Ditto on the prices. The "gold" plans are like a third the cost of the "bronze" plans the company I work for charges us now so my healthcare costs under the program will decrease by 60% if it all stays true. Yes, I've considered all the factors besides just premiums. Or are you being sarcastic?
Of course I was being sarcastic. I know that there is no such thing as an out of pocket maximum under the individual market section of the Affordable Care Act. Those kinds of requirements only apply to employer sponsored plans.
I find the US corporate response to all of this to be intriguing. Their rhetoric is that Obamacare is pure evil but their actions indicate they are extremely excited to dump their employees into the program. Their actions are virtually guaranteeing a full goverment takeover of healthcare in the US.
Your primary motivation is noted in my prior paragraph. BTW, I just checked my paystub for what I pay. I pay $1.21 per week for a family plan (I have five kids) that pays 80% on everything after the first $2500 (annual deductable) and has an annual out of pocket maximum of $6500. (pays 100% of expenses after I've paid $9000 total in a year, $2500 + $6500) I have a 'health savings account' attached to it in order to pay for the deductable and out of pocket expenses that I contribute $124.04 per week into. I hit that max out of pocket every year with five kids, and all total it's still cheaper than the "regular" plan, and if I ever don't hit that max in a year, I keep the difference for health care in my retirement years.
Under the Affordable Care Act, this plan is illegal. AT a minimum, I'd be taxed an additional $3K or so as a "gold" plan. I'd be curious if you can find anything of comparable value for my family. Note, however, that there is no way that I'd be eligible for any kind of subsidy.
EDIT: A regular plan (instead of the HSA/high deductable plan that I use) at my workplace would certainly be a more predictable expense, but the annual costs for me would be closer to $10,500 based on prior years.
Given that the country is already spending 40% more than it takes in, said country would only shoulder additional cost burdens to buy votes. Nothing is real - least of all the attempt by a struggling individual to estimate his costs and/or his best avenue.
Frankly I have no sympathy for the people that buy into attempting rational discussion around these types of scams. You are discussing the brand and nuances of the lipstick on the pig.
The dollar will shrink in value with each year, retirement plans will shrink in value, savings will get 0% interest and will shrink in value. The wealth of the middle class will get "Hollowed Out" through money printing and increased taxes. Every vehicle of fiduciary management operated by banks will be shifted to help in this process.
Yes I am talking IRA, SEP, 401K, trust plans, money market accounts.
Wise up people.