Stupid stuff politicians have said

[Sheilbh]

I think you're overstating the case Meri.  Obamaexchanges are specficially designed to make price shopping as easy as possible, by offering only four flavors of coverage/deductible combination.

Yep. I'll be interesting to see if it works especially because the unique characteristic of US healthcare is that it's generally been provided by employers, so a lot of the things people will be weighing up aren't things they've necessarily thought about before.

But people aren't necessarily sensible consumers. In the UK for example customers are very reluctant to change banks or utility supplier, for all sorts of reasons. It wouldn't surprise me if health insurance was similar. Even if it looks like there's a cheaper/better deal people may stick just because they're worried about the small print, aren't sure they really know what the other provider's offering and it's better the devil you know.

There are examples of countries with private healthcare and similar exchange style systems who have seen prices drop due to competition (combined with government cost control). But my understanding is that in European countries with universal private insurance it's always been the individual who had to buy insurance, so they've always been the consumer and understand the product perhaps a bit more than Americans?

[garbon]

But my understanding is that in European countries with universal private insurance it's always been the individual who had to buy insurance, so they've always been the consumer and understand the product perhaps a bit more than Americans?

That would be funny. They understand less about treatment options but more about the insurance.

[Sheilbh]

But my understanding is that in European countries with universal private insurance it's always been the individual who had to buy insurance, so they've always been the consumer and understand the product perhaps a bit more than Americans?

That would be funny. They understand less about treatment options but more about the insurance.

Eh?

[11B4V]

"You cannot go to a 7-11 or a Dunkin' Donuts unless you have a slight Indian accent.... I'm not joking."

[11B4V]

''I guess what I'm trying to say without boring you too long at breakfast--and you all look dull as hell, I might add. The dullest audience I have ever spoken to. Just sitting there, staring at me. Pretend you like me!''
—Joe Biden, speaking to a group of Turkish-American and Azerbaijani-American donors, April 27, 2012

[grumbler]

''I guess what I'm trying to say without boring you too long at breakfast--and you all look dull as hell, I might add. The dullest audience I have ever spoken to. Just sitting there, staring at me. Pretend you like me!''
—Joe Biden, speaking to a group of Turkish-American and Azerbaijani-American donors, April 27, 2012

That one was pretty funny.     The audience ate it up.

[derspiess]

"Stand up, Chuck!"  was his best line ever, though.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2mzbuRgnI

[Savonarola]

This map from whitehouse.gov shows the states that have not expanded Medicaid coverage for low income individuals.  There seems to be something missing in my home state of Michigan...

[Caliga]

Fuck the Yoopers.

[Admiral Yi]

Another major computer glitch!! 

[DGuller]

There seems to be something missing in my home state of Michigan...

Obama sold it to Canada.  Sorry.

[11B4V]

This map from whitehouse.gov shows the states that have not expanded Medicaid coverage for low income individuals.  There seems to be something missing in my home state of Michigan...

THE SOUTH WILL RISE AGAIN!!!! 

[Valmy]

With Maine on their side this time they are sure to win at Little Round Top.