View source for Notes:GDN:Early Insights Into Obama Care

{{Article
|HasSummary=The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 45% of Likely U.S. Voters rate the new law at least somewhat favorably, while 52% share an unfavorable opinion of it.
|HasAuthor=Tharrisn
|HasArticleDate=2014/05/23
}}
{{SectionDefault
|HasArticleText=The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 45% of Likely U.S. Voters rate the new law at least somewhat favorably, while 52% share an unfavorable opinion of it. This includes 16% with a Very Favorable view and 40% with a Very Unfavorable one. [http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/current_events/healthcare/health_care_law http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/current_events/healthcare/health_care_law] 

According to Gallup polling, approval of the health care act had dropped from 48% to 41% and disapproval has risen from 45% to 51% from December 2012 till November 2014

[http://www.gallup.com/poll/167309/majority-americans-disapprove-healthcare-law.aspx?ref=more http://www.gallup.com/poll/167309/majority-americans-disapprove-healthcare-law.aspx?ref=more] 

How is it that we came to have a mandatory health care system that the people have never wanted? Many believe that it is a major infringement of our liberty. For insights into that issue, try this link: civicwiki article liberty 101.

'''Understanding the major issues'''

'''The Supreme court challenge'''

On June 28, 2012, the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supreme_Court_of_the_United_States United States Supreme Court] upheld the constitutionality of the ACA's individual mandate as an exercise of Congress's taxing power[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patient_Protection_and_Affordable_Care_Act#cite_note-11 [11]] in the case [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Federation_of_Independent_Business_v._Sebelius National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius]. However, the Court held that states cannot be forced to participate in the ACA's [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patient_Protection_and_Affordable_Care_Act#State_rejections_of_Medicaid_expansion Medicaid expansion] under penalty of losing their current Medicaid funding.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patient_Protection_and_Affordable_Care_Act#cite_note-12 [12]][http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patient_Protection_and_Affordable_Care_Act#cite_note-13 [13]][http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patient_Protection_and_Affordable_Care_Act#cite_note-14 [14]] Since the ruling, the law and its implementation continue to face challenges in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Congress Congress] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_federal_courts federal courts], and from certain [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_governments_of_the_United_States state governments]

<nowiki>However, the Court held that states cannot be forced to participate in the ACA's Medicaid expansion under penalty of losing their current Medicaid funding.[12][13][14] Since the ruling, the law and its implementation continue to face challenges in Congress and federal courts, and from certain state governments.</nowiki> 

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patient_Protection_and_Affordable_Care_Act#Legal_challenges http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patient_Protection_and_Affordable_Care_Act#Legal_challenges]

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patient_Protection_and_Affordable_Care_Act#Legal_challenges http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patient_Protection_and_Affordable_Care_Act#Legal_challenges] 

'''You can’t necessarily keep your doctor or your healthcare plan '''

One of President Obama's key promises — that under ObamaCare, you could keep your health plan if you like it — was turned on its head this fall when millions of people received cancellation notices from their insurance companies. The wave created a political firestorm for the White House as Republicans hammered Obama on his promise, which had also been echoed by many Democrats on Capitol Hill. The assurance was eventually labeled "Lie of the Year" by Politifact, a fact-checking organization with ties to the Tampa Bay Times.

[http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2013/dec/12/lie-year-if-you-like-your-health-care-plan-keep-it/ http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2013/dec/12/lie-year-if-you-like-your-health-care-plan-keep-it/] 

'''Almost everyone’s insurance premiums will increase'''

“A comprehensive 50-state study has found that insurance premiums will increase under the first year of Obamacare in 45 of 50 states. This finding flies in the face of President Obama's promise that his health care overhaul would cause premiums "for the typical family" to fall by $2500.”

[http://townhall.com/tipsheet/kevinglass/2013/10/17/study-obamacare-results-in-premium-increase-in-45-states-n1726211 http://townhall.com/tipsheet/kevinglass/2013/10/17/study-obamacare-results-in-premium-increase-in-45-states-n1726211] 

'''Website problems'''

ObamaCare's federal enrollment website was supposed to be the easy part of the law's rollout. But trouble was apparent on the morning of the launch, as users faced delays and glitchy code. The vast and persistent problems with HealthCare.gov created months of negative news for the White House and thwarted millions of users hoping to purchase health insurance.

The site has improved after hundreds of fixes to revamp the user experience and increase capacity. Yet, as of February 2014 some issues are still lingering. This has been a major and lingering problem has caused much dissatisfaction. You can see details here: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Healthcare.gov#Launch_and_technical_problems http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Healthcare.gov#Launch_and_technical_problems] 

'''Employer mandate delay'''

The Obama administration took everyone by surprise in July by announcing that larger employers would not be required to offer health insurance to their workers until 2015. The decision came in reaction to pressure from the business community, which had sought more time to build the technical systems required to comply with the "employer mandate." Republicans immediately pounced on the move as a double-standard, since consumers will still be required to comply with the individual mandate to carry health insurance starting in 2014. For a deeper understanding of the issues and the politics involved, go to 

[http://www.nationalreview.com/article/365300/obamacare-and-its-cronies-andrew-stiles http://www.nationalreview.com/article/365300/obamacare-and-its-cronies-andrew-stiles] 

'''Obama care impact on the taxes'''

'''The overall impact on national taxes:'''

“The Affordable Care Act contains at least two economically distinct taxes on labor market activity. Even the experts on the law have failed to recognize all of them.……..Once we consider that the new law has an [http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/02/19/the-employer-mandate-dukakis-all-over-again/ employer penalty], too, the labor market will be receiving three blows from the new law: the implicit employment tax, the employer penalty and the implicit income tax. Regardless of how few economists acknowledge the new employment tax, it should be no surprise when the labor market cannot grow under such conditions.” Go to this link for the full explanation:

[http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/02/26/the-affordable-care-acts-multiple-taxes/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0 http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/02/26/the-affordable-care-acts-multiple-taxes/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0]''' '''

'''Impact on an individual’s taxes'''

There is no simple answer. For a deeper understanding go to this link:

[http://www.factcheck.org/2012/06/how-much-is-the-obamacare-tax/ http://www.factcheck.org/2012/06/how-much-is-the-obamacare-tax/] 

'''Special treatment for government employees'''

Conflict reared its head again when news broke that lawmakers could keep their aides off of the exchanges by deeming them "official staff" instead of "official office." Some pro-ObamaCare offices later regretted choices to shift workers on the exchanges, citing higher costs for older staffers. Aides also encountered problems enrolling in the District of Columbia's new marketplace, and received notices to confirm their sign-ups in person rather than online

[http://thehill.com/blogs/healthwatch/health-reform-implementation/193777-top-five-obamacare-controversies-of-2013 http://thehill.com/blogs/healthwatch/health-reform-implementation/193777-top-five-obamacare-controversies-of-2013]

Many people had expressed concerns that Capitol Hill workers would depart to the private sector if made to pay the entire cost of their healthcare coverage like those in the individual market. President Obama reportedly told lawmakers he was personally involved in preventing this outcome.

The decision to extend subsidies to members and staff was widely criticized on the right, and it prompted Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) to propose legislation that would stop the contributions from going forward.

'''As of spring 2014:'''

'''Changes to Obama care'''

“By our count at the Galen Institute, more than 40 significant changes already have been made to ObamaCare: at least 22 that the Obama Administration has made unilaterally, 16 that Congress has passed and the president has signed, and two by the Supreme Court.” This includes postponing four major elements to be put into place after the 2014 elections.

[http://www.galen.org/newsletters/changes-to-obamacare-so-far/ http://www.galen.org/newsletters/changes-to-obamacare-so-far/] 

'''Status of Obama care'''

“With Obamacare’s 2014 open enrollment period approaching its end (barring another legally dubious delay or extension), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has released what will be the [http://aspe.hhs.gov/health/reports/2014/MarketPlaceEnrollment/Mar2014/ib_2014mar_enrollment.pdf second-to-last report] on exchange enrollment for 2014.

Let’s start with the good news. The exchanges have enrolled some 4.2 million people (though it’s unclear how many have paid their premiums, and how many will do so by March 31). That represents decent growth in total enrollment, adding just under one million new enrollees through all of February. On top of that, the enrollees are making the most out of premium credits (and likely maximizing cost-sharing subsidies as well) by predominantly choosing silver plans (63 percent).

Now, the not so great news. The share of enrollees that are young and healthy – an important target group under the law – hasn’t budged, remaining stubbornly at 25 percent of total enrollment. This group of “young invincibles” is important, generally, because they tend to be healthier and are needed to offset costs for the sicker enrollees.

That being said, it’s important to note that enrolling older, healthy individuals is just as, if not more, important – remember that a healthy 40 year old might not use much more health care resources than a healthy 27 year old, but will pay much higher premiums.“

[http://www.forbes.com/sites/theapothecary/2014/03/12/obamacare-still-isnt-failing-but-its-not-succeeding/ http://www.forbes.com/sites/theapothecary/2014/03/12/obamacare-still-isnt-failing-but-its-not-succeeding/] 

As of May 2014, six state exchanges are not yet functional and funding their further development is a major issue'''.'''

[http://hotair.com/archives/2014/05/15/together-those-four-failed-state-obamacare-exchange-are-costing-taxpayers-at-least-474-million/ http://hotair.com/archives/2014/05/15/together-those-four-failed-state-obamacare-exchange-are-costing-taxpayers-at-least-474-million/] 

From before the affordable care act was passed, Obama cares approval rating has never been as high as 50%. Initially it was at 48% and has gotten as low as 38% and as of February 2014, it was at 41% and trending upward. Its history can be seen at:

[http://www.gallup.com/poll/167309/majority-americans-disapprove-healthcare-law.aspx http://www.gallup.com/poll/167309/majority-americans-disapprove-healthcare-law.aspx] 

Obama care is extremely complex and most of the information available is politically motivated – so understanding what it will be like in 2016 is a guess – at best.
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