Who's Responsible for the Possible Gov't Shutdown?

[Aviano]

I thought they didn't ask any health questions on the application ? And how are there more than one plan at the same level when there's only one provider ?

They asked if we smoked. I added in healthy, not overweight, because Kentucky is a very fat state, lol. I think we were at number 5 a few years ago; we're also in the top 10 for type II diabetes, which is directly related to diet and lifestyle, and in the top five for childhood obesity. Studies are showing that obesity is actually more harmful than smoking, and leads to more health complications. Obesity, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular problems seem to be an unholy trinity. Obesity is as much of a lifestyle choice as smoking, yet the only thing that affected quoted rates was smoking, go figure. Thank God we don't smoke though, would have hated to see those rates!

There were several bronze and silver plans to choose from, and they were listed in each category from lowest monthly rate to highest. As the monthly rates increased, the deductible went down slightly. However, as the deductible went down your copays changed. For example, if on the silver plan above with a $6000 deductible, once your deductible was met your copays for doctor visits would be 10%. Some of them had "first two office visit $35, then 10% after deductible" or something like that.

Is that price for both of you, or each? At my job we were paying $980 a month for an individual in the 45-49 bracket, but it was an excellent HMO plan. No deductibles, I think $20 per office visit, $100 ER visit. If the price you got was that high per person you might want to look at insurance that isn't through the exchange, if that's the price per couple you probably won't find anything cheaper ( especially with your husband having hit 50 ...the rates jump way up then)

Yes, that's for both of us. And you're right, we probably won't find anything cheaper, especially now that all plans are required to include things that someone our age may neither want nor need. I'm menopausal and my children are grown, I certainly don't need maternity coverage, well baby care, pediatric services, etc.

Wow, my Facebook page has hit a whole new level of crazy. Did you know that because of Obamacare CPS / the UN now is going to come to everyone's house to inspect how you take care of your children? And that effective Oct. 1 st they can take your kids if you have beer in the home, or if you ground your kid? Among about a thousand other scary reasons ? I didn't know either ! You've been warned :lol:

[nokidsmom]

Oh yeah, the lacking in empathy is really strong with a lot of libertarians. And many of them still cling to those beliefs about "everyone else" even after they hit some major catastrophe and end up needing help themselves. Then they go on and on about how their case is different and everyone else is a parasite. I worked in a social services agency that provides support to families in crises, and the clients who used to have everything and lost it were the hardest to work with, by far.

Yep, I have a few of these in my and Mr. No's family. They scream about "everyone else" even if they have taken needed help, which incidentally, they have truly needed, but that experience does nothing to alter their "us and them" worldview.

[countressrascal]

It's up to individual mortgage holders I think. I know my husband called our's to find out if there was some kind of temporary deferment in place during the shutdown for those put on furlough and they told him he was "free to fill out their normal hardship paperwork, but there was no guarentee."

I'm hoping that companies will be understanding during this period because obviously with the shut down there are going to be hundreds of thousands of people that can't pay any number of bills for who knows how long, through no fault of their own.

Half of my staff has been furloughed, 1/4 of the remaining are working without pay including my husband and I, since we are a Federally Funded Medicial Clinic. So the only people that are getting paid are the ones that are not named on the federal grants. I have made a number of calls on behalf of the furloughed employees regarding deferred payments. Here are the credit cards that have some type of program for deferred payment program for furloughed employees Discover, Well Fargo VISA, Chase VISA, American Express, MasterCard that is issued by local Credit Union. You have to be current with the account then submit the email that you received saying that you are on furloughed. I have not heard back from any of the mortgage companies regarding a program. Once I hear more I will post it. I have a meeting with the Branch Mgr at local credit union and banks to see if they can help the employees.

[Aviano]

Part of this has to do with Kentucky rejecting the Medicaid expansion, and making the federal government set up the exchange for them. Not a friendly climate for any businesses who might want to set up shop there. In my state, we're expanding Medicaid and doing our exchange in-house, and from what I have heard the rates here are much more reasonable.

Kentucky didn't reject Medicaid expansion, there was a legal challenge to it that lost. Our Governor has been pushing it so hard you'd think he gets a personal kickback for everyone new added to the rolls, lol.

But yeah, those are out of control and don't sound affordable at all. Don't those rates exempt you from needing to purchase coverage under the provision in the law that says if you have to pay more than 9% of your income for insurance you don't have to pay a penalty if you opt out?

So we wouldn't have to pay the penalty, but we also wouldn't have health insurance. I don't think that's the way it was intended to work?

[Buzzard]

You're one of those people huge on having the last word rather than continuing your "I'm disabled and can't work but can spend 30 hours a week online" and "amen!" rant with your little friends, aren't ya? I'm going to go ahead and pack my suitcase so we can get ready to shove off for our week in Jamaican paradise. (I have my brother staying at the house while we are gone, so don't get any crazy ideas :wink: ) - while I am busy doing that, why don't you fish up some more of my hysterical quotes and get that "last word" you so badly need. I'll check back before next week. :kiss:

I tend to stay out of political conversations here because I am a proud libertarian and I'm not seeking converts. I oppose the ACA simply because I do not believe that the government should place the onus of healthcare on private industry. I support a delay of all mandates until all the "kinks" can be sorted out. Leave the exchanges open, allow the deduction, but delay enforcement until it is ready to go "live" for everyone. I recognize that I am unlikely to get my way. I abhor the way both sides have behaved both regarding the ACA and the coming debt ceiling debate. Both sides are behaving like petulant children.

That being said, name calling and personal attacks are the lowest form of argument. We are perfectly capable her of stating our positions and accepting that many will disagree without schoolyard antics. Spitting and flailing will not get you very far.

[splork]

That reminds me of a story from when I first moved to Germany. As we discussed the German education system with a neighbor, we learned that they "track" their kids after 4th grade...college prep or vocation. As we talked about low paying labor jobs, our neighbor said "Well, they should have done better in school". Not school as Americans know it but in the primary grades. I find it tragic that their employment opportunities are determined at such a young age...but commendable that at 16, for those not continuing to higher education, start training for the many votech jobs that are needed.

I do have a couple of German friends who were tracked as vo-tech kids, but did go on to college. It was a LOT harder for them than it would be otherwise, but it's not impossible and there is a clear pathway to university for those kids if they put the work in. We've spent a lot of time talking about it since so many of the Americans I went to high school would have benefited from vocational training. It's definitely a different philosophy over there. A lot of it is just a function of how big and rural the US is: it's hard to provide schools for vocational training and a high school for college-bound kids AND a separate school for special needs kids for every little town of a thousand people.

[OkToBeTakei]

I tend to stay out of political conversations here because I am a proud libertarian and I'm not seeking converts. I oppose the ACA simply because I do not believe that the government should place the onus of healthcare on private industry. I support a delay of all mandates until all the "kinks" can be sorted out. Leave the exchanges open, allow the deduction, but delay enforcement until it is ready to go "live" for everyone. I recognize that I am unlikely to get my way. I abhor the way both sides have behaved both regarding the ACA and the coming debt ceiling debate. Both sides are behaving like petulant children.

That being said, name calling and personal attacks are the lowest form of argument. We are perfectly capable her of stating our positions and accepting that many will disagree without schoolyard antics. Spitting and flailing will not get you very far.

Would you therefore disagree with an entity like the NHS for the US?

[Buzzard]

Would you therefore disagree with an entity like the NHS for the US?

Yes.

[OkToBeTakei]

Yes.

You know as much as I love debate and recourse. An answer so emphatic I do respect :lol:

I just probably will never understand it.

[Savoring Samsara]

Thank you for clarifying the situation in Kentucky. My source was just a map that showed which states were and weren't expanding Medicaid so it lacked that context. I hope your family can ultimately find affordable coverage from some source. Your current situation sounds awful and I'm sorry to hear it.

[GolightlyGrrl]

Wow, I'm off of FJ for a day due to my friend's wedding (it was lovely, thank you very much) and it turns into a shitstorm of HomeGirlRuby's fuckwittery. And if she's legit and not a troll, I really feel sorry for her employees. She and her husband must be absolute fannies to work for.

Anyway, I went to a seminar at my church about the ACA. I found out about some clinics who have trained navigators to help guide people through the exchanges and the ACA itself. I also found out about a health insurance co-op (nope, not Scamaritan-snerk) that looks promising. Wish me luck.

[Ruby Slippers]

So "disabled" or handicapped people are unable to hold jobs? That's a new one for me. If one is able to manage nearly a full workweek's with of time online, surely they are able to find employment. Even Christopher Reeve worked after his accident - and what about Helen Keller or Steven Hawkings? Hell, even Einstein was "disabled."

This society has turned into a sad place where no one accepts their own laziness or accountability. THIS is what's wrong with the Democratic Party and THIS is exactly what I was referring to when I said everyone has a sense of entitlement.

I suppose it is far too nuanced for you to understand this, but 1) Reeve had the good fortune of being both famous and wealthy to create work for himself or for people to bring work to him (like the quadraplegic role)-- he did not have to find employment to suit his special needs; and 2) Helen Keller had wealthy sponsors paying for her education and famous people like Mark Twain networking for her and setting her up in life. In short, HELEN KELLER HAD HANDOUTS! Also, Reeve was an outspoken Democrat, and Keller was a flaming liberal. She was like a founding member of the ACLU and a socialist. It is sort of adorable how you hold them up as the embodiment of Republicanism, though. lol.

[lipstickgoalie]

I suppose it is far too nuanced for you to understand this, but 1) Reeve had the good fortune of being both famous and wealthy to create work for himself or for people to bring work to him (like the quadraplegic role)-- he did not have to find employment to suit his special needs; and 2) Helen Keller had wealthy sponsors paying for her education and famous people like Mark Twain networking for her and setting her up in life. In short, HELEN KELLER HAD HANDOUTS! Also, Reeve was an outspoken Democrat. lol.

Plus Helen Keller was an avowed socialist. Just sayin'

[Ruby Slippers]

Plus Helen Keller was an avowed socialist. Just sayin'

Heh. I was editing my post to include that while you were adding that.

[GolightlyGrrl]

I suppose it is far too nuanced for you to understand this, but 1) Reeve had the good fortune of being both famous and wealthy to create work for himself or for people to bring work to him (like the quadraplegic role)-- he did not have to find employment to suit his special needs; and 2) Helen Keller had wealthy sponsors paying for her education and famous people like Mark Twain networking for her and setting her up in life. In short, HELEN KELLER HAD HANDOUTS! Also, Reeve was an outspoken Democrat. lol.

Thank you so much for this!

I do not doubt that it takes hard-work, talent, skill, drive, etc. , to succeed. But it also takes a good support system, luck, timing, etc. I'm a big U2 fan. They are very fortunate they went to a high school that offered them a place to rehearse rather than telling them being in a band was a waste of time. They are very fortunate they met their manager, Paul McGuinness, early in their career who guided them through the more financial and business side of being in a band when they were quite naive about show business. They are also lucky to have put out their first albums at a time when artists were allowed to develop and grow as musicians and performers instead of written off as losers because they didn't have huge top 10 hits right out of the gate.

[realist51]

She can't be real. If she is, she sounds like a sociopath. I think she/he is putting us on, though.

[OkToBeTakei]

You know as much as I love debate and recourse. An answer so emphatic I do respect :lol:

I just probably will never understand it.

But why?

It works here. Why would anybody not want free healthcare for an allegedly first world country?

[Elementally Amy]

She can't be real. If she is, she sounds like a sociopath. I think she/he is putting us on, though.

Sadly there are many people who think like this in my family, I have no idea where they get it because our parents didn't raise them to be that way. I think mostly they are just bitter about their own lives. There used to be a lot on my facebook but i edited my friendslist during the last election.

[Sumeri]

I just remembered there's a town in Iowa called Jamaica. Who wants to bet that's where the vacation is taking place? Maybe went to Grandma's basement or something?

[Sumeri]

But why?

It works here. Why would anybody not want free healthcare for an allegedly first world country?

Honestly, OKTBT, that's the biggest problem I have with The Affordable Care Act - that it ISN'T free. I agree with you. I do think healthcare for all should be a given in a first world country.

[J'ean Skirt]

But why?

It works here. Why would anybody not want free healthcare for an allegedly first world country?

My in-laws are over from the UK and were telling us about some of the "lovely" American's they've met. Just an introduction as "we're from the UK" caused one particular person to launch into a tale of how horrible it must be to be from the UK because of the NHS.

My M-i-L, though, recently had a cancer scare, that the NHS dealt with incredibly efficiently and effectively. M-i-L made sure to tell the busy-body americans just how well she was treated by the NHS.

[Coconut Flan]

First we must remember that healthcare isn't free anywhere. Someone is paying for it. It simply isn't at the point of service under some systems.

[Mama Mia]

First we must remember that healthcare isn't free anywhere. Someone is paying for it. It simply isn't at the point of service under some systems.

Well I tend to think of it as "free" in the same way that sending my kids to school, calling the police when my car is stolen or calling the fire department to put out a fire are all "free". And health care should be the same sort of system IMHO.

[Sola]

Even if she isn't a troll and is for reals, then she certainly lacks in the empathy department.

Well considering she is spouting tea party rhetoric, I'd say a lack of empathy is a dead cert.

[Dinaberries]

Apparently the shut down is affecting people outside of the United States. My father in law is an Australian and is semi-retired but takes on contract jobs. The job he was working on is ultimately under nasa so he is not getting paid for his work now and isn't suee if he will get back pay. I'm not trying to compare his situation to Americans who are are going to be struggling to get by, however.

My husband also has an online friend from ohio who I find insufferable, since this guy is a baptist Republican and is vocal about his disagreement with gay marriage, abortion and socialized health care. Anyway, he is getting evicted and has nowhere to go because his his roommate is in the national guard and isn't being paid. Of course he blames obama