As a self-employed 62 year old woman with no health insurance I am thrilled with my choices under the ACA, and have already signed up with a Silver plan with a very narrow network, but that I can live with. The monthly premiums won't be that much higher than my current costs for docs, labs, and meds, and I will be covered in case of emergencies or additional surgeries I may need in the next few years. I lucked out and hit a sweet spot in the income range that makes me eligible for a health subsidy, but not so low I would qualify for medicaid which is not available in NC anyway. The less money you make the more screwed you are here in my lovely state.
So I am happy happy and grateful to have it.
I do have some thoughts on how the benefits and side effects of the new law. Some good, some not.
The main difference The ACA will make in my life is the end of the constant collection calls about medical bills too steep to pay, and the end of getting in any deeper in debt to a for profit healthcare system that is known for aggressive collection practices. Will even be able to get some preventive check ups long over due.
Of course in a rational system I would be able to buy into the Medicare system and cost you younger folks less money. Meanwhile we work with what we have. The ACA needs to be protected and improved and I entertain hopes that it will be. One thing we may want to talk about when the time comes is ditching the limits on catastrophic plans. These plans need to be transparent about the real costs involved - but in the end it should be up to individuals what level of protection they decide they need.
I am not clear on the reason for limiting access to these plans. How does it tie in with providing plans for people like me who really want and need good comprehensive coverage? Who came up with it - the insurance companies or HHS? A wide spectrum of people like these HD plans, my 40 year old son one of them. He is one of those who thinks he's immortal and has only seen a doctor a few times in his life. Other folks I know like the flexibility of paying for alternative medicine; treatments like acupuncture, herbs, and supplements with HSA funds.
I wish we were able to have commonsense discussions on improving the law, but there needs to be someone rational to talk to.
PS. No deals until a clean cr and debt limit raise. At all.
