Uninsured Who Passed on Obamacare Said it was Because of Cost but Most Didn't Bother to get a Quote

[IronLionZion]

NEW YORK (MainStreet) — Uninsured Americans who passed on signing up for Obamacare say the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was anything but affordable – and the reason they didn't buy health insurance prior to this week's deadline was because of the high cost of coverage. However, most didn't even bother to get a quote or determine if they qualified for a subsidy, according to research from nonpartisan Market Strategies International.

A large majority (70%) of U.S. adults who have been without health insurance for at least six months said they didn't plan to enroll before Monday's deadline. Of those, 81% said the high cost of healthcare coverage was one of the reasons why, but less than a third (32%) had actually visited a federal or state exchange website. And 29% ignored the issue altogether, not even discussing healthcare insurance with friends or family, much less looking to obtain a quote.

The ultimate irony? Almost 85% of those saying cost was a concern would have been eligible for a subsidized plan offering a discount.

"What we found is that those individuals who were the primary reason behind the ACA and its subsidies -- the low-income, uninsured -- seem to have made the assumption that health insurance remains unaffordable to them, often without exploring whether a subsidy would help them afford it," said Susan McIntyre, managing director of healthcare at Market Strategies International.

http://www.mainstreet.com/article/family/family-health/uninsured-who-passed-obamacare-said-it-was-because-cost-most-didnt-both?puc=yahoo&cm_ven=YAHOO

The point I am making by posting this article is to show the unforgivable price of Republican bullshit. They are hell bent on confusing people and discouraging them from signing up. They can spew forth complete falsehoods with unwavering certainty. Apathy is a problem among the American people. And GOP is counting on this. They are counting on people who are too busy living life to bother checking for themselves so they go by what they hear from others. I'm talking about ordinary every day Republicans, not just the politicians and media personalities. The ones who spew forth horseshit to their friends, family, neighbors, coworkers, and anyone else.

For example, I promoted the ACA websites, phone numbers, and some basic info on how to sign up for insurance in a place that has a lot of uninsured people. I was promptly shouted down by hostile TP extremists claiming the government is going to force poor women to have abortions since its cheaper than birth and ration out care with long waits and sharing your private personal data with law enforcement and risk deportation. I couldn't believe that this info was being delivered with complete seriousness and how aggressively these guys were trying to stop people from even considering the possibility of insurance. Of course they spewed the falsehood that you don't need insurance during the open enrollment period if you're healthy, you can wait to buy it at the hospital if something happens to you.

I was able to get a handful signed up, with a few more promising to check out the websites and do their research first. There are people right here on DU who don't know that private marketplaces and brokers even exist as an alternative to the government sites.

This affects real people's lives. I challenge and remind all of you to NEVER let this type of BS go unchallenged anywhere you may see it in your personal lives. Please make sure people in your sphere of influence at least know where to get the correct info, even if you're unwilling to push them towards signing up.

Remember Medicaid signups are year round and have no deadline. People can still sign up with life changing events(birth, divorce, job change, spouse job change, adoption, etc) . And open enrollment starts up again in less than 6 months. Private exchanges and brokers exist. Some will even help with subsidies. We can bring down the uninsured rate in this country. New health care providers are opening up every day, at least in blue states like MD.

[handmade34]

1. yup

talking to people and reading opinions I noticed the same...

I ran all the numbers (approximations) and figured that the most anyone would pay is approx. 9% of their income on premiums and then if they required substantial health care the deductible was upwards of 20% of a person's income (a lot but much better than past)

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

2. Contrary to the cliche'

Ignorance is not bliss.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

3. "I ain't going on that Obama website!"

Idiots.

They would pay millions of dollars on junk insurance and resulting medical bills JUST to spite President Obama IMHO

[underpants]

26. Just as Fox News has told them to do

And the voice from their dashboard and much of the MSM.

[itsrobert]

4. And some DUers are aiding and abetting them

WRP

[Hissyspit]

14. Actually, even with the subsidy,

it's expensive. Even if you do get a quote.

So spare us your attitude.

[itsrobert]

15. The point is that they didn't even check

That is what the article says.

[jimlup]

5. The frothing at the mouth Republicans

Have really managed to scare people into thinking the thing is a disaster. Our hope for 2014 hinges on standing firmly behind the law. People are starting to discover that it can help them but it is happening slowly.

[Hoyt]

6. They know they'll be given an opportunity to enroll when they need it.

Might have to wait a few months. But why pay premiums (even if subsidized), when the fine is small, and they can game the system with no real consequences.

[rickford66]

17. here's the consequences

My son, age 19, had an accident while uninsured. We're on Medicare and he was on Child Health Plus in NY until age 19 then on his own because he didn't qualify for Medicaid. So he has an accident. Over $800 ambulance, over $2,000 doctors bills, over $14,000 for emergency room. All for a few hours and a few stitches. We negotiated the ambulance and doctor bills and he made payments. The ER bill just arrived because it was originally sent to the wrong address and was going to be sent to collection. Well, since he's low income, we submitted his income and expenses to the hospital and they "may" drop it. if they don't, we were told they would reduce it by a whopping 15%. He's on Medicaid now because of the ACA but he's never going to be able to pay that bill.

[Hoyt]

19. Unfortunately, right wingers who simply discounted ACA don't care.

[IronLionZion]

20. Too many people falsely believe the ER is free

and don't know that those bills can follow you for a very long time and ruin your life.

For your son's sake, I truly hope his medical debt is dropped or bought by a charity like rolling jubilee who will forgive it.

Good luck.

Too many Republicans are promoting the myth that young people don't need insurance when actually anyone can have an accident at any time doing anything, when we are least prepared to deal with it.

[rickford66]

22. Young people need the insurance as much as us older people

They're the ones who take chances, like my son did. The auto insurance industry knows this. Unfortunately my son's accident happened on an uninsured, unregistered dirt bike and not in our very highly insured auto. It wasn't his bike but he also ended getting two traffic tickets to boot even though the accident didn't occur on a public road.

[maindawg]

7. statistic wise I dont give a fuck

I am poor. I am not ashamed to be poor. I live along the lines of the learner class. I live to learn. I work for the people. I study the science of simplicity.
Do I deserve to die?

[Turbineguy]

8. Who needs to go to the website

or even find out how much it costs? Fox News well tell them everything they want to hear.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

9. So these people will expect free emergency healthcare in ER

[Nanjing to Seoul]

10. Here's a knife, there's your nose. Start cutting.

[IronLionZion]

11. This is one of those things that liberals and those in blue states

will benefit much more than conservatives and those in red states. A much higher % of people in blue states will be insured and access the preventive checkups and other benefits.

[Dustlawyer]

12. The way for a Democrat to run on Obama Care

is to not just tell the success stories, they should also tell the stories of what happened to some of the people who didn't sign up, and should have! They should make it clear that what happened in those tragic deaths (there will still be uninsured dying for lack of insurance) can be laid at the feet of the Republicans. "Here's your Death Panel." Then show group pictures of the Republican House caucus and the Senate Repugs. That is the real cost of not doing anything!

[pscot]

25. That is a brilliant idea

A group shot of House Republicans with the label DEATH PANEL.

[SoapBox]

13. I absolutely agree with the OP.

[Cha]

16. "Unforgiveable price of republicon bullshit".. exactly, ILZ! Thank you!

[certainot]

18. which is why it's so fucking stupid not to include talk radio listenership in polls

---- it never is, while it dominates politics in many states with few people spread out where there's nothing to listen to but loud am radio, and lots of senators.

when the fuck is the left going to figure out how bad their internet ass is getting kicked by AM radio?

[tanyev]

21. Nose cut off. Face spited.

[librechik]

23. none of this would even be an issue if we had fought and fought HARD for single payer.

Instead, we were shown the opposition and we caved. and by "we" I mean ALL DEMS.

[IronLionZion]

24. forward

Get everyone covered first, get enough providers, then public option, then single payer.

In the meantime, one state at a time like in Canada: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vermont_health_care_reform#Green_Mountain_Care

God, I hope GOP doesn't succeed in killing Vermont's plan. Once a big liberal state like California gets it, the ball will start rolling much quicker.

[Fumesucker]

31. That's the point, everyone won't be "covered"

This is turning out to be a major clusterfuck for a lot of low income people who really don't deserve the screwing they are getting.

[MadrasT]

27. OK I appreciate your message BUT

there are lots of states that did not expand Medicaid and if you already know you don't make enough to qualify for ACA and you already know you can't pay the bills you have, there is no point in getting quotes. I know lots of folks in PA and FL who are still fucked.

What are they supposed to do?

My former husband would have been in that category but oh wait... he is already dead at 53 because diabetes + bad heart + no health care = dead.

We just let poor people die in this country as if they don't matter and it hurts my heart.

I understand and support your message, AND we still have a big problem providing people with health CARE.

[IronLionZion]

28. I sympathize with poor liberals in red states

because it is unfortunate that some states have chosen to obstruct access to healthcare instead of supporting it. The best option may be to move.

Sorry for your loss

[Fumesucker]

32. How do you move when you have no resources?

If you are just scraping by one month to the next it doesn't leave the wherewithal to go to a completely different area where you have no income and no support system at all.

[IronLionZion]

33. Ask any immigrant

Its difficult, but it is doable. Someone on a liberal mailing list asked for support relocating, and people she didn't know offered rides and couches to sleep on.

[Fumesucker]

36. I'm a child of immigrants

I know just how tough and isolating it is.

[IronLionZion]

37. Me too

I've moved more times than I would have liked for work. Taking only what fits in my small car, living in cheap motels and sleeping on an air mattress in empty apartments.

I didn't take or need any public assistance, but my quality of life has been infinitely better in blue cities and states.

[Thinkingabout]

29. Death panel by courtesy of the Red State refusal to provide state exchanges and expanding medicaid.

States also has the option to create their own healthcare plans such Massachusetts and Vermont.

[IronLionZion]

30. Preventive care means the government will inject you with horrible diseases (vaccinations)

is another line of garbage I've been hearing from the tea party to people who they think don't know any better.

[Vinca]

34. I read a story somewhere about a lady who didn't sign up because of site "security issues."

While buying the right wing garbage she had a medical emergency and ran up a $200,000 bill. For some reason she thinks "Obamacare" will cover her retroactively. People who can afford to buy in and don't are fools.

[IronLionZion]

35. I have a feeling many Republican voters may die off

while more Democratic voters will live healthier happier lives. Demographics don't look good for team GOP.