Name:	MartiniMan -	Reply
Subject:	I just heard the Government was shut down!!
Date:	10/16/2025 9:15:42 AM

Didn't even notice...did you?  Unlike prior shut downs there has been little coverage by the govt media because they know from polling that it is called the Schumer Shutdown (because he's afraid of being primaried by AOC) and Dems are getting the blame.  No parading of poor Fed employees crying about not being able to feed their babies...because everyone knows it is a paid vacation.  National Parks and the restrooms are still open because we have adults in charge.

Meanwhile Dem Senator's are headed to Napa to stay at $1,000 per night resort just down the street from the French Laundry.

Even better, so far OMB has permanently RIF'd 4,000 and more to come.  Whole programs are being eliminated.  Troops still being paid. 

Name:	GoneFishin -	Reply
Subject:	I just heard the Government was shut down!!
Date:	10/16/2025 10:24:09 PM (updated 10/16/2025 10:26:20 PM)

I suspect we will see something change on  ACA just prior to Nov 1  as the rates are fixed after that for 2026. Goverment will stay closed untli end of October. Just my opinion.

Many years ago, I arranged a  meeting with clients from the West Coast to discuss marketing plans for the following year and we stayed at the Silverado in Napa and had a dinner at the French Laundry. Rather pricey.

Name:	MartiniMan -	Reply
Subject:	I just heard the Government was shut down!!
Date:	10/17/2025 7:00:32 AM (updated 10/17/2025 7:21:44 AM)

Personally I believe the GOP should allow the temporary subsidies to expire because it is the only they will end up with the political capital to repeal it as the American people find out what a disaster it was for everyone except the insurance companies who are cashing in as govt contractors.  But if they don't plan to repeal I am 100% sure that they will compromise because as Reagan said, there is nothing more permanent than a temporary government program. 

Shutdown ending this month is probably right although Schumer is pretty desperate and scared of losing his seat. If it happens, it will be via him quietly picking 8 or 9 safe Senators to vote yes so he can vote no and denounce them for caving.  The funny thing is that this is likely all for nothing as AOC is so deluded (probably from all the undrinkable air) that she will probably run for President.  Please dear Lord, make her the nominee with Pete Buttplug as her VP pick!

The French Laundry was the infamous restaurant Newsom got caught eating at without masks during the WuFlu shutdown.  Pricey is an understatement.

Name:	GoneFishin -	Reply
Subject:	I just heard the Government was shut down!!
Date:	10/18/2025 8:59:45 AM

What will replace the ACA that will provide guaranteed issue regardless of health? They could offer a plan that excludes preexisting conditions which would reduce cost but defeat the purpose of offering coverage to everyone regardless of their prior health.  Medicare provides coverage at 65 for everyone including pre existing health conditions. Getting rid of ACA and providing a replacement is more involved than just canceling it. The Right has never offered a viable alternative. They use the ACA as a talking point. Offer a solution.

Name:	MartiniMan -	Reply
Subject:	I just heard the Government was shut down!!
Date:	10/19/2025 1:18:12 PM

ACA isn't just a talking point, it destroyed the private insurance market and made it so expensive that Democrats have to close the government to try to extend subsidies because they don't want the public to know how much they screwed us. As someone that understands what insurance is I am amazed at your statements, particularly about pre-existing conditions (which is like buying fire insurance after your house is on fire). And as you also know, if you have an Advantage plan and want to move to Parts G or N they do in fact exclude pre-existing conditions. You clearly don't get it, government is not the solution to our health insurance problem, it is the cause.

If they got rid of ACA and replaced it with some kind of gap insurance to cover pre-existing conditions the premiums would be out of this world and would require huge, wildly expensive subsidies. The only way to fix our broken system is to get the consumer closer to the provider. HSA's do that to a limited extent. But they're better than nothing.  We need price transparency and limits to the involvement of 3rd party payers. Health insurance should only be for catastrophic events and we should pay out of pocket for everything else. The current system sends us to the doctor every time we have a cold because it's only a $25 copay or to use some unnecessary medications because it's "cheap".  It would dramatically drive down costs and make us far better consumers of health care services.

Name:	GoneFishin -	Reply
Subject:	I just heard the Government was shut down!!
Date:	10/19/2025 7:51:24 PM

I am confused about your statement on preexisiting. Yes, it is like buying a Home Owners policy as the house burns down. However, that was the reason for the ACA. To offer coverage to everyone regardless of health. Preexisting could be covered and premiums lowered by providing coverage for pre exisiting after 1 year of coverage or after 6 consecutive months treatment free.

While you like to proclaim...Gov't is the problem....you seem to have no problem enrolling in the Gov't program called Medicare rather than an Advantage plan. Understand, Medicare is a super plan which allows you to go to any specialist that accepts Medicare. Unlike an Advantage plan, where you most likely need their approval.,

As to switching from an Advantage pklan to Original Medicare, you can do it during open enrollment. The issue is with a Medicare Supplement plan. There, you need to complete an application and they can exclude pre exisiting conditions, rate you higher, or deny coverage.

You seem to forget that you are in a much different income category than the typical American. I suspect you could self insure your own Medical care. 

Enjoy your Govenment insurance plan and quit complaining Government is the problem while you medical bills are paid by the Government.

Name:	MartiniMan -	Reply
Subject:	I just heard the Government was shut down!!
Date:	10/20/2025 7:28:44 AM

Using ACA to fix the problem of pre-existing conditions is like using a bullet to cure cancer.  ACA went so far beyond that one issue which is why it's such a train wreck.  And by the way, if you join an employer plan it also covers pre-existing conditions.  ACA was designed to fail (which it is) in order to push for Medicare for All (which will happen next time Dems control the WH, House and have 60 votes in the Senate).

As for your 2nd paragraph, I take back my statement that you know about insurance.  Because if you did you would know that everyone has to take Part A when they turn 65.  And if you wisely choose to take Part B it is miserable unless you buy a supplemental plan.  Yes, you can go to a specialist without prior approval but if you didn't buy a supplemental plan provided by an insurance company it would cost you an arm and a leg.  I had no choice to go on Medicare because I was no longer eligible for ACA and since I am retired I don't have access to an employer-sponsored plan.

And you are paying for everyone to have pre-existing conditions covered under an Advantage Plan, more depending on your income level. There is no free lunch and the plans would be out of this world expensive were it not for the massive govt subsidies.  Which is why Medicare is going bankrupt despite collecting over $400B each year in Medicare taxes.  And Dems want this coverage extended to everyone.  Total madness that would require a massive increase in taxes or even worse, massive increases to the national debt (likely both).  Reasonable estimates put the cost at $3T-$4T each year, which means it would actually cost $5T to $6T.  Given the current annual budget is ~$4T and our national debt is $37T you would basically double both.  That is why govt is not the solution.

As for self insurance, I have been paying into Medicare for 40 plus years so why would I do that?  Unlike many Boomers, I care more about solving the issues of government spending, distortion of the insurance markets covered up by subsidies and out of control health care spending caused by said government distortion.  I know the actual cost of ACA because my wife is still on it and we don't get subsidies.  We pay $22K per year in premiums for one person with a deductible of $8,500.