Obamacare: Should I get out while I still can?

[TexasAbby]

Hello :) I didn't know exactly where to ask this, but I am very concerned and need some guidance...I am just about to take prerequisites to get into a BSN program. I would really love to be a nurse! And I have been looking forward to getting into the nursing field. However, the Court's ruling on Obama's Healthcare plan has me nervous.

All the nurses I've known/talked to have not had good things to say about the law or how it will affect them. I know Medicaid is very slow to pay and doesn't reimburse doctors/hospitals much of the actual cost, so won't that trickle down to nurses' pay?...Also, the nursing shortage we have ALREADY is bad enough..so won't Obama's new law just make the problem that much worse by adding more people to a system that already desperately needs more nurses?. I'm also concerned that the quality of care will suffer as well (for the patients).. I really need advice on this...I want to be a nurse, but the uncertainty and the possibility of more work with less pay is not at all attractive...its scary!

So my question is this: Should I go ahead with my plans to go to nursing school despite the unsure future? Or should I get out and find a new rewarding career path to take while I still can? Maybe I can wait awhile to see how things play out first?

P.S=I had wanted to eventually be a nurse practitioner (career goal)..And please don't question my desire to be a nurse and my love for what nurses do. I would LOVE to be a nurse, but .I just don't want to go into alot of student debt, work my butt off, and delve into a career when there is so much uncertainty about things such as possible cuts to the pay, and the overall nursing shortage. The way I see it, I'm at a crossroad right now and can take either fork..I just want to make an educated, good decision. All answers and advice are VERY appreciated!! :)

[mariebailey, MSN, RN]

I do not understand the interest in comparing Obamacare to Romneycare. Is it truly a matter worthy of debate? The healthcare policies Romney planned on implementing at the federal level did not resemble his reforms in MA at all. In fact, his proposed Medicaid reforms would have led to drastic cuts in MA b/c the state receives federal Medicaid dollars. Regardless, it is a moot point b/c he was not elected!

[BlueDevil,DNP, DNP, RN]

I am not interested in slinging mud and have no desire to stoop so low. I am allowed an opinion as are you. I am simply putting information out there. I am not asking for anyone to agree with me. I was just giving an answer in response to a previous post. I do not favor Obamacare. I have read multiple documents that outline Obamacare and after doing much research have come to my own conclusion. I do not for see it providing a true solution to our problem. We will see how it does play out in the long run. I will be elated if the program is successful but I am suspicious.

No one is "slinging mud" except perhaps whomever wrote the inaccurate piece you cut and pasted, lol. I am a bit perplexed that one would be disinterested in reviewing data (facts, in this case) gleaned the foremost expert in the country and the original author of both pieces of legislation in question on which to base their opinion while their doing their due diligence in "research," but, um, ok. As you say, you have come to your conclusion.

[RhinoRocketRN]

just go be a PA....

[AmandaVanGuilder]

There are ever evolving sites of information and continue to be projections as to how Obamacare will effect this country. Both negative and positive. I have read multiple sources and looked at many documents. I have also read credible sources which despute Mr. Grubers statements and site him as having flip flopped on his projections. I can sit here and be rude or I can take your constructive criticism and I do accept that you may have a different view of things. It is just fine and I welcome it. Most healthcare professionals who are required to complete documentation on a daily basis will admit that Medicare has ever increasing regulations. It has become increasingly difficult for healthcare facilities to receive payment for services that they have provided to individuals. Medicare is a broken program, and that is the reality of the situation. I forsee another federally funded program that will leave us all with greater restrictions, more federal regulation, and a decrease in payment of services. I will also note that first hand I have seen a decline in patient care, as clinicians are required to spend increasing amounts of time on documentation. We can sit here and talk numbers, make projections, and even refer to an "expert" who says, but the harsh reality is that history and experience do not lie. There are many nitpicky issues, loopholes, and figures that we can site all day long. I don't see any of these numbers truely getting to the heart of the matter for our patients or ourselves. I wish there was a better way. I still believe that Romney implemented a program that overall has proven successful for Mass. I also believe that there is a better way for us to fix our issues regarding health insurance in this country. I will never agree with you that Obamacare is a great thing and that it will fix our problems. I see it as a band-aid and I also see it as causing more harm than good in the long run. We will have to wait and see. My main concern is how this will effect patient care, our work as nurses, and our paychecks. I have to accept that it is the law of the land, but I will never say that I thought it was a good thing.

[Mindful, RN]

Forget about it !!!! Obama won and the law of the land is OBAMACARE for ALL...

[AmandaVanGuilder]

I will accept that Obamacare is the law of the land, but I won't forget about it. That's exactly what he would like for you to do. Forget about questioning such things and forget about having a mind of your own. That way federal government can take over and dictate all things in regards to personal freedom. Untill we don't have any freedom left. History has warned us about being so accepting but I guess we will have to learn the hard way. The ship can try to take me down, but not without me kicking and screaming.

[PMFB-RN, RN]

I will accept that Obamacare is the law of the land, but I won't forget about it. That's exactly what he would like for you to do. Forget about questioning such things and forget about having a mind of your own. That way federal government can take over and dictate all things in regards to personal freedom. Untill we don't have any freedom left. History has warned us about being so accepting but I guess we will have to learn the hard way. The ship can try to take me down, but not without me kicking and screaming.

.

*** While I disagree with you I completly understand your feelings. I too have been there. Your comments mirror mine almost exactly back when Bush and company were telling obvious lies to drum up support for their aggresive invasion and bloody occupation of Iraq. I don't say that to start a discussion on those events, only wanted to say I fully understand your feelings.

[BlueDevil,DNP, DNP, RN]

1) Actually, if you will notice, I never suggested the ACA was "a great thing" and I do not, in fact, hold that opinion. I have not been a strong supporter of it. I merely took issue with your rationale for disliking it, as the "research" evidence you cite for basing your conclusion has not been credible. I never disagreed with your conclusion. You assume too much.

2) As the ACA has not yet gone into effect, documentation impacts you have observed to date cannot be attributed to it. History and experience are oft misinterpreted. I do agree with your first sentence, that all we have so far with regard to the ACA are projections.

3) I submit that neither you nor I are qualified to dispute Dr. Grubner on the details/specifics/similarities of proposals he drafted, lol.

[mariebailey, MSN, RN]

I will accept that Obamacare is the law of the land, but I won't forget about it. That's exactly what he would like for you to do. Forget about questioning such things and forget about having a mind of your own. That way federal government can take over and dictate all things in regards to personal freedom. Untill we don't have any freedom left. History has warned us about being so accepting but I guess we will have to learn the hard way. The ship can try to take me down, but not without me kicking and screaming.

That seems a bit melodramatic. Obama wants us to "forget about questioning things and forget about having a mind of your own"? I thought he wanted to make health insurance accessible. Do you know how many developed, democratic countries have either single-payer systems, individual mandates, or at least require constituents to carry major/catastrophic insurance? The answer is ALL of them. This is evidence that democracy and its inherent freedoms can persist alongside health reforms. I can relate to your post only to the extent that sometimes I want to kick & scream without a legitimate reason too.

List of Countries with Universal Healthcare « True Cost – Analyzing our economy, government policy, and society through the lens of cost-benefit

[apriljh5]

Here's what I do know...When HMOs came about, I was working for a large clinic. A lot of insurance companies suddenly had patients with $5 and $10 copays. Our phone rang nonstop. People wanting an appointment for trivial things because they now only had to pay practically nothing. We all worked harder, faster, longer and for the same pay. When Obamacare starts and millions of people either get on Medicaid or this government program, and they can come to the doctor and ER with little financial obligation, the medical community will be bombarded. Numerous studies show that when people are given things for free the majority will abuse it. They will show up with a cough present less than 24 hours, be given a prescription and will probably never take it, and be right back in the office in a few days saying they didn't get any better. Most doctors I know are going to stop taking or greatly reduce their Medicare patients, refuse Medicaid all together, reduce their office hours, and are not interested in working harder for less money. Physicians in their 50s are talking about early retirement, and younger ones are looking at teaching, becoming Medical Liasons for Pharmaceuticals, going into R & D or thinking about leaving the country.

[crr1987]

My concern is that there will not be a big enough population that falls into the tax categories the new tax laws were designed to target to cover the costs of obamacare. That means the left overs will fall on the working middle class. My question is how much will the left over gap be and what will that mean for taxes for the working American who doesn't make over 250k/year?

I'm fine with paying a little more in taxes if it means more care for more people. What I'm not ok with is ending up paying 50% + in income tax to fund a universal health system. Especially given so many health issues stem from preventable/modifiable risk factors(ie diet, exercise, smoking, & alcohol)

Anyone else feel/share these concerns??

[l3wilso]

I agree we will definitely see an increase in minor issues with individuals arriving to the ER for service. Remember to smile, medicare will be paying based on that as well. There is nothing that can be done about it. The abuse of anything free is always present. But, healthcare for all is what people asked for.

I think over time we will see that peeple will not abuse it much, but we will also see those that are not sick seriously will only make themselves sick as we see today.