Wednesday, February 18, 2015

'Success:' Obamacare Website Falters Again, Dems Demand Enrollment Extension

'Success:' Obamacare Website Falters Again, Dems Demand Enrollment Extension - Guy Benson:
Obamacare's second enrollment period has been far less technologically embarrassing than the famous debacle of 2013 and 2014 -- but despite billions of taxpayer dollars having been spent on the website, it still didn't go off without a hitch:
A technical problem that had been interfering with sign-ups for President Barack Obama's health care law has been fixed, officials say. Any consumer whose enrollment was hampered by the glitch will be provided with a special enrollment period. The problem popped up the day before a Sunday deadline to sign up for subsidized private health insurance. It had been intermittent, meaning some people were able to complete their applications and submit them...Some people trying to get coverage hadn't been able to get their income information electronically verified. That's crucial because the amount of financial assistance to help pay premiums is based on people's income. The health care law offers health insurance to people who don't have coverage on the job. More than 8 in 10 of those who apply qualify for help. Without it, most can't afford the coverage.
The "Affordable" Care Act isn't affordable for "most" enrollees without hefty taxpayer assistance.  
Even with the subsidies, many consumers are discoveringthat they can't afford the substantial out-of-pocket costs beyond the premiums, while others are turned off by coverage plans' inconvenient and narrow networks.  
Bloomberg piece published last week entitled, "Yep, Obamacare Costs a Fortune" lays out why expenses beyond monthly rates (which are still on the rise) are hitting Obamacare consumers hard:
Start with annual deductibles. For bronze plans in 2015, they're enormous -- $5,372, or about five times what the average person with employer-based individual coverage faced last year. 

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