With so many myths and rumors swirling around the issue, it’s important to trust a reliable source and make sure that you’re properly informed. Here are four lies seniors shouldn’t believe about Obamacare, regardless of who tells them.
Myth: Obamacare Will Increase Insurance Premiums
The most believed myth among Americans is that Obamacare means increased and unaffordable insurance premiums. Since many seniors are scraping by on social security benefits, an increase in their premium could literally mean the difference between living underneath a roof and being thrown out on the street. Fortunately for them, this myth isn’t true. The truth is insurance premiums have increased faster than the growth of income rates for more than 10 years. With more rules and regulations meant to reduce the growth in insurance premium rates today, like the rate review that keeps insurance companies from unjustly hiking their premiums, Obamacare is actually doing more to stop insurance companies from misusing their powers than other bills have before. Although insurance companies have increased insurance rates in some cases to respond to your new healthcare protections, protections, and rights, Obamacare has countered this move by creating a Health Insurance Exchange Pool (also known as the Health Insurance Marketplace). Low-to-middle income seniors can shop for subsidized and regulated health insurance coverage from competing healthcare providers using their state’s marketplace. If you make less than about $46,000 annually, then you qualify for cost assistance that’ll drastically reduce your insurance premium costs. For more information, check out the Health Insurance Marketplace.
Myth: Obamacare Will Implement Death Panels
Although, there was a provision in the original healthcare bill that had to be removed because of rumors of death panels — the provision would’ve paid doctors for offering voluntary counseling to Medicare patients about end-of-life care options and wills. This provision no longer exists, and the rumor about death panels was false to begin with. Removing this provision actually hurt seniors in an indirect way, though, since your healthcare is in you and your doctor’s hands. Obamacare doesn’t regulate healthcare; it regulates insurance coverage.
Myth: Obamacare Will Hurt Seniors the Most
Contrary to the myth, Obamacare actually reforms Medicare and offers many new rights, benefits, and protections for seniors. Some of the reformations include closing the “donut hole” for prescription medications, reforming Medicare Advantage and offering better health services across the board. No matter how many people dispute the claim, many parts of Obamacare address improving Medicare for seniors and expanding it. If you’re still skeptical about it, check out this website that digs a bit deeper to unravel the truth.
Myth: Obamacare Will Cull Seniors
Anyone against Obamacare is willing to do just about anything to turn people against it, even if it means making ludicrous claims that it’s meant to cull seniors. Fortunately, nothing could be further from the truth. Obamacare helps seniors in many ways, focusing on improved care for seniors via reforms in Medicare. This infographic about Obamacare highlights some of the advantages it provides to seniors and illustrates exactly how this new healthcare reform bill will work in the future. If you’re a senior, watching the news on TV is likely giving you nightmares about how you’re going to get treated in the future. Don’t fret, though, as most of what you’re seeing and hearing is based on propaganda. Although some people might lose out with this healthcare reform, you certainly won’t. Are you a senior? What do you like or dislike most about the healthcare reform? How are you dissecting information so that you’re in the know about the new healthcare reform bill? Leave a comment below and share your opinions on this heated debate.
