...and Obamacare is still ruining lives...

And the benefits of Obamacare are? So far the costs have skyrocketed and fewer people are covered. Oh, and not just a few people have to go 100's of miles to get to their only coverage. And, no, I mean literally 100's of miles. So, yes. I prefer the "not a system". However, there really was a system. And, FWIW, the uninsured were not billed at full cost. Those who knew what they were doing could get procedures at about 1/2 the insurance rate (varying from procedure to procedure, of course).

 

Start digging!

 

Ok, why would a dr. discount an uninsured when he knows the government is stepping in to pay the bill? That doesn't make sense, and I've never seen this happen.

 

You know there are still uninsured, even now, right?
In making his case for Obamacare, BO told us there were 39 million uninsured (and that dodn't include the millions who lost their insurance because of Obamacare or the pre-illegals he's recruited) so if only 7 million signed up (and half of those haven't paid) there are probably more unisured today than there was before Obamacare.

 

BTW, this is what can happen when capitalism is actually allow to work unfettered.

6 Ways to Negotiate Lower Doctor Bills

For the past couple of years, I’ve been putting off getting a bone-density scan, despite my doctor’s urgings. I have made efforts to bolster my bones (vitamin D, calcium, strength-training exercises) and haven’t broken any since my last scan six years ago, so I figured I didn’t need a new test. And I’ve been hesitant for another reason: Money.
My doctor wanted me to get the scan done in his office, but he’s not in my health insurer’s network, so it would’ve cost me $400. Not surprisingly, I decided to wait. But when a podiatrist recently said I had a stress fracture in my right foot, I knew it was time for another scan.
How I Saved $200 on a Bone Scan
After checking around, I learned I could get it done nearby for less. So I asked my doctor if he’d reduce his price. He agreed pretty quickly, trimming $200 off the $400 fee, and I had the scan done in his office. Fortunately, my bone density had changed very little — and it turned out I didn’t have a stress fracture.
This experience taught me a valuable lesson about health-care costs: Sometimes you can reduce your doctor and dentist bills simply by asking.
Knowing how to negotiate medical costs can be especially useful this time of year since your annual deductibles have just started up again and you’ll be on the hook for out-of-pocket expenses until you cross the deductible thresholds.
Why It Pays to Speak Up
So the next time you’re visiting your doctor or dentist, remember this succinct advice from health-care-affordability expert Mark Rukavina of Community Health Advisors in Boston: “Many providers will negotiate on price — but generally not if people don’t ask.”
(MORE: How to Talk With Your Doctor)
Physicians and dentists (hospitals too) are used to negotiating. You can have the conversation up front, before the medical visit or procedure. Alternatively, if you get the bill and believe the fee was excessive or can’t afford it, you can try bargaining it down at that point.
Reluctant to talk dollars and cents with someone in a white coat? Don’t be, says Victoria Veltri, Connecticut’s health care advocate.
“Consumers need to become more assertive, change their mindset and review their medical bills just as they scrutinize their utility bills,” Veltri says. “People need to feel empowered to talk to their doctors and say, ‘I trust you as a medical provider, but I also have financial concerns.’”
...........................................
http://www.forbes.com/sites/nextavenue/2013/01/15/6-ways-to-negotiate-lower-doctor-bills/

 

Working in a "small business" things are as they were in my case.
For the most part.

Including the boss there are five of us. Three (including the boss) are full time.

The two part timers have Medicaire as well as husbands having pensions. They're doing OK.

So are us other three it seems.

I wasn't doing so well last year and had NO insurance. Feel free to make stupid comments. I expect it.

Bottom line is this. Now I have insurance I can afford and hope not to use it.
I haven't yet so the insurance company benefits.

It hasn't ruined my life nor anyone elses at this point.

 

Truth and logic has reared it's ugly head.

 

A favorite Republican talking point gets crushed by reality:

"GOP struggles to land punches at ObamaCare insurance hearing" | The Hill

I guess it's time for a chorus of "yeahbut" and some

Meanwhile, a vacuous tool from Tennessee spouts some truly repugnant bilge, proving he's both unscrupulous and ignorant.

"Tennessee State Senator Compares Obamacare To The Holocaust" | TPM

 

Wow! Those statements require a special kind of stupid. When you're so ignorant of something that you are completely against but can't even form a rational argument in support of your own ignorant position, you have entered the Twilight Cone of Ignorance population you and your dumb-ass opinions.

 

You do realize the consumer cost of medical care equals the service provider's cost plus service provider's profits. The consumer cost of paying for medical care through insurance equals the service provider's cost plus the service provider's profits plus insurance servicer's costs plus insurance servicer's profits.