The Web Site is Bad, But the Real ‘Glitch’ is ObamaCare Supporter Scott Peters
WASHINGTON – While the implementation of ObamaCare has been a “train wreck” for most of the year, it wasn’t until the law’s site was overrun with technical glitches that Americans saw what a fiasco it really was.
As Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius travels to Capitol Hill tomorrow to make excuses for the failures, it’s clear there’s really only one way to fix the “glitches” once and for all. If we want to stop ObamaCare, we must start with firing Scott Peters. Peters supports the law that raised premiums, cut Medicare, and put bureaucrats between patients and their doctors.
“The web site is bad, but the real ‘glitch’ in ObamaCare is Scott Peters,” said NRCC Communications Director Andrea Bozek. “Peters voted to keep ObamaCare on the books. If California families want to stop this madness, they can start with firing Scott Peters.”
Scott Peters Voted Against Repealing ObamaCare. (H.R. 45, Roll Call Vote #154, 229-195, 5/16/13)
Health And Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius Admitted That ObamaCare Will Raise Health Insurance Premiums. “Some people purchasing new insurance policies for themselves this fall could see premiums rise because of requirements in the health-care law, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius told reporters Tuesday.” (Louise Radnofsky, “Sebelius: Some Could See Insurance Premiums Rise,” The Wall Street Journal, 3/26/13)
ObamaCare’s Exchange Website Has Been Plagued By Repeated “Crashes” and “Slow Response Times.” “The website has been mired in problems since going live Oct. 1, including crashes, slow response times and failing to allow customers to complete the online process by purchasing health insurance.” (“Administration responding to pressure for answers on messy ObamaCare site,” FOX News, 10/21/13)
The Site Has Cost Triple The Original Estimate. “The government contract for the company that built the glitch-prone website for Obamacare has ballooned to three times its original cost, and some Republicans are demanding the resignation of the cabinet secretary who oversees it.” (Tom Costello and Erin McClam, “Obamacare Glitches: Gov’t Contract For Troubled Site Has Swelled; GOP Targets Sebelius,” NBC News, 10/18/13)
Comments 47
Obama lied, my health plan died!
The only thing worse than not having health insurance when you need it most is the illusion that you had health insurance when you needed it most.
The statement, “If you like your healthcare plan, you can keep it, period”, is only outdone by the statement, “We need to pass the bill to see what’s inside it”. These will go down in history as the 2 most irresponsible, reckless statements ever made by a public official in this country.
John,
“These will go down in history as the 2 most irresponsible, reckless statements ever made by a public official in this country.”
Ever? By any public official?
The hyperbole doesn’t really elevate the level of discussion.
I agree, HQ. Let’s just agree that they are in the top five such irresponsible politician comments and not bicker over the ranking.
Okay, okay — top TEN. You know how I always try to compromise in such matters.
Richard,
Since approximately 45,000 people die every year due to a lack of or inadequate health insurance (http://www.reuters.com/article/2009/09/17/us-usa-healthcare-deaths-idUSTRE58G6W520090917), and since this is really the first law passed that attempts to address that tragedy, why don’t we agree to try our best to make it work rather than rooting for its failure.
And your post has exactly WHAT to do with how outlandish, dishonest, and cavalier these statements made by Pelosi and Obama were?
Is pointing out that a lead balloon is too heavy to float hoping for it to fail?
Michael,
It seems to have worked in Massachusetts, but I am open to other ideas. Do you have a better plan on how to prevent the equivalent of 15 9-11’s from happening every year?
A great start would be to NOT implement a law that has already cost almost 2 million people their healthcare insurance and has driven costs up by double-digit percentages.
Michael,
That wasn’t an answer and the cost of insurance was going up by double digit percentages long before there was an Obamacare.
The point is that without Obamacare, another 45,000 will die needlessly in the next twelve months. So I ask again, do you have an alternative or are you simply satisfied with these unneccessary deaths?
Interesting aside, amazingly very few Massachusetts’ residents will be among the 45,000.
“These will go down in history as the 2 most irresponsible, reckless statements ever made by a public official in this country.”
One was the most reckless statement uttered by a member of Congress and the other was a bald-faced, Presidential lie from the get go.
Let’s just say that Joe Wilson was exonerated for his impulsive, two-word outburst.
That’s not hyperbole; that is now fact
“since this is really the first law passed that attempts to address that tragedy, why don’t we agree to try our best to make it work rather than rooting for its failure”
Hogwash. Thousands of laws were passed with that intent and all turned out to be cronyism.
Free society addressed catastrophic expense insurance back in 1847. Mutual benefit societies provided pre-paid primary care some 25-30 years later. It wasn’t until the progressive era that we saw “well-intentioned laws” ruin what was a robust and growing private medical insurance industry, starting with the medical associations’ hijack of the medical schools, certification boards, and the legislative process.
Imagine how much more prosperous, healthy, and secure Americans would be if we didn’t let tradesmen, hire men with guns, to drive costs up and dissuade competition.
I know, I know. I want to take us back to the 19th century. In this case, I won’t argue with anyone about that.
Brian,
In the words of Billy Joel, “The good old days weren’t always that good and tomorrow ain’t as bad as it seems.”
People were dying due to a lack of access to or ability to afford medical care in the 1800’s as well. I will stand by my challenge for those of you praying for Obamacare to fail to come up with an alternative that will prevent the needless deaths of 45,000 people per year.
HC,
If you do not agree, what would be your two most irresponsible, reckless statements? I picked those 2 over, “The era of big government is over” and “I did not have sexual relations with that woman” and ” We are 5 days away from fundamentally changing America” and “What difference does it make, four Americans are dead”. Help me out.
The 2 statements I picked have economic, moral and trust impacts for millions of Americans.
“People were dying due to a lack of access to or ability to afford medical care in the 1800′s as well.”
How does one “expand access”, HQ…by restricting the number of health care providers or expanding that number?
History shows that legislation, including Obamacre, has serially restricted the number of health care providers as a percentage of the population.
” I will stand by my challenge for those of you praying for Obamacare to fail to come up with an alternative that will prevent the needless deaths of 45,000 people per year.”
and I will stand by my statement that more Adam Smith and less Benito Mussolini saves lives, increases prosperity, and maximizes individual liberty. There’s your alternative.
Of course, I have history on my side.
HQ
you keep mentioning 45k even though its questionable. it said that uninsured are more likely to die from diabetes and heart disease. however those are big killers even for the insured.
Secondly, there is no correlation that obamacare will save those 45k. the homeless won’t be buying or signing up on exchanges nor will other high risk individpals like drug users. finally there will be those that opt to pay the fine instead of getting health insurance. so we can’t assume obamacare will save those 45k.
In all obamacare is too new to know what it does. but no doubt another progressive initiative will push for a study that will say x thousands or millions are dying even with obamacare and will call for single-payer healthcare.
“no doubt another progressive initiative will push for a study that will say x thousands or millions are dying even with obamacare and will call for single-payer healthcare”
That. Has. Already. Started,
http://www.latimes.com/opinion/opinion-la/la-ol-obamacare-single-payer-system-instead-20131029,0,2845374.story#axzz2jK3wOJni
The good news about single payer is that nobody will be uninsured. The bad news is that more people will die because of the government-run monopoly.
Brian,
Life expectancy in most of the “civilized world” is significantly higher than it is in the United States. And most of the “civilized world” has some form of single payer healthcare.
John,
How about:
“(Obamacare is) a law as destructive to personal and individual liberty as the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850.”
“My belief is we will, in fact, be greeted as liberators.”
“You know, one of the hardest parts of my job is to connect Iraq to the war on terror.”
“I must confess, when I see anyone with an Obama 2012 bumper sticker, I recognize them as a threat to the gene pool.”
Any comment about “death panels.”
HQ
birth rates, immigration, and economic growth are also lower. while taxes are higher. social policies can’t be cherrypicked because the effect things across tbrought society.
Just so its not said I only argue against obamacare I do think the Go should have pushed for more competition – get rid of the govt sanctioned monopoly insurance companies get – and push for more transparency for procedures (I see the cost AFTER a procedure? and I can’t compare it to other doctors?) as well as get rid of the 60 or so mandates and let individuals build the health plan they want.
The one thing I’ll admit I can’t think of a solution for is catastrophic or life or death emergencies. how an individual should be treated and pay for it if they don’t have insure or the means to pay it. I’m sure charities would be a part but that sector is so fractured its not likely to be smooth. maybe someone who has looked into it has better info .
Hypocrisy,
First, before Obamacare my insurance premiums were in the $30 per paycheck range. And that’s what I paid for over a decade. Now, after Obamacare, it is twice that. My coverage hasn’t changed. I wasn’t unhappy with my policy.
Second, I’d find solutions that go to the root of the problem which is costs. What is making the costs of healthcare go up?
Law suits? Try tort reform.
Drug costs? Reform the FDA.
Lack of competition? Open up the state borders.
Inflated costs for procedures and equipment? Get rid of federal price fixing. (Social Security Reimbursement Schedule)
Not enough supply? Get rid of red tape and make it easier to set up “cash only” clinics. It’s pretty easy for a lawyer or a dentist to hang a shingle and as a result, we have one on every street corner.
And for my “if you’re going to keep Obamacare at least do this” idea…stop all Obamacare subsidies for anyone who has cable TV, a cell phone, an Xbox, a car that is less than 5 years old, a ball cap that cost them more than $20, can’t pass a drug test, shoes that cost more than $50, eaten out in the last 6 months, purchased any jewelry in the last 5 years, and on.
To be clear on my own position (instead of just playing devil’s advocate), I know there are a lot of problems with Obamacare, some of which are fairly easy fixes, others are more complicated. The biggest challenge as I see it is getting the Republicans to admit the law is not going away and then agree to the fixes. Unfortunately, they have no desire to fix something that can run on as long as it stays broken.
Here is a simple idea and the reason I keep pushing for someone to provide an alternative to Obamacare and the broken system we currently have:
Instead of “repeal and replace,” how about “replace, then repeal.” The House of Representatives should prove that they too want to reform our health care system and pass a bill that the Senate could also pass. THEN vote to repeal Obamacare. Right now, there are very few people who think the Republicans are serious about any form of healthcare reform.
“The one thing I’ll admit I can’t think of a solution for is catastrophic or life or death emergencies. how an individual should be treated and pay for it if they don’t have insure or the means to pay it. I’m sure charities would be a part but that sector is so fractured its not likely to be smooth. maybe someone who has looked into it has better info .”
What do you think the Obamacare solution will be? If one reads the recent updates to Section 501 of the IRC, one will learn that the government-controlled cartel is making it HARDER for charity hospitals to treat the indigent and uninsured (and potentially fining them for doing just that)
HQ, I appreciate your measured approach a lot but frankly this train wreck keeps getting worse and worse. They regime is now cobbling together rules upon rules, in order to hold this thing together.
Repeal and get out of the way. Legalize freedom–it actually works
Brian,
Pass an alternative first, then repeal it, if you want. What we have now doesn’t work by any measure and hasn’t for a long time.
Michael,
How much of your insurance premium is paid by your employer?
I don’t know the exact amount. But they pay a portion.
The amount I wrote was how much I pay. The premiums have increased significantly since 2009. More is coming out of my paycheck to pay for the exact same coverage I already had.
My wife’s increased so much we had to switch hers.
And when we asked why? In short…Obamacare.
“Pass an alternative first, then repeal it, if you want.”
Oh good grief; you don’t understand. The alternative IS economic freedom. You START by repealing Obamacare and end by repealing state licensing boards.
Believe it or not, government CAN’T fix this. Look what it did to “retirement plans”
Michael,
So you actually have no idea how much your insurance really costs. I guarantee the cost has been going up significantly every year for a long time but your employer paid the increase because he/she valued your work and didn’t want to lose you. Almost every employer had been increasing their employee share of the cost long before Obamacare.
I can tell you that the cost of a good comprehensive family medical is at least $1,000 per month, a little less than half of that for an individual plan. It sounds like you still have a great deal.
Brian,
So get rid of all the regulations and all will be fine? Let anyone call themselves a doctor, prescribe anything they want as medicine and accept two chickens as payment and everyone will be healthier and wealthier?
I guess once again we will have to agree to disagree.
Here are the numbers:
in 2007 I paid $660 a year for medical and my employer paid $2,462.
Today I pay $1224 and my employer pays $4554. The reason given to me when I asked about the increase: Obamacare.
It’s not that I am getting a good deal or not getting a good deal. I work for those benefits and it is part of my compensation package. If insurance wasn’t so expensive, they could afford to pay me more in salary.
The part of this “deal” that is not good is that I now pay so much more for the same coverage due to a law that has resulted in 2 million people losing their coverage and everyone else paying more.
HC
Ben Carson was the first quote, one day in news cycle
I would go with Cheney or Bush with the second, don’t hear that one repeated too much
You will have to help me out with 3 and 4
They were in the news so often that the author eludes me
Number 4 could be attributed to 1,000’s of people, so fill me in.
It took the OBcare folks 1 month to tell us that 6 people signed up the first day.
Apple will be able to tell us on Monday, how many millions of iPad Air they sold this first weekend
John,
1. New Hampshire State Legislator Bill O’Brien
2. Dick Cheney
3. George W. Bush
4. Florida Congressman Alan West
Michael,
I know you earned that benefit and I know if the costs were less, you could get more money on your paycheck. I do wish you realized that the same could be said for public employees and the benefits they receive., but that is probably a discussion for another day.
As for those cost increases, there is no doubt that Obamacare has added cost to all plans (there is no way to absorb people with pre-existing conditions or allow 26-year olds to stay on their parents plan without there being some upfront costs). However, the cost of health care has been going up for a very long time. From 1999-2008, the average cost of the same healthcare insurance policy more than doubled – and this was before there was an Obamacare.
“However, the cost of health care has been going up for a very long time.”
…and the cost of technology has dropped over that very same period while the quality of technology has risen exponentially.
Why is that?
You wish I understood that public employees earn their benefits? When did I say they didn’t?
HC
Obama has been saying all along that he was going to reduce the cost of healthcare by $2500 per family.
How does that square with your statement above?
As for those cost increases, there is no doubt that Obamacare has added cost to all plans (there is no way to absorb people with pre-existing conditions or allow 26-year olds to stay on their parents plan without there being some upfront costs).
The math simply does not work
I would put Obama’s words and snake oil tactics in the “predatory insurance scam” category.
Why would any under 26 sign up for this, if they can stay on their parent’s plan and why would any over 26 single male who is seeing an increase because his prior plan did not offer him maternity care not be rather pissed off?
Obama starting using the word “substandard” when referring to the cancelled plans yesterday. Why was that argument never made earlier, instead of repeating the snake oil line, “If you like your healthcare plan, you can keep your healthcare plan, PERIOD”?
Brian,
I don’t know why that is, but I do know that Obamacare is not the reason.
HC
Easy
Litigation up
Semiconductor content up
Tort reform down
Available procedures up
Scamming up
Honest dealing down
“I don’t know why that is, but I do know that Obamacare is not the reason.”
I’d be REALLY curious about the answer. More people have a cell phone and/or PC than have health insurance and health insurance has been around for over 150 years.
John,
I think you hit on many of the causes. Now what do we do?
“Now what do we do?”
You follow policy which produced John’s commentary. Like it or not, a freedom agenda produces the good things John mentioned while a regulatory agenda produces the bad things John mentioned.
Obamacare is a regulatory policy so you repeal it and follow a freedom agenda. We need less, not more laws to fix the health insurance inflation crisis
Brian,
“More people have a cell phone and/or PC than have health insurance and health insurance has been around for over 150 years.”
People use their cell phones and PC’s every day.
“Obamacare is a regulatory policy so you repeal it and follow a freedom agenda. We need less, not more laws to fix the health insurance inflation crisis.”
Looking at John’s list, how would less regulation result in:
1. Less litigation?
2. More tort reform?
3. Less scamming?
4. More honest dealing?
5. Less semiconductor content?
6. Less available procedures?
I could argue that less regulation would exacerbate everyone of John’s reasons.
you know, healthcare was available to all Americans… if they were willing to work full time.
How about a President that mandates personal responsibility?
HC and Brian,
I honestly think the 3 of us could meet at a Starbucks and solve this mess in under 2 hours.
I think it is that simple as we would have none of the lobbyists, none of the special interests, none of the career politicians and baseline budgeting bureaucrats in the room.
An honest discussion and real, common sense solutions.
“People use their cell phones and PC’s every day.”
I use my health insurance every single day as I do my car insurance, my life insurance, and my disability insurance. I”m not being glib when I say this. If you don’t understand this concept, you don’t fully understand the health insurance inflation crisis.
All too often, people conflate health CARE with health insurance and THAT is probably the problem.
With respect to John, he may be making the same mistake by trying to “solve” the health insurance inflation crisis with regulatory reform.
People get sick or injured. Getting well costs money. The more people who can help you get well, the less money it will cost you.
Sometimes, getting well costs a LOT of money so we insure ourselves against that catastrophic cost. Those that don’t get insurance are forced to rely upon charity. There was a time in this country where people did everything they could to not have to rely on charity–and it worked.
It really is that simple–get out of the way. Again, I have history on my side. If you want to go to Starbucks, I”m happy to explain it
In the meantime, should you choose to use that really cheap iPhone you probably have (who doesn’t have one?), listen to this before you fall asleep one evening:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lReWpkn0dU
Sheldon Richman does a great job relating the history
Brian,
I think it is much more that regulatory reform, which would encompass many of the issues.
We need in addition:
Free market competition
Skin in the game on part of consumers
Technology upgrade (They still hand me a clipboard when I go see a new doctor. That is the way we did it 50 years ago)
Restoration of the manufacturing based economy ( Jobs that pay well solve many problems)
More solutions from family and community and less dependence on a government solution (Diet, exercise, less smoking, less drinking)