ObamaCare ‘Reform’: 34% Fewer Doctors, Double-Digit Premium Hikes
Health Reform: Before ObamaCare, it would’ve been hard to find a health plan that combined a huge $6,000 deductible, few in-network doctors, and sky-high premiums. Today, thanks to ObamaCare, it’s hard not to.
A new report from Avalere Health finds that enrollees in ObamaCare plans have access to 34% fewer providers than those who buy a commercial plan outside the exchange. On average, it found, ObamaCare enrollees had 32% fewer primary care doctors and 24% fewer hospitals from which to choose.
Worse, ObamaCare plans covered 42% fewer oncologists and cardiologists than non-ObamaCare plans.
What this means is that lots of patients will end up going out of network to get the care that they need, which means paying far more out-of-pocket costs.
Deductibles are steeper under ObamaCare, too. In ObamaCare’s first year, the average deductible for a low-cost Bronze plan was 42% higher than before the law went into effect, according to HealthPocket. Deductibles climbed again this year and are expected to go up the next.
There’s nothing inherently wrong with high-deductible health plans. Consumers who are more aware of the cost of health care are more likely to be prudent shoppers and hold down health costs, something that IBD has frequently pointed out in this space.
Indeed, the rapid growth of Health Savings Account plans — which combine high deductibles with a tax-free account to pay out-of-pocket costs — has contributed to the overall slowdown in national health spending.
But before ObamaCare, consumers accepted these high deductibles in exchange for very low premiums. In Iowa, for example, a $5,000-deductible plan could cost as little as $442 in annual premiums. Not anymore.
The average Bronze plan today costs more than $3,500 a year in premiums while imposing a $5,181 deductible.
And now insurers are pushing double-digit premium hikes for 2016, some as high as 50%.
Reporters covering the ObamaCare beat either ignore these trends or try to blame the insurance industry.
But this sorry state of insurance affairs is a direct result of ObamaCare. Its market regulations and benefit mandates are driving up premiums and deductibles while limiting choice. This is the glorious “reformed” health care system that ObamaCare has produced.
Nessa época os dias já estão mais longos (e o horário de verão ajuda), as temperaturas agradáveis, as plantas florescendo, soltando aquele cheirinho delicioso… Perfeito para dar uma caminhada depois do trabalho! Que tal deixar o carro em casa e escapar do trânsito, ou trocar a happy hour no barzinho por uma atividade saudável e sem contraindicações? Saia do expediente sem pressa e vá conhecer as ruas da cidade, você com certeza vai se surpreender com alguma paisagem ou cena interessante, um lugar novo, e quem sabe até novas amizades!
No nosso guia de Portland, também mapeamos alguns dos estabelecimentos independentes mais característicos da cidade. E vamos continuar trazendo conteúdo internacional exclusivo da Timberland aqui no blog da Timberland Brasil! Fique ligado que o próximo post é sobre a história das jaquetas de couro, aproveitando esse friozinho brasileiro de fim de outono digno de Portland!
We need someone to share the good times with, someone that supports us, someone we trust.
Se tiver paciência pra deixar a barba crescer e cuidar bem dos fios, pode conseguir uma bela “Old Dutch”, aquele estilo bem tradicional no qual a barba é aparada dos lados e fica bem volumosa na frente, e que também voltou com tudo nos últimos anos.
Situado logo ao norte de Copenhague, o Louisiana Museum of Modern Art oferece uma localização incrível à beira-mar com vista panorâmica da vizinha Suécia, do outro lado do Estreito Øresund. O museu abriga uma impressionante coleção permanente de arte contemporânea de todo o mundo e apresenta entre seis e dez mostras especiais anualmente, incluindo uma coleção eclética do viajante e coreógrafo Dane Niels Wessel Bage. Se perca pelo Parque de Esculturas na saída para ter uma dose do melhor do design escandinavo.