4 ms·
In no way is this a free market. Not even close. There are so many market distortions that prevent a healthy market place from operating. If you recall, the A
by starkd 4y ago
In no way is this a free market. Not even close. There are so many market distortions that prevent a healthy market place from operating. If you recall, the ACA act was supposed to help solve many of these problems by making it more affordable. It appears to have exacerbated it.
- theGnuMe 4y agoACA increases the subscriber pool. The main issue now is the high deductibles which causes folks to ration care. Otherwise your premiums are scaled based on income. You also do get some primary care visits included and a few other things. That's so you catch things earlier before they get expensive. What the ACA really does though, is reduce the financial impact of a catastrophic event. So you are covered and out of pocket say a max of $10k vs $100k+. So let's say you get diagnosed with cancer, well the $10k is manageable (excluding the insurance games).
- mgkimsal 4y agoAssuming that 10 or 100k of services is 'in network'. The only plan I can remotely afford now offers no functionality in any 'out of network' facility. The columns are all just 'n/a'.
- theGnuMe 4y agoSure but that's ok. If you cannot get equivalent care nearby "in network" then you can go out of network and get covered. They won't like it and it can take negotiation but you have that option. All emergency care for example operates this way. This is why the ACA stuff uses your zip code to offer plans. Remember most of these are State and Federal partnerships with private companies. The companies are just offering up their "networks". You and the State are paying the premiums.. One way to think about it is that the state is paying the employer portion. This is way better than how it use to be...
- mgkimsal 4y ago"then you can go out of network and get covered" I can get the care, but nothing in what you're describing sounds like what my paperwork details say. It indicates that any non-emergency services undertaken outside of their network will not be dealt with at all. I'm not sure how this is 'better' than what it used to be, with 'used to be' being last year's plan that would, at least, deal with services delivered out of network, with some % split up to a deductible.
- jessaustin 4y agoLaws written by insurance firms may be expected to benefit insurance firms. In our system, the interests of average citizens are not a priority.
- syzarian 4y agoThe ACA did not exacerbate the mess. It merely allowed more people access to the system and put in some curbs to the exploitation. A truly free market health care system would be horrible and dystopian. Some things ought not be a free market and health care is one of them.
- JamesBarney 4y agoI don't think there is any evidence it exacerbated it.
- ars 4y agoDeductibles were not so high before the ACA.
- JamesBarney 4y agoBut coverage was not as extensive there were lifetime limits, and many people couldn't buy coverage at any price.
- ars 4y agoThat is true. But I'm not sure the fix was worth it. Those uninsurable people were often able to get government assistance, and there were charities that helped them. No one is helping the ordinary personal with a high deductible - and don't forget the huge deterrent it is to seeking medical care.