aja8888
Moderator Emeritus
......... someone who didn't even buy a policy this year and elects to pay the fine, can purchase a policy next year if he/she develops a chronic condition which is expensive to treat.
Isn't this what was going on in Mass. under "Romneycare"? If so, how was that resolved so that the ACA would not see any or little of this? Is it the annual fines that are supposed to deter this?
In any event, not buying under the ACA can be resolved by just visiting the ER. Heck, ER's are so crowded here, there are several hour waits, even if you have real insurance.
FWIW, and I have no personal skin in the game (but DD does). Over the holidays I asked about 20 people I know, and also asked their adult children when I saw them, how they are fairing with the ACA. Here are some startling answers:
1. College student -19 years old (my step-granddaughter). - no insurance and parents never mentioned the ACA (very disheartening to us).
2. Work associate (very educated, MBA, etc) - his adult son never applied and has no insurance. I asked what is he going to do...answer was "I need to get him (son) looking into this".
3. Parents of step-granddaughter - One is self employed, both have no insurance (sad). Both age 40+, educated, etc. Actually did not know what the ACA was..that was surprising.
4. Close friend (divorced) with two adult daughters - one got insurance under the ACA. Other tried but got frustrated and gave up. His ex has no policy and is on Medicaid.
5. Balance of other folks were employed with policies from employer or on Medicare.
I did not run into anyone who is in the forgotten group here - too low an income for ACA coverage and no Medicaid eligibility due to no Medicaid expansion here in TX. Those folks are ER bound I guess.