Anthem pulls out of Obamacare market in Maine

Source: Washington Times
Published: Sep 27, 2017
Author: Tom Howell, Jr.
Post Date: 2017-09-27 15:32:47 by nolu chan
Views: 1137

Anthem pulls out of Obamacare market in Maine

Insurers face rampant uncertainty on deadline day

By Tom Howell Jr.
The Washington Times
Wednesday, September 27, 2017

Anthem, a major insurer, said Wednesday it will pull out of the Obamacare marketplace in Maine next year, as insurers navigate choppy waters in the wake of the GOP’s failure to pass a repeal bill and square away plans to stabilize the markets.

Affected residents will still have options on the exchange, though customers who want to re-enroll in Anthem plans will not be able to tap Obamacare’s taxpayer-funded subsidies.

The decision coincided with Wednesday’s deadline for insurers to commit to participating in the federal exchanges known as HealthCare.gov. Signups begin Nov. 1.

So far, every U.S. county is expected to have at least one option, though choice is dwindling and many consumers will face premium increases, as insurers lurched into murky territory following the collapse of repeal negotiations on Capitol Hill.

Anthem, which pulled out of other states for 2018, blamed its latest exit on a “shrinking and deteriorating” individual market — Obamacare fell short of enrollment targets in the early rounds — and rampant uncertainty from Washington.

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Obamacare continues its march to oblivion, with, or without the dysfunctional Congress.

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#1: Pinguinite    To: nolu chan (#0)

I don't know why R's won't get behind a full repeal bill. It's a no-brainer. For those R's who want to modify but not fully repeal it, first they should repeal the whole thing, then after that, they can work with the D's to put something else in place. They will not need unanimous R approval for passage, as the D's will be most happy to cooperate on a new package.

On the other hand, they will need unanimous R support to cut Obamacare back in any way whatsoever as D's will not going along at all.

with, or without the dysfunctional Congress.

Indeed it is.

Pinguinite posted on 2017-09-27 15:43:39   Reply   Private Reply


#2: nolu chan    To: Pinguinite (#1)

I don't know why R's won't get behind a full repeal bill.

I should think it's because they are not conservatives and have never supported a full repeal. They only favor repeal when there is no chance it can actually happen, or maybe shortly after election day.

Yeah, they should do a clean repeal. If not, Obamacare will repeal itself, unless they come to its rescue.

They should have done a clean repeal months back, effective 30 Sep 2017. A repeal effective 30 Sep 2018 would be just before election day. By 30 Sep 2019, we could be doing an autopsy on the corpse of Obamacare.

nolu chan posted on 2017-09-27 16:38:11   Reply   Private Reply


#3: Tooconservative    To: nolu chan, BobCeleste (#0)

So Collins helps spike repeal again, now Maine is down to a single insurer.

And this is going to help her run for governor to replace LePage?

I don't get how that works for her very well. If she runs, I'd think she'd get beat by most any Dem. And I don't know why she even wants to run for governor of Maine.

Tooconservative posted on 2017-09-27 18:48:12   Reply   Private Reply


#4: BobCeleste    To: Tooconservative (#3)

collins is so hated now that a rat, not a democrat, but a rat could beat her.

BobCeleste posted on 2017-10-14 17:09:04   Reply   Private Reply


#5: misterwhite    To: nolu chan (#0)

"So far, every U.S. county is expected to have at least one option ..."

I do believe they mean, "every U.S. county is expected to have at least one insurer". And one insurer means they have ZERO options.

Currently, 33% of all counties have only one insurer (or none). Next year, that number is expected to rise to 45%.

misterwhite posted on 2017-10-14 17:19:36   Reply   Private Reply


#6: misterwhite    To: nolu chan (#0)

though customers who want to re-enroll in Anthem plans will not be able to tap Obamacare’s taxpayer-funded subsidies.

Those subsidies were never approved by Congress. Obama illegally and unconstitutionally paid the insurance companies over $42 billion in accumulated subsidies.

misterwhite posted on 2017-10-14 17:29:49   Reply   Private Reply


#7: nolu chan    To: misterwhite (#5)

And one insurer means they have ZERO options

One insurer leaves the option take it or leave it.

nolu chan posted on 2017-10-15 01:51:52   Reply   Private Reply


#8: nolu chan    To: misterwhite (#6)

Those subsidies were never approved by Congress. Obama illegally and unconstitutionally paid the insurance companies over $42 billion in accumulated subsidies.

Yes, that is all correct.

nolu chan posted on 2017-10-15 01:52:50   Reply   Private Reply


#9: misterwhite    To: nolu chan (#7)

One insurer leaves the option take it or leave it.

So they have a choice. Hobson's choice.

misterwhite posted on 2017-10-15 09:09:13   Reply   Private Reply


#10: misterwhite    To: nolu chan (#8)

over $42 billion in accumulated subsidies. Yes, that is all correct.

And still the premiums doubled. Imagine the insurance cost to consumers without the subsidies.

Fortunately, Obama enacted this and other edicts by Executive Order, making them easy to repeal without the do-nothing Congress.

misterwhite posted on 2017-10-15 09:14:28   Reply   Private Reply


#11: nolu chan    To: misterwhite (#10)

Obama enacted this and other edicts by Executive Order, making them easy to repeal without the do-nothing Congress.

He used an EO because Congress wouldn't do it. His EO was unlawful.

Obamacare was designed to go broke. It's intent was to get people hooked and then save the day by transitioning to a single payer system. The quickest way to do that would be to reduce the age eligibility of Medicare to zero.

nolu chan posted on 2017-10-15 19:55:00   Reply   Private Reply


#12: misterwhite    To: nolu chan (#11)

The quickest way to do that would be to reduce the age eligibility of Medicare to zero.

No. It would be to increase the earning limits of Medicaid to infinity. A single payer system would look more like Medicaid than Medicare.

Many people think that once you turn 65 you get free healthcare. Not true. Not even close.

Now, Medicare Part A IS free and that covers hospitalization. Only hospitalization. Doctor visits, specialists, therapists, prescription drugs -- you pay out of pocket ... unless you sign up and pay a monthly premium for Medicare Part B (out-patient services) and Part D (prescriptions).

A single payer system will not require that. Medicare does.

misterwhite posted on 2017-10-16 10:11:12   Reply   Private Reply