Not a word about "mandating" affordable rates or capping rate increases...

[elehhhhna]

It would be wonderful to legislate away all their standard illegal, unethical crap...but it still is NOT affordable, and don't expect rates to drop when they can't cut you off or ignore your "pre-existing" conditions.

Pretty much everyone over 40 is screwn. Please tell me I'm wrong, and why.

[JuniperLea]

1. There's no need to madate rates...

With a public option comes real competition. Why would you buy insurance from Company A when Company B is selling for at least 1/3 less? You would actually be able to shop for insurance.

[Donnachaidh]

3. what? No need to mandate rates?

the public option is not going to be done until 4 YEARS from now. that's 4 YEARS for the insurance companies to screw with people with pre-existing conditions. Yeah, it will be illegal to not offer insurance to them -- but nothing at all is being said about PRICE.

jeez. :eyes:

[JuniperLea]

11. Where do you get four years? eom

[Deja Q]

13. Well, the President kinda said "in 4 years in his speech. What are WE missing?

[JuniperLea]

15. Can you be more specific? More rude?

As I recall, he said the exchange would be up and running in four years, but that there would be coverage in the meantime.

[Donnachaidh]

18. It's STILL 4 years to wait

and the insurance companies will have those YEARS to buy that option out of the picture.

[Missy Vixen]

4. When President Obama says that "less than 5%" will be availing themselves of that option

I'm a little nervous about what they're coming up with. I'd also like to mention that there are those of us who can't go another four years without coverage.

[JuniperLea]

16. I don't think that's what he said... there's an "in the meantime" here...

"For those individuals and small businesses who still cannot afford the lower-priced insurance available in the exchange, we will provide tax credits, the size of which will be based on your need. And all insurance companies that want access to this new marketplace will have to abide by the consumer protections I already mentioned. This exchange will take effect in four years, which will give us time to do it right. In the meantime, for those Americans who can't get insurance today because they have pre-existing medical conditions, we will immediately offer low-cost coverage that will protect you against financial ruin if you become seriously ill. This was a good idea when Senator John McCain proposed it in the campaign, it's a good idea now, and we should embrace it."

[SWr]

22. and he also said this ...

"Let me be clear – it would only be an option for those who don’t have insurance."

Who gets to decide WHATS affordable for my family? I can tell you this my health insurance premium is breaking

my back right now and were not even close to the governments so called "poor".

I didnt get a raise this year and the premiums in this area went up about 15% ... do the math its not going to work for very much

longer.

Premium caps are a NECESSITY!!! The Public Option will only be available to the UNINSURED or those who no longer have it.

Guess where the INC COs losses are going to be made up? THOSE OF US WHO DO HAVE INSURANCE and CAN NOT access the PO!!!!

You are NOT eligible for the PO if you currently have insurance.

[Missy Vixen]

2. You're not

We're currently looking for insurance. We're both over 40. We have pre-existing conditions.

We also don't have unlimited money for coverage, despite the fact we need coverage due to DH's chronic illness.

Maybe President Obama thinks our votes didn't matter in the last election.

:scared:

[Donnachaidh]

5. votes? we don't need no stinking votes when we have corporate contributions!

:puke:

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

7. +1000

[tbyg52]

20. Of the corporations, by the corporations, for the corporations. nt

[Junkdrawer]

6. So...we're going to go from spending 2X the developed world to 3X or 4X...

Think our life expectancy will increase?

Think our infant mortality rate will decrease?

[Donnachaidh]

8. mortality rates? They.Don't.Count. -- PROFITS count

Profits for insurance companies that give heavy contributions COUNT.

[Zoeisright]

9. Yes.

I think that prohibiting the insurance mafia from discriminating based on age and pre-existing conditions, and preventing them from dropping people who get sick is essential.

But the rates do need to be regulated too.

What's to prevent them from hiking up a sick person's rate to thousands of dollars a month?

[elehhhhna]

10. exactly my point -- they'll price people out and call it "choosing not to buy" --

then what? You get fined for not selcting coverage you can't pay for?

[Bichonpups]

12. I, too, am very concerned about not having rate caps and all

because there are many many people who will not be able to afford the insurance. And yes, those of us that won't be able to afford it will be classified as 'choosing not to buy'. Then what happens next?

[Junkdrawer]

14. You get fined when you file your 1040. I've heard as low as $1000....

and as high as $3,800.

Nice, huh?

[elehhhhna]

17. good luck with that crazy unconstitutional scam, Congress!

[Mojorabbit]

21. They will raise the rates

just like the credit card companies did while waiting for their regulations to take effect.

[tbyg52]

19. Sorry, I believe you are right. nt

[andym]

23. Well almost no one here seems very interested in pushing CAPs

For example, I have posted numerous times that premium caps could give the closest thing to single-payer in the current political climate. They really seem like an obvious solution. But almost no one here seems very interested in even discussing it.

for example:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6488988

[elehhhhna]

24. start a thread titled "CAP OUR PREMIUMS"...and

sometimes it's just timing.

Cap 'em, hell -- roll them back.