NPR: Despite Big Market In Florida, Obamacare Is A Hard Sell

[TomCADem]

This story really hits the nail on the head about the tragedy and travesty of Republicans and the MSM pushing right wing propaganda. Millions of people stand to gain access to affordable health coverage, but they remain in the dark because they trust right wing elected and news sources that feed them misinformation and keep them in the dark.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/12/11/248156142/hard-sell-for-obamacare-in-florida-despite-big-market

"I think it sucks," he says. The median household income in this county is about $40,000 a year. Lots of jobs here don't come with health insurance. That means many here like Mott, who doesn't have steady work at the moment, probably qualify for subsidies to help them afford coverage.

But Mott isn't buying the idea that the health law could possibly be good for his family. "I would have to say no," Mott says, "I haven't investigated deep enough to know if there is anything."

* * *
Guys like Dees and Mott are exactly who health law advocates like Karen Woodall are trying to reach. A longtime lobbyist for children's and family issues in Florida's capital, Tallahassee, she says it's tough to convince people here that the law might help them.

"It's challenging to overcome messages that are coming out of elected officials' offices and a governor's office," she says.

[Lifelong Dem]

1. That's what I'm seeing too

People either don't know what's good for them (because of the media) or they are being political.

[Atman]

2. My nephew-in-law is in corporate sales for Florida Blue.

Fundies, as are most of the family, and therefore Obama haters, everyone. We discussed Obamacare over thanksgiving, and the conversation was almost surreal. Florida Blue (their version of BC/BS) is the only company participating in Florida. You'd think he'd welcome this, sales-wise. But he actually told us his "pitch" when meeting with groups is that young people should avoid Obamacare because not enough young people will sign up to make it viable.

Did you get that bizarre bit of circular "logic?" The program needs young people to make it viable, but he is discouraging these very people from signing up. He won't admit it, but his own political beliefs and dislike of Obama are coloring his sales pitch. That, and I'm guessing Florida Blue would prefer to steer these customers into more expensive/profitable private contracts.

It was just bizarre listening to him. He denied subsidies would help anyone, he said everyone's rates would increase. He's actively selling against Obamacare, despite his company being a prime beneficiary. There is probably a strategy in there somewhere, unless he was simply being more forthright with his family than he is to his sales manager.

[scarletlib]

3. Interesting--

Headline in today's Palm Beach Post: "Fla tops in signups on federal exchange"

I think maybe people here (at least in South Florida) aren't as stupid as the Repugs would like to think.

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/news/national-govt-politics/obamacare-enrollment-up-in-florida-though-still-lo/ncHgT/


(Note: Internet header not same as hardcopy)