>> OK, but how come your old plan isn't part of the ObamaCare network? After all, if they were, they could get younger, healthier people to help offset the costs for you. All thanks to the mandate.
Given they could have cancelled it at will, I assume it is profitable for them.
>> And if you joined the ObamaCare exchange, would you end up paying less than the $1,200/month you used to pay?
Definitely. I could get $1,000 deductible for something like $700 or $800 a month -- a fraction of what I'm paying. And believe me I've thought about it.
I have a fundamental opposition to Obamacare, but I assure you I could rationalize getting in that program for the monthly premium savings ("screw it -- they forced me!").
On the other hand I do have some self interest at stake here. One, my medications end up being less out of pocket with my old plan, and secondly, I simply don't know what's going to happen with Obamacare and it is important to me not to get jammed up if, e.g., the Supreme Court decides the law is totally unconstitutional (imo it is). Because under my current plan, if I leave it for Obamacare there is no option to return to it. So, I'm going to bite the bullet for now and see what happens.
I don't envision being able to qualify for government subsidies in my lifetime but I do have a serious moral issue with dumping my health care costs on future generations and I'm willing to absorb a certain cost to avoid that. But my moral integrity, like everyone elses, has a price tag. I'm just not yet sure what that price is. |
