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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWendell Potter explains how millions will still be left without adequate coverage under Obamacare
http://wendellpotter.com/2013/05/a-cynical-search-for-loopholes/But as reported by the Wall Street Journal last week, corporate loophole hunters have invalidated Reids statement, which honestly was an overstatement even then. While Obamacare will make affordable coverage available to millions of Americans for the first time, several million others-primarily low and middle-income workers-will still be left out.
According to the Journal, regulations written by the Obama administration pertaining to employers are being interpreted by health insurance benefits consultants as applying only to small businesses that buy coverage for their employees in the state online marketplaces. Those marketplaces, also called exchanges, were created for employers with up to 100 workers and individuals who cannot get coverage through the workplace.
So the good news is that anyone buying coverage through a state exchange will have the assurance of knowing that their policies will cover essential benefits and have lower deductibles than many policies being sold today.
The bad news for millions of others, however, especially those who work in low paying jobs at places like chain restaurants, retailers and nursing homes, is that many of the consumer protections that apply to policies bought through the exchanges will not apply to them. The adequacy of their coverage will depend on how much money their employers are willing to devote to health insurance.
Well probably never know, but I suspect the language in the law pertaining to employer-sponsored coverage was written in a purposefully ambiguous way by lobbyists for insurance companies that have found selling inadequate coverage quite profitable. Some of the biggest insurers, including Aetna, Cigna and UnitedHealthgroup, bought companies several years ago that specialize in so-called limited-benefit plans. You can be certain they would try to protect their investments, especially considering that limited-benefit plans typically have high profit margins. Thats because the insurance companies that sell them never have to pay out much in claims.
According to the Journal, regulations written by the Obama administration pertaining to employers are being interpreted by health insurance benefits consultants as applying only to small businesses that buy coverage for their employees in the state online marketplaces. Those marketplaces, also called exchanges, were created for employers with up to 100 workers and individuals who cannot get coverage through the workplace.
So the good news is that anyone buying coverage through a state exchange will have the assurance of knowing that their policies will cover essential benefits and have lower deductibles than many policies being sold today.
The bad news for millions of others, however, especially those who work in low paying jobs at places like chain restaurants, retailers and nursing homes, is that many of the consumer protections that apply to policies bought through the exchanges will not apply to them. The adequacy of their coverage will depend on how much money their employers are willing to devote to health insurance.
Well probably never know, but I suspect the language in the law pertaining to employer-sponsored coverage was written in a purposefully ambiguous way by lobbyists for insurance companies that have found selling inadequate coverage quite profitable. Some of the biggest insurers, including Aetna, Cigna and UnitedHealthgroup, bought companies several years ago that specialize in so-called limited-benefit plans. You can be certain they would try to protect their investments, especially considering that limited-benefit plans typically have high profit margins. Thats because the insurance companies that sell them never have to pay out much in claims.
Related WSJ article here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/101664664
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Wendell Potter explains how millions will still be left without adequate coverage under Obamacare (Original Post)
antigop
May 2013
OP
PSPS
(13,600 posts)1. Maybe, but it is certainly a step in the right direction.
antigop
(12,778 posts)2. not for the people who will be without adequate coverage nt
PSPS
(13,600 posts)5. Of course it is. It's one step closer to coverage for them as well.
If one adopts an all or nothing attitude, nothing will ever be achieved especially when congress is dedicated to subverting the people's will.
antigop
(12,778 posts)6. tell that to the people who will be left without adequate coverage and have to go w/o medical care
Keep spinning.
SammyWinstonJack
(44,130 posts)7. Oh my.
Demo_Chris
(6,234 posts)9. It's one step closer to bankrupsy
These folks will be forced, by LAW, to purchase crap policies with sky high co-pays and deductibles that offer them nothing. The insurance companies win and win huge. They are now guaranteed people's money no matter how little they provide in exchange.
L0oniX
(31,493 posts)3. Aetna is the worst bad faith insurance corporation ...period!
I wouldn't even call what they sell ...insurance. They will take your money and fight you in every and any way they can.
SharonAnn
(13,776 posts)8. I think United Health is the worst.
ProSense
(116,464 posts)4. It's
But as reported by the Wall Street Journal last week, corporate loophole hunters have invalidated Reids statement, which honestly was an overstatement even then. While Obamacare will make affordable coverage available to millions of Americans for the first time, several million others-primarily low and middle-income workers-will still be left out.
According to the Journal, regulations written by the Obama administration pertaining to employers are being interpreted by health insurance benefits consultants as applying only to small businesses that buy coverage for their employees in the state online marketplaces. Those marketplaces, also called exchanges, were created for employers with up to 100 workers and individuals who cannot get coverage through the workplace.
According to the Journal, regulations written by the Obama administration pertaining to employers are being interpreted by health insurance benefits consultants as applying only to small businesses that buy coverage for their employees in the state online marketplaces. Those marketplaces, also called exchanges, were created for employers with up to 100 workers and individuals who cannot get coverage through the workplace.
...never a good idea to cite the WSJ on the issue of health care. They could interpret until they're blue in the face.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=2884170
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=2885317