the debater
1st September 2013, 21:05
Going onto Google; it seems there are a lot of conflicting reports on whether the Affordable Care Act is making healthcare more affordable, or less affordable. I did find this one article mentioning a report by the Rand Corporation: http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2013/08/30/303462.htm
Here are some quotes:
Predictions of sharp increases in health-insurance premiums for people getting coverage under the U.S. Affordable Care Act have been overstated and many states will see little to no change, researchers at Rand Corp. found.
“Rates for policies in the individual market are likely to vary from state to state, with some experiencing increases and some experiencing decreases in cost,” Christine Eibner, a Rand senior economist and the study’s lead author, said in a statement. “But our analysis found no widespread trend toward sharply higher prices in the individual market.”
The health-care law prohibits insurers from charging sick people more than healthy people or denying them coverage, and limits what companies can charge older people relative to the young. The result is that young, healthy people are expected to generally see higher premiums while older and sicker people see decreases, or are able to obtain coverage they previously wouldn’t have been offered.I guess the issue at hand ultimately depends on taking into account all of the factors that will go into establishing the eventual average monthly premiums. There will be federal subsidies available for many people who will need them. Likewise, while premiums may increase in the short term, my guess is that they will decrease in the long term. Furthermore, certain demographic groups will probably benefit earlier than other groups, aka, older folks and sick people. I would definitely welcome any thoughts and comments on this issue, and hopefully we can clear up any facts that need clearing up.
Here are some quotes:
Predictions of sharp increases in health-insurance premiums for people getting coverage under the U.S. Affordable Care Act have been overstated and many states will see little to no change, researchers at Rand Corp. found.
“Rates for policies in the individual market are likely to vary from state to state, with some experiencing increases and some experiencing decreases in cost,” Christine Eibner, a Rand senior economist and the study’s lead author, said in a statement. “But our analysis found no widespread trend toward sharply higher prices in the individual market.”
The health-care law prohibits insurers from charging sick people more than healthy people or denying them coverage, and limits what companies can charge older people relative to the young. The result is that young, healthy people are expected to generally see higher premiums while older and sicker people see decreases, or are able to obtain coverage they previously wouldn’t have been offered.I guess the issue at hand ultimately depends on taking into account all of the factors that will go into establishing the eventual average monthly premiums. There will be federal subsidies available for many people who will need them. Likewise, while premiums may increase in the short term, my guess is that they will decrease in the long term. Furthermore, certain demographic groups will probably benefit earlier than other groups, aka, older folks and sick people. I would definitely welcome any thoughts and comments on this issue, and hopefully we can clear up any facts that need clearing up.