Can someone "dumb down" what Obamacare really means?

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Specializes in MICU.

Completely AMAZING how even among medical professionals, that instead of being professional and giving the true facts, it becomes political. How disheartening and shameful.

wooh, BSN, RN

1 Article; 4,383 Posts

We were told that with Obama care...

Everything bad that happens in healthcare these days is blamed on Obamacare. Even when it has absolutely NOTHING to do with it.

Fuzzy

370 Posts

All I know about is that for the first time in my adult life (except when I was on disability) I've had affordable health insurance. This is the same plan that covers Federal employees. I tried going the private route. I was either turned down or the premiums were more then my paycheck. I am not offered health insurance through my workplace.

What this does for me is make preventative care affordable.

Keeps me from going bankrupt should I become seriously ill.

Gives me some peace of mind.

For more information go to PCIP - Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan - Home

Right now I love Obamacare.

Fuzzy

SC_RNDude

533 Posts

Completely AMAZING how even among medical professionals, that instead of being professional and giving the true facts, it becomes political. How disheartening and shameful.

So, those who have a different opinion then yours must be making up facts for have politicial motives? How disheartening that you believe that.

MBARNBSN...you must get all your info from the NYTimes. Killing off Medicare and Social Security? Really? Sounds like typical leftwing scare tactics. And you believe Obamacare will actually be 'affordable'? The insurance companies will be the biggest beneficiaries..

cdsga

391 Posts

Specializes in ICU, PACU, OR.

I don't think anyone knows anything about anything-just our perceptions, conjecture and puzzle pieces being put together blindfolded. Even the politicians don't know all of it.

Everyone's rushing around to implement things not knowing how it's going to play out-because it is political. There is no way around that.

Our ANA has fully endorsed this plan. I think they see this as an open door to:

1) give nurses more opportunity (for a while-until MD's find a way to boot us out of the power structure)

2) give more strength to the need for implementing BSN as entry into practice and promoting another mandate for MSN

3) place NP's in roles that family practice MD's once held-and since there is quite a shortage of those, then there is plenty of room at the table for nurses to step in and fill

4) gear us up for real shortages at the bedside, which with the lack of instructors and people on huge waiting lists to enter nursing school, that will be seen in the next 10 years when the vast majority of us start seriously retiring.

5)gives more power to regulatory agencies such as JCAHO, which places huge responsibilities on the nurses who will implement and document these mandates in order to keep money flowing to the workplace through CMS reimbursement

For those reasons I am fearful and excited at the same time. It's the fear of the unknown that has everyone so worried.

Bottom line-people are going to need care-how we position ourselves as a profession, keep our skills sharp, be flexible with the changes, and stick together/support one another-be wary of the one pot collective Koolaid...I think we will be OK

MunoRN, RN

8,058 Posts

Specializes in Critical Care.
MBARNBSN...you must get all your info from the NYTimes. Killing off Medicare and Social Security? Really? Sounds like typical leftwing scare tactics. And you believe Obamacare will actually be 'affordable'? The insurance companies will be the biggest beneficiaries..

Ryan's plan to change medicare into a much different program came from Ryan, not the NY times. Read Ryan's "Path to Prosperity" from a source with any slant you prefer and you'll find the same thing; his plan is to cut medicare funding by first changing it to block grants (without addressing costs in any way) and eventually change it into a voucher program, essentially doing away with any resembling Medicare.

SC_RNDude

533 Posts

The ACA is a major overhaul of the healthcare industry. EMRs are required by 10/2014. The need for nurse coders and informatics is going to increase dramatically. At the very least you will need to have Epic, Cerner, Meditech or Eclypsis experience on your resume.

We can expect to see a huge influx of patients in all settings.

Reimbursements will decrease and I think we will have to do even more with less staff. Older expensive nurses are going to suffer even more and be replaced by cheaper inexperienced new grads. The National Nurses Union is going to really expand and become a force like the NEA.

Meaningful use standards in health care will be strictly enforced with heavy fines from the OIG.

The system of incentives and taxes on hospital profits may force some hospitals to close their doors.

There are many of well researched articles on NYtimes.com.

Why/how will the National Nurses Union expand and "become a force"? And, if they do, then why will there be less staffing and why will "older expensive nurses" suffer???

Specializes in MICU.

The original post asked NO ONE of their OPINION. Opinions aren't facts. Opinions don't answer the question. But you didn't hesitate to jump in there and start bashing and looking the most unprofessional. Feel free; your credibility just keeps declining.

"3:29 pm by SC_RNDude So, those who have a different opinion then yours must be making up facts for have politicial motives? How disheartening that you believe that."

cdsga

391 Posts

Specializes in ICU, PACU, OR.

I want to be clear here-Medicare is not free-my parents(in their 80's) pay quite a bit of money for their insurance every month-and the additional secondary coverage. Granted their out of pockets expenses when used is not alot and they get a break on their Rx's, but they love their Medicare-it's a badge of honor these elderly people feel they have worked for and deserve. But it is not free. I have fully expected for many years for Medicare to not be around as we know it right when I'm going to be at the age to be eligible for it. So I'll have to plan on something for myself, without gov't assistance. With people living longer and us paying for our elders care, who will be around to pay for ours? I'm all for someone to revamp it and cut the fraud. Reclaim what is owed to the trust fund.

This National Nurses Union is not present in the South. Would be interested to know how that is going to happen? Is joining the union a mandate just like the ACA where you get penalized if you don't join????

redtop316

1 Post

I am one of those that needs anything political "dumbed down". Political opinions are like what you'll find in any Gastro procedure room. However, I have two comments to make and am not even sure how they fit in to this whole conversation.

I retired at 62 due to medical issues and went without health care until I turned 65 this past March. So, for three years I paid out of pocket for my medical care, part of which required me to have a routine lab test every 6 months. The cost of this lab test was $340.00. When my medicare kicked in to pay the bill the lab charged medicare $1688.00 for the same routine test(...and the nurse performing the test didn't get paid more!). This is just one of many examples of the over-inflated charges by Doctors, labs, hospitals, etc. that I have noticed. I do understand that not-for-profit hospitals inflate charges for the insured to balance the indigent care they provide, however, in my area ALL the hospitals are now for-profit. If you are not insured, you will be turned away, other than life-saving, short-term E.R. care and then you are hounded by a collection agency and threat of a law suite until the bill is paid.

Second point: Why is "socialized" such a bad word? Look at socialized agencies we already have - police dept., fire dept., library, public schools, etc. And furthermore, Canada and England may not be the best examples...ask about other countries like France. Post-partem women get a doula for a number of weeks! In Malta, if you feel ill, you go the pharmacy, tell them your symtoms, and you see the Dr. (Gov. paid) that staffs the office located in the pharmacy or calls the Dr. on-duty during the weekends. Keeps the E.R. un-clogged for real emergencies.

Just my simplistic rambling thoughts.

Kentrnaz

2 Posts

This federal legislation, the Affordable Care Act was upheld by the Supreme Court of the United States in June. The reforms are comprehensive and will enhance the health of millions of Americans.

Please stop calling it "Obamacare." Thank you.

My question is "Who is going to pay for this?" Some people apparently think that Medicare and Social Security have been part of American history since our founding. It was only started in the mid 1960's. At that time, all the same lies were told about how great it would be. Both are now broke, (I guess the federal government did not think through all the options when they were started). So, if anyone really believes that Obamacare is going to solve all the problems with healthcare in the US, they are sorely mistaken. If you do not want to call it Obamacare, then call it what it is... Socialized medicine that is doomed to failure.

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