General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: It's really hard to take criticism of Obama here seriously [View all]Phlem
(6,323 posts)"This works under the assumption they would be offering lower prices if that wasn't a factor. Price raises only work if people still purchase the insurance, monopolies are the bigger problem. A lot of states have only Blue Cross or Blue Shield (options not under an employee health plan) several states only have 1 option. This is why premiums are high. A mandate is anti-competitive, why would private insurances lower prices now that people are required to purchase private insurance."
The other option to this is they could go under unless they become more competitive or forgoing that, just serve niche areas like the super wealthy or any other vacuum that can't be filled. My wife and I used to make a healthy breakfast choice that we created and self marketed. Some of the Premier Exclusive Hospital/Wellness establishments had money to burn on our products. There's a lot we don't know that the rich take for granted. You would be surprised.
"My criticisms are over things he does have control, the mandate was one of many things Obama had a troubling change of opinion on."
He has more power at his disposal than he takes advantage of. Remember that he is still beholden to his big donors like the Pharmaceutical and Banking Industries. Right now Elizabeth Warren is beating Hillary Clinton over the head with the bully pulpit and sincere liberal solutions, not 3rd way slight of hand. She's beating her up by just telling the truth and making connections that some voters would never realize.
I'm a fan of the scientific method and some...a lot of things don't add up when the third way speaks.