Thanks Obama... Care

Since 2014, as an American citizen, it is required by law under the Affordable Care Act, that you acquire health insurance. If you do not obtain health insurance, you are subjected to a yearly fee added onto your taxes. After the Affordable Care Act was implemented, the fee percentage increases each consecutive year. The act isn’t completely black and white. Many Americans that could benefit from a policy such as this are not eligible to register in the market place. Even a full time college student who makes less than $15,000 a year would not be eligible for insurance under this act.

In a recent article titled “Obama lied, my health plan died…twice!” by Michelle Malkin (a nationally syndicated columnist), describes her own nightmare dealing with the Affordable Care Act and its effect on private health insurance companies. Malkin chronicles the events leading to, two separate instance’s where “action was required” or her Obama care insurance plan would be canceled.  She claims in her article that individual market PPO’s are being evaporated. Malkin also states that private practices are disappearing as doctors relocate into big hospital wagons. She also argues that "only a handful of critics predicted in 2010 that one consequence of Obama Care would be the return of HMOs. But, in retrospect, no one should be surprised."

In my opinion, I agree with Malkins overall assessment, and that the program is flawed. I have dealt with its loop-holes of disqualifying individuals who should be eligible to enroll. I also agree that the PPO’s are being evaporated. Private insurances cannot compete when the market is being subsidized.  Her statement that doctors are leaving private practices for large hospitals is also true. Private practices cannot keep up with the cheaper pay percentages from the insurance companies provided by the open market place, and their practice most often goes under. Maybe a fresh look at the program in the next year can solve this debacle.