WASHINGTON - Two weeks after President Barack Obama signed the big health care overhaul into law, Americans are struggling to understand how - and when - the sweeping measure will affect them. Questions reflecting confusion have flooded insurance companies, doctors’ offices, human resources departments and business groups. ‘They’re saying, ‘Where do we get the free Obama care, and how do I sign up for that?’ ‘ said Carrie McLean, a licensed agent for eHealthInsurance.com. The California-based company sells coverage from 185 health insurance carriers in 50 states. McLean said the call center had been inundated by uninsured consumers who were hoping that the overhaul would translate into instant, affordable coverage. That widespread misconception may have originated in part from distorted rhetoric about the legislation bubbling up from the hyper-partisan debate about it in Washington and some media outlets, such as when opponents denounced it as socialism. ‘We tell them it’s not free, that there are going to be things in place that help people who are low-income, but that ultimately most of that is not going to be taking place until 2014,’ McLean said. Adults with pre-existing conditions are frustrated to learn that insurers won’t […]
Sunday, April 11th, 2010
Health Care Overhaul Spawns Mass Confusion ForPublic
Author: MARGARET TALEV
Source: McClatchy Newspapers
Publication Date: 9-Apr-10
Link: Health Care Overhaul Spawns Mass Confusion ForPublic
Source: McClatchy Newspapers
Publication Date: 9-Apr-10
Link: Health Care Overhaul Spawns Mass Confusion ForPublic
Stephan: I predict Obama and the Democrats will pay a significant price for the delays and confusion they built into the system. If you have a serious condition and no insurance, and are told you will not qualify until 2014 you are going to be a seriously unhappy camper. You might be dead by 2014. The way this was handled was very awkaward.