Is Obamacare on death's door?

[Merc14]

"Teh webzite omg teh webzite don't werk!"

Seriously dude, it works, has been working and no one but crazies stuck in the past of months ago don't care that it wasn't working. Months ago.

Get over it already. It works.

Yikes. There ya go folks, your average democrat voter, Enjoy.

[+DieChecker]

"Teh webzite omg teh webzite don't werk!"

Seriously dude, it works, has been working and no one but crazies stuck in the past of months ago don't care that it wasn't working. Months ago.

Get over it already. It works.

They've put patches over it to allow people to sign up. And somewhat for the insurance companies to be patched in. But if it was 100% working correctly we'd all know the numbers down to the single citizen.

PARTS of it are working. Most of the background stuff is NOT.

[+DieChecker]

I've seen companies spend years building grandiose systems recommended by consulting firms that inevitably failed. Building the data bases might be part of the problem, but the usual main problem are the interfaces and the computer resources not being up to the task.

Where I would blame the managers here was in not seeming to be aware of the potential difficulties and being so grandiose rather than introducing it in baby steps.

In hindsight it was very amusing to have President Obama opening up the site and it didn't work. He apparently had NO idea it wasn't going to work. Otherwise he would never have left himself open to look like such an idiot. The implementation was horrendous. Was there no Beta testing done at all? I'd have sacked thousands of people if I had been in charge of this debaucle.

[F3SS]

Couldn't have had anything to do with the economy and devaluation of the dollar....

I'm sure that up until 2008 it had everything to do do with who was in the whitehouse though right? And what with your new need to condescend and lash out lately? Why you taking dissent towards the government so personal? They don't care about you.

[Frank Merton]

That happened to me once except the demonstration I was giving brought the system down. Well, that was how it looked to everyone; fact was the system went down for other reasons, but I didn't know it and no one in the room knew it until after some frantic phone calls. With the Chairman of the Board and the CEO and the CIO and a lot of other worthies in the room it was not pleasant.

We brought in coffee and donuts and waited about a half hour while some systems people in the basement had a bad time but got us back up.

[Agent0range]

They've put patches over it to allow people to sign up. And somewhat for the insurance companies to be patched in. But if it was 100% working correctly we'd all know the numbers down to the single citizen.

PARTS of it are working. Most of the background stuff is NOT.

False. You would not know the numbers down to the single citizen. Not all states use the federal website, and you don't need to use the website to sign up for insurance. All the website does is connect you with insurance companies.

[Startraveler]

Gallup Says Uninsured Down to 13.4 Percent, Lowest They've Recorded

Obamacare is reducing the number of Americans without health insurance. And while nobody can say for sure exactly how many people are getting coverage, Gallup just provided a pretty big clue.

According to the organization, the proportion of adults without coverage last month fell to 13.4 percent. That's lower than it was in 2014. That's lower than it was when the Affordable Care Act became law—and when President Obama took office.

In fact, that's lower than it's ever been since the beginning of 2008, before the economic crisis, which is when Gallup started taking regular monthly polls on this question.

[andy4]

I'm sure that up until 2008 it had everything to do do with who was in the whitehouse though right? And what with your new need to condescend and lash out lately? Why you taking dissent towards the government so personal? They don't care about you.

Of course they don't. But when you see ridiculous "facts" and perpetual lies on here, it becomes hard to ignore them. Some on here can look a fact, backed up by multiple sources, and call it false. That wouldn't push your buttons a little?

[Merc14]

Of course they don't. But when you see ridiculous "facts" and perpetual lies on here, it becomes hard to ignore them. Some on here can look a fact, backed up by multiple sources, and call it false. That wouldn't push your buttons a little?

Aww, is andy getting p***ed off?

Your president SUCKS and hasn't done a single good thing since taking office. Nothing. Talk about the opposite of a Midas touch, your guy has a ****e touch. What a disaster you voted for and that you still support him after his myriad failure speaks volumes about you. . You think you're p***ed off, you should see the 60%+ that despise the democrat party right now. Feel free to name an Obama success story.

Edited May 5, 2014 by Merc14

[+DieChecker]

Gallup Says Uninsured Down to 13.4 Percent, Lowest They've Recorded

The 13.4% represents a drop of about 8 million from the 48 million in 2011. And 8 million is about what we are told was the sign up number for the Exchanges and Medicaid combined, right? So, can we expect this trend to continue, or will it actually flatten out?

Various news articles say the "Lowest uninsured rates since 2008." But 2008 was 8 years into a Republican administration. Are we only just barely under where we were when Obama got elected?

http://www.gallup.co...owest-2008.aspx

The rate of uninsured was about 14.5 in 2008 when the ACA was "desperately" needed. Yet that is only a 1% change between then and now. Is that 1% what we expected when hundreds of lawmakers rangled around for months to craft this mega-bill?

Is a 1% drop between 2008 and 2014 a success?

Edited May 5, 2014 by DieChecker

[+DieChecker]

False. You would not know the numbers down to the single citizen. Not all states use the federal website, and you don't need to use the website to sign up for insurance. All the website does is connect you with insurance companies.

I'm not sure you understand how a database works.

The States should all keep a database, and the Feds should keep a database, and those are cross checked against each other. Data would be available to both the Feds and the States almost immediately, if the database was done correctly.

Building the database would be simple given the information that people had to put in to access the exchanges, and get a quote.

They had a clean simple way to input data. And I think the Feds have a few servers that could run the databases. So it is simple mismanagement, and incompetence, if there are no numbers to present to the Public.

The only other reason that the numbers would not be forthcoming is if they were bad for the Administration.

Edited May 5, 2014 by DieChecker

[Startraveler]

Is a 1% drop between 2008 and 2014 a success?

The uninsurance rate among adults, at least in Gallup's polling, dropped 4.6% over the course of six months (implying more than 10 million people are newly insured under the ACA). That number will continue to grow throughout the year, though more slowly now, then it'll jump again in the open enrollment period at the end of the year and then jump again in the following (2015-16) open enrollment, in accordance with the 3-year-phase-in design of the coverage expansion.

So yeah, it's doing pretty well.

[+DieChecker]

The uninsurance rate among adults, at least in Gallup's polling, dropped 4.6% over the course of six months (implying more than 10 million people are newly insured under the ACA). That number will continue to grow throughout the year, though more slowly now, then it'll jump again in the open enrollment period at the end of the year and then jump again in the following (2015-16) open enrollment, in accordance with the 3-year-phase-in design of the coverage expansion.

So yeah, it's doing pretty well.

I'm still going to wait and see. There was a 4.6% drop because a lot of people became unemployed, and uninsured in the last 6 years. Were they actually predicting that when they started work on the ACA in 2009? I don't think so, I think they were looking at the 14.5% rate from 2008 and thinking that the ACA would cut that dramatically.

I do hope that the rate decreases. I'd enjoy being wrong on this subject.

What would be a ultimate goal number? 10%?

[Agent0range]

I'm not sure you understand how a database works.

The States should all keep a database, and the Feds should keep a database, and those are cross checked against each other. Data would be available to both the Feds and the States almost immediately, if the database was done correctly.

Building the database would be simple given the information that people had to put in to access the exchanges, and get a quote.

They had a clean simple way to input data. And I think the Feds have a few servers that could run the databases. So it is simple mismanagement, and incompetence, if there are no numbers to present to the Public.

The only other reason that the numbers would not be forthcoming is if they were bad for the Administration.

I understand 100% how a database works. I know SQL and have designed and mapped databases. But, I don't think you understand what the website actually is. The website DOES NOT sell insurance. The website calculates the subsidies and puts users in touch with insurance companies. If the website DOES NOT sell insurance, why would it keep track of who is signed up?

[Harte]

Um...

So the IRS can nail the people that haven't?

Harte

[Agent0range]

Um...

So the IRS can nail the people that haven't?

Harte

Well if that is what they want to use the website for, then every single American will have to go on the site and register, including the people that already have insurance. That is clearly not what the website is meant to be used for.

[+DieChecker]

I understand 100% how a database works. I know SQL and have designed and mapped databases. But, I don't think you understand what the website actually is. The website DOES NOT sell insurance. The website calculates the subsidies and puts users in touch with insurance companies. If the website DOES NOT sell insurance, why would it keep track of who is signed up?

How could the website calculate anything without storing variables? You believe the governments program actually holds the variables of thousands of people who are online with it at any time in RAM? And not in a database? What about when a person signs onto the site over and over again? Before they even look at the insurance companies.... Do you think they have to put in all their data all over again. I don't think so. I think there must be a database.One controlled by those who run the Healthcare.org site.

But, the backend of the website is still not functioning correctly, AFAIK, and so that database does not include who bought what, when, for how much, their tax credit and if they paid for their 1st month or not. Or, if it does, the FedGov is not releasing those numbers.

The site collects and stores data to use to direct people toward a insurance plan they can afford and use. And I suspect that if a person was to sign in today, or a year from now, that data would still be available to the Healthcare.org site.

Edited May 6, 2014 by DieChecker

[Agent0range]

How could the website calculate anything without storing variables? You believe the governments program actually holds the variables of thousands of people who are online with it at any time in RAM? And not in a database? What about when a person signs onto the site over and over again? Before they even look at the insurance companies.... Do you think they have to put in all their data all over again. I don't think so. I think there must be a database.One controlled by those who run the Healthcare.org site.

But, the backend of the website is still not functioning correctly, AFAIK, and so that database does not include who bought what, when, for how much, their tax credit and if they paid for their 1st month or not. Or, if it does, the FedGov is not releasing those numbers.

The site collects and stores data to use to direct people toward a insurance plan they can afford and use. And I suspect that if a person was to sign in today, or a year from now, that data would still be available to the Healthcare.org site.

It is hopeless trying to discuss this with you. You are still under the impression that the government is selling insurance, which is simply not true.

[+DieChecker]

It is hopeless trying to discuss this with you. You are still under the impression that the government is selling insurance, which is simply not true.

I don't care at all about the government selling or not selling insurance. I care about the numbers they could be generating with their website.

The fact is that the Federal Government MUST be storing people's information/data in order for the website to function. Do you deny that?

[Agent0range]

I don't care at all about the government selling or not selling insurance. I care about the numbers they could be generating with their website.

The fact is that the Federal Government MUST be storing people's information/data in order for the website to function. Do you deny that?

So what numbers do you want!?!? The numbers of people that VISITED the website? That would be all the website is capable of. You do no purchase insurance from the website. You do not pay the website. Alot of states use their own website. You want the website to generate how many people have purchased insurance through the exchange. It is NOT capable of that, and it IS NOT what it was intended to do.

Edited May 6, 2014 by Agent0range

[Startraveler]

I'm still going to wait and see. There was a 4.6% drop because a lot of people became unemployed, and uninsured in the last 6 years. Were they actually predicting that when they started work on the ACA in 2009? I don't think so, I think they were looking at the 14.5% rate from 2008 and thinking that the ACA would cut that dramatically.

I do hope that the rate decreases. I'd enjoy being wrong on this subject.

What would be a ultimate goal number? 10%?

Strengthening employer-based coverage but also providing a stable, transparent, and competitive nongroup market (in the new exchanges) with affordable coverage for people without job-based coverage was certainly a goal of the ACA. Insurance coverage before was tied up with economic cycles since insurance was so heavily job-dependent and the nongroup markets were so dysfunctional. Now people are going to have options regardless.

Giving people real options and creating working marketplaces is the point. A lot of people (including millions of uninsured) clearly enrolled during the first enrollment period, more will during the second.

[+DieChecker]

So what numbers do you want!?!? The numbers of people that VISITED the website? That would be all the website is capable of. You do no purchase insurance from the website. You do not pay the website. Alot of states use their own website. You want the website to generate how many people have purchased insurance through the exchange. It is NOT capable of that, and it IS NOT what it was intended to do.

So..... When you or I sign onto https://www.healthcare.gov/ how does it know who we are? At a minimum the government has a name and password.

Now, when you sign in and open up your application, where does that already filled in data come from?

Look here... At a minimum the Fed site collects your name, email, state and if you want updates by email or not. That's 4 variables they keep right there.

And how on God's Green Earth do you know that the site was not intended to collect information on how many have purchased insurance?

It seems that even in the face of obvious data collection and retention by the federal government, you deny it is happening.

The Healthcare.gov site COLLECTS DATA on people and then allows those people to find an insurance plan they like. That data is kept somewhere. Do you expect me to believe that the data only exists on the various insurance corporations servers?

[+DieChecker]

@AgentOrange

Does the Healthcare.gov site take applications? If so where do they keep the data? Who do they share the data with?

That's right. They do keep that data. And they do share it with the insurance company when you select a plan.

ALSO, you are forgetting that Healthcare.gov is a Medicaid gateway, so in a way, it DOES provide insurance to people.

Apply online

Before you begin, preview plans and prices available in your area. Price quotes shown reflect any lower costs you may qualify for based on your income and household size.

Follow these steps to apply for individual or family coverage:

• Create an account. Go to the Marketplace and select your state to begin. Provide some basic information, then choose a user name, password, and security questions for added protection.
  
• Complete your application. Provide information about you and your family, like income, household members, current health coverage, and more. Use this checklist to gather the documents you’ll need.
  
• Pick a plan. See all the options you qualify for, including Medicaid and theChildren’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). We’ll let you know if you qualify for lowers costs on private health coverage. Find out how to choose a plan that’s right for you.
  
• Enroll. After you choose a plan, don't forget to enroll online and contact your insurance company to pay your first premium by the due date. Learn how tocomplete your enrollment.
  

https://www.healthcare.gov/how-do-i-apply-for-marketplace-coverage/

Social Security Numbers (or document numbers for legal immigrants)

Employer and income information for every member of your

household who needs coverage (for example, from pay stubs or W-2

forms—Wage and Tax Statements)

Policy numbers for any current health insurance plans covering

members of your household

A completed Employer Coverage T ool (see page 2 of this checklist)

for every job-based plan you or someone in your household is eligible

for. (You’ll need to ill out this form even for coverage you’re eligible

for but don’t enroll in.)

https://www.healthcare.gov/downloads/MarketplaceApp_Checklist_Generic.pdf

[Startraveler]

Insurers Say Most Obamacare Customers Paid First Premiums

By Alex Wayne - May 6, 2014

Three large health insurers including WellPoint Inc. (WLP) and Aetna Inc. (AET) say that a high percentage of their new Obamacare customers are paying their first premiums, undermining a Republican criticism of enrollment in the program.

As many as 90 percent of WellPoint customers have paid their first premium by its due date, according to testimony the company prepared for a congressional hearing tomorrow. For Aetna, the payment is in the “low to mid-80 percent range,” the company said in its own testimony. Health Care Service Corp., which operates Blue Cross Blue Shield plans in five states including Texas, said that number is at least 83 percent.

[+DieChecker]

Insurers Say Most Obamacare Customers Paid First Premiums

Startraveler,

So why can't the Government receive a Yes/No reply when someone purchases insurance and when someone pays their premium? Is that some kind of privacy issue, or is it due to the website not having that functionality? It would seem that the government could keep track of those very easily just with some simple code and the agreement by the insurance companies.