Spent the last two days with insurance companies going over the highlights of Obamacare. Oddly enough, they have already accepted their fate and are preparing for about 50% layoffs in the healthcare insurance from 2014 to 2017.
Two odd things were pointed out.
First, if you have private insurance and your company discontinues it, you are required by law to join the government insurance. Once you join government insurance, you are legally bound there until you die. Even if you win the lottery, you cannot buy private insurance. If you change jobs and your new employer has private insurance, you cannot be covered by that. That was scary.
The second thing was amusing and sad at the same time. It was pointed out that if you are a citizen of the United States, you will be required to show proof of health insurance when interacting with most governmental agencies, including the IRS. (Although the rules haven't been completely written, it is assumed your health insurance information will be gathered by the IRS.) However, the government cannot make you prove you are a citizen. So if you are illegal, you are not required to prove you have health insurance.
Other than that, estimates are that Obamacare will cost 40% more than private insurance in 2014 and will likely increase at a faster rate than private insurance as baby boomers die.
I can't wait to get my free insurance!!!!