Tuesday, February 19, 2013

The Affordable Care Act / Obamacare

The ACA was a hugely important legislative action. It is vital to improving the well being of the people of the USA. Preventive care is free after all. That component alone is vital to bending the curve down on American health care. Early detection is key to preventing disease.

Health education is as important, too. First Lady Michelle is making wonderful in roads with our young to create good habits as impressionable ages.

The Health Exchanges are beginning in 2014. We knew going into the ACA the initial years would be as much learning years to health care professionals about the American people as any they have experienced before. Never before will so many people be seeking information about their wellness. For many Americans new habits on their health will be a venue they haven't entertained before. So, it is a given there are going to be problems that come to the surface and will need subsequent legislation in years to come.

One of the more troubling facts regarding the Private Insurance Industry is their willingness to exploit the people they currently have within their contracts to increase their rates in the future. 

Right now. The Health Care Insurance industry is driving rates up for Young Americans. I am quite sure it is unjustified, however, within the ACA there is the requirement to maintain reasonable prices to Older Americans. The Older American can only have their rates increased by three times that of the Young American.

The Health Care Insurance Company is acting in what can be coined as racketeering to increase prices to Young Americans, thus seeking future premiums at much higher rates for Older Americans. I remind this is a requirement in the USA now. So, there will be plenty of opportunity for exploitation by the industry and there is every indication that will be the case. I have no doubt Congressional oversight will be required.

I remind, the Health Care Industry has been the culprit to promulgating the need for The Affordable Care Act. They have taken Americans' premiums and not provided coverage while finding completely baseless reasons to deny coverage. The idea the ACA was never needed is hideous. It was getting to the point where coverage was virtually meaningless to more and more Americans. We know this industry has caused deaths in this country.

We also know, The Public Option was brought to light as a means to balance the premiums of the private sector. I would expect, in states such as California where exploitative practice by the private industry is reaching hideous realities, there may be a Public Option that actually passes the State Legislature.

So, in addressing those that would like to pummel Democratic candidates with the ACA in 2014 due to Private Industry costs before 2014 enacts the entire law; I remind; there are very real answers to those complaints by those seeking to victimize candidates. It was the Blue Dogs successful in excluding the Public Option, especially that of Lieberman. He isn't coming back either, even after his party juggling antics.

Affordable Care Act to Charge 50% Extra from Smokers for Insurance Premiums (click here)
 

Ya think?

I already know Smokers are going to avoid preventive care. Some of them will. So, there has to be a 'default' standard that is not legislated in the ACA allowing insurance companies to increase their premiums to INDIVIDUALS incrementally if they refuse Preventive visits for more than two years. I would expect Preventive Care to be welcome to the country and where that is not the case, there needs to be education. So, the implementation of a 'default' premium for difficult individuals needs an introductory period for educating Americans not familiar with the idea.

Default premium is one that would reflect the possibility of undetected disease in the future. Most alcoholics see problems by the age of 45 years old. Severe alcoholics often face death at that age. 

A smoker will start to develop lung disease within months of starting the habit and is detectable on a chest x-ray. But, severe disease (minimally COPD) will begin within two decades of substantial cigarette use.

The Oversight Committees will have to discern the price breaks for any 'default' premium.

Just a suggestion.

These 'default' ideas are not foreign to the USA culture already. Take for instance, drunk drivers. When they have done their time on bicycles and can prove they deserve their driver's licenses back they have a great deal of expense to secure their mobility in an engine driven four wheel vehicle.

Example: The higher insurance prices are a given. But, in states such as Massachusetts there is a legislated standard where a relicensed driver has to blow into a devise in order to start the car. Those costs are carried by the newly relicensed driver. I think that process goes on for at least a year or more.

So, the idea of 'default' premiums to provide relief to the general public that don't smoke is a real idea.

The idea that charging more for smokers will have an adverse effect on the tobacco industry, I say, "Ya, think?" But, it will provide a better quality of life to the American people. And while the tax revenues from cigarettes will wane to some extent there are new opportunities for the economy in Smoking Rehab and Support Groups as well as providing more inspiration for hobbies that enhance lives. Wouldn't be great if Former Smokers actually had their own 5K and ultimately their own Half-Marathons and Marathons. Follow? 

Cigarettes are expensive, but, scrapbooking can be a nice place to seek to spend money in expression of loving the family that much more.