I thought it would be interesting to reread it and see where we have come 4 years later. This is my view of the world from my small city in Upstate New York, so let's see what kind of opinion I have formed since then.
First of all I did a quick search to see how many Americans are still uninsured. A 2014 report showed that 9 million more people were able to obtain insurance. There are still 33 million who do not have insurance which is about 10.4% of the population. I didn't look for details as to why. I was just interested in the numbers.
Here's my opinion of #1 - 15:
#1 - I don't think we've been forced by law to buy anything else other than insurance at this time.
#2 - Yes I agree, this law puts the government too much into our lives. Along with ridiculous truancy laws where CPS can investigate home schooling families, and now California is forcing all children to receive vaccines. The false measles scare of last year has set a dangerous precedent.
#3- The IRS is placing fines on people.
#4- I don't know much about the tax increases, but many different industries are being taxed in new ways and employers have to take more out of employee's paychecks.
#5 - Talking to folks in my office, the changes in out of pocket costs are forcing people to think twice and skip certain health care items such as X-rays, MRI's injections, and prescription drugs. I don't know if that's fair or not, but the cost of an MRI should have come down over the years. Typical things we buy for our household keep going down in price such as cameras, televisions, and even computers, but it's just the opposite in health. care. And the prices are hidden from the average health care consumer. Most people don't shop around for health care. They think they must use their insurance policy and accept whatever the policy offers. We used to think hospitals and insurance had our best interests at heart. Here is a link on lifehacker that offers advice on how to figure out health care costs.
#6 - Yes, the paper work requirement is out of control.
#7- Yes, health care premiums are soaring. I know folks who used to pay for their own and have been forced into Medicaid. The pre-Obamacare premiums were affordable, now they are not. And less care is covered in the new policies.
#8- I believe small businesses won't be able to hire new workers and the current workers will have to work harder due to staff shortages, with more taxes being taken out of their gross pay.
#9- A lot of doctors in our small town have left. We now have to drive to Rochester and Syracuse for specialists. I feel bad for the folks who don't have transportation and also the folks who lose work time/ pay when going to these appointments.
#10- I don't know about doctor-owned hospitals and how they are faring, but nearly every hospital has merged with another. Just like big government and big banks, we have big hospitals which means less customer service for the individual and more assembly line health care. You are now a number.
#11 - We already know the federal government is growing.
#12- In my small city, people have to wait for appointments. They are having trouble finding participating doctors, especially if they have Medicaid. You may see different nurse practitioners and no one really has a personal relationship with you so you feel as if you're starting from scratch each time you see a doctor, PA, or NP. If you don't see a doctor often enough, you are no longer invited back to that practice.
#13 - One change talked about by folks is that children are being seen while their parents are barred from being present. Another change which may not be a result of Obamacare is the drastic reduction in pain meds for folks without working with them on an individual basis to make an easier transition. Doctors take a critical look at your own differing opinion if you question vaccines, or doctors think you a drug seeking, or if you refuse to take certain drugs.
#14 - We already know Medicaid has grown.
#15 - We already know the debt is growing.
So, how well have these prediction come true?
My biggest beef is that doctors don't have time to teach people how to reclaim their health. They only have time to diagnose and write prescriptions. I've also seen a great increase in out of pocket costs for physical therapy. I think it's a tough industry because people need to go multiple times a week for physical therapy and they drop out of care because they can't take time off work or balance it with family responsibilities. Physical therapy is very crucial and it is out of reach for various reasons typically time and money.
People tell me all the time they eat healthy diets. I know they do not. They still have serious deficiencies and chalk it up to aging or stress. Their over the counter medicines are causing high blood pressure, intestinal issues, and joint damage. The viscous cycle continues. (Folks can prove me wrong by using The Low Carb Success Journal).
There is no procedure, test, or drug that will improve your health. The New England Journal of Medicine admits only nutrition can improve heart conditions. Procedures, tests, and drugs buy you time. Take the time to take care of yourself.
Get adjusted. Saturate your cells with nutrition.
Ask me about the 4 Step Formula to restore health. It is all natural and within your reach.
