Whether Obamacare has made healthcare more expensive is a tricky question to answer, considering that the Affordable Care Act is mind numbingly complex and is supposed to cover a huge, diverse population with different incomes, family circumstances and healthcare needs. The answer depends on whom one asks and who one asks about.
It is clear, just looking at the raw numbers, that the initial claims suggesting Obamacare would reduce healthcare costs have proven to be false. Healthcare costs have increased since the advent of the ACA.
However, an analyst with Investopedia suggests that on the average, insurance premiums in the exchanges have increased, but at a slower rate than they did for individual plans before the ACA’s implementation. However, that may not be the whole story.
Another analysis conducted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services suggests that if a family does not qualify for the government subsidies enacted under Obamacare, the costs of healthcare have spiked considerably. The study cites the example of a couple making $70,000 a year and thus unqualified for a subsidy being forced to pay $38,000 for a silver plan with an $11,100 cap on out-of-pocket expenses. Since the individual mandate is no longer in effect, the couple has opted to drop their coverage.
Thus, the answer to the question is “It depends.” For some people, who qualify for government subsidies, Obamacare has not caused a great increase in healthcare costs, especially compared to what was the case before the Affordable Care Act was enacted. However, for people who do not qualify for the subsidies, healthcare insurance under the ACA exchanges has become increasingly unaffordable.
The numbers suggest that for many people, Obamacare failed in its stated goal to provide healthcare insurance at affordable prices. The situation suggests that it is time to reform healthcare reform. What shape that reform would take, ranging from “Medicare for All” to a more free-market solution based on competition and price transparency will be a matter of considerable debate.
When one focuses on how to deal with a health care crisis such as the covid-19 pandemic, the natural tendency is to dwell on things like treatments and vaccines. However, some researchers at the University of Houston have hit upon a technological mitigation for the Covid-19 virus and, indeed, just about any virus, in the form of a special heated air filter.
The Covid-19 virus spreads by lingering in the air after being expelled by a sneeze, cough, or someone just speaking or breathing, for upwards of three hours. Some experts have suggested that the virus can be spread through a building in its air conditioning and heating system. The U of H researchers have noted that fact and are using it to kill the virus.
The air filter works by passing air through a nickel foam that is heated to almost 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Tests have shown that over 98 percent of the Covid-19 viruses are killed instantly when caught inside the air filter.
The air filter can be installed in airports, schools, office buildings and, of course, hospitals. Buses, planes, trains, and even cruise ships could also be so equipped. A portable version could be used for offices and even the home. Circulating the air through the filter can make places where large numbers of people congregate safer, making it less likely that humans will catch Covid-19. Installation of the filter widely would likely cut down on infections, hospitalizations, and, most important, lasting injury and death.
The air filter will not be a total substitute for a vaccine or mask-wearing, social distancing, and hygiene. However, the technology would likely become a powerful weapon for controlling and reducing the pandemic, alleviating the pressure on hospitals and other healthcare facilities, and saving many lives.
The incoming Biden administration will face a shrinking workforce and growing number of Medicare enrollees through 2028.
In the New Year What a New Administration May Mean for Healthcare Reform
December 2, 2020 – The incoming Biden administration could force mandates for private firms and their employees to provide for and buy health insurance. This according to Dr. Steven Goldstein on his regular podcast. The respected neurosurgeon and founder of the Houston Healthcare Initiative discussed the possibilities for healthcare reform in the coming year on his regular podcast. The Houston Healthcare Initiative podcast can be heard on: on SoundCloud, Google Play, Libsyn Feed, Stitcher, iHeartRadio, Spotify, and the Houston Healthcare Initiative web site.
Mandates Could Eliminate Opting Out
The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obama Care, made more choices for insurance available and penalized people who did not purchase health insurance. While not ideal, it was a way to get more people covered by private insurance than before. And it offered subsidies for people who could not afford insurance. But there was a downside.
The financial penalties were unpopular and made Obama Care an easy target for those who were against it. Without the specter of financial penalties, many employees chose to go without health insurance and keep the part of their pay that would normally go to help fund it. “One economic rationale for employer mandates is that the cost of care for these uninsured workers is often passed along to the insured through higher insurance premiums, taxes and other mechanisms,” Dr. Goldstein said. “Employer mandates are, in part, an attempt to eliminate those who opt out of available coverage. By adding more payers, health insurance is more affordable at the individual level. At least in theory.”
Do Less for More Or just Pay More
According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, national health spending will grow at an average annual rate of 5.4 percent for the years 2019-28 and reach $6.2 trillion by 2028. Among major payers, Medicare is expected to experience the fastest spending growth of 7.6 percent per year from 2019-to 2028, largely as a result of the highest projected enrollment growth. “National health expenditures will grow 1.1 percentage points faster than the gross domestic product every year on average from now through 2028, said Dr. Goldstein. “The health share of the economy is projected to rise over a full percentage point by 2028. In other words, the costs are growing faster than the income. So, we have to do less of something or boost the gross national product.”
Make A Bad System Less Bad
If the current healthcare system remains unchanged, there will be less in the way of medical resources for the public. But according to Dr. Goldstein, that is unlikely. The overall insurance industry and its approach to paying for healthcare are very flawed in fundamental ways but unlikely to realize any dramatic reform. Working around the edges to make a bad system work somewhat better is what he believes will happen. As Dr. Goldstein told his audience, “we can spend time and money to make a bad system work better and that is probably what will happen in the near term.”
Another Possibility, Pay Cash
According to Dr. Goldstein, cash payments are accepted for most if not all medical charges and prescription drugs. But that comes with a caveat for those who do have insurance, especially catastrophic health insurance. “Do not try to get the ‘insured’ rate to put against your deductible,” he counselled. “Paying cash is much less desirable when put against the insured rate, it will cost you more but not buy any more benefit.”
Most people with catastrophic coverage will never reach their deductible amount. Better to put that money directly into care, at a much-discounted price. This arrangement is the best value for people under the current system. So, while at the doctors’ office show them your insurance card but tell them you are paying cash.
About Houston Healthcare Initiative
The Houston Healthcare Initiative podcast with Dr. Steven Goldstein is an information vehicle for people who want to know all medical options for themselves and are interested in reforming the healthcare industry. To learn more about the Houston Healthcare Initiative please visit www.houstonhealthcareinitiative.org.
Three in ten uninsured adults in 2019 went without needed medical care due to cost.
In wake of the 2020 election outcome…
For These Uncertain Times What Type of Health Insurance Is Best?
November 24, 2020 – According to Dr. Steven Goldstein, founder of the Houston Healthcare Initiative, “with the current system we have, I would buy a policy that has a high deductible,” he told his podcast audience. “This is sometimes known as ‘catastrophic’ health coverage. Then I would pay cash for my health expenses.”
That times are unsettled was never truer than in 2020. With the U.S. House and the presidential election settled, the majority of the senate remains undecided and will stay that way until the two runoff elections for both Georgia senate seats on January 5, 2021. The implications for the U.S. healthcare system are many. What can or should Americans do in the near term? Listen to “The Houston Healthcare Initiative Podcast to find out. The Houston Healthcare Initiative podcast can be heard on SoundCloud, Google Play, Libsyn Feed, Stitcher, iHeartRadio, Spotify, and the Houston Healthcare Initiative web site.
Cash & Catastrophic Coverage
According to Dr. Goldstein, cash payments are accepted for most if not all medical charges and prescription drugs. Do not try to get the ‘insured’ rate to put against your deductible. Paying cash is much less desirable with the insured rate. “Most people will never reach their deductible amount anyway,” he said. “This arrangement is the best value for people under the current system. So, while at the doctors’ office show them your insurance card but tell them you are paying cash.”
Return of the Mandate?
Most Americans get their health insurance through their employer. The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obama Care, made more choices for insurance available and penalized people who did not purchase health insurance. While not ideal, it was a way to get more people covered by private insurance than before. Plus, it offered subsidies for those who could not afford insurance. But at the same time, it was the mandate and accompanying monetary penalty that seemed to make the policy so unpopular with many. “The overall insurance industry and its approach to paying for healthcare are very flawed in fundamental ways,” Dr. Goldstein told his listeners. “We can spend time and money to make a bad system work better and that is probably what will happen in the near term.”
Likely Short-Term Changes
Some near-term changes are likely to be mandates for private firms and their employees to provide for and buy health insurance. The cost of care for uninsured workers is often passed along to the insured through taxes and other mechanisms. There are employed people now who go without health insurance and keep the part of their pay that would go to health insurance. One economic rationale for employer mandates is that the cost of care for uninsured workers is often passed along to the insured through taxes and other mechanisms. Mandates are, in part, an attempt to eliminate those who opt out of available coverage.
American Attitudes About Caring for Each Other
Generally, Americans have decided that we will treat sick and injured people who do not have insurance, but that treatment is not free. “So, we have all these schemes for the uninsured, or others to make people buy insurance,” Dr. Goldstein said. “While caring for the sick and injured is laudable, paying for it is another matter, like with the Obama Care mandate.”
Three in ten uninsured adults in 2019 went without needed medical care due to cost. Studies repeatedly demonstrate that uninsured people are less likely than those with insurance to receive preventive care and services for major health conditions and chronic diseases. Not having insurance is generally a financial issue and one that leads to unhealthier people. “With the catastrophic coverage, patients are able to be seen as many practices will not see anyone without insurance,” Dr. Goldstein said. “Paying cash for services and not applying them to the deductible will both save money and result in a healthier population.”
About Houston Healthcare Initiative
The Houston Healthcare Initiative podcast with Dr. Steven Goldstein is an information vehicle for people who want to know all medical options for themselves and are interested in reforming the healthcare industry. To learn more about the Houston Healthcare Initiative please visit www.houstonhealthcareinitiative.org.
Are There Alternatives To Traditional Health Insurance?
November 16, 2020 — With November the time many Americans are asked to choose their health insurance coverage, the cost, expense, and value are on people’s minds. Are There Alternatives To Traditional Health Insurance? Healthcare is expensive. The healthcare and medical insurance industries are massive with billions of dollars of income. They are able to buy advertising and lobbyists to gain every advantage that money can buy. As Americans try to find ways to pay for it, do any really have any chance of meaningful change for an industry that all but regulates itself? Or should we just resign ourselves to healthcare and insurance companies doing and charging what they want with little if any restriction on them?
Alternatives To Big Insurance
According to Dr. Steven Goldstein, founder of the Houston Healthcare Initiative, there are ways to be insured and save money. As he told his podcast audience, the best alternative to insurance at this time is the healthcare cooperative. The Houston Healthcare Initiative podcast can be heard on SoundCloud, Google Play, Libsyn Feed, Stitcher, iHeartRadio, Spotify, and the Houston Healthcare Initiative web site. When combined with a health savings account and a high deductible, sharing of healthcare costs will go down.
Take Care of Yourself
Of course, the best way to lower costs is to lead a healthy lifestyle. Exercise, diet, limited alcohol consumption, adequate sleep and not smoking are the best ways anyone can be healthier. But for those who refuse these, there should be consequences. “There needs to be consequences for individuals that do not take care of themselves,” Dr. Goldstein told his audience. “For those that do nothing, laws need to be changed so that care would only be provided at charity hospitals. I know this is a radical change of thinking, but I believe it would go a long way to improving public health. Subsidizing unhealthy behavior only leads to more unhealthy behavior.”
About the Houston Healthcare Initiative Podcast
The Houston Healthcare Initiative podcast with Dr. Steven Goldstein is an information vehicle for people who want to know all medical options for themselves and are interested in reforming the healthcare industry. To learn more about the Houston Healthcare Initiative please visit www.houstonhealthcareinitiative.org.
In the United States, our health care is among the most expensive in the world. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development’s (OECD) data shows that in 2017, the U.S. spent nearly double the health care expenditures per capita of comparable countries (analysis done by KFF). Despite this fact, the quality of health care in the U.S. is not the best. The OECD has shown that the U.S. has consistently performed worse than the average of comparable countries with mortality rates in the U.S. being higher in most categories measured. A question many people a starting to ask is why do our health care costs keep rising while the quality isn’t improving as quickly.
There are too many factors to discuss in this short article. However, there is one factor that plays a big role in this growing problem, managed care plans and like insurance plans. It’s likely that if you have insurance, you are a member of one of these plans because they make up the majority of health care plans in the U.S. These plans introduce a monopolistic nature to the health care system and doesn’t allow for the inherent price and quality checks of a free market to benefit the people who rely on the health care system, which is to say, everyone.
How it works
These managed care plans allow members to get medical care from specific health care providers and medical facilities at reduced costs. These health care providers make up the network for a particular managed care plan, and they are contractually obligated to provide care to members at a reduced cost. For people without the managed care plan (people outside the network), prices can be extremely high. Ideally, the members of the managed care plan will be paying a lower rate than they would if they went outside the network.
The problem
It may be true that members likely pay less within their network, but members could be paying less both inside and outside their network if managed care plans and networks didn’t exist at all. This is because health care providers within a network no longer have to operate competitively. They are guaranteed to have customers because going outside the network is too expensive for most people, and there is little competition within a network. This means that they no longer have to price their services competitively or even have to ensure that their quality of care is competitive.
The solution
The upside to all of this is that many health care providers are actively trying to remedy this problem. Dr. Steven Goldstein and his fellow physicians at Houston Healthcare Initiative (HHI) are trying to set the new precedent for the health care system. Contact HHI today to learn what they can do for you.
Compare Democratic and Republican Healthcare Plans and What the Public Can Do About Them. The healthcare and medical insurance industries are massive with billions of dollars of income. They are able to buy advertising and lobbyists to gain every advantage that money can buy. To listen to the podcast, click below.
Do we really have any chance of meaningful change for an industry that all but regulates itself? Or should we just resign ourselves to healthcare and insurance companies doing and charging what they want with little if any restriction on them? On this podcast, with what is a more optimistic point of view is respected Houston based neurologist and founder of the Houston Healthcare Initiative, Dr. Steven Goldstein.
Healthcare reform according to the Democrats is some form of single payer system. According to the Republicans it means more price transparency and more competition between insurance companies. The Democratic reforms will indeed lower healthcare costs by fiat and not cause any appreciable decline of public health. However it also will not improve public health. It will however make individual patients unhappy because of rationing of care. The Republican reforms will have little effect on lowering costs but will avoid the rationing of care. It also will not improve public health. No matter which reforms are adopted patients will be unhappy with the results. Also no legislation will be passed without the blessing of the insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies and hospitals.
What Can The Public Do?
Individuals and companies need to walk away from the insurance system. If enough companies and individuals leave, the current system will collapse. The best alternative to insurance at this time is the healthcare cooperative. When combined with a health savings account and a high deductible sharing of healthcare costs we can begin to see a gradual reduction in cost. Of course, the best way to lower costs is to lead a healthy lifestyle. This will indeed improve public health. For the medicare age groups, the managed medicare plans lower costs by partial rationing of care combined with encouraging a healthy lifestyle. I do not have the statistics as to whether or not managed medicare plans improve public health.
What About Obamacare?
Didn’t the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obama Care, make more choices for insurance available and penalize people who did not purchase health insurance?Yes, but look what happened to health insurance premiums. They kept rising even faster than before. The subsidies, while allowing more people to be covered by insurance, were a boon to the insurance companies allowing for the increase of premiums and increasing the number of policies sold. This is why the insurance companies and hospitals were in favor of the bill in the first place. We can see the result- higher premiums. Things are worse than they were before. The overall insurance system is flawed in fundamental ways. We are spending time and money to make a bad system work better and that is probably what will happen in the near term.
There needs to be consequences for individuals that do not take care of themselves. They can subsidize the government insurance by paying the government a higher premium; pay for care themselves or do nothing. For those that do nothing, laws need to be changed so that care would only be provided at charity hospitals. I know this is a radical change of thinking but i believe it would go a long way to improving public health. Subsidizing unhealthy behavior only leads to more unhealthy behavior.
November 3, 2020 – Is it possible to get good health insurance coverage in 2021 and save money on treatments, prescription drugs and the policy too? The answer according to Dr. Steven Goldstein, founder of the Houston Healthcare Initiative and respected neurologist, is yes. On his regular podcast Dr. Goldstein, describes how this could work. The Houston Healthcare Initiative podcast is heard on SoundCloud,Libsyn, iHeart Radio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Pod Cast Addict, Back Tracks and the Houston Healthcare Initiative web site.
The Virtues of Catastrophic Policies
So called ‘catastrophic’ health insurance policies come with high deductibles and limited coverage for office visits, tests or prescription drugs. These may be the perfect way to remain insured and provide an outlet for savings and that is to pay cash and ignore the deductible. “When people pay cash, they will be charged less than what the insurance company has to pay on the same claim,” Dr. Goldstein told his listeners. “Many doctors and specialists actually prefer cash which is why they usually charge less.”
Does This Apply To The Deductible?
When paying cash and the lower price offered for it, does this apply to the annual deductible amount? “No, the cash price will not apply, but for most who will never meet the deductible amount, it really does not make any difference,” Dr. Goldstein said. “Remember the reason for buying catastrophic insurance, it is in case of a catastrophe. Even if in one year you would’ve met the deductible otherwise, the money you save in other years will more than make up for it.”
About the Houston Healthcare Initiative
Dr. Steven Goldstein is a Houston based neurologist. He founded the Houston Healthcare Initiative and is an advocate for common sense solutions to the healthcare crisis that confronts the citizens and residents of the United States of America.
Health care is a controversial issue in the United States. With so much emphasis on health insurance like Medicaid, there is a lot of confusion on whether health care is a right or a privilege. Here is a look at the definition of health care and whether it is a right or privilege.
What is Healthcare?
According to the World Health Organization, primary health care is health and well-being focused on the preferences and needs of communities, families, and individuals. It deals with the comprehensive elements of physical, social, and mental health and wellbeing.
Healthcare ensures people get comprehensive care from prevention to treatment and rehabilitation.
Is Health Care A Right or Privilege?
According to Article 25 of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, Every person has the right to living standards that are sufficient for their health and wellbeing. Therefore, this means that this care should be a right and not a privilege.
Health care as a right means that states are required to fulfill it by providing access to care, hospitals, food, safe drinking water, sanitation, and housing. This right entitles people to treatment, disease prevention and control, and access to essential medicine. It also affects various health determinants including healthy working conditions, gender equality, and health-related education.
However, health care is not a right in many states, it is a privilege. This means that this care is only given to those who can afford it. In the U.S., like in many parts around the world, the government has been struggling to satisfy all the conditions of health care and to make it a right for everyone. In fact, one of the issues that determines whether a U.S. presidential candidate wins an election or not is their proposals regarding healthcare. This goes to show that the fulfillment of healthcare as a right for every human being is far from being achieved.
Houston Healthcare Initiative is a group of health conscious patients and physicians dedicated to people’s health and well-being. The initiative does not only encourage ideas regarding healthcare but it also provides resources regarding the state of healthcare across the globe. If you are looking to make a difference in healthcare or want to learn more about healthcare, HHI is the forum to join.
Shortcuts On Regulations For The Coronavirus/Covid-19 Vaccine Research
According to Dr. Steven Goldstein, founder of the Houston Healthcare Initiative, it usually takes years for any vaccine to be developed, tested on humans and finally introduced to the public. What of the Shortcuts On Regulations For The Coronavirus/Covid-19 Vaccine Research? The much-anticipated vaccine for the Coronavirus/Covid-19 pandemic is progressing at unprecedented speed. But why is this the case and should the public be concerned? On his regular podcast Dr. Goldstein provides explanations. The listen to the Houston Healthcare Initiative podcast visit: Soundcloud, Libsyn, iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and Radio.com,
Timing
Will more or less time save or cost lives? Shortcuts On Regulations For The Coronavirus/Covid-19 Vaccine Research.
Dr. Goldstein described to his audience some of the reasons these vaccine trials were progressing so quickly. “Given the urgent need for a vaccine to help end this global pandemic, some vaccine developers are compressing the clinical process by running trial phases simultaneously,” Dr. Goldstein said. “Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), said that independent Data and Safety Monitoring Boards can end trials early if their interim results are overwhelmingly positive or negative, so that is another time saver.”
Caution Takes Time
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) promised to fast track the approval process for a Covid-19 vaccine. But they have also said that there are far more rigorous standards in place than is typical for the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) process for this vaccine. So while the NIAID made a way for the work on the vaccine to proceed more quickly than normal, the FDA says that its work will be ‘a careful evaluation with no rushing.’
The FDA Speaks
In an article published in the October 27, 2020 issue of USA Today, Dr. Peter Marks states that “this process will not be rushed. There will be no shortcuts in developing the relevant phase 3 efficacy results.” Dr. Marks also said that the public’s trust is important for the Covid-19 vaccine so it gets taken by the public. “Trust means everything. Trust in vaccines facilitated the incredible positive impact that vaccination had on public health in reducing illness and death over the past century.”
Not Predicting The Future But
Dr. Goldstein admitted that he was not very good at predicting the future, but he believed that the Coronavirus/Covid-19 vaccine could be available as early as January 2021. “There are currently dozens of vaccines under development and in the advanced stages of approval,” Dr. Goldstein said. “That the government has streamlined some of the requirements without compromising safety to help advance development is remarkable. But nothing in the world of medicine is without risk and the ultimate introduction of the Coronavirus vaccine is no exception. The laws and regulations, at least for now, seem to strike a balance that protects the public and aids in the fast delivery of a vaccine.”
About The Houston Healthcare Initiative
Dr. Steven Goldstein is a Houston based neurologist. He founded the Houston Healthcare Initiative and is an advocate for common sense solutions to the healthcare crisis that confronts the citizens and residents of the United States of America.
