Implications of Obamacare... what's your opinion?

Ntheboat2 · Nov 22, 2012

All this mass hysteria about Obamacare is funny. People act like that once uninsured people are given an insurance card then they are just gonna go on a "healthcare spree!"

I personally have this huge fear of going to the doctor. I know, it's ironic, but I do. I'm trying to convince myself right now to go in for a "female check up" because I'm probably dying right now and don't even know it. Believe me, once I had health insurance I didn't go to the doctor any more often than when I didn't have health insurance. It was just nice to know that I COULD if I really needed to.

I don't think it's going to be much different for the population as a whole. Of course, there is always a portion of the population that will abuse anything they can. There are probably going to be some people who will look at being insured as an opportunity to get pain pills or something like that. The reality is that the "lowest class" are already insured and have been for a long time through medicaid. It's the WORKING poor who don't have insurance because they don't qualify for medicaid and don't make enough to buy a plan.

My son was on medicaid when I was dirt poor and just because taking him to the doctor would've been "free" doesn't mean I abused it. In fact, I went to the pharmacy one time to pick up his prescription after I did take him to the doctor once and the tech told me he wasn't in the system. I said, "that can't be right. i've gotten all of his medicines here." She was going to have to put him back in the system and needed his social security number which I didn't have on me. (I'm a horrible parent, I know. I didn't have it memorized). During my frustration at the thought I was going to have to drive home, get his card, go back to the pharmacy all while he was sick, etc., I said, "how is he not in the system?" The answer was, "Well, he hasn't had anything filled here in two years so it knocks him out of the system." I had taken him for yearly check ups, but he hadn't been sick enough to go to the doctor or need any medicine in at least two years.

I did a project not too long ago with a school system and it involved having to interview the school nurse. The nurse was saying that one of the biggest problems she saw regarding healthcare were parents who didn't fill out and return forms that would enable their kids to get care. Can we say neglect? The point is...just because people CAN use something doesn't mean that they're going to. Sure, some people will, and that's the point. However, the thought that ALLLL of these people are suddenly going to start flooding hospitals and doctor's offices is just not realistic in my opinion.

Iseeyou_RN, RN · Nov 22, 2012

716 billion in Medicare cuts over the next 10 years = less reimbursements for hospitals = hospitals cutting costs = cutting nursing staff = more danger to patients. That is what I worry about.

subee, MSN, CRNA · Nov 22, 2012

Mediocrity for all.

Mindful, RN · Nov 22, 2012

...Don't worry, be happy...

Nurse_AV · Nov 22, 2012

716 billion in Medicare cuts over the next 10 years = less reimbursements for hospitals = hospitals cutting costs = cutting nursing staff = more danger to patients. That is what I worry about.

this is what i was thinking about... it just makes me wonder what the effects might be on hospitals and nursing homes. i work in a nursing home on a rehab unit, it happens to be a very nice facility but we've already had some cuts made plus no raises this year. just causes me concern. weather or not people use obamacare is not my concern, it's the federal funding it takes to make obamacare work on a national scale... i feel like that might affect my job in the future since hospitals and nursing homes depend on medicare money to run. yikes. :/

SC_RNDude · Nov 26, 2012

All this mass hysteria about Obamacare is funny. People act like that once uninsured people are given an insurance card then they are just gonna go on a "healthcare spree!"
I personally have this huge fear of going to the doctor. I know, it's ironic, but I do. I'm trying to convince myself right now to go in for a "female check up" because I'm probably dying right now and don't even know it. Believe me, once I had health insurance I didn't go to the doctor any more often than when I didn't have health insurance. It was just nice to know that I COULD if I really needed to.
I don't think it's going to be much different for the population as a whole. Of course, there is always a portion of the population that will abuse anything they can. There are probably going to be some people who will look at being insured as an opportunity to get pain pills or something like that. The reality is that the "lowest class" are already insured and have been for a long time through medicaid. It's the WORKING poor who don't have insurance because they don't qualify for medicaid and don't make enough to buy a plan.
My son was on medicaid when I was dirt poor and just because taking him to the doctor would've been "free" doesn't mean I abused it. In fact, I went to the pharmacy one time to pick up his prescription after I did take him to the doctor once and the tech told me he wasn't in the system. I said, "that can't be right. i've gotten all of his medicines here." She was going to have to put him back in the system and needed his social security number which I didn't have on me. (I'm a horrible parent, I know. I didn't have it memorized). During my frustration at the thought I was going to have to drive home, get his card, go back to the pharmacy all while he was sick, etc., I said, "how is he not in the system?" The answer was, "Well, he hasn't had anything filled here in two years so it knocks him out of the system." I had taken him for yearly check ups, but he hadn't been sick enough to go to the doctor or need any medicine in at least two years.
I did a project not too long ago with a school system and it involved having to interview the school nurse. The nurse was saying that one of the biggest problems she saw regarding healthcare were parents who didn't fill out and return forms that would enable their kids to get care. Can we say neglect? The point is...just because people CAN use something doesn't mean that they're going to. Sure, some people will, and that's the point. However, the thought that ALLLL of these people are suddenly going to start flooding hospitals and doctor's offices is just not realistic in my opinion.

Sounds then like you disagree with the assertion that Obamacare supporters make that more people will now be seeking preventive care and thus less money will be spent on those people in the long run.

Ntheboat2 · Nov 26, 2012

Sounds then like you disagree with the assertion that Obamacare supporters make that more people will now be seeking preventive care and thus less money will be spent on those people in the long run.

Eh, maybe to an extent. I don't know if the guys are really going to go in for yearly exams. I'd say the females will probably go for pap smears.

However, I bet when they get something as simple as strep throat that they will go to a clinic instead of the emergency room. I don't see how anyone can dispute that will save money.

I grew up around plenty of poor, uninsured people and if they ever went to the "doctor" it was because they felt like they were dying or a limb was at stake. That's because they didn't have a doctor and they knew they couldn't afford an ER bill. I don't know of anyone who made the decision to go to the ER on a whim.

Why should someone have to go to the ER because they have strep throat? Yeah, you can say, "Well, they wouldn't have to if they worked and had insurance, blah blah," but that's like preaching contraception to a pregnant teen.

I worked minimum wage jobs, paid for 100% of all my expenses, and there simply is NOT any money left over for insurance when you're in that situation. My checks were about $400 every 2 weeks so $800 a month after taxes and the rent + utilities alone was more than half of that. The rest went to food (crappy), gas, and that was about it! I couldn't afford to even get a flat tire, much less to get sick.

I'm just sick of people acting like "Obamacare" is something to help lazy people who don't work or try. It's the exact opposite. People who don't work or try already have Medicaid! Many people who work don't qualify for Medicaid, but can't come close to being able to afford their work insurance plan that costs half of what they earn! Not everyone has parents who help them financially. Even if someone goes out on their own at 18, enrolls in college, and works full time to support themselves...they can't afford health insurance. I wouldn't quite consider that person not trying.

I guess I see Obamacare as a better alternative because the ultimatum many people are facing today is: A) keep your job where you can't afford insurance and don't qualify for Medicaid, or B) quit your job so you'll qualify for Medicaid, food stamps, housing, and everything else known to man...even if all they really wanted/needed was insurance.

Nobody should have to make a choice between those two options, and believe me, there are people who do. They especially do when it's their child who is sick, and I don't know one person who wouldn't do WHATEVER it takes to get their child the healthcare they need.

bubblejet50 · Nov 26, 2012

716 billion in Medicare cuts over the next 10 years = less reimbursements for hospitals = hospitals cutting costs = cutting nursing staff = more danger to patients. That is what I worry about.

I worry about this as well. I read the thing for a school paper I had to write and I am very against it. It states that flat fees for stays are going be the norm (complications or not) and doctors will be paid based on quality of care. Im just not sure how "quality" will be measured. Outcomes? How will oncology docs who have a higher death rate of patients be compensated? It also states that the pre-existing high risk pool can be cut at any time or have a change in coverage when there is a monetary deficit and this choice belongs to the secretary of health and human services alone. Our country is in a huge deficit right now that having a deficit in this program wouldnt be unheard of. I work in a group home for developmental disabilities and my clients' fundings are already being cut. Most are on medicare with medicaid to supplement. I guess we will wait and see what this all will mean...

Overland1, RN · Nov 28, 2012

Mediocrity for all.

Exactly, but it will be "fair"... not good, definitely not excellent, just fair...

... and totally free! :up:

Not_A_Hat_Person, RN · Dec 1, 2012

Why should someone have to go to the ER because they have strep throat? Yeah, you can say, "Well, they wouldn't have to if they worked and had insurance, blah blah," but that's like preaching contraception to a pregnant teen.

I actually went to the ER for strep throat. I had insurance, and I worked full-time. I lived in Boston, I was between PCPs (my previous one left the state), and the city had no walk-in clinics. Even community health centers required appointments, and 3-week waits weren't unusual unless you were coding.

I support Obamacare, but how much will it help if patients can't find a doctor? Considering the growing number of MDs who are refusing to take Medicare, how many will refuse to take Obamacare?

Ntheboat2 · Dec 2, 2012

I actually went to the ER for strep throat. I had insurance, and I worked full-time. I lived in Boston, I was between PCPs (my previous one left the state), and the city had no walk-in clinics. Even community health centers required appointments, and 3-week waits weren't unusual unless you were coding.
I support Obamacare, but how much will it help if patients can't find a doctor? Considering the growing number of MDs who are refusing to take Medicare, how many will refuse to take Obamacare?

I could say the grass is green...and someone could come up with a picture somewhere that the grass grows purple. There are exceptions to everything.

Generally, people shouldn't need to go to the ER for a routine illness. The reason most people (typically) go to the ER for minor things is because they have no other option. In that case, you had no other option I guess, but most places do have walk in clinics. Besides, going to the ER when you have insurance and going when you don't have insurance are 2 different ball games. There are people who will go to the ER with strep throat even if it's 10am and there are five walk in clinics within walking distance if they don't have insurance. That's the point I was making when I said they shouldn't have to...and when they don't do that anymore...it will save money.