Today’s
special is a Wall Street Journal OpEd
by a California woman: “You Also Can't Keep Your Doctor: I had great cancer
doctors and health insurance. My plan was cancelled. Now I worry how long I'll
live.”
Think Progress responds by pointing out her
loss of coverage resulted, not from Obamacare, but California warfare between
insurers in which her disadvantaged company “packed its bags and dumped its
beneficiaries because it wants its competitors to swallow the first wave of
sicker enrollees only to re-enter the market later and profit from the healthy
people who still haven’t signed up for coverage.”
Whatever
rocks advocates and opponents throw at one another, they are all wrapped in the
fine print of those who profit from life and death in America, insurers with
the ethics of cosmetic makers.
Meanwhile,
the New York Times points out, “Millions
of people could qualify for federal subsidies that will pay the entire monthly
cost of some health care plans being offered in the online marketplaces set up
under President Obama’s health care law, a surprising figure that has not
garnered much attention, in part because the zero-premium plans come with
serious trade-offs.”
As with
most bargains, they will get what they pay for: more out-of-pocket costs and
less coverage but such policies could obviate for some people a choice between
going to the doctor or dentist and buying food or drugs and could also attract
the young “invincibles” who don’t believe they need insurance.
Whatever,
but we may be seeing the beginning of the end for Aetna, Cigna, Humana and
United Health Group, the big four of profiteers from American life and death.
With
all its flaws, the furor over Obamacare will eventually subside into grudging
acceptance, but the whole process looks like a hell of way to ensure survival
of the human race.
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