By Robert Laurie ——Bio and Archives--October 16, 2013
American Politics, News | CFP Comments | Reader Friendly | Subscribe | Email Us
Some customers of Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield, one of Oregon's largest insurance providers, say that's exactly what's happening. They say they are finding their health care plans are dramatically changing under the Affordable Care Act. "Policy holders are seeing almost double their monthly premiums," said a KATU viewer named Larry in an email. He said his wife's premium will increase by $300 under the Affordable Care Act. Cover Oregon spokesman Michael Cox says most insurance plans that focus on lower premiums and higher deductibles will be replaced by plans with lower deductibles and higher benefits.Sadly, the Chicago Tribune has spent the last week tearing apart the myths of Obamacare. Their investigations have found that deductibles are going up - way up -not down. From the Tribune:
Adam Weldzius, a nurse practitioner, considers himself better informed than most when it comes to the inner workings of health insurance. But even he wasn't prepared for the pocketbook hit he'll face next year under President Barack Obama's health care overhaul. If the 33-year-old single father wants the same level of coverage next year as what he has now with the same insurer and the same network of doctors and hospitals, his monthly premium of $233 will more than double. If he wants to keep his monthly payments in check, the Carpentersville resident is looking at an annual deductible for himself and his 7-year-old daughter of $12,700, a more than threefold increase from $3,500 today.According to the KATU report the prices are skyrocketing because people are being forced to purchase broader coverage that they may not need. Say it ain't so!
The issue, according to Regence spokesman Jared Ishkanian, is you'll have to pay for those benefits even if you don't use them all. "The Affordable Care Act increases access to coverage and enhanced benefits, but these come with additional costs. For those members on individual plans that will no longer be ACA-compliant starting on January 1, it's important to remember that these members are seeing new rates for new health plans with new benefits,"See, while they're admitting that the "keep your plan" and "lower cost" lines were complete B.S., they're still trying their best to defend the ACA as a "you get what you pay for" bargain. All insurance policies must now include ten "Essential Health Benefits," and you have to pay for all of them even if you'll never need them. Whether or not you require coverage for "maternity and newborn care," you'll be buying it. Lifelong tea-totaller? Oh well, thanks to Obamacare you're going to be paying for "addiction treatment" coverage. Don't worry though; KATU says you "might" be able to get better rates through other providers. Doesn't that inspire confidence? Why, this report is shocking! My goodness, wasn't there anyone predicting that exactly this sort of thing would happen? If only there had been some politician or party that could have warned these poor people! Of course, conservatives have been making these points for years, but it's still fun to watch the lights go on behind the empty eyes of mainstream reporters.
Support Canada Free Press
View Comments
Robert Laurie’s column is distributed by HermanCain.com, which can be found at HermanCain.com
Be sure to “like” Robert Laurie over on Facebook and follow him on Twitter. You’ll be glad you did.