Obamacare's online health insurance marketplaces launched yesterday. Demand far exceeded all projections and, unfortunately, overwhelmed most websites' capacity. The technical problems will be resolved in the coming weeks. But Republican opposition threatens Obamacare and our government.
Here is my own outrageous and simple proposal to resolve this impasse. Let me know what you think.
I urge President Obama to issue a challenge to all members of Congress:
"Apply for health insurance for yourselves and your families today, in your home state, under current underwriting requirements. Find out for yourselves the difficulties your own constituents' experience.
Complete the health questionnaire that requires you to disclose whether you or anyone in your family "has been diagnosed with or sought or received any professional consultation or treatment (including prescription medications) from a licensed health practitioner" for a comprehensive list of medical conditions. You may need to go back though 10 years of medical care and provide complete details of treatments and physicians consulted. You will also be required to provide a complete list of current and recent prescription medications.
Most of you will be shocked to find that you or your spouse or one of your children will be rejected. And another member of your family will be charged a higher premium.
Your constituents have been waiting for four years, since we passed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in 2010, to be able to purchase insurance regardless of their medical issues. You and your families are insulated and protected from the realities of today's individual health insurance marketplace. You have access to insurance. Most likely your most vociferous constituents who are against the Affordable Care Act also have access to insurance. Many Americans do not.
We cannot delay another year. It is time to move forward."
I have been assisting businesses and individuals purchase health insurance for themselves and
their employees since 1980. It is not Obamacare but the individual insurance market that is a train wreck. Our state is no worse than others. A problem knee, coupled with meds for high blood pressure and statin prescriptions can lead to a rejection. Depression medications are also problematic for insurers. It doesn't take a diagnosis of prostate cancer, diabetes, or a heart condition to be uninsurable today.
The Affordable Care Act's requirement that all insurers accept all applicants regardless of medical conditions is desperately needed. The individual mandate for people to purchase insurance is linked to guaranteed acceptance.
We are fortunate that in California we have bipartisan support for health reform and our Covered Ca insurance marketplace will soon be fully operational. Our Shargel team will be licensed to assist you obtain coverage through this new marketplace and through the entire health insurance market.
We enthusiastically endorse these individual insurance market reforms.
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Let us know your questions. We will answer you directly and your questions will guide future blog
posts. We are working to assure that you are well informed about the ACA. The "What's New" section of our website contains updates on health reform topics. We post informative articles several times a week on Susan's LinkedIn page and our Facebook pages. Susan is also speaking before business groups. Let us know if you would like to arrange a presentation.