Downtown Home & Garden president says Obamacare will help control health care costs
Some business owners have been openly critical of the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, but Downtown Home & Garden president Mark Hodesh told the Detroit News’ Carol Cain that he is looking forward to implementation of the law.
Mark Hodesh in Downtown Home & Garden on Ashley Street in downtown Ann Arbor.
According to the Detroit News story, after the Obama administration decided to delay implementation of the law, the individual mandate will go into effect January 1, 2014. As part of the roll out, Internet-based health insurance exchanges where insured or self-insured can find plans will open to the public on October 1.
Ben Freed covers business for AnnArbor.com. You can sign up here to receive Business Review updates every week. Get in touch with Ben at 734-623-2528 or email him at benfreed@annarbor.com. Follow him on twitter @BFreedinA2
Comments
Mick52
Wed, Aug 28, 2013 : 5:10 a.m.
This is a very bad law and was put in place in an idiotic manner. One of the dumbest things about it is the use of the word "affordable," in its title. From the beginning, my question was, "What exactly do you mean by affordable?" And why does congress think they can address this profession? What do they know about health care? So one thing it does is provide free contraceptives. Free drugs for healthy people so they can have sex and not get pregnant. Is pregnancy is now considered an illness that should be prevented? But sick people still have to pay for prescriptions. Wonder how they feel about that? I think it is utter stupidity. Unless you look at votes, eh? Are we supposed to be impressed by this? Health care by its nature is expensive. It requires huge numbers of personnel, almost all of whom require a college education from a community college degree up to a medical degree. It is also now highly technical and uses advanced equipment developed over the decades to improve health care. and requires a significant number of highly equipped facilities. This is why it has gotten so expensive. You simply cannot make something expensive inexpensive. In order to provide health care to more people, it is going to require significant increases in premiums, taxes or whatever you method to use to collect the money needed to cover more people. From the beginning they should have tried to find out how much it will take and get a response from the voters if they will tolerate such a large increase in payments. Look at any country in the world with HC and this is what you will see, very large taxes. Go to the Cato institute website, they have well researched articles. Forget single payer, it won't work in this country.
maallen
Wed, Aug 28, 2013 : 2:03 p.m.
Unfortunately Mick52, this is the second step toward single payer. The first step was taken by Hillary Clinton back in the 90's when she tried to push single payer when her husband was President. What's going to happen is people are going to see what an utter mess this Affordable Care Act is (it might take 5 years or 10 years or longer) and the government will say they need to step in and streamline it to make it "more affordable" and the best way to do that is to make it single payer. And also, President Obama himself said getting to single payer will take time. It can't happen all at once. Steps need to be taken. Unfortunately, it will happen. It's just a matter of when.
bobslowson
Wed, Aug 28, 2013 : 12:55 p.m.
"Put in place in an idiotic manner" Kinda how we got right to work for less in Michissippi
napoleon
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 4:55 p.m.
I will NEVER patronize this business again!
maallen
Wed, Aug 28, 2013 : 2:05 p.m.
Nicholas Urfe, I thought you were a big proponent of health insurance should not be tied to one's job? Now you are glad that an employer provides insurance for an employee? Good for you. Because that is an OPTION for an employer to do so. It should be a choice whether they provide insurance to an employee, and not a requirement.
bobslowson
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 6:54 p.m.
Yeah, how dare that owner wants his employees to earn a decent living with healthcare. I think I will shop there more now.
Nicholas Urfe
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 5:31 p.m.
How dare the owner of that business provide his employees with health care! He should force them all down to part time, with no health care or other benefits, just like wal mart! When they get sick, they can clog emergency rooms, and pass the costs on to taxpayers! Why the nerve of some people to provide health care to employees. If one business does it, pretty soon the little people will expect it.
clownfish
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 3:08 p.m.
According to multiple sources, health insurance premiums increased an average of 4% last year. That is less then most past years increases, BEFORE Obamacare. In Tea Party logic this is BAD news. More people getting access to health care is BAD news. People being responsible for their health care costs is BAD news. Reducing unpaid medical bills at emergency rooms across the country is BAD news. Got it?
clownfish
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 2:29 p.m.
Why did we not see such anger about premium increases during the 1990's and 2000's? Insurance companies raised premiums by over 150% since 1998. In 2010 premiums averaged a 3% increase, the lowest in decades. Where was the outrage with the insurance companies when they raised premiums MORE than can be attributed to the PPAA? Actually, there was, it was called the election of 2008, the one were Obama ran on, and won on, doing something about health care costs and uninsured people driving up our costs. But, by passing the PPAA, clearly Obama showed a "lack of leadership".
John
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 7:05 p.m.
Because in the 90's and 2000's the President was white?
dsponini
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 5:57 p.m.
Yeah, but Bush was great. That black guy in office is ruining everything! Even if he is just an extension of Bush!
Nicholas Urfe
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 4:30 p.m.
I love that people downvote you for that truth. My premiums went up much more under Bush than Obama.
Nicholas Urfe
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 2:26 p.m.
Didn't the CEO of Papa John's pizza say that Obamacare would add FIVE CENTS to the cost of a pizza? And for that reason he thought it was a horrible terrible thing, to provide healthcare to the workers. Oh, the shame of greed.
Arboriginal
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 4:15 p.m.
That clown can keep his nickel, and his lousy pizza.
Nicholas Urfe
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 2:21 p.m.
A bag of IV saline costs hospitals about a dollar. Hospitals routinely charge patients $400 just for that bag of water and salt, plus the hundreds more to administer the IV, and for the bed. That extreme overcharging is just fine for the insurance companies - because it all boosts their profits. 10% of $400 is a lot more than 10% of $10. The system needs a major overhaul. The people who constantly whine about Obamacare almost never ever offer alternatives. The "same ole" is not a solution. Nobody is *entitled* to make a profit of 400X on a bottle of water. Though some would suggest corporations have some god-given right to bend us over a barrel and take us for all we are worth, and then some, forever and ever.
maallen
Wed, Aug 28, 2013 : 1:56 p.m.
Mackinac, I have often said the same thing on points 3 and 4 of yours, but I also like the first two points as well. It would have been much better than trying to reinvent the wheel. For example, the government is spending millions upon millions setting up these exchanges in each state. In reality, these exchanges already existed that they could have used with very little costs. But the government decided to reinvent the wheel and set up their own websites, etc without using what already existed in the marketplace.
Mackinac Straits
Wed, Aug 28, 2013 : 11:58 a.m.
The alternatives to Obama care are to; 1) isssue a voucher to all persons unable to afford a health insurance policy. 2) modify the tax code to give individuals who buy healthcare insurance the same treatment as businesses, 3) eliminate the state-by-state rules to create a national market, and 4) reform malpractice law. These easy, low cost reforms would accomplish the goals of the ACA without implementing a failed socialized medicine regime.
Ricardo Queso
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 7:31 p.m.
And who runs the major hospital around here? Those "profits" certainly aren't being used to make tuition more affordable. I seriously doubt a hospital pays less than a dollar a bag. But you are concentrating on variable costs. The real costs are in debt servicing and union benefits.
Nicholas Urfe
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 5:30 p.m.
Ricardo, you are missing the point. The hospital pays less than $1 for the bag of sterile saline. That is not some absurd comparison of what *I* could make it for in a kitchen $1 is what the medically approved product actually costs a hospital in the USA. The other $399 is their markup. And that does not include the services of starting the IV, the bed, etc.
Ricardo Queso
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 5:05 p.m.
That is a ridiculous argument. Perhaps you would like to make your own saline solution and bring it in a gallon Baggie next time you have surgery. Or would you like to pay the true cost of an MRI? The point is, there are many costs associated with running a hospital and with running an insurance company. But I get your point. I wonder what the true cost of an education at the the U really is when all the fluff is removed.
jjc155
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 2:15 p.m.
I think that the most telling point about ACA is that those who thought it up,authored it, signed it and hoisted it upon the American people are........excempt from all portions of it for life. Sure does not instill a lot of confidence in the program when the pres, congress, Supreme Court etc all who had a part in implementing the program wrote themselves out of it. Appearantly what is good for the gander is not good for the goose.
maallen
Wed, Aug 28, 2013 : 1:49 p.m.
What people are missing here is that even though they may be required to get their health insurance under the exchanges, their premiums are going to be paid for by the government REGARDLESS of their salary. They will have 85% of their premiums paid for by us, REGARDLESS of their salary. But the rest of us it will depend on our Salary. So, in essence, they aren't getting the same deal as the American people. Once again, they have put themselves above the law they passed for the rest of us. One would think if the subsidies based on salary is good for the American people it would be good for the people who passed the law and their workers. Oh but that's right, according to beloved Pelosi there would be "a brain drain" in Washington if they would have to follow the law that they passed. I guess the only smart people are in Washington.
dsponini
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 6 p.m.
Keep spreading that good ol misinformation! Bill O'Reilly just smiled down upon you.
clownfish
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 3:13 p.m.
Your article is dated Aug 5, the OPM ruling was passed on Aug 7th.
jjc155
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 3 p.m.
They excempted themselves in early August of this year. http://m.cbn.com/cbnnews/politics/2013/August/Last-Minute-Deal-Gives-Congress-Obamacare-Exemption-/
clownfish
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 2:34 p.m.
Q: Is it true that there are bills in Congress that would exempt members and their staffs and families from buying into "Obamacare"? A: No. Congress members and staffers will be required to buy insurance through the exchanges on Jan. 1. The Office of Personnel Management issued a proposed rule on Aug. 7 explaining that members of Congress and applicable congressional staff will be required to purchase health insurance coverage through the exchanges created by the law. However, according to the proposed rule, the federal government, as the employer, will still be able to make a contribution to health insurance premiums as it currently does. The contribution will be no greater than that now offered to members and their staffs under the FEHB program, and members and their staffs will not be eligible for premium tax credits made available to other persons purchasing health insurance through the exchanges. Factcheck.org
walker101
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 12:54 p.m.
The scariest part of obamacare...that we are not seeming to understand...is the regulation of private businesses. Insurance companies are businesses...they operate to make money...and manage their risks in order to do so. Doctors in private practice are businesse...the operate to make money and manage their risks in order to do so. The ACA strips both parties of the ability to manage much of their risk exposure and regulates their ability to set prices on services rendered. Essentially, the ACA conscripts these businesses and forces them to absorb the risks of the marketplace, be managed by an agency that has not demonstrated any comprehensive knowledge or skill in that marketplace...all for the alcolades that will come from a relatively small group of people supposed disadvantaged. What if the next president decides to to this to...plumbers, or grocery stores? They cannot refuse service, have to give all of the customer base anything they want and equal treatment, and cannot charge enough to cover the risk. If go government can control one industry it can control any other.
snark12
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 7:26 p.m.
walker101, you don't know what you're talking about. The government sets prices for what it's willing to pay for certain procedures covered by Medicare. That has the effect of establishing a pricing floor in the marketplace. Doctors are perfectly able to charge more for others who aren't being covered by Medicare or any insurance, and many do. Many doctors take no insurance whatsoever. And many do decline service to patients who they don't feel can pay them. Furthermore, the government already has a hand in regulating the pricing of everything from auto insurance to utilities to mortgage rates....and it has for decades.
Nicholas Urfe
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 2:16 p.m.
Insurance companies are parasites that add cost to everything. Their model is "cost plus", so they make even more money when costs rise. They *want* costs to increase. Everyone needs water. Everyone needs health care. Adding layer upon layer of profiteering accomplishes nothing. Insurance companies are not entitled to rape the pocketbooks of American's who all need medical care.
Nicholas Urfe
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 12:42 p.m.
Healthcare costs are on pace to consume our entire GDP, and those who profit madly from it are mostly fine with that. Changes must be made. Obamacare is a small step forward. It is disgusting that someone can work their entire life and then find themselves without medical coverage if they get a major illness. The system must be fixed.
Ricardo Queso
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 5:07 p.m.
So how do you explain Medicare? Earth to Nick, learn to SAVE!
John
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 12:36 p.m.
This is the news Ted Cruz is fighting SO HARD to keep from getting out to the masses. Too bad his plan will fail, just like his re-election bid for senator!
sayzme
Wed, Aug 28, 2013 : 12:51 p.m.
Why don't we just ship Cruz back to Cuba. He's an illegal immigrant after all. You know, the kind he's fighting to keep out of America
incubo734
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 6:59 p.m.
I say we send Cruz packing back to Alberta!
dsponini
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 5:54 p.m.
Yeah, He was on Hannity last night saying how he "renounced" his Canadian citizenship, and then went on about how we should all be defunding ACA and the government to shut it down. Those tea party fellows aren't that bright.
Nicholas Urfe
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 2:22 p.m.
Isn't Ted Cruz a cuban-canadian who wants to be president of the USA?
walker101
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 12:29 p.m.
15% of the population will be getting healthcare provided by the 85% who will pay additional costs. Everyone who currently has their own medical insurance will have an increase in premiums. Any business owner that have 51 or more employees will be subject to penalties for not providing employees healthcare. The problem is with all the mandates and regulations that will impact everyone as this continues. Over 25,000 pages are being revised, initially it was 40K plus but they changed the font size so they can say it's not that much. Large corporations get a 1 year extension, small business your stuck with the program. This store owner doesn't realize that he'll eventually be paying more for his employees premiums next year and so on that he'll eventually reduce their hours or go belly up.
maallen
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 9:28 p.m.
Nicholas Urfe and Clownfish, Whatever happened to what we were promised: our premiums will go down because of the Affordable Care Act? Now you want to say it won't increase as much, but we weren't promise that. We were promise that our premiums will go down.
maallen
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 9:21 p.m.
Says Mr. Hodesh ""I don't feel I need to understand ACA in all details to feel confident ..." Sounds like he should run for office!
Nicholas Urfe
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 4:27 p.m.
"Everyone that has had health insurance for the last 20 years has seen their costs go up every year for 20 years, usually more than the increases of the last 2 years." That has exactly matched my experience.
clownfish
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 2:41 p.m.
So, you know more about Downtown Home and Garden than does the owner? As you post false information here regularly, excuse me if I continue to think that the owner of a company knows more about his business than you. Right now those without insurance get YOU to pick up the tab...in emergency rooms, the most expansive place to get health care. Everyone that has had health insurance for the last 20 years has seen their costs go up every year for 20 years, usually more than the increases of the last 2 years.
Nicholas Urfe
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 2:25 p.m.
"he'll eventually reduce their hours or go belly up." I'll take that bet. When will he be out of business? He's been providing healthcare for his employees for years. He chooses to do so because it is the right thing to do and he isn't all about making a dollar above all else.
Arboriginal
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 12:28 p.m.
Count me among the humans that want to help other humans. There is a cost to doing business in the USA and it goes up on a regular basis. If you can't handle it, step aside and someone else will take your place.
Arboriginal
Wed, Aug 28, 2013 : 12:59 a.m.
There should be an article on Hodesh every week. He is a fine example of an American businessman.
sayzme
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 12:54 p.m.
Exactly. I don't mind paying a little more for the collective good. These greedy business owners cutting peoples hours should be ashamed, but they're not.
jcj
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 11:59 a.m.
Well if Hodesh says it, it must be true. His is one opinion ( well in the minority I might add ) among many.
Greg
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 11:10 a.m.
Don't you worry, the government can do it better and cheaper. Never happened yet, but hold your breath, Obama and his cronies have promised otherwise.
maallen
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 9:17 p.m.
Tano, Overhead cost is just one portion, and it's a small one at that. But when you look at the whole picture, medicare isn't all that great. That's why it is in such a mess right now and it seems the only response out of our politicians to fix the mess is to increase its funding, meaning tax us more. There will come a point in time where we just can't tax people anymore. So what do we do then? We need to fix the underlying problem(s) instead of keep throwing more money at it.
Tano
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 1:36 p.m.
Actually, Medicare is far cheaper, in terms of overhead costs, than private insurance.
Mackinac Straits
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 10:20 a.m.
Didn't this story originally appear in The Onion?
aamom
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 3:26 a.m.
So if I understand the commenters correctly here, many insurance companies are raising rates even though they do not have higher costs yet? I think everyone is mad at the wrong group. These insurance companies have been greedy for so long and are the reason no one can afford healthcare with or without ACA. How about some outrage at the companies that are charging your business more when they don't have a need to? If ACA gets going and insurance companies can show that they are spending vastly more on insurance than they were, I would understand and support many of these comments. But right now it just seems like a money grab by private insurers.
leaguebus
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 3:08 a.m.
The ACA is for the 50M or so people in this country that don't have insurance and drive up health care costs by using the Emergency Room as their primary physician, then don't have the money to pay the bill. So a part of their bill is added to our bills each time we use a doctor.In 2011 bad debs and charity care that the hospitals in Michigan provided, cost them almost $882M. The web site below shows how BCBS and UM think the ACA will help Michigan. http://tinyurl.com/9r9yrqz
maallen
Wed, Aug 28, 2013 : 1:40 p.m.
Leaguebus, Where do you get your information from? So you think 50 million or so people who don't have health insurance uses the emergency room? Really? 50 million people do this? And why do you think BCBS and UM likes ObamaCare? It's because they are going to make a heck of a lot more money by getting new customers and the government paying the bills. And they didn't have to spend a dime to get these new customers. In other words, these entities don't have any "skin" in the game, but receives rewards upon rewards just by their very existence under ObamaCare.
javajolt1
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 2:21 a.m.
"....Delta Airlines indicated in a letter to the White House that the ACA would cost than an additional $100,000,000.00 next year in health care costs. The story was carried by the AP and other news services." So consider the impact of the increased healthcare costs that will be PASSED ON to consumers in the form of increased airfare, freight, hamburgers, automobiles, etc., etc., etc. how can anyone claim ACA will result in cost containment? The economy will be ruined, jobs lost and EVERYONE will need government supplied healthcare. And tell me why this is so great for all of us but not congress or Washington staff? When even the Unions look for an exemption, you KNOW this is dead on arrival. As Pelosi said: "well see what's in the bill after it is passed"..... Indeed.
dsponini
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 1:13 p.m.
The sky is falling chicken little!
Jon Saalberg
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 2:11 a.m.
It's amazing how many people feel that all Americans should not have affordable health care - it appears the GOP and FOX propaganda machines are working. These are the same propaganda machines that delude people into believing that the poor are "stealing" money from them by being fed (food stamps) and housed (subsidized housing), fed this info by fat-cat GOP legislators and superrich commentators such as O'Reilly and Hannity. When did we become a society of such horrendously selfish and un-informed citizens?
clownfish
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 2:47 p.m.
"When did we become a society of such horrendously selfish and un-informed citizens?" Right around 1988, when a fat liar got a nationwide show spreading lies and misinformation.
clownfish
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 2:45 p.m.
WALKER, where do you get your information? It is often incorrect. "Safety net programs: About 12 percent of the federal budget in 2012, or $411 billion, supported programs that provide aid (other than health insurance or Social Security benefits) to individuals and families facing hardship. Spending on safety net programs declined in both nominal and real terms between 2011 and 2012 as the economy continued to improve." -Center on Budget and Priorities.
bobslowson
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 1:02 p.m.
I'll tell you when we became un-informed and selfish Jon. When the Koch brothers invented the tea party and FOX News...that's when. FOX news can legally misinform people and pass their info-tainment off as "news". http://foxnewsboycott.com/ resources/fox-can-lie-lawsuit/
walker101
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 12:35 p.m.
The Obama Administration is lengthening its track record of policies that promote government dependence. As a result, taxpayers will be on the line to fund more government assistance for able-bodied adults. Today, the federal government spends nearly $1 trillion a year on approximately 80 different federal welfare programs. If President Obama has his way, spending will only continue to increase despite welfare already being the fastest-growing part of government spending.
Usual Suspect
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 11:59 a.m.
"It's amazing how many people feel that all Americans should not have affordable health care" I haven't - and neither have you, if you're honest - anybody make that argument.
Tano
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 2:42 a.m.
These people have always existed. They have been on a bit of a run in the age of Reagan, but their time is rapidly passing, and the beast is most rageful and dangerous in its death throes. We just need to ride it out...
cindy1
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 2:07 a.m.
Wonder if the store owner has read this? (Telling ending: "Obamacare architect leaves White House for pharmaceutical industry job") http://www.counterpunch.org/2013/02/05/obamacare-a-deception/
Arborcomment
Wed, Aug 28, 2013 : 12:54 p.m.
Yesterday's article in "The Hill" found that over 30 Capital Hill aides, former Congressmen, and Administration officials are now on board, or have set up lobbying and consulting firms specializing in Obamacare - specifically to lobby for special breaks, or interpret rules and regulations in the 20,000 pages to the best benefit of the companies they represent (Coca-Cola was one cited). As Obamacare was a democratic party drafted, super majority passed program, top dollar goes to them. It's the American way.
Arborcomment
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 1:08 a.m.
Well, he does sell nuts. And bolts. And fertilizer.
Michigan Man
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 1:01 a.m.
Wait until Hodesh and/or his 12 employees need to call an insurance exchange and wait hours/days/weeks for someone to answer the phone with an incorrect response to a question. Wait until Hodesh and/or his 12 employees need to find new physicians because the current Ann Arbor physician crowd opts out of Obamacare? I know of NO ONE who will on 10/1/2013 switch current insurance to an exchange insurance plan.
maallen
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 8:44 p.m.
Clownfish, Kind of interesting that both Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid blasted Bush back in 2008 about the price of gas when it was under $2 a gallon but they are silent now when gas is around $3.50. Interesting that Pelosi said in 2012 with meet the press that premiums will be lower for everyone, but is now silent about that.
dsponini
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 6:01 p.m.
@ Clownfish, don't forget about enforcing Sharia Law in all 50 states!
clownfish
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 2:50 p.m.
Yes! If Obama gets elected inflation will hit 10% and unemployment will shoot up to 15%, gas will be $5/gal and Christianity will be outlawed!! (all claims made by republicans/TP people )
Tano
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 2:39 a.m.
Michigan Man, You know NOTHING about how Obamacare will work. Why not just wait to see what happens.
whatsupwithMI
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 1:33 a.m.
and that is different from calling any major for-profit insurance company today: exactly how? but hey as long as some Asian or Middle-Easterner is making money off of your health care. The current situation is Just Fine. Their profits will trickle thru the sand and end up here in the USA. Cleaner, too, due to the filtration effect of the sand.
DonBee
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 12:41 a.m.
Delta Airlines indicated in a letter to the White House that the ACA would cost than an additional $100,000,000.00 next year in health care costs. The story was carried by the AP and other news services. UPS cut 15,000 spouses from their health care plan to keep the cost of health care down. Walmart has cut hours for part-time employees to 20-24 hours to keep them below the 30 hour threashold. The Economist estimates that more than 1 million full time jobs will become part-time because of health care and that employment will drop by more than 0.5% as a direct result of ACA. The Congressional Budget Office indicated that ACA would reduce employment by a similar amount. No evidence at all that the ACA will increase costs, none, no crediable sources available that it has any negative impact on the economy.
DonBee
Wed, Aug 28, 2013 : 3 p.m.
Tano - Delta is making NO changes to their coverage, and keeping the same for their employees, so the costs are based on required changes to support the ACA. If you don't like my examples, provide your own rather than doing an ad homen.
Tano
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 2:37 a.m.
You haven't given us any. You are just recounting how business are screwing over their workers, because now, with Obamacare in place, they can at least sleep a bit better at night knowing that the people they screw over will have some options to get care on their own. There is NOTHING in Obamacare that if forcing these businesses to do theses things. They are doing them purely to increase their profits, with the knowledge that they can probably get away with it, because the screwed over workers can get Obamacare. Your logic would be like blaming an insurance company for an increase in vehicle thefts because they decide to write policies that cover theft. Now that car thieves know that you will be reimbursed for your stolen car, they can steal your car with less guilt. Blame the people who actually do the thing you find problematical.
average joe
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 12:16 a.m.
"I don't feel I need to understand ACA in all details to feel confident that ACA costs will be easier to absorb than the huge increases heaped on very small businesses," said Hodesh. I guess that is an admission that he has very little (if any) proof that the ACA will benefit his company, nor does he really feel the need to understand it before he gives an opinion.
Tano
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 2:29 a.m.
Well why not. Does that stop anyone else from giving their opinion? On anything?
ownrdgd
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 12:09 a.m.
WOW is he nuts,I know of no one who supports obamacare,PERIOD. Might want to do a follow up on how much business he loses after this farce Like the ole saying goes (loose lips sink ships). You lost my business.
maallen
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 8:20 p.m.
"I don't feel I need to understand ACA in all details to feel confident..." says Mr. Hodesh That explains everything right there. Like the people who passed the law, he didn't bother to read or understand the details, but rather made an opinion based on all the sound bites that the media put forward.
John
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 7:08 p.m.
I've never shopped there but I might now. Thank you Mr. Hodesh for actually caring about the people you employ. Now if only your philosophy could spread to the Wal-Mart's of the world.
clownfish
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 2:54 p.m.
I am a small business owner. I too support PPAA. It is far from perfect, but better than the options put forth by those that oppose it. What do you propose to help millions of your fellow citizens access health care? Tax credits? Yeah, that'll work.
PattyinYpsi
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 1:07 p.m.
You don't know anyone who supports ACA? You need to get out more.
whatsupwithMI
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 1:34 a.m.
My preacher tells me everything I need to know about the world, too. I'm wit' ya!
mgoscottie
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 12:07 a.m.
Get rid of obamacare and get some universal health care already. Or if you want an appropriate alternative, mandate hat companies that offer benefits must offer an equivalent pay increase so that I can quit prepaying thousands to go get a check up once every couple of years.
leaguebus
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 2:35 a.m.
It was the Republicans that thought up Obamacare. And its the Republicans that are bad mouthing the program at every turn. Do they have a plan? No, they want a smaller government that gets rid Medicare and Social Security too. The rich donor class don't need no stinkin Social Security, Medicaid, and Obamacare and now they have convinced 60% of this country that they don't want it either. Wake up people, if Romney had taken over, he would have been working on scrapping Social Security and Medicare.
Frank Tanner
Mon, Aug 26, 2013 : 11:16 p.m.
Not sure how someone can support this. Everyone I know is looking at an increase or the company is dropping them to part-time and they have NO insurance through the company. Hard days ahead...but I am sure "HE" will be fine. Disgusting...
Arborcomment
Mon, Aug 26, 2013 : 10:50 p.m.
The last week in Obamacare: UPS will drop spouses from employee coverage (if spouse has other insurance plan available) - so much for "if you have a health insurance plan and you're satisfied, you can keep it". University of Virginia is doing the same. Forever 21 clothing chain is dropping ALL employees except management to below 30 hours. The following State or Local Governments are in the process of moving more employees to part time - specifically to avoid implementation. Middletown Township New Jersey Brevard County Florida Lynchburg Virginia Chippewa County Wisconsin The HHS will not be able to test the data hub of Obamacare records systems until one day before the exchanges are scheduled to go live.
Arborcomment
Wed, Aug 28, 2013 : 12:53 a.m.
@Tom, you will notice that I DID mention that if spouses of UPS employees had other insurance options they would be dropped. You are missing the point - completely. Many couples with the option to choose between their respective employers plans pick the best one for their family - and they like it. So much for "keeping it".
maallen
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 8:14 p.m.
Tona, "Obama was, obviously, referring to the imperatives in the law. There is NOTHING in the law that causes people to lose their heath insurance." Your statement is absolutely false. Within the law, Affordable Care Act, if something as small as a copay (doctors office visit) gets changed then by LAW that plan must fall under the Affordable Care Act. So, if I change my office visit copay from $15 to $25, then I am no longer able to keep my plan under its existing terms, coverage, benefits, etc. By law it must fall under the terms, coverage, benefits required under the Affordable Care Act. I can no longer keep my plan. And in California, where the exchanges are already set up, the carriers who decided to participate in the exchange, are required by law to change ALL their health insurance policies (those outside of the exchange) to follow the terms, coverage, benefit under the Affordable Care Act. So all those people who aren't part of the exchange, and wanted nothing to do with it will no longer be able to keep their plans as they currently are. So no, no matter how much one person likes their coverage, they will no longer be able to keep it.
Tom Whitaker
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 5:14 p.m.
UPS is only dropping coverage for spouses who also work and are eligible for health care from their own employers. Spouses who are not eligible for another plan will still be covered.
Tano
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 2:25 a.m.
"if you have a health insurance plan and you're satisfied, you can keep it". Obama was, obviously, referring to the imperatives in the law. There is NOTHING in the law that causes people to lose their heath insurance. Obviously Obama cannot predict, nor control the behavior of individual businesses. How odd that the same type of people who always speak of "personal responsibility" are the first to blame someone else when a business makes a decision to screw their workers. You don't like the fact that some people are losing their current insurance? Blame the people who are taking it away from them. Obamacare is NOT responsible for UPS's decision - there is absolutely no compulsion under the law that is forcing UPS to do this. In fact, they could drop spouses, or limit hours, before Obamacare. The only thing Obamacare does in these situations is to provide a means for people to get insurance if they are dropped by their employer, or their spouse's employer. Oh, and it should mentioned that UPS is only doing this to its non-union workers. Spousal benefits for union members are part of their contract and cannot be unilaterally withdrawn.
average joe
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 12:18 a.m.
Don't forget about Delta airlines projected $100 million more in health costs due to ACA.
halflight
Mon, Aug 26, 2013 : 10:50 p.m.
Wow! Mark Hodesh supports Obamacare? Well, he did too, on March 28, 2010 when he was interviewed by Crain's Detroit Business. And on May 21, 2010 when he was interviewed by the Detroit News. And on January 11, 2011, when he was featured in liberal lobbying group PIRGIM's press release opposing the repeal of Obamacare And on January 19, 2011, when he was interviewed by WWJ TV Somehow, his support at this point doesn't sound particularly newsworthy. Why is it the media has spoken to Hodesh so many times? If Obamacare is so great for small businesses, surely reporters can find someone other than Hodesh to explain why. Perhaps you could even find a businessman without a reference from the Democratic Party.
maallen
Wed, Aug 28, 2013 : 2:10 a.m.
dsponini, Can you please respond to the points that halflight made instead of attacking the messenger? Attack the message.
maallen
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 8:05 p.m.
So dsponini, Do you have anything to say to refute what halflight said? Or are you going to resort to the old tactics of attacking the messenger and start name calling?
dsponini
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 5:52 p.m.
By the way...you and I know both know it's the "Democratic" party. Not Democrat party, which is what Hannity Limbaugh Coulter calls it so as to align the party with "rats". That's how dumb their viewers/listeners are and the ones who spout such nonsense
Usual Suspect
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 1:01 a.m.
And at least three articles in AnnArbor.com
javajolt1
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : midnight
The most rational, factual and reasonable rebuttal comment I've ever read on aa.com.
bunnyabbot
Mon, Aug 26, 2013 : 10:26 p.m.
I am a business owner and I do not agree. Luckily I do not have enough employees and they all have healthcare from other sources. So this won't effect me as a boss. But I also keep them under 28 hours each, on purpose. However my personal insurance has gone up and up due to Obamacare, BCBS specifically has gone up in anticipation of Obamacare. Additionally, as a business owner I belong to several groups with other business owners. Obamacare has been the subject of most of the meetings over two years. I can't think of one business in the group who has not cut workers hours to under 28, almost all employees are being shifted to part time. Many businesses are cutting hours to part time even if they don't have to out of solidarity / principle supporting other businesses.
maallen
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 8:03 p.m.
First, many of you say that health insurance should not be tied to one's employment/employer. Now you are complaining because employers are dropping their health insurance and having their employees go to the exchange. One would think you would be happy that it is no longer tied to their employment. You can't have it both ways. Second, you complain that because businesses are dropping their health insurance that you now, as taxpayers, are going to have to pick up their health care costs. Ummm, you do realize that under ObamaCare if someone gets health insurance through the exchange and they are eligible for a subsidy, that you will be paying for that person's subsidy don't you? A family of four making $89,000 will be getting a subsidy to pay for their health insurance premiums. That subsidy is paid for by you. And you are now complaining about these businesses dropping health insurance and you picking up the tab? Really? Third, since when did the word profit become such a dirty word? You get mad at businesses making a profit. Do you realize that a business needs to make a profit in order to stay in business? If they don't make a profit, they go out of business. Oh, I see, too much profit is a bad thing. So, how much is too much? Who's definition do we use? I don't see anyone complaining about Hollywood actors or actresses making too much money, or athletes making too much money. But apparently it's a bad thing for a business to make money. The government created a situation through Obamacare to cut costs, to switch the cost of health insurance from themselves over to the government. ObamaCare created this, and you are blaming businesses after saying health insurance shouldn't be tied to the employer? Don't you think that it's kind of, um, hypocritical?
John
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 7:09 p.m.
So bunnyabbot, are you and your business buddies looking forward to going back to the robber baron days? alec exposed dot org
clownfish
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 2:58 p.m.
Bunny, why do I have to pick up the tab for the people that make you money? Why are you foisting health care costs onto tax payers? Wal-Mart model? Please do tell us your company name and address, like Mr Hodesh did.
dsponini
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 1:14 p.m.
What business might that be bunnyabbot? Tell us, or your just making up stuff ala FAUX News
incubo734
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 1:10 p.m.
What's your business bunny. I certainly wouldn't want to accidentally give money to someone with that kind of attitude
sayzme
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 12:59 p.m.
I'm with the others. Please tell us your business bunny. I wouldn't want your profits to rise any higher so you can screw the people that you supposedly employ. Were you able to buy a bigger yacht this year by keeping hours to 28 while denying healthcare?
John
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 12:40 p.m.
Yeah bunny.,..what IS your business. Many of us don't want to associate with greedy business owners, nor patronize their businesses. Please speak up and tell us.
mr_annarbor
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 11:03 a.m.
What's your business, Bunny? I want to make sure never to patronize it.
Usual Suspect
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 1 a.m.
"In anticipation of Obamacare" simply means, "so that we won't lose our profits" pb,.please tell us what prosperous business it is that you run at a loss.
cinnabar7071
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 12:09 a.m.
Greenman who do you suppose shops at bunny's shop? Hint..... they pay taxes
pb
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 12:02 a.m.
"In anticipation of Obamacare" simply means, "so that we won't lose our profits" and keeping, or shifting, everyone to less-than full-time means "so that we won't have to take responsibility for the welfare of our workers. Self-fulfilling prophecy that is just the kind of corporate greed, on every level, that seeks to undercut the effectiveness of any progressive reform. Shame on you, and on all who are "lucky" to find ways to circumvent essential human kindness.
GreenMan
Mon, Aug 26, 2013 : 10:55 p.m.
So you want tax payers to pay for the healthcare of your workers because you don't want to? This is exactly the reason why the ACA is necessary.
Top Cat
Mon, Aug 26, 2013 : 10:09 p.m.
Mr. Hodesh's opinion is in the minority and the minority is shrinking. The more people see, the less they like it.
snark12
Wed, Aug 28, 2013 : 2:29 a.m.
I don't know about Pelosi but it's well-known what Obama said. http://bit.ly/5QHNw5
maallen
Wed, Aug 28, 2013 : 2:04 a.m.
Snark, The administration said our premiums would go down, not stay the same or go up slower. Even beloved Pelosi said a year ago that our premiums would go down. It is only recent that the talking points have changed to "it will slow down the rate increases" etc. But from the very beginning to when they were trying to sell this to the American people and all the way up the beginning of this year they were saying how it will reduce our premiums. So what happened?
snark12
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 7:38 p.m.
maallen, The administration said the ACA would "bend the increasing healthcare cost curve," that is, it would slow the increase in costs, which it has. And it hasn't even taken effect yet.
maallen
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 7:11 p.m.
Clownfish, "My premiums went up about the same, or less, than they have in the past." Ummm, but I thought ObamaCare was supposed to LOWER our premiums, at least that's what was promised to us when it was being pushed. So what happened to our lower premiums?
clownfish
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 3:02 p.m.
I like it. I got a refund from my insurance company. I see the same doctors I always have. My premiums went up about the same, or less, than they have in the past. Have you dropped your coverage in protest? If not, why not? Clearly people don't need health insurance, so why do you have it?
Usual Suspect
Mon, Aug 26, 2013 : 10:01 p.m.
OK, you found the one business owner who likes Obamacare. Congrats.
bereasonable
Mon, Aug 26, 2013 : 9:51 p.m.
1 person and counting...
David Briegel
Mon, Aug 26, 2013 : 9:46 p.m.
Obamacare will make health care more affordable for all. It's benefits have already begun to take effect.
Sparty
Sat, Aug 31, 2013 : 3:38 a.m.
Oh there will be savings as well: $1.1 Billion has already been returned by some insurers to Americans for violating the 80/20 Rule, not spending at least 80% on patient care. $6 Billion has been saved by Seniors on their prescriptions in Medicares Part D Plan as the donut hole closes. These two savings are results from ObamaCare in just the two years since it was signed! Of course, many people will have lower premiums so that will be a savings for them - though some will pay about the same and some will pay more. So to reply, yes - there are savings in ObamaCare. Many others go back into the program along with its revenues to pay for its administration, etc. so that it doesn't add a penny to the National Debt, which is why the law is self-funded.
Sparty
Sat, Aug 31, 2013 : 3:26 a.m.
False, AC: th latest CBO estimates are that 31.2 million Americans will be added to the ranks of the insured due to ObamaCare. Unfortunately, there will still be millions more who will not be covered - many due to GOP Governors refusing to accept expanded Medicaid funding in their States. It will be interesting to see the reactions of those affected once they realize what they have lost while the majority of the nation receives expanded insurance protections.
Arborcomment
Fri, Aug 30, 2013 : 12:28 p.m.
Amazing concept Sparty, "self funded". At least we finally have an admission of "additional" costs. It appears the Obama promised savings are now best left unsaid. In addition, the CBO says you won't get 30 million covered.
Sparty
Thu, Aug 29, 2013 : 6:56 p.m.
Yes, broadening the health care protections for all Americans does carry some additional tax deductible costs for Employers and Insurers, and even some costs for taxpayers. Fortunately, 30+ Million new Citizens will benefit through new insurance. Everyone else with insurance benefits from the additional protections. Isn't it amazing how that works? And all of it is self-funded, so that not a penny is added to the National Debt!
Arborcomment
Thu, Aug 29, 2013 : 10:59 a.m.
Congrats Sparty, you're truly special. Meanwhile: from the July 22 University Record: "Health care reform is an important addition to the mix," says Laurita Thomas, associate vice president for human resources. "We have always analyzed the rates to ensure adequate funding of the plans, managed vendor contracts and costs, and tracked our health trends. That work has helped us do quite well to keep the rate of costs increases for our plans low, often well below U.S. averages. But, health care reform is one source that has introduced additional costs for the university, and we need to factor those in so that we can make adjustments and maintain our overall cost-sharing ratio."
Sparty
Thu, Aug 29, 2013 : 3:14 a.m.
No, actually, UM healthcare rates go DOWN in the upcoming year - For the first time in MY memory. I'm quite pleased, thanks for asking AC!
Arborcomment
Wed, Aug 28, 2013 : 12:44 p.m.
Therefore, Sparty looks forward to paying that extra $530 a month for the yet undefined coverage. Way to take one for the team!
Sparty
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 8:53 p.m.
If you're paying $120/month for a family of four, that's well below what most people are currently paying with their employers. The UM current rates average over $350/month for that family medical coverage excluding vision and dental!
jjc155
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 7:18 p.m.
League-I did what you suggested. for my family of 4 if I got insurance through the california exhange it would cost $880 per month ($10560 per year) to have health insurance. There is no info on what the level of coverage is, if that includes optical, prescritpion, dental (which my current insurance has, see below for what I pay). I currently pay 2% of my base pay (roughly $63000 per year) which equals $1260 per year which is $120 per month for BCBS through my employer. My employer has already alluded to the fact that it will be cheaper to pay the ACA fines instead of insuring the 70 or so employee's that we have when our current contract runs out, which means I will be forced into the exchanges. My health care cost will increase roughly 10times. Add on to the fact that using the californina exhange numbers (I'm thinking their prices are likely higher than Michigan's will be) vs what I know that my employer pays per employee to provide excellant BCBS coverage, optical, dental and precrsiption coverage there will be NO savings on my end. Actually I will likely have to contribute far less to the kids college funds after that happens.
maallen
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 7:08 p.m.
David Briegel, "more affordable for all." Please cite where you are getting your statement from. Because so far, it is ObamaCare is not making it more affordable for all. For some, yes. But definitely not for all. For an example, the executive director for California's exchange said that over a million Californians will see a sticker shock next year through the exchange. New York's exchange reduced premiums in 38 areas of the state, but in the other 29 areas of the state premiums are going up 30 to 40%.
BobbyJohn
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 2:28 p.m.
I believe we need some type of universal health care. However, I feel that the ACA is not fitting the bill. Originally, President Obama talked about reducing health care costs through his health care agenda. Then, the talk of making health care more affordable for the middle class disappeared. Last year our cost for health insurance for 2 people rated preferred/ good health through Blue Cross went up $6,000. This year, up another $3,330. I work mainly to pay for this. Please, the ACA needs a revamping so it holds down cost rather than increases it
sayzme
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 12:53 p.m.
Shhh....Leaguebus! That's exactly the kind of information the GOP is trying to suppress. If news gets out that ACA is actually working...they are all doomed as they have repeatedly lied to their constituents over and over and over again. The GOP can't be full of misinformation and lies...can they?
leaguebus
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 2:19 a.m.
Its easy to see what someone would pay in California for medical insurance. Just Google California exchange and go to the web site. Put in your family ages and household incomed and the price for insurance is at the bottom of the page.
jjc155
Mon, Aug 26, 2013 : 10:02 p.m.
Huh appearantly bcbs did not get the memo that my insurance is supposed to be cheaper. Must be my fault somehow.
Usual Suspect
Mon, Aug 26, 2013 : 10 p.m.
He's here all week, folks!
Carrie Rheingans
Mon, Aug 26, 2013 : 9:33 p.m.
This sentence - "According to the Detroit News story, after the Obama administration decided to delay implementation of the law, the individual mandate will go into effect January 1, 2014." - makes it sound like the individual mandate is a consequence of the delay. This is not true. The "delay" only affects small businesses' requirement to have coverage for all employees. The individual mandate that each person in the USA must have health insurance coverage was unaffected by the Obama administration's recent decision. It remains true that all of us will need to have coverage as of January 1 this coming year.
YpsiLarry
Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 12:23 p.m.
January 1st of 'this coming year' is January 1, 2014.