ObamaCare in the Granite State
The only exchange option afforded to consumers comes from Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, a unit of WellPoint. The insurer built a narrow network that lowered premiums by 25% or 30% while still complying with ObamaCare’s other mandates…
…Of the 26 in-state acute care hospitals, 10 were booted from Anthem’s network (not counting emergency services). Even the state capital of Concord was shut out, and the coverage gaps are wider because so many primary care and specialist practices are now owned by health systems.
The Granite State didn’t lack for insurers before. Anthem dominated with 40.7% of all private policies, but strong rivals included Harvard Pilgrim (20.4%), Cigna (18.7%) and Aetna (7.8%). Anthem did have a 76% share of the individual market, but aren’t the exchanges supposed to increase competition? (WSJ)
Of course, limiting choice will drop insurance premium costs. But then, they won’t be able to find anyone to accept their plans.
In this case, ACA limited competition in New Hampshire severely. Individuals have nowhere to go now but to Anthem.
As well as individuals will have nowhere to go to seek health care with narrower networks.
“Even the state capital of Concord was shut out, and the coverage gaps are wider because so many primary care and specialist practices are now owned by health systems.”
As bad as ObamaCare seems throughout the country, it seems to be even worse in the New England states.
Between New Hampshire and Vermont, they do seem to favor the single payer system. But that will never work with the policies in place.
Sad, indeed, that neither VT nor NH shares a border with Mexico, where the costs are 1/3 those in the USSA.
That would be a long drive for them to Mexico. But maybe they can piggyback on Canada for their “ideal” health care system.
Maybe they are not a border state, but paying for an airfare ticket and the treatment, will be cheaper than trying to get coverage in those northern states. The reform is so flawed that it is incentivizing people to seek healthcare elsewhere rather than here.
One of my co-workers does that. He schedules his doctors office visits in Mexico with his days off and gets cheap health care. Not a bad alternative according to him.
I think American democracy is facing a big test on November. After the catastrophic launch of Obamacare, healthcare remains the main campaign topic. With many unsatisfied with the reform, American will vote to seek new alternatives. This election will test if Americans actually vote for what they want or if the party’s machinery is so powerful that they will be reelected, regardless of voters mistrust.
For everyone’s sake, lets hope that democracy can still stand tall among all of the barriers that will be faced in the near future.
That’s if our votes will even matter in the end. The government machine is too powerful, the only solution in the end will be a revolt.
New Hampshire’s senator fears for her reelection. She is campaigning against the program she campaigned for when she was elected. This is something that impresses me about American politics, that members of congress can change their stance on a topic (some even their banner program) and still be reelected.
In most cases, you are not an American politician unless you do flip flop.
“I would have designed it differently had I been designing it. I wasn’t the person who was writing the law. Hindsight is 20/20.”
Says the lady who voted for the law. Will voters allow politicians to evade responsibility for their choices?