshwest]

9. Did you mean *this* MSM?

MSM owner says:

If we don't say it on television, it never ever happened, right?

[ProSense]

10. "US health reform's Gettysburg moment"

"US health reform's Gettysburg moment"

by ybruti

In January 1 2014: US health reform's Gettysburg moment, a veteran of decades-long battles over health care policy sees a parallel between the Union Army's victory at Gettysburg in 1863 and today, which he calls

the most transformational day in the history of United States health care policy, ever....the first day of fundamental reform of the business and regulation of health insurance in all 50 states.

In his article, John E. McDonough, a professor at the Harvard School of Public Health and the author of Inside National Health Reform, lists these accomplishments of The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), which was signed into law by Barack Obama on March 23, 2010:

Banning the practice of "medical underwriting" by which insurance companies rate enrollees based on their health status and medical history,
Banning pre-existing condition exclusions from US health insurance everywhere,
Establishing "guaranteed issue" as the new operating paradigm for individual health insurance,
Completely eliminating lifetime limits on all health insurance, and
Establishing "minimum essential benefits" that must be included in nearly all licensed health insurance policies everywhere.

In addition, McDonough highlights Medicaid coverage beginning today for five million previously uninsured low-income people, "with many more millions to follow"; private health insurance coverage obtained through federal and state exchanges and starting today; and the principle of personal responsibility to obtain health insurance - the individual mandate. Although the July 1, 1966 beginning of Medicare was another historic date in health care policy, McDonough says "the scope and breadth of changes" beginning today are "far more consequential by comparison."

Regarding the Battle of Gettysburg analogy, McDonough compares the Republican 17-day shutdown of the federal government on October 1 to Picketts Charge on July 3, 1863, "the final and failed Confederate assault at Gettysburg." And just as the Civil War did not end for almost two years after Gettysburg, so the Republican war against the ACA will continue but "the ultimate outcome is no longer in doubt."

McDonough concludes:

The overriding importance of 1/1/2014 is the actualization of a new principle of health justice for all Americans, however flawed that principle is in form and in practice under the ACA. That principle now is here to stay.

- more -

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/01/01/1266424/--US-health-reform-s-Gettysburg-moment

Republicans In Collapse as Obamacare Enrollment Skyrockets In December
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024246463