House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) mentioned the word “affordable” about a dozen times in a back-and-forth with a reporter about Obamacare, a.k.a the Affordable Care Act. See embed below.
But is Obamacare really affordable for the average consumer?
Pelosi made it clear that she is not a fan of calling the healthcare law Obamacare rather than by its official title. The former House speaker also attempted to downplay the significance of the upset victory by GOP Obamacare foe David Jolly over a better known, better funded Democrat in a Florida special election for an open Congressional seat.
The Inquisitr previously reported that health insurance premiums may double in 2015 according to some analysts.
Similarly, The Hill reports that despite Pelosi claims, insurance premium costs are on the rise . “Health industry officials say ObamaCare-related premiums will double in some parts of the country, countering claims recently made by the administration. The same outlet noted that one health industry expert predicted that the Obama administration will have to backpedal on its claim that families will save as much as $2,500 in premium costs per year owing to Obamacare.
The eHealthInsurance.com data confirms that consumers buying health insurance outside of HealthCare.gov or the state equivalents could see their insurance premiums doubled . An eHealthInsurance representative commented that “Premiums are increasing primarily because of the new required provisions for 2014 Affordable Care Act compliant plans, including guaranteed issue, essential health benefits, modified community rating and minimum actuarial values.”
If not already, those consumers with employer-based coverage will be expected to pitch in more because of the one-size-fits-all essential health benefits mandate.
Ina more disturbing development, Obamacare’s limited provider networks may block those diagnosed with cancer from getting the treatment they need . This is a far cry from the original promise that if you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor. “Some of America’s best cancer hospitals are off-limits to many of the people now signing up for coverage under the nation’s new health care program …. In all, only four of 19 nationally recognized comprehensive cancer centers that responded to AP’s survey said patients have access through all the insurance companies in their states’ exchanges. Those patients may not be able get the most advanced treatment, including clinical trials of new medications. Also, it’s not easy for consumers to tell if top-level institutions are included in a plan.”
To be sure, there was a lot of room for improvement pre-Obamacare in the health insurance sector and the healthcare delivery system. That being said, the American people received promises from Obama, Nancy Pelosi, and other Democrats that Obamacare, the Affordable Care Act, or whatever name is applied to healthcare reform so-called, would make medical insurance more affordable and they could keep their existing plans and doctors