Anyone Want the Law to Stay on the Books?

[Yagents]

If you want certainty, leaving the law on the books provides that route. I feel pretty comfortable that AZ and FL will allow agents in the exchange, and/or private exchanges flourish with the mandate.

Any version of repeal only creates more uncertainty, and education, and client servicing at least until well after the elections.

 

[Ann H]

At the end of the day, I don't think it matters to me. For me, striking down the law just delays inevitable health care reform, and keeping the law just means our nation wades into the muck and mire now in order to clean out the mess.

I see healthcare reform coming anyway, either Federally or at the State levels. I see all solutions as being messy and difficult to navigate until all the bugs are worked out. Ultimately, though, I think our system will be significantly different in 15 years than it is today. If the law is struck, the government may not tackle health care reform again for a few years. Whether struck or not, if they take up health care reform, they certainly will avoid the pitfalls of this law, that's for sure.

Although I could navigate through it either way, I think euthanizing this law is the most compassionate route. PPACA was exceptionally convoluted. It's hard to reconfigure an industry that comprises 1/3 of the economy and all options will have difficulties. But next time Congress really should read the law before passing it.

 

[stuy119]

Ann, I'm not sure we'll have the broad spectrum of changes in 15 years that you predict (unless brought on by a financial crisis). Remember, it's been 15-20 years since the Clinton attempt, and it's still as reviled as it was back then.

 

[Winter_123]

But next time Congress really should read the law before passing it.

And perhaps the Constitution as well.

 

[Ann H]

Ann, I'm not sure we'll have the broad spectrum of changes in 15 years that you predict (unless brought on by a financial crisis). Remember, it's been 15-20 years since the Clinton attempt, and it's still as reviled as it was back then.

Good point, Stuy119!!

 

[Winter_123]

Ann, I'm not sure we'll have the broad spectrum of changes in 15 years that you predict (unless brought on by a financial crisis). Remember, it's been 15-20 years since the Clinton attempt, and it's still as reviled as it was back then.

Just make sure your state is not committed to "improvements" to help compensate for what the feds cannot or will not do. I live in Maine and we have guaranteed issue, possibly the highest rates in the nation and absolutely no independent health agent business with the exception of a few mega scabs. First thing the state does is makes it so hard to do business that carriers all leave and then Anthem owns the whole thing. Next, you can only an individual policy through a captive anthem agent or direct from their website. The rest is history.

There is no 15 years down the road for us. Nor for anyone else. It is gonna be nibble nibble nibble every step of the way. Starting next week when the dems try to salvage some pieces or force the republicans to pretend that they have some things they are willing to do.

Believe me, Romney has plenty of areas where he will compromise if he still gets to say that he kept it even in the private sector even if it involves guaranteed issue and exchanges. And there are plenty of lefty states that held off on implementing Maine and Vermont models because they thought Obamacare would do it.

Rejoice when Obamacare takes a hit but dont even think of anything being 15 years down the road. The assault starts in more like 15 days.

Change you can believe in.

 

[stuy119]

Just make sure your state is not committed to "improvements" to help compensate for what the feds cannot or will not do. I live in Maine and we have guaranteed issue, possibly the highest rates in the nation and absolutely no independent health agent business with the exception of a few mega scabs. First thing the state does is makes it so hard to do business that carriers all leave and then Anthem owns the whole thing. Next, you can only an individual policy through a captive anthem agent or direct from their website. The rest is history.

IL has been attempting to go single-payer for the 8 years I've been an agent, and another 10-12 from what others tell me. I'm somewhat worried about that, but only if the federal money that's already been distributed gets put to good use - and I'm not sure it won't go towards some other money pit at this point in time.

Our state is as broke as they get (really, I think it's considered the worst right now in terms of financial instability), and this is in spite of a 66% increase in personal income tax and a 75% increase in corporate income tax the past two years. Our state is about as split as it comes at the state government level, so I'm not sure it could even get passed if proposed. Currently the exchange hasn't even been ordered to be investigated since they are waiting on the USSC ruling.

Not to say the worst isn't yet to come, but I see obvious hurdles to making a state-based exchange a reality in the near future.

 

[ABC]

I think if the mandate is turned down and the rest of the law is upheld it makes for an interesting opportunity.

In my state they estimate that about 1 million people would move to some type of exchange plan. If I could pick up a couple of 1,000 of those policies or maybe more that could be very solid.

If the comp is $21 per month per contract it could become a very nice block. Then take it a step further by that block being a service free block. It might look like a medicare block.

Long term that model will not last but it could make a really nice run.

 

[bluemarlin08]

Recently spoke with a friend that doesn't have any coverage. She needs major back surgery quick. They met with the hospital and projected charges are 150,000. The billing department suggested buying the PCIP plan, paying a few months premium, and then if they can't afford the premium to drop the coverage, everything gets paid for pennies on the dollar. Seems the hospital is encouraging this ploy. Wonder how often this is being done?

 

[stuy119]

Recently spoke with a friend that doesn't have any coverage. She needs major back surgery quick. They met with the hospital and projected charges are 150,000. The billing department suggested buying the PCIP plan, paying a few months premium, and then if they can't afford the premium to drop the coverage, everything gets paid for pennies on the dollar. Seems the hospital is encouraging this ploy. Wonder how often this is being done?

More often than you can imagine.