October 7th, 2013
10:15 AM ET
9 years ago
Is Obamacare slowing health care spending?
(CNNMoney) - There are many assumptions about what the effects of Obamacare will be. This series aims to separate myths from realities and answer questions surrounding the Affordable Care Act.
Myth: Obamacare has slowed health care spending growth.
Reality: President Obama likes to stress that health care spending has fallen to record lows in recent years thanks in part to Obamacare.
FULL STORY
"Is Obamacare slowing health care spending?"
Who knows the extent it will do so, when the Marketplaces have only been up for a WEEK. But, as even Kaiser points out, 1/4 of the spending decreases can be attributed to the provisions of Obamacare already in place.
So: myth? Not really, according to the article!
Of course, more money will be spent on health care once the law goes fully into effect. More people will be covered, but there should also be a correspondng increase in revenue to pay for it all.
Can aomeone please explain to me what's the pont of having private health insurers, which only serves to siphon money out of the revenue stream? Medicare operates with an overhead of around 2-3%. The ACA limits overhead at private health insurers to a maximum of 20%, and they're highly upset about it. That's ten times more expensive, or more, than publicly funded health care.
Republicans have been on the wrong side of history since 1929. This extortion by Boehner and the Kochs is only the first step. The next hostages are social security, medicare, and veterans benefits.
When will John tell us what is in his plan, Bonercare?
If it has done in even the slightest, then it is an improvement. I haven't heard anything from the GOP or the conservatives as to what they would do to replace the ACA? All I can recall hearing is repeal is the only option. People need and want coverage.
PPACA IS THE LAW OF THE LAND. GOP better shut up on this. GOP has no plans nor brain to think either. They become EXTINCT in 2014.
@Rudy NYC, "can anyone tell me the point of having private health insurers". The only reason we still have private health insurers is because Rush and Fox "spews" have brainwashed almost half of the country into believing public funded health insurance is going to destroy our wonderful healthcare system, and the sheep follow!
Boehner is making himself a name with the Kochs, but for our country, he will go down in history as the modern day Aaron Burr.
S. B. Stein
If it has done in even the slightest, then it is an improvement. I haven't heard anything from the GOP or the conservatives as to what they would do to replace the ACA? All I can recall hearing is repeal is the only option. People need and want coverage.
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The Republican Party has a plan that's still posted on Rep. Boehners official House web site, house dot gov. The problem with it is that the Tea Party would like it because of all of the giveaways it contains: i.e.; Medicare coverage for all who are at or below a certain income level. And so, the right wing doesn't talk about what they would do to reform health care.
The right wing has tossed around the idea of "crossing state lines", which is completely ridiculous and laughable. They act like buying health care coverage is like buying a loaf of bread or something. "It's cheaper over there, so let's shop there." Do they charege you less for auto insurance if you buy it in another state, and why not?
So a 6.1% increase is as bad as the double-digit increases of the past decade? Cutting insurance company profitability certainly helps. By requiring that 80 of insurance company revenues goes to patients (instead of profiteers), certainly costs will go down.
To those who rail away against the ACA answer me this: Why are medical cost in the U.S. so much higher (50% on average) that any other first world nation? It might be one thing if our medical "system" was especially good, but it isn't. It lags behind every other 1st world nation and serveral 3rd World ones as well. It costs too much because so many people are not a part of it. Our current "system" is the primary cause of bankruptsy in American. Probably that's why the GOP fears the ACA. The rich can't buy up the mortgages of those who lose everything, and (hevane forbid) poor people will get the same care they pay so much for.
Veel, Lessee,
Da Insurance Companies started raising their rates some time ago because they know what coming. Now rates triple for Obama Care. How come you not see there no Free Lunch? Aw, you thought Health Care Free ! Sorry burst bubble. "Putin" Care Law of Land. "Putin" care very expensive! "Putin" Care killing jobs. What you vote for. Pay up.
Wire Palladin, S. F.
Boehner is making himself a name with the Kochs, but for our country, he will go down in history as the modern day Aaron Burr.
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Quite so, the GOP is rapidly becoming thepremier Anti-American Party.
of course in a massive economic downturn healthcare spending takes a nosedive. elective surguries dry up. people cut back on everything, incuding healthcare expenses. there was absolutley nothing in obamacare that was designed to lower the cost of healthcare.
there were many many parts that were designed to drive it up though. those consequences are now happening as people see the costs of their plans with all sorts of options people don't want, don't ned and yet must pay for, as they have no choice. obama and the democrats have dictated to the entire country what they must have.
Obamacare causes harm to regular tax paying americans free market healthcare is what made us strong obamacare will destroy that. I cant see it speeding up especially when people are strapped more for cash than they ever were.
Sort of a distraction. What matters is average per capita spending, not overall spending. You add 40M to the health insured rolls and yes, there will be more overall spending. The point is to reduce the out of pocket expenses attributable to each person paying for health care. And yes, that means currently, you have to count the fact that some people pay zero, which greatly increases the amounts that paying people have to pay. In any event, it's a vague talking point for Obama to use, partially true, partially misleading and he'd have been better served by speaking more specifically rather than leaving himself open to the MSM weaving more false equivalency nonsense.
"free market healthcare is what made us strong "
free market healthcare is a failure that left 48M uninsured and without access to necessary care
FIFY
"Da Insurance Companies started raising their rates some time ago because they know what coming. Now rates triple for Obama Care. How come you not see there no Free Lunch? Aw, you thought Health Care Free ! Sorry burst bubble. "Putin" Care Law of Land. "Putin" care very expensive! "Putin" Care killing jobs. What you vote for. Pay up."
Amazing that you can put so much provably false information into baby talk.
J wilson: how, specifically, does Obamacare hurt taxpayers? and free market healthcare made us strong? That's ridiculous. It's made the the insurance companies wealthy while bankrupting countless tax payers.
Uhm,
Country founded on Free Enterprise, not free everything from government. Sit around and wait for someone else to do it. How long you think that last? See, you smarter already.