You bolster my argument, NSR, that something could have been done to eliminate “pre-existing conditions” from underwriting criteria and allow those people you’re discussing here to obtain a ~reasonable $600-$800 monthly premium through the state pool. The state could have put a program in place JUST FOR THEM to help with premiums to get their premiums down to a manageable level.
We didn’t have to dismantle the entire system and lose several major carriers as a byproduct. (I’m watching with bated breath as more carriers decide it makes “good business sense” for them to leave CA.) For example, CA has a VERY large, diverse population with hundreds of thousands of new immigrants who will be able to avail themselves of tax credits to use to pay their health premiums thru Covered CA.
I lost an immediate family member from Stage 4 melanoma. It’s a swift and sure death. I myself have had a non-malignant skin cancer removed. This is another one of those diseases that is entirely preventable by taking personal responsibility for one’s skin in the sun and paying attention to changes in one’s skin.
Individual policyholders SHOULD have the freedom of choosing between an HMO, PPO or a simple catastrophic plan. They’re paying the ENTIRE premium! It’s a free country, NSR. If some policyholders want the freedom to choose a provider in another state who belongs to their plan or join a clinical trial in another state or country and/or they are willing to pay the out-of-network difference, that’s their perogative.
At first blush, “Obamacare” appears to be (insidiously) eliminating these health insurance freedoms that Americans have long enjoyed.
