Actually, I am thrilled. Obamacare doubled my premiums and halved my coverages. As someone who makes  below median income in my state, being forced into a situation that cost us more and gave us less, it was intolerable... yet there was nothing we could do about it. It was painful to watch a friend die from breast cancer because under Obamacare her treatment was no longer covered. I am excited to see this change. 

I do not wish to enter into a political debate either, especially knowing my beliefs are generally in the minority. I chose to answer the question asked as it pertains to me. This is a positive event for me, though the realization of this change will take a year or more to feel. 

Thanks for your reply, Kae. 

From what I understand, people with a preexisting condition may either be denied or pay more premiums. 

And the subsidies offered would be based on age, not income.

I'm actually pretty curious to know how these changes benefit you because I've heard from people who are either low income or unemployed with a preexisting condition who feel these changes would really hurt them.

We ostomates have the mother of all pre existing conditions. It might only be worse if we also had cancer as many of us did prior to the surgery. We will all need a lifetime of ongoing and sometimes expensive care.

Posted by: Dona

 

We ostomates have the mother of all pre existing conditions.   

I had a hard time finding private insurance because of my ostomy.  I would have been forced to pay hundreds of dollars a month (to cover less than hundreds of dollars a month in supplies!) with a few who made the exception, but I was very fortunate to have found one that took preexisting conditions plus had a very reasonable premium.

I'd be in a very difficult spot if I couldn't get insurance or had to pay more than I was being covered for. But being Canadian, it's really only the ostomy supplies that I need to worry about - not tens of thousands of dollars for surgeries, which I know many of my friends need to have covered several times a year in some cases. 

I personally am fine, but we all pay the price when some of us can not be insured or afford health care.

I think my monthly ostomy supply costs run around 400.00US. I am lucky to have great coverage and am old enough to get Medicare. Medicare pays for supplies as well.  For younger people or those without good coverage  I can imagine it would be very hard to shoulder these costs.

Plus, even before my ostomy surgery I was on immune suppressants ( like most of us are or were) which cost about $10,000.00 per month ( for 3 years. None of them worked. I was VERY happy NOT to have infusions every month ...I only have one good vein left).

I think the onset of IBD's has two age peaks: younger people in 2o--30's , and older in early 60's ( me). So for many of us, we are looking at decades of ongoing care. And, as you mention, Eric, the costs of the surgeries that all of us will probably need at some time are huge.

I believe it will effect me negatively. I have a great plan with a very good subsidy right now. Fairly low deductible. With this and a few other pre existing conditions I have, I'm  really concerned about not getting my subsidy, only tax credits. That's a LOT of money up front each month. I don't even take the whole thing, and I actually got a tax refund this year. The ACA has been the best thing for me.  I will not be able to afford even my current insurance at full price, let alone one with an even higher premium. I think it will affect a lot of folks my age (54) who are older but not on Medicare yet. I'm super concerned and hope it doesn't pass the Senate

Thank goodness for the ACA.  I am so lucky to be insured through my job but my daughter works for a small company that offers basic insurance that she can pay about 20% of her salary to obtain.  She has very good insurance now due to the ACA for about $150/month.  

I worry about any sort of "replacement" plan and can't believe we are going through this again.