Ted Cruz

[jeremy1375]

^ The roll out so far of the ACA certainly hasn't been perfect, but it's still not fully implemented. In 2014, the provision kicked in which requires insurance companies to accept a customer whether or not they have a pre-existing condition (ie cancer) as well as not charge the customer extra.

The full penalty for not having health insurance doesn't fully kick in until 2016, so the penalty is still relatively small for not having it. I would bet that those who still choose to not have insurance will change their minds once the penalty is fully implemented. That should bring insurance costs down more.

In the meantime, you are still getting a better value for your insurance, because if you or your family contract a serious disease like cancer, you can maintain insurance to pay for it.

[tpunx99GSX]

Originally Posted by jeremy1375

^ The roll out so far of the ACA certainly hasn't been perfect, but it's still not fully implemented. In 2014, the provision kicked in which requires insurance companies to accept a customer whether or not they have a pre-existing condition (ie cancer) as well as not charge the customer extra.

The full penalty for not having health insurance doesn't fully kick in until 2016, so the penalty is still relatively small for not having it. I would bet that those who still choose to not have insurance will change their minds once the penalty is fully implemented. That should bring insurance costs down more.

In the meantime, you are still getting a better value for your insurance, because if you or your family contract a serious disease like cancer, you can maintain insurance to pay for it.

There was a recent article from the CBO that stated the costs of the ACA are actually lower than expected. http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...osts-cbo-says/

[jeremy1375]

Originally Posted by tpunx99GSX

There was a recent article from the CBO that stated the costs of the ACA are actually lower than expected. http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...osts-cbo-says/

They go back and forth on the issue. I believe the 2015 revision says it will cost more than expected. The bottom line is they won't know for sure until the whole thing is implemented. The individual mandate needs to be in full effect before the whole thing can work. Once that kicks in and the "invincibles" start either buying the insurance or paying the penalty for not having it, we will start to see the thing really work. I suspect that it's no accident that it fully kicks in in 2016.

Republicans are talking about needing to come up with a replacement for the ACA. The fact that they recently threatened to shutdown Homeland Security is good evidence that they lack foresight and are playing checkers instead of chess. They simply will not be able to come up with any type of health reform that requires insurance companies to accept and not penalize customers with pre-existing conditions without also having something like an individual mandate. If they believe they can, they don't understand basic math.

This is my prediction that I came up with all by myself. In 2016 the individual mandate will come into full effect and and insurance rates will begin to come into line in time for the elections. Republican promises to dismantle it when they win will encounter huge problems when it's realized that thousands of people with serious diseases will lose their health insurance on the Republicans plan.