Cthulhu, I quite agree, it could have been much better. I was a fervent proponent of the public option, because I understood that the only way to provide any meaningful competition to the health insurance companies that have gripped health care costs in this country by the balls for the last 50+ years. But I'm grateful for the inroads that the AHCA has made, even if they are not complete. I give enormous cred to Obama. He not only effected the greatest changes to our fucked-up health care system than anyone else has in more than 90 years. He did it while handling a few other little problems on his plate, too -- one being wrangling with an economy on the brink of utter collapse. Bill and Hillary couldn't manage it when times were rolling high. Is the work done? Of course not. The Dems acknowledged at the time they had to settle for half a loaf.
When you think about the complexity of our health care system, how many people rely upon it as it is currently constituted for their livelihood (and I am one of them)... well, it's like turning a rudderless ship. You can do it, but it takes a long time and it's a very awkward, challenging event. I don't expect the total change to occur within the rest of my lifetime -- which hopefully will be for at least another 30 years. (Assuming of course that Obamacare does its part to ensure I have that many more years.
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As a solidly middle-aged sole proprietor of a small business, I look forward to having some decent health insurance (something more than catastrophic coverage) for the first time in more than three years since my husband died. We had great group coverage through his company while he was alive. When he unexpectedly died, I was permitted to COBRA my coverage (for painfully expensive premiums, I might add) for three additional years. After that, I was on my own. I was turned down for regular coverage because of a "preexisting condition" about which I had nearly forgotten. (I suffer from spinal stenosis, a fairly common condition in middle age. My hands had begun to occasionally go numb in the night, so I went and saw an orthopedic surgeon about it. He told me what was happening and advised I would probably have to have surgery to address it at some point, but to try and delay that for as long as possible. I promptly put it out of my mind and live with the occasional annoyance of numb hands first thing in the morning. Now you know the big "preexisting condition" that put regular insurance coverage out of my reach!) I was thrown into the "high risk" category -- meaning I could pay the same company that had just turned me down for regular coverage a bunch more money for the same coverage. They simply priced me out of the market. My situation is not unique. They have done that to virtually every single person I know who had to seek individual coverage. Talk about a scam.
I am really, really looking forward to finally having decent coverage for a reasonable cost under the AHCA. ANYTHING will be an improvement.
When you think about the complexity of our health care system, how many people rely upon it as it is currently constituted for their livelihood (and I am one of them)... well, it's like turning a rudderless ship. You can do it, but it takes a long time and it's a very awkward, challenging event. I don't expect the total change to occur within the rest of my lifetime -- which hopefully will be for at least another 30 years. (Assuming of course that Obamacare does its part to ensure I have that many more years.
)As a solidly middle-aged sole proprietor of a small business, I look forward to having some decent health insurance (something more than catastrophic coverage) for the first time in more than three years since my husband died. We had great group coverage through his company while he was alive. When he unexpectedly died, I was permitted to COBRA my coverage (for painfully expensive premiums, I might add) for three additional years. After that, I was on my own. I was turned down for regular coverage because of a "preexisting condition" about which I had nearly forgotten. (I suffer from spinal stenosis, a fairly common condition in middle age. My hands had begun to occasionally go numb in the night, so I went and saw an orthopedic surgeon about it. He told me what was happening and advised I would probably have to have surgery to address it at some point, but to try and delay that for as long as possible. I promptly put it out of my mind and live with the occasional annoyance of numb hands first thing in the morning. Now you know the big "preexisting condition" that put regular insurance coverage out of my reach!) I was thrown into the "high risk" category -- meaning I could pay the same company that had just turned me down for regular coverage a bunch more money for the same coverage. They simply priced me out of the market. My situation is not unique. They have done that to virtually every single person I know who had to seek individual coverage. Talk about a scam.
I am really, really looking forward to finally having decent coverage for a reasonable cost under the AHCA. ANYTHING will be an improvement.
