Obamacare Enrollees Emboldened To Leave Jobs, Start Businesses

[sheshe2]

Until recently, Mike Smith, 64, of Long Beach, Calif., worked 11 hours a day, Monday through Friday and then half a day on Saturday. He was a district manager for a national auto parts chain.

He dreamed of retiring early, but it wasn't an option for him because he and his wife relied on the health insurance tied to his job.

"At our age, with some pre-existing medical conditions, it would have been very costly to buy insurance on the open market — about $3,000 a month," he says.

But the Affordable Care Act changed that. Smith retired in January. So did his wife, Laura, also 64.

The couple now has a private health insurance policy bought through Covered California, the state's insurance marketplace. It costs $200 a month.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2014/04/29/301839951/obamacare-enrollees-emboldened-to-leave-jobs-start-businesses/?source=socnet_fb_ACA_20140502_oc_obamacare-enrollees-emboldened-to-leave-jobs-start-businesses_npr_1&utm_medium=socnet&utm_source=fb&utm_campaign=ACA&utm_content=20140502_oc_obamacare-enrollees-emboldened-to-leave-jobs-start-businesses_npr_1

Bravo Obamacare! Thank you Mr President!

[tanyev]

1. Darn socialist entrepreneurs!

[Whisp]

2. K&E! love to hear these stories.

The slimey Pugs are shitting their pants at the thought of freer and happier and less stressful people.

[sheshe2]

29. I think we will be seeing more Whisp! eom.

[SummerSnow]

3. This is what the Rethuggies didn't want to happen

There's nothing they can do about it so back to Benghazi

[sheshe2]

30. Here is their official seal of disapproval...

Thanks SummerSnow.

[Sheepshank]

4. 2 jobs now freed up for someone else without a job

now THIS is what I call trickle down!!!!

[sheshe2]

8. I had not thought of it that way.

Thanks Sheepshank, good thinking!

[tridim]

11. Really good point!

Pair it with raising the minimum wage and bam, the economy will come roaring back.

Then we can talk about raising median wages.

[SoCalDem]

13. and the best part for business-owners is this..

They can now fill that job with someone younger who will cost less to insure and to pay as well..

[IronLionZion]

49. or someone who wants it more

rather than someone in it mainly for the insurance coverage.

[NewJeffCT]

34. great point

that's what I've said for 10 years on DU - if everybody has health coverage (and we're still not there yet), it will be a boon to entrepreneurship and invention, as people won't feel obligated to stay with jobs they dislike just for the insurance.

[Lucinda]

5. Love this!

♥

[Rex]

6. THIS is what really scares the Third Way and the GOP! This right here!

I've been saying it since Obamacare was made into law - take away the horrible oppression of conservative bosses and their lording over their workers with issues like healthcare...and watch people empower themselves to go on to greater things!

THIS is why the GOP pathetically tries and tries to repeal the law...they hate, HATE the fact that one of their controlling mechanisms was taken away by the government! Of course they also hate small business owners...the backbone of this country.

Good story, I can't wait to hear millions of others just like it.

[Richardo]

10. You and I are on the same page Rex

I've been saying the exact same thing. It's great for the workers, and if the businesses would pull their heads out of their asses it's great for them too -- they'd be a lot more competitive internationally without having to fund employee healthcare.

[Rex]

14. Yes and if we need one thing, desperately, it is to bring back true entrepreneurialism to America.

If we revitalize the small business world with thousands and thousands of new owners, we will revitalize the country as a whole. Of course like you say, the big companies will have to realize that this is great for them too! I just hope they do and in a timely fashion.

[dballance]

15. +1,000!

[Kingofalldems]

7. Communists!

[nolabear]

9. But, Benghazi!

[nolabear]

33. Is it just me or do we all feel like troll bait lately?

I'm not posting much at all and my last three have been calls for pizza.

[sheshe2]

37. I wish I saw what they posted!

Must have been priceless.

nolabear~

[sarge43]

12. I love the sound of exploding Repug heads in the morning. nt

[sheshe2]

18. Almost better than your first cup of coffee.

Almost, sarge~

[sarge43]

21. Tough choice

[Skidmore]

61. But you have to clean them mess they make on your screen.

[sarge43]

62. True, but it's worth the bother.

Another

[pnwmom]

17. A young relative turned down a job with a start-up because of the health insurance issue.

Now he'll have more options than the Federal job he took because of the insurance.

[handmade34]

19. yup

my daughter just last week was able to quit a mundane job for a dream job that pays less with no benefits but ...she knows she will have health insurance... was big deciding factor!!!!

[sheshe2]

28. I am so happy for your daughter!

A dream job, handmade? Perfect.

[Hekate]

20. Obamacare is a job creator!

Thanks, she, for this good news.

[sheshe2]

22. You are welcome Hekate.

Good to see you.

[fleabiscuit]

23. K&R There's going to be a scad more of these stories coming. n/t

[antigop]

24. and he could be in for a very rude awakening

http://www.democraticunderground.com/101692232

[wryter2000]

25. Same for my brother

He's not going to start a business, but he is able to retire a few years earlier than he'd thought possible.

[sheshe2]

26. That is great news, wryter!

Good for him.

[SidDithers]

27. DU rec...nt

Sid

[SunSeeker]

31. Obamacare means freedom; no more being tied to a job you hate for the sake of insurance.

[sheshe2]

32. Exactly SunSeeker.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

35. That picture is great. Love to see Mike playing his Ovation guitar.

I'm a musician too. Playing and listening to music is a HUGE part of my life, and always has been. I'm so glad he now can develop his chops without time pressure. It's amazing what you can learn when you're retired and not under pressure, like you are in school.

Bravo to Mike, his wife, and all others who will be much happier!!

[Politicub]

36. Job lock is in the dustbin of history

Great to see this.

[okaawhatever]

38. Best part of the article:

A recent study by Georgetown University and the Urban Institute predicts the ACA will enable up to 1.5 million Americans to leave their jobs and become self-employed, start new businesses or retire early. It's a finding that runs counter to forecasts by critics of the federal health law, who contend it will cost the nation jobs and cripple America's small-business economy.

[sheshe2]

39. You got that right!

Thanks, okaawhatever.

[savalez]

56. I bet

Beohner will try to spin that into a 1.5 million jobs lost.

[okaawhatever]

58. He's probably orange with envy over the good economic and ACA news. lolz. nt

[Sarah Ibarruri]

40. And if we play our cards right and STOP voting in Repukes, everything will get better

I love Obamacare. What a start! Finally, the first step in nationwide healthcare!!! And it took a minority president to accomplish it. Can you believe that???

[Cha]

41. What a difference in lifestyle! from your link..

"We've got organic shallots, organic Brussels sprouts and organic apple cider vinegar," he says, stirring the ingredients with a wooden spoon. "I love the smell of the shallots, don't you?"

Smith says he's now also able to take care of his elderly in-laws and his 2-year-old grandchild. He gets to practice his guitar more often, too."


Mike and Laura Smith

Love it.. mahalo, she!

[sheshe2]

42. They look so happy and have balance in their lives.

All thanks to Obamacare!

Amazing is it not Cha! To Mike and Laura!

[Cha]

43. To Mike and Laura! And, all those people who will take advantage

of Obamacare, she!

[Cha]

44. Just found on FB, she..

shared by babylonsistah!

[sheshe2]

45. ROFLMAO!

Love it Cha!

Kudos to bsis!

[Cha]

46. I thought it captured the moment..

[freshwest]

63. Yeah, some of the weak illogical arguments will persist, though. It's all they got to avoid mirrors.

[GReedDiamond]

47. I am a supporter of single payer universal etc etc..

...but I have NEVER been able to afford health insurance as a self-employed person, and I recently celebrated the 20th Anniversary of my 39th Birthday.

But, through CoveredCA.com, I just got a "bronze" policy at the rate of $41.05/month!

Thanks, Obama!!

[sheshe2]

48. Good for you!

Thanks Obama indeed!

[Cha]

50. Definitely!

[Tarheel_Dem]

51. I heard this said on Joy Reid's show today. Another benefit seems to be that these older....

workers who were hanging on, simply because of health care coverage, are creating job openings for the remaining unemployed. Democrats should be trumpeting this news all across the country.

[AAO]

52. Oh no! Obamacare just cost 2 jobs!

That's the right wing spin. The reality is Obamacare allowed these older folks to retire and that CREATED 2 new job openings for 2 unemployed people.

Republicans are the dumbest people on earth.

[Number23]

53. But Benghazi!! Cat food!1!! And now...TOLL ROADS!!!one

I have paid toll roads in every country I've lived in/visited. And I hate them all, I truly do. But it has never ONCE crossed my mind to have an all hands on deck, level 3 shit fit about them as I've seen on DU the past few days. Some of this shit from some of these people here simply CANNOT BE FOR REAL.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_toll_roads

[sheshe2]

60. Anger is a gift I guess...

!@#$%^&*()_!!!!!

[Cha]

54. K

[napkinz]

55. Poor Bonehead ... I mean Boehner

[sheshe2]

57. I especially like that 4th one!

Thanks napkinz.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

59. A job creator

Guess he's soon going to get solicitations from the GOP for money.