This letter was written today and mailed (snail mail) to
President Barack Obama
Senator Carl Levin
Senator Debbie Stabenow
Representative Tim Walberg
October 26, 2013
"If you're one of the more than 250 million Americans who already have health insurance, you will keep your health insurance," Obama said. "This law will only make it more secure and more affordable." Barack Obama on June 28th, 2012 in a speech at the White House
Really?? Let me tell you the reality. My wife and I are both 62 years old, self-employed, and buy an individual Blue Cross insurance plan, that we have had since before President Obama came into office. We like the policy, the coverage, the rates were fair, and we paid our premiums on time every month.
Last month, we got a letter from our carrier, saying our coverage did not meet the Affordable Healthcare Act parameters, so we are cancelled, effective December 31.
Examining our new plans that are offered, we found that we must include maternity coverage (nice to have, but we were willing to risk it) and pediatric dental care (but not adult dental care). Even though our daughter always wanted a baby sister, we’ve decided that we really are not planning on having more children (our daughter is 33).
The other changes we are getting include:
· Paying 208% of what we currently pay for the policy we were told we could keep· Raising our deductible from $1,000, to $5,000
· Raising our co-pay maximum from $2,500 to $7,000
· Paying for emergency room procedures, even AFTER deductibles are met
· Paying for all prescriptions, unless we can get a generic which will cost about what we pay now
What will this do to (not for) us, and more importantly to our country:
o More than double our costs (and move that to 3-4 times if we actually get sick)o Think twice, or more, before seeking medical care
o The economy gets hurt (we were getting ready to buy a new car to replace our 12-year old car, but now those funds will go to healthcare)
o Incent people to pick the highest deductible possible to keep rates down
o Then, when illness hits, bankruptcy will follow because people will give up paying
o Poor people will get coverage with government subsidies (squeezing middle class again)
o Young people will “risk it” and pay penalties, rather than pay high costs to cover the poor
o The system will have to raise rates because the young, healthy people aren’t in the program
This is the first time I’ve felt forced to pick what’s not best for my family, because the government is telling me to. We have always believed that we’ll do what’s needed to survive. We’ve survived economic turmoil, money mismanagement by an unscrupulous financial advisor, a frivolous lawsuit from a disgruntled employee who was fired for stealing, and we’ve pulled ourselves up and kept going. We were recovering, considering buying our first new car in ten years, and… But, we don’t think it’s fiscally responsible now, with the big increase in insurance costs. I mean, we shouldn’t take on too much debt, should we?? Do you think? Oh wait a minute.
I’m frustrated, I’m sad, I’m hurt and I’m mad. I’d like to hear why this is good for my family and good for my country. Please enlighten me on that. I’d like a response.
Thank you.