Coverage for uninsured in poor health comes with a catch

[IndianaGreen]

Coverage for uninsured in poor health comes with a catch

Some may not be able to afford premiums, and allotted funds may run out

by RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR
Associated Press Writer

updated 6/29/2010 6:12:15 PM ET

Share Print Font: +-WASHINGTON — The Obama administration is launching a special coverage program for uninsured Americans with medical problems this week, the most ambitious early investment of President Barack Obama's health care overhaul.

But here's the catch: Premiums will be a stretch for many, even after government subsidies to bring rates close to what healthier groups of people are charged.

And $5 billion that Congress allocated to the program through 2013 could run out well before that.

The Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan will begin accepting applications in many states on Thursday, with coverage available as early as Aug. 1, an administration official said Tuesday. Consumers can check availability in their states on a new website, healthcare.gov, starting Thursday. The goal is for all states to be enrolling people by the end of the summer.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38005962/ns/health-health_care/

[OhioChick]

1. "Some may not be able to afford premiums, and allotted funds may run out"

Well, color me surprised.

[LibDemAlways]

2. Those of us who opposed this POS bill from the get-go were

shouted down here by the Obama stalwarts who claimed it would bring instant relief to the uninsured with pre-existing conditions. That was months ago. Now we learn that premiums will be high and money to subsidize the program will be tight. Is that what posters meant when they said the bill wasn't perfect but it was the better than nothing? Perhaps, but it's hard to work up any enthusiasm for an insurance program that is unaffordable and likely to go broke.

[peace frog]

3. "Nobody could have predicted.."

ah, never fricking mind, you know the rest. :scared:

[grasswire]

4. I think I'll just cry.

I don't know how the insiders can live with the guilt. And that includes Bill Clinton, who should have known better than to allow Greenspan his irrational exuberance.

[peace frog]

7. Guilt? That implies possession of a conscience

Something sadly lacking in too many of our so-called leaders.

[nightrain]

5. unaffordable. out of reach for most people. No change essentially.

[madrchsod]

6. the so called reform is just another half ass program...

that under funded and poorly administrated. maybe it will save a few lives before the program goes bankrupt.