Reform Effort Morphing

[Winter_123]

You will notice that since about ten days ago, Obama and his underlings all refer to the health care reform effort as the health insurance reform plan now. Among other things this is to allow Obama to declare victory by the end of the year if health insurance reform is adopted, because he can't get reform in some of the areas he wants, such as public option before the end of the year. Pelosi is on that trip too. Health reform = insurance reform now. Not that it wasnt always a major piece of the picture, but it was not the whole picture. Now it is their fallback position.

from whitehouse.gov:

"Scary chain emails and videos are starting to percolate on the internet, breathlessly claiming, for example, to "uncover" the truth about the President's health insurance reform positions."

 

[Crabcake Johnny]

Obama is just starting to find out the truth. The truth is a small percentage of people want change, and they are the most vocal. It's misleading to candidates since they falsely assume that vocal group represents most Americans.

MOST Americans are happy with their health insurance which can be confirmed by 100 different polls. Out of the 45 million uninsured 80% are uninsured by choice.

Just like 1993 when the wheels actually start to turn MOST Americans (the normal ones, not the whacked out left) start voicing their opinion and it all goes south.

Obama will be left with that "what's the number of that bus that just ran over me" feeling like Clinton who was SURE Americans actually wanted change. No, just the lunatic fringe.

 

[TXINSURANCE]

Obama will be left with that "what's the number of that bus that just ran over me" feeling like Clinton who was SURE Americans actually wanted change. No, just the lunatic fringe.

I disagree.

Reform will pass.

It will be watered down but contain certain elements such as guaranteed issue.

 

[Crabcake Johnny]

We actually went father than this in '94 before it crashed and burned. That said, I tend to agree. "Something" will pass but the Senate will tear the House bill to shreds first.

 

[TXINSURANCE]

We actually went father than this in '94 before it crashed and burned.

Right but I think the momentum is there for change this time. Everyone pretty much agrees (including myself) the current system is a train wreck and ultimately not sustainable.

There are obviously many different schools of thought on how to "correct" the system - neither side has it right and both parties have their head up their ... on what really needs to be done.

Give me 8 to 12% commission on GI with bonus opportunities and you'll never hear a word from me.

 

[Winter_123]

I disagree.

Reform will pass.

It will be watered down but contain certain elements such as guaranteed issue.

Right. Guaranteed issue plus everyone put on probation so that if the the system allegedly does not perform then public option can be invoked. That way Obama can declare victory on reform but not have to fess up to defeat on the public option because everyone is still on probation.

The Republicans will go along with it because it was part of the Republican Platform duh! and they can say that they were able to keep the system in the private sector even though it will be so highly regulated it will hardly be identifiable as the private sector.

They say that the Republicans had/have no plan. In some ways that is true in other ways it is not. McCain and many other Republicans wanted to go guaranteed issue and then give everyone either a tax credit or subsidy of $5,000 to apply toward government-approved plans that contained basic elements. And then just let the free market work for a while and then see what the next step should be. That is in fact a plan whether one agrees with it or not. Although the dems will not recognize anything as a plan unless it is a 1000 pages long and highly, highly convoluted.

In the end, Obama will gain "victory" simply by making the republican plan his. Same way that Pelosi will declare victory by reforming the insurance carriers and getting them to accept GI. THEY ARE ALREADY ON RECORD AS SUPPORTING IT TUNKLEHEAD!

 

[TXINSURANCE]

GI is clearly the future and do not think a STRONG mandate will be paired. Even if a mandate is paired there will likely be a way to milk the system (i.e. the penalty is less than the premiums).

Keep in mind what this version of GI means:

-No rating male or female
-No declines
-No rescinds
-No wait of any kind even if prior uninsured
-Full mental health coverage
-Full maternity coverage

Can't wait to see the price on a bunch of mandates I personally will never use.

 

[moonlightandmargaritas]

Give me 8 to 12% commission on GI with bonus opportunities and you'll never hear a word from me.

I sure wouldn't be takin' this to the bank.

On both sides of the aisle, they seem to be in love with the idea of the IFP and small group online "Health Insurance Exchange".

That's not 8 or 12% for you - more like 0%.

 

[Norwayguy]

GI is clearly the future and do not think a STRONG mandate will be paired. Even if a mandate is paired there will likely be a way to milk the system (i.e. the penalty is less than the premiums).

Keep in mind what this version of GI means:

-No rating male or female
-No declines
-No rescinds
-No wait of any kind even if prior uninsured
-Full mental health coverage
-Full maternity coverage

Can't wait to see the price on a bunch of mandates I personally will never use.

You can already..go to Anthem's website and run quotes for the state of Maine. To my dismay Maine is GI/Community Rated states.

 

[Crabcake Johnny]

If there's competition carriers would still need agents. It's a carrier's wet dream that an exchange would gain them the amount of business they need, but it wouldn't.

We'd either see around 5% or a fee per app.