Harvard Professor David Cutler, who served as the senior health care advisor to President Obama’s 2008 campaign, acknowledged Monday evening that premiums “will be very high” if enough people don’t sign up on the Obamacare exchanges – a very real prospect given problems with the website and the difficulty enlisting younger enrollees.
Cutler appeared on Fox News channel’s Kelly File, saying:
If the numbers aren’t there then the premiums in the exchanges will be very high, because the people who will go through the most hoops to get that coverage are those for whom the costs are highest and their coverage is the worst. So it is very important that enough people get enrolled through the exchanges.
Cutler added that while Obamacare would not collapse if too few sign up, it “becomes very difficult” for the program to succeed.
Cutler had warned the White House that they were putting the C Team in charge of organizing Obamacare – with assistance and support from the D Team – writing a blunt memo to then-National Economic Council Director Larry Summers in May 2010 stating, “I do not believe the relevant members of the administration understand the president’s vision or have the capability to carry it out.”
H/T to Jim Hoft at Gateway Pundit.
31 thoughts on “Former Obama Advisor: Premiums Could Get “Very High””
Does Obama understand the meaning of the word insurance? What vision of Obama’s doesn’t relevant members of the administration not understand? That the road to serfdom is covered with ideas of fantasy rather than reality?
True! Insuring after your car is totaled, for instance, is not insurance! It’s welfare! And then the government can completely control our lives.
Obama never held an honest job, operated a business, or ran anything besides his mouth.
It’s not surprising he doesn’t understand or care about real world consequences, since he never had to live in it…
Allow me to realistically prophetize what will happen:
The powers that be will see there aren’t enough ‘well-people’ to pay for the few and the sick that will have signed up by March 31.
Therefore, by HHS rulings/Presidential fiats/and other amendments to the ACA, there will be more tweeksa and twists in order to FORCE more people to sign up. Exemptions will probably have to fall.
Delays will be dismissed.
The government has control over 1/6 of the US economy (by fraudulent law) and it will do whatever it can to make the square fit into the circle.
I have thought of that–maybe a yr or two down the road, people are paying the penalty–they could look at their income (IRS) and number of exemptions and just put them in a plan and start attaching the bank acct. Is this too wild? I wonder based on what is happening.
The “old” system, if it was a system, worked sort of OK for millions because employers subsidized it–if the employers toss people into the exchanges, the balloon really goes up on this baby!
Just wave the magic wand and turn this pumpkin into a hospital! See that mouse? Doctor! Those cockroaches? Medical personnel! And it is all free!
Bippity Boppity BOO!
…and the Emperor is wearing VERY FINE clothes that only the BEST people can see…
“Cutler added that while Obamacare would not collapse if too few sign up, it “becomes very difficult” for the program to succeed.”
Not to mention very expensive for the taxpayer to support.
What the heck is the difference between collapse and very difficult to succeed? Does every member of the political class use a different dictionary than us?
Yes, Robin. And to tell you the truth, yours is substandard. Just ask them, they’ll tell you.
“I do not believe the relevant members of the administration understand the president’s vision or have the capability to carry it out.”
But Obama and Sebellius had no idea it wasn’t going to work on October 1.
I think you’d have to ‘choom HEAVILY with Obama to even BEGIN to understand his “vision”…
Finally. A way that We The People can finally have an effect on the growth of government. Nobody sign up.
What about those with no plan now?
So Cutler complained to the head of the B team as to what the C and D teams were doing?
How junior high!
This dude descended from his ivory tower to put all Americans in this rat maze and see what happened–and is now whining that some timeservers screwed up his vision. Bah!
If only there was an established market for health insurance that has been developed and built up over a hundred years. Oh wait…
Finally! Rush is now talking about the “Big Lie’ as an impeachable offense. i’
Unfortunately, he won’t resign and he has already usurped the constitutional powers of Congress, so what are our options? Obama doesn’t have the honor and integrity of Richard Nixon to resign. Sociopaths are like that. Besides, the misery America is suffering as a result of his dictatorial edicts no doubt give this Marxist great pleasure and joy.
The House would have no trouble indicting him (imo) and I bet there are enough Senate Dems who would convict him. Even Biden would be a relief to most DEMS at this point. Except for Af/Ams, there would be no love lost if Obama disappeared into the sunset tomorrow morning. He is, and always will be, the Phantom of the White House.
‘disappeared into the sunset tomorrow morning’??? What was I thinking?!? Time for a long rest.
http://www.propublica.org/article/coming-in-january-obamacare-rate-shock-part-two
This is good–also the comments….
“Even with high deductibles, consumers stop paying retail for health care since they get the advantage of the health insurer’s negotiated rates, and no plan has a higher out-of-pocket maximum than $6,350 (per person),” he said. “That is a lot of money, but it probably will not drive people into bankruptcy. “
SNIP
Does that mean person member of a household under that policy? That’s more than $25,000 for a family of four! Even if it means per household, that could take a huge chunk out of the budget. That bit about not driving people to bankruptcy is rather condescending. Most people budget to pay their bills and save a bit, not to keep out of bankruptcy court.
By the way, my sister in an Medicare HMO was given a depression test today–I said don’t take those dumb tests and let them know about you. What if you WERE depressed and shot someone, do you think somehow this “record” would not find its way to TV and law enforcement. I guess if you shot someone that would be the least of it, but I am not taking these stupid tests. If I am worried about something, I will tell the doctor–I don’t need the doctor to ferret it out for the govt.
I think everyone who voted on this O Mess, should All sit together live on TV and read it. We may choose to listen or not. That would include Mr. O as well. They can all chip in and pay the commercial time with
there own wallet, not ours…..
It’s not insurance. It’s wealth redistribution. And not too many Americans like it. Socialism for thee but not for me — especially when you take from me and charge me more for less. Every Obama voter should be made to go along with Obamacare. Elections have consequences.
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