Ace of Spades HQ

October 14, 2013

The Root Cause of Obamacare's Exchange Woes
— andy

Here's the short version:

Because #ObamaCare enrollment goals depend on subsidies, you need to verify eligibility. Thus the hub. Thus the choke point.
— Charlie Johnson (@SemperBanU) October 13, 2013

Now here's the long version from Avik Roy at Forbes: Obamacare's Website Is Crashing Because It Doesn't Want You To Know How Costly Its Plans Are

Comparable private-sector e-commerce sites, like eHealthInsurance.com, allow you to shop for plans and compare prices simply by entering your age and your ZIP code. After youÂ’ve selected a plan you like, you fill out an on-line application. That substantially winnows down the number of people who rely on the site for network-intensive tasks.

But Obamacare can't do that because the sticker shock from seeing the gross premium without the offsetting amount of subsidies (read money stolen from taxpayers to pay for this crap) they qualify for would send everyone running.

Instead of creating a simulation where people could answer a few questions and get an estimate of the subsidy, which would have been comparatively easy, the Obamacare exchanges try (and fail) to go through the entire enrollee qualification process on the fly.

And even when people do manage to create an account, there's another issue:

But even before the exchanges opened for enrollment there were reports that the subsidy calculator was not working correctly. That still seems to be the case. Cigna is so uncertain about the subsidy calculator in the federal exchange that it has issued an official warning to brokers not to attempt to enroll anyone who might qualify for subsidies until November ...

So the thing that caused the day one and ongoing debacle doesn't even work? Hmmm ... let's see if we can spot the problem.

I'm betting it's the interfaces, isn't it? It's always the damned interfaces.

And in further cheery Obamacare wagers, I'm also betting the Venn diagram of the people who are trying to enroll on day one and the people just dying to game the system looks like this: O

But fear not, the Obamacare exchange debacle will soon appear at the top of the search results for "the perfect is the enemy of the good". So we've got that going for us.

Posted by: andy at 02:20 PM | Comments (249)
Post contains 381 words, total size 3 kb.

1 In other words...it was designed to fail.

Posted by: wheatie at October 14, 2013 02:22 PM (7CgKa)

2 First

Posted by: exurbanDoug at October 14, 2013 02:22 PM (xKQ04)

3 Math. Always the damned math.

Posted by: low information voter at October 14, 2013 02:22 PM (lVPtV)

4 I'll say this Andy, I attempted it on the first day and quite a few days after that. I was ~~curious~~ interested in what it would tell me. It told the federal govt sucks ass at doing what the private sector does daily. Which I already knew.

Posted by: BCochran1981 - Credible Hulk at October 14, 2013 02:23 PM (GEICT)

5 I was told my healthcare would be free!

Posted by: low information voter at October 14, 2013 02:23 PM (lVPtV)

6 At least I have my free Obamaphone!

Posted by: low information voter at October 14, 2013 02:24 PM (lVPtV)

7 The biggest clog in the drain, I would say the idiot in charge of HHS.

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at October 14, 2013 02:24 PM (uj8Oa)

8 That damned Ted Cruz and his evil computing.

Posted by: Y-not at October 14, 2013 02:24 PM (5H6zj)

9 I was told my healthcare would be free! If you want your delusions, you can keep your delusions.

Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at October 14, 2013 02:24 PM (QF8uk)

10 Howza about a ethernet enabled Ouiji board?

Posted by: Passerby at October 14, 2013 02:25 PM (G7SkO)

11 But You Guys, we can't say boo because, elections. Then, then! we will fight.. after being elected for not fighting ... or something.

Go Team! I mean wait, then go. So Wait Team!

Posted by: weft cut-loop [/i] [/b] at October 14, 2013 02:25 PM (xbjUC)

Congress approved it, Obama signed it, Roberts allowed it, Canadians built it, Taxpayers funded it, and the result is catastrophic failure.

There is a lesson here someplace...

Posted by: exurbanDoug at October 14, 2013 02:25 PM (xKQ04)

13 is that ponytail?

Posted by: tangonine at October 14, 2013 02:25 PM (x3YFz)

14 That chart is scarier than the HillaryCare charts from back in the early 90's

Posted by: Purp[/i][/b][/u][/s] at October 14, 2013 02:26 PM (l5zzX)

15 No

Posted by: Y-not at October 14, 2013 02:26 PM (5H6zj)

16 I do not care for this administration.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at October 14, 2013 02:27 PM (lVPtV)

17 People gaming the system? No way.

Posted by: Dixie Normous at October 14, 2013 02:27 PM (U2UQk)

18 There has to be a new word to describe the fail at work here. A fail unlike any other fail in recorded history. A fail so massive, it folds in on itself and creates a quantum fail singularity in Nth dimensions.

Posted by: EC at October 14, 2013 02:27 PM (doBIb)

19 From my days selling stuff like this (smaller scale, obviously) I'll bet the term SMOP is being tossed around quite a lot.

by people who don't have to actually do the SMOPping.

This roll-out is the classic definition of a goat-rope of a cluster-fkuc

_

Small Matter of Programming

Posted by: Passerby at October 14, 2013 02:27 PM (G7SkO)

20 How 'bout we just say the whole damned thing started out sucking, continues to suck, and will always suck in the future, regardless of what may or may not change over the next couple of weeks, mmmmmkay?

Posted by: tcn at October 14, 2013 02:27 PM (fwcEs)

21 18 There has to be a new word to describe the fail at work here. A fail unlike any other fail in recorded history. A fail so massive, it folds in on itself and creates a quantum fail singularity in Nth dimensions.

Posted by: EC at October 14, 2013 06:27 PM (doBIb)

ObamaFail.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at October 14, 2013 02:28 PM (lVPtV)

It seems to me that the subsidy should be fairly easy to figure out--make a chart.

If you made X much money after taxes... and have X many dependents.... you qualify for X subsidy.

I mean most people can fill out the simple tax form. It shouldn't be much harder than that to give you a ball park answer.

Posted by: petunia at October 14, 2013 02:28 PM (DAcBA)

Hmmmm.... I suspect this thing will have issues.

Just wait until someone actually tries to get medical care paid for!

Posted by: MTF at October 14, 2013 02:28 PM (B5y+v)

A failure of Barackian proportions.
_

Posted by: Passerby at October 14, 2013 02:29 PM (G7SkO)

25 And in further cheery Obamacare wagers, I'm also betting the Venn diagram of the people who are trying to enroll on day one and the people just dying to game the system looks like this: O *** I laughed. Then I cried.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at October 14, 2013 02:29 PM (DmNpO)

26 I'm betting it's the interfaces, isn't it? It's always the damned interfaces. Of course it's the damned interfaces. DId you look at the graph? have you counted all the damn interfaces in that graph. Having interfaces isn't easy. Having that many increases the task to Herculean proportions. Hell, the Lernean Hydra would give up and run away.

Posted by: I R A Darth Aggie © at October 14, 2013 02:29 PM (1hM1d)

27 I'll never forgive Ted Cruz for this convoluted Obamacare Exchange thingy

Posted by: Kathleen Sebilius at October 14, 2013 02:30 PM (Pr6hk)

28 OMG. I just realized I failed to Drink More Water today.

*shame*

Posted by: Jane D'oh at October 14, 2013 02:30 PM (lVPtV)

Now I'm trying to make it easier.

It is just so frustrating to see them make a simple thing so darn complicated!!!!

Posted by: petunia at October 14, 2013 02:30 PM (DAcBA)

30 Fail? I've never gotten worse than a solid B+ in my life. Not even in the classes I didn't attend or turn papers in

Posted by: Barry Soetoro at October 14, 2013 02:31 PM (Pr6hk)

Failzilla.

The mother of all Fail.

Posted by: wheatie at October 14, 2013 02:31 PM (7CgKa)

32
OMG. I just realized I failed to Drink More Water today.

****

Typical liberal. She gets a urinary tract infection and then has to go all preachy on everyone else.

Posted by: Wodeshed at October 14, 2013 02:32 PM (ngk0T)

33
I told them it would need some beta testing. But, nooooo.

Posted by: 14-year-old PHP scripter at October 14, 2013 02:32 PM (OZmbA)

34 Root Causes shall not be discussed on the blog.

Posted by: The AoSHQ Unity Front Against Vegetation-Related Calls to Violence at October 14, 2013 02:33 PM (8ZskC)

35 Opposing Obamacare is extremism. We should not oppose it so people will like us one day.

Posted by: Bevel Lemelisk at October 14, 2013 02:33 PM (X0j4A)

36 Gimme health care!!!! Give everybody health care!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

( staring K-Sib as Milo Minderbinder )

Posted by: Major _______ de Coverly at October 14, 2013 02:33 PM (omBWL)

37 I like roots and the feelings they cause

Posted by: Sandra Fluke at October 14, 2013 02:33 PM (Pr6hk)

38 As a nobody with three decades IT experience I would have approached the entire interface from a different perspective; security. The users would have 'run' an .exe file which was impervious from snooping. All transfer of information to and from user to dot gov would have been encrypted. Until they do that absolute minimum of security I'm not giving them anything other then my real name, 'Ben Dover'.

Posted by: Schrödinger's cat [/i] at October 14, 2013 02:34 PM (U2UQk)

39 Screw the premiums and subsidies, how about the outrageous deductibles and co-pays? Oh an no never mind NONE of your Doctors, ya know the ones if you like you can keep, are in the exchanges?

Posted by: Nevergiveup at October 14, 2013 02:34 PM (UbDLm)

40
The shocking thing is that people expected government actually to be good at something.

Posted by: Wodeshed at October 14, 2013 02:34 PM (ngk0T)

41 As they say in Australia, I'm 'rooting' for Obama

Posted by: Reggie Love at October 14, 2013 02:34 PM (Pr6hk)

42 Until they do that absolute minimum of security I'm not giving them anything other then my real name, 'Ben Dover'. If you accept a .exe file from the government, that really is your name.

Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at October 14, 2013 02:34 PM (QF8uk)

43 There are occasional articles about the sticker shock but no media stories about anyone saying, fuck this shit! No, they sound confused and disappointed in their boyfriend but still ready to fork over the thousands of dollars this is going to cost them. So, what gives?

Posted by: Ace BackMountain at October 14, 2013 02:34 PM (H2XQu)

44
Like the federal income tax code before it, Obamacare requires an in-depth inquiry and probe into every nook of your life and pocketbook.

Long live Liberty.

Posted by: Sphynx at October 14, 2013 02:34 PM (OZmbA)

45 Avik Roy is right. But they could have easily applied the maximum theoretical subsidy to every plan and advertised PREMIUMS STARTING AT $1, but even that would be too much. and also the deductibles basically make the plans all catastrophic with Cadillac prices, i.e. a shitty deal.

Posted by: X at October 14, 2013 02:35 PM (KHo8t)

46 Remember what happened when I went through the HillaryCare Exchange

Posted by: Vince Foster at October 14, 2013 02:36 PM (Pr6hk)

47 The shocking thing is that people expected government actually to be good at something. Posted by: Wodeshed at October 14, 2013 06:34 PM (ngk0T) Well actually it is good at killing people with an unleashed ( and i said unleashed without these absurd rules of engagement) Military. Oh killing people? Ya I guess obamacare qualifies then

Posted by: Nevergiveup at October 14, 2013 02:36 PM (UbDLm)

48 damn...

Posted by: Dr. Jesse Pinkman at October 14, 2013 02:36 PM (H2XQu)

49 I'm hopeful Obamacare will help me find the root cause of my anger.

Posted by: Dack Thrombosis at October 14, 2013 02:36 PM (oFCZn)

50 With a chart like that I am gonna need more popcorn and a lot more of the hard stuff to drink .....

Posted by: Extremely grumpy momma bear at October 14, 2013 02:36 PM (anek1)

14 That chart is scarier than the HillaryCare charts from back in the early 90's

I remember those...they now seem very simple, compared to this clusterfuck.

Posted by: wheatie at October 14, 2013 02:36 PM (7CgKa)

52
So they're like "buy the healthcare, man", and I'm all like "where the f*ck am I going to get the ten grand for a deductible?" But then I'm like "thank yoooouuuu, taxpayers!"

Posted by: Jason Greenslate, Fox Food Stamp star at October 14, 2013 02:36 PM (ngk0T)

53 13 is that ponytail? Posted by: tangonine No, that is not cahrles. The failure is indeed epic, as it was designed to be. Only a goverment could order up a clusterfuck so convoluted that it would cause a singularity. Behold the event horizon of the end of the country! Its taxionatial field is so strong that nary a red cent will escape its taxational field. If you had money, you can't keep it. It is wealth redistribution writ large, and in red. I weep for my children, because it will be their burden, serfs one and all and they had no say in it.

Posted by: Gmac-Pondering the coming implosion at October 14, 2013 02:37 PM (IanLz)

54 I'll gladly pay you Tuesday for a Healthcare Exchange today

Posted by: Wimpy Soetoro at October 14, 2013 02:37 PM (Pr6hk)

No problem. I'm getting one of those med degrees from the U of Grenada and open an underground clinic if you will, a kind of prohibition erea speak easy of medicine. I'll make a fortune I tell ya!

Posted by: Al Katraz at October 14, 2013 02:37 PM (N3Al8)

56 At least I have my free Obamacar!

Posted by: Generation W at October 14, 2013 02:37 PM (rCS6C)

57 No problem. I'm getting one of those med degrees from the U of Grenada and open an underground clinic if you will, a kind of prohibition erea speak easy of medicine. I'll make a fortune I tell ya! Posted by: Al Katraz at October 14, 2013 06:37 PM (N3Al

Actually you will.

Posted by: Nevergiveup at October 14, 2013 02:37 PM (UbDLm)

58
Math is hard.

Posted by: Barbie at October 14, 2013 02:38 PM (Xv7f/)

59 We'll, duh! Of course, when you tell everyone that they are going to get free healthcare, they are going to be pissed when they find out YOU LIED.

Posted by: Tutu at October 14, 2013 02:38 PM (CpWI4)

60 I'm hoping Obamacare defunds itself via adverse-selection.

Posted by: Serious Cat at October 14, 2013 02:38 PM (UypUQ)

61 If you accept a .exe file from the government, that really is your name. You know what -- now that I thought about it? You're right. I wouldn't. There actually is nothing the government could do to convince me to use an internet interface to transmit personal information. But people use the net for their tax returns every year, so *some* people probably would. For me, I walk a paper return out to the mailbox on April 15th, five minutes before the mailman is due to arrive.

Posted by: Schrödinger's cat [/i] at October 14, 2013 02:39 PM (U2UQk)

62 Ah, what do yah mean it isn't wohking. It wohked pehfectly when I drew it up on the cocktail napkin

Posted by: Zombie Ted Kennedy at October 14, 2013 02:39 PM (Pr6hk)

My question is... how did CGI get to be the ONLY bidder on this project?

I thought it was against the Law to not put something like this out to competitive bidding...

THAT would be an interesting investigation...

Posted by: Romeo13 at October 14, 2013 02:39 PM (lZBBB)

64 Congress approved it, Obama signed it, Roberts allowed it, Canadians built it, Taxpayers funded it, and the result is catastrophic failure. There is a lesson here someplace... Posted by: exurbanDoug It's a dessert topping! It's a floorwax! No, it's a tax! No wait, it's all three. It's a dessert tax-waxing. Failnado!! But it is still a tax.

Posted by: Chief Justice John Roberts at October 14, 2013 02:39 PM (RFeQD)

65 I want to see the sVenn Diagram of this.

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at October 14, 2013 02:39 PM (uj8Oa)

66 Subsidy? I thought everything was going to be free. This is bullshit!!

Posted by: Gristle Encased Head at October 14, 2013 02:40 PM (+lsX1)

67 They don't want back-alley abortions, now we're gonna have black-market medicine

Posted by: Dr Gosnell at October 14, 2013 02:40 PM (Pr6hk)

68 "I see from your voter registration that you are a Republican. Sit right here and wait for my SEIU nurse to come and jab you 26 times so we can get the lab results we need to deny you care."

Posted by: navybrat at October 14, 2013 02:40 PM (RakrK)

69 >> A fail so massive, it folds in on itself and creates a quantum fail singularity in Nth dimensions. It's a mobius strip of fail.

Posted by: Andy at October 14, 2013 02:40 PM (0ZQCB)

70 Ocare is such a delightful train wreck. When implemented fully it is a perfect tsunami.

Posted by: angel with a sword at October 14, 2013 02:41 PM (hpgw1)

71

It's like totly unfr that sik pple R sik and cant have insur only wen they wnt it & tht the Rethugs are slmming Obama.

Posted by: Generation Screwed at October 14, 2013 02:41 PM (Xv7f/)

At this point I think Democrats are committed to keeping the government shutdown drama going in order to keep public attention away from the monumental diasaster of the Obamacare rollout.

Yes, the congressional GOP is taking a hit in the polls. But look at Obama's numbers. Look at the Senate's numbers, Democrat and Republican alike. I'm thinking all of this posturing by the Democrats gloating over the unpopularity of the GOP is so much empty bravado. They're scared. Those of us on the Right who have watched our country veer closer to the abyss got over being scared years ago. After the fear went away, we went to the gun store to buy gun stuff.

Posted by: troyriser at October 14, 2013 02:41 PM (V9ol4)

Failnado!!

But it is still a tax.

Posted by: Chief Justice John Roberts at October 14, 2013 06:39 PM (RFeQD)

Taxacaine?

Posted by: Romeo13 at October 14, 2013 02:41 PM (lZBBB)

74 That's a nice healthcare system you have there, It would be a shame if anything happened to it.

OH SHIT that's our healthcare system that just got wacked

Posted by: Chicago Union Boss at October 14, 2013 02:42 PM (Pr6hk)

75
Funny, (and not in the 'ha ha' sense), story about Obamacare. On day one, at 3 am I tried to sign up, figuring to beat the rush, and all that. I got part way through the system, managed to enter my name, my state, and that was about it. It crashed immediately after that. in fact, at the warning that my personal info would be shared with federal and state LE agencies, the IRS, and even DHS.

Now here's the funny part. For the next three days, I kept getting 'Customer Service' calls on my home phone, from a 202 area code, which is W DC. I never gave them my home number, and it's in my wife's name, not mine, anyway.

Make of that what you will.

Also, and OT, Peaches was asking about EBT cards being used for fast food purchases. I can verify that it's allowed in both PA, and VA.

Posted by: Sticky Wicket at October 14, 2013 02:43 PM (sCynV)

76 My question is... how did CGI get to be the ONLY bidder on this project?

I thought it was against the Law to not put something like this out to competitive bidding...

THAT would be an interesting investigation...

Posted by: Romeo13 at October 14, 2013 06:39 PM (lZBBB)

Find out who is married to the XO's at CGI. $5 says it will trace back to more than one person in TFG's cabinet.

Posted by: EC at October 14, 2013 02:43 PM (doBIb)

64...Failnado!!

Perfect.

I nominate this for threadwinner.

Posted by: wheatie at October 14, 2013 02:43 PM (7CgKa)

78 We'll, duh! Of course, when you tell everyone that they are going to get free healthcare, they are going to be pissed when they find out YOU LIED. Won't ever happen. Any government program that doesn't give the user the expected results is caused by two things, in this order. 1. Republican obstructionism. 2. Not enough money. So just vote for more Democrats in office (even if not a single Republican can be found, right Detroit?) and vote to take that guy's money. That guy, over there.

Posted by: bonhomme at October 14, 2013 02:43 PM (yETln)

79
Single payer is not in the cards. Let me repeat with emphasis. Single payer is not in the cards today. For further clarification, single payer is not in the cards today, and I emphatically swear it may or may not be in the cards in the future.

Posted by: Bronco Bama at October 14, 2013 02:43 PM (pJF+c)

80 If you want less of something, tax it.

Congratulations, you now have less healthcare

Posted by: Dr. Art Laffer at October 14, 2013 02:43 PM (Pr6hk)

81 does anyone know if Sandra Fluke Cadillac Brand Birth Control Pills are something everyone gets or just females? I was thinking of getting some for resale to offset my premium costs since they don't count against the deductible.

Posted by: X at October 14, 2013 02:43 PM (KHo8t)

82

The bread/Obamacare riots are going to be spectacular.

Posted by: Pontmercy at October 14, 2013 02:43 PM (Xv7f/)

83 It's a mobius strip of fail.

Posted by: Andy at October 14, 2013 06:40 PM (0ZQCB)

But this is like a mobius strip folding on itself again.

Posted by: EC at October 14, 2013 02:44 PM (doBIb)

84 Remain Calm...!!!...All Is Well!!!

Posted by: Chip Diller at October 14, 2013 02:44 PM (iW2D2)

85 They took the healthcare system on a fishing trip

Posted by: Fredo at October 14, 2013 02:44 PM (Pr6hk)

86 83 It's a mobius strip of fail. Posted by: Andy at October 14, 2013 06:40 PM (0ZQCB) ------------------ But this is like a mobius strip folding on itself again. Posted by: EC at October 14, 2013 06:44 PM (doBIb) Careful, you're treading into CAC territory.

Posted by: BCochran1981 - Credible Hulk at October 14, 2013 02:45 PM (GEICT)

87 PS... Programing security is one thing but the interface to entering it will be 'guided' by humans, and I remember the easiest way into a system. It wasn't a keylogger either...hint hint. When you have Mark I's on the info how hard is it, I mean really. And the copy cat sites that will spring up just waiting to be searched for. Suckers, LIV's deserve a lot of things but the added hell of ID theft is gonna sting.

Posted by: Gmac-Pondering the coming taxational singularity at October 14, 2013 02:45 PM (IanLz)

88 79. plus, if you like your doctor and your plan you can keep them.

oh, and it's not a tax neither.

Posted by: Pontmercy at October 14, 2013 02:45 PM (Xv7f/)

89 Second look at Filipino doctors...

Posted by: Al Katraz at October 14, 2013 02:45 PM (N3Al8)

90 My brother said he would send me twenty dollars, but it would cost the government millions

Posted by: George Obama at October 14, 2013 02:46 PM (Pr6hk)

91
Kirsten Powers udders are pointing through her red dress.

Posted by: Doctor Fish at October 14, 2013 02:46 PM (pJF+c)

92 If you like your plan you can go sign up for any new and different one of your choosing. But you can't even do that due to the amazing success and popularity of the exchanges. I am going to default this shithole. Now watch this drive.

Posted by: Barky I at October 14, 2013 02:46 PM (sOtz/)

93 No, the venn isn't exactly zero. It's also us poor shmucks who lost our insurance due to this awful law and are now scrambling to make sure our families are covered. This news? It makes me shoot hate rays out my eyes.

Posted by: Lauren at October 14, 2013 02:46 PM (ELdpj)

94 Only if the Moebius strip somehow passes through another dimension before returning to this reality.

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at October 14, 2013 02:46 PM (uj8Oa)

95 Having interfaces isn't easy. Having that many increases the task to Herculean proportions. Hell, the Lernean Hydra would give up and run away.

Posted by: I R A Darth Aggie Â© at October 14, 2013 06:29 PM (1hM1d)

Mean Time To Failure: 30 seconds.

Systems Engineering

Posted by: tangonine at October 14, 2013 02:46 PM (x3YFz)

96 It was DESIGNED, from the BEGINNING to BREAK the system. But everyone is running 734 different directions and/or in abject denial. At the *very* least they should delay, demand a refund from the efftards who built it, and then re-debate the issue. Preferably flush the emeffer. But, probably not, because people are stupid.

Posted by: Merovign , Dark Lord of the Sith [/i] [/b] [/s] [/u] at October 14, 2013 02:46 PM (qyfb5)

97 It seems weird that as soon as I signed up at that healthcare.ru site I started getting all these boxes of lace wigs delivered.

Posted by: Gristle Encased Head at October 14, 2013 02:47 PM (+lsX1)

Charlie Johnson? I'm sorry but is that the rat fink Charles Johnson the piece of fecal mattter?

OK I didn't read anything before posting.

Posted by: Jay in CDA at October 14, 2013 02:47 PM (xGt2P)

99 They don't want back-alley abortions, now we're gonna have black-market medicine

Coat hangers - they're not just for abortions anymore!

Posted by: The National Assn of American Coathanger Manunfacturers at October 14, 2013 02:47 PM (8ZskC)

100 I've never seen a bigger clusterfuck in all of my 28 years!

Posted by: ZaZa Klein at October 14, 2013 02:47 PM (Dwehj)

101 Come on down and get your operations without the year waiting list

Posted by: Costa Rica Ministry of Health at October 14, 2013 02:47 PM (Pr6hk)

102

off damned AK sock

Posted by: Regular Guy at October 14, 2013 02:47 PM (N3Al8)

103 Would you wing nuts give it a rest already?

Everybody knows that a law enacted by the legislature and signed by the executive can never be reviewed or repealed.

Sheesh.

Posted by: Bull Connor Democratic National Committeeman at October 14, 2013 02:48 PM (Xv7f/)

104 Hey Filly could your hubby start a medical commuter flight offshore?

Posted by: Regular Guy at October 14, 2013 02:48 PM (N3Al8)

105 100 I've never seen a bigger clusterfuck in all of my 28 years!

Posted by: ZaZa Klein at October 14, 2013 06:47 PM (Dwehj)

heh... not military I'm guessing.

Posted by: tangonine at October 14, 2013 02:48 PM (x3YFz)

106 Its working great! They don't want you to know how much you will pay. Its perfect!

Posted by: thunderb at October 14, 2013 02:48 PM (KihZF)

107 Miss Me and my naive incompetence yet?

Posted by: James from Plains at October 14, 2013 02:48 PM (Pr6hk)

108 But.... but..... the income reporting part of the system for verifying subsidies was supposed to be turned off wasn't it? Everyone is just on the honor system.

Posted by: 2nd Amendment Mother at October 14, 2013 02:49 PM (L4CWX)

109 At least my healthcare will be free for the next 28 years.

Posted by: Kwame Kilpatrick at October 14, 2013 02:49 PM (Pr6hk)

110 Now here's the funny part. For the next three days, I kept getting 'Customer Service' calls on my home phone, from a 202 area code, which is W DC. I never gave them my home number, and it's in my wife's name, not mine, anyway. Anyone, anywhere can spoof the caller ID name and number. Let me repeat that, because it's important. Anyone, anywhere can spoof the caller ID name and number. Anymore, I get more bullshit calls then legitimate. Someone, somewhere has a data base of names and ages and thinks that people over a certain age are too stupid and will fall for telemarketer bullshit. Beware. Whatever that name is that appears on caller ID I take with three grains of salt.

Posted by: Schrödinger's cat [/i] at October 14, 2013 02:49 PM (U2UQk)

111 I mean most people can fill out the simple tax form. It shouldn't be much harder than that to give you a ball park answer. Posted by: petunia at October 14, 2013 06:28 PM (DAcBA) Hey! Waddaya trying to say!?! I'll have you know that my inability to fill out a tax form didn't stop me from being SecTres! And my buddie, Charlie Rangel- he's a Congressman!

Posted by: Timmy "TurboTax" Geithner at October 14, 2013 02:49 PM (j0wOO)

112 @78 Detroit is greening its way to a more sustainable future.

Posted by: Barky I at October 14, 2013 02:50 PM (sOtz/)

113 Booga Booga! Get OFF!!!!

Posted by: David Steinberg, Your Obamacomic at October 14, 2013 02:50 PM (0It32)

114 So, they receive a subsidy to offset the cost of the plan. Where, do you suppose, they'll get the money for the deductible? If it cost $130 to visit the doc and you have to pay that out of pocket, does that mean that those with insurance, but without cash, will not be seen? Private docs might refuse them which would then result in them taking to the E.R. for basic service.... just as they do now. What has changed in this scenario? What has changed is that hospitals are now being forced to justify their charity work. They must prove a justifiable need within the community or they will be fined for their charity. So.... where do those without the money for the doc appt go?

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at October 14, 2013 02:51 PM (DmNpO)

115 >>>>But.... but..... the income reporting part of the system for verifying subsidies was supposed to be turned off wasn't it? Everyone is just on the honor system. yep. it's just a shitty lead generation website. that doesn't work.

Posted by: X at October 14, 2013 02:51 PM (KHo8t)

116 They don't want you to know how much you will pay. Its perfect! It's like a paywall. You have to give up all your information, and THEN we'll show you the info. But because it's government, they can't even keep that promise.

Posted by: bonhomme at October 14, 2013 02:51 PM (yETln)

117 Now if I can just figure out how to run an EKG on myself by using this old empty milk carton, a strand of Christmas tinsel, some chewing gum and a Sharpie pen, I'll be golden!

Posted by: Seamus MacGuyver at October 14, 2013 02:52 PM (N/Sup)

118 I told you it was a tale of two Americas

One that can't afford healthcare, and the other that soon won't be able to afford healthcare

Posted by: John Edwards at October 14, 2013 02:52 PM (Pr6hk)

119 I am going to sue for name infringement. There can only be one.

I bid you adieu.

Posted by: Chubbles Jhosnon at October 14, 2013 02:52 PM (gfGOZ)

120
Anymore, I get more bullshit calls then legitimate. Someone, somewhere has a data base of names and ages and thinks that people over a certain age are too stupid and will fall for telemarketer bullshit. Beware. Whatever that name is that appears on caller ID I take with three grains of salt.

Posted by: SchrÃ¶dinger's cat at October 14, 2013 06:49 PM (U2UQk)

So you're saying that wasn't Kate Beckinsale calling me last night.

SONOFA...

Posted by: tangonine at October 14, 2013 02:52 PM (x3YFz)

121 Let's jump to 4-6 weeks from now, since the December 15 deadline to get coverage starting January 1 is only two months away. Everyone who has been told to sit tight and wait until the kinks are worked out will try to get on the exchanges. I'm sure that will go swimmingly.

Posted by: Vendette at October 14, 2013 02:52 PM (PTQex)

122 Here's a question. There was that story about the programmer apparently uploading a zip file of the source code to a java developer bulletin board. Well, don't the exchanges attempt to verify your eligibility? So, doesn't that mean that the code would necessarily contain the code regarding the interface to check that eligibility?

Wouldn't it thus mean that out there in ye olde internets is the code to get access to the IRS servers?

Posted by: alexthechick - SMOD, you taunty bitch. at October 14, 2013 02:53 PM (Gk3SS)

123 Is Chad still in hiding?

Posted by: Dr. Jesse Pinkman at October 14, 2013 02:53 PM (H2XQu)

124 I'm starting to wonder about this Obama guy.

Posted by: Peggy Joseph at October 14, 2013 02:53 PM (nsOJa)

125 Obamacare is a strange game, the only way to win is not to play the game.

Posted by: WOPR at October 14, 2013 02:53 PM (Pr6hk)

126 57 No problem. I'm getting one of those med degrees from the U of Grenada and open an underground clinic if you will, a kind of prohibition erea speak easy of medicine. I'll make a fortune I tell ya! Posted by: Al Katraz at October 14, 2013 06:37 PM (N3Al Actually you will. Posted by: Nevergiveup at October 14, 2013 06:37 PM (UbDLm) We joke about this, but I am of the opinion that people should be very interested in procuring whatever medical knowledge or training they can. The Medical system is being priced out of the range of normal folk, and the government incentivizes cost increases by restricting demand, lawyering things to death, and pushing insurance for sniffles. People may very well reach a point where they will have to go underground.

Posted by: Diogenes' Lamp at October 14, 2013 02:53 PM (bb5+k)

127 "... thinks that people over a certain age are too stupid and will fall for telemarketer bullshit. Beware. Whatever that name is that appears on caller ID I take with three grains of salt."

Whatever they are selling I tell them, sure, I have a check for you, right here. Making it out right now.

Come on over and get it.

Posted by: navybrat at October 14, 2013 02:54 PM (RakrK)

128 117. Not so fast.

Posted by: IRS Medical Device Tax Division at October 14, 2013 02:54 PM (Xv7f/)

129 All I know is that my cousin has made a fortune in real estate the last couple of years. In Panama.

Posted by: Margarita DeVille at October 14, 2013 02:54 PM (dfYL9)

130 I tried to set up an account. and now my Gmail doesn't work. just sayin'.

Posted by: X at October 14, 2013 02:55 PM (KHo8t)

131

Here's the newest, simplified version of O-care:

Step #1- Log in to healthcare.guv

Step #2- Enter your name and bank account number

Step #3- Verify that your bank account has been emptied

Step #4- Go stand in line

Posted by: Seamus Muldoon at October 14, 2013 02:55 PM (N/Sup)

132 68 "I see from your voter registration that you are a Republican. Sit right here and wait for my SEIU nurse to come and jab you 26 times so we can get the lab results we need to deny you care." Posted by: navybrat at October 14, 2013 06:40 PM (RakrK) We Emmanuel Goldsteins will not do well in these facilities.

Posted by: Diogenes' Lamp at October 14, 2013 02:55 PM (bb5+k)

133

@atc

If we lived in a sane world, access would require a one way key that isn't defined in that code.

But Obama.

Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) (tablet) at October 14, 2013 02:55 PM (Sj72w)

134 122 Here's a question. There was that story about the programmer apparently uploading a zip file of the source code to a java developer bulletin board. Well, don't the exchanges attempt to verify your eligibility? So, doesn't that mean that the code would necessarily contain the code regarding the interface to check that eligibility? Wouldn't it thus mean that out there in ye olde internets is the code to get access to the IRS servers? Posted by: alexthechick - SMOD, you taunty bitch. at October 14, 2013 06:53 PM (Gk3SS) Yes, but I'm sure there's a law against doing that. Problem solved.

Posted by: BCochran1981 - Credible Hulk at October 14, 2013 02:55 PM (GEICT)

135
Krauthammer sides with the PC Police and want's the Washington Redskin's name changed.

The Kraut just took the Big Kahuna up the squeakhole.

Posted by: Doctor Fish at October 14, 2013 02:55 PM (pJF+c)

136 And you thought that TV show about the 'concierge doctor' was fiction. You just wait for the of rich people putting 'healthcare consultants' on retainer

Posted by: Royal Pains at October 14, 2013 02:56 PM (Pr6hk)

137

So you're saying that wasn't Kate Beckinsale calling me last night.

SONOFA...

Posted by: tangonine at October 14, 2013 06:52 PM (x3YFz)

****

More like Kate Sebelius

Posted by: Seamus Muldoon at October 14, 2013 02:56 PM (N/Sup)

138 Listen, I can't fuck over the middle class if I let them see I'm giving their shit to the lazy ass rabble that keeps me in the WH. Suckas.

Posted by: Historic First at October 14, 2013 02:56 PM (nsOJa)

139 Why do you have to give them your bank account info? If you are not asking for a subsidy, why do they have to know that shit?

Posted by: Dr. Jesse Pinkman at October 14, 2013 02:56 PM (H2XQu)

140 Krauthammer sides with the PC Police and want's the Washington Redskin's name changed. The Kraut just took the Big Kahuna up the squeakhole. *** He's also been busy the last few days justifying why a "journalist" would take an off-the-record meeting with the POTUS.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at October 14, 2013 02:57 PM (DmNpO)

141 User: Is the premium for my coverage so high that I'll blow a gasket? O-Care Enrollment App: Maybeeee... 404 Error

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars [/i] [/b] [/s] at October 14, 2013 02:57 PM (xqauy)

142

Posted by: Royal Pains at October 14, 2013 06:56 PM (Pr6hk

My Health Care ethics degree value just went up!

Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) (tablet) at October 14, 2013 02:57 PM (Sj72w)

143 More like Kate Sebelius

Posted by: Seamus Muldoon at October 14, 2013 06:56 PM (N/Sup)

ok that's just... <shudder> no... no no no

Posted by: tangonine at October 14, 2013 02:57 PM (x3YFz)

144 It's a tax!

Posted by: Chief Justice John "It's a tax!" Roberts at October 14, 2013 02:57 PM (sOtz/)

145 Christie announces he wants in-state tuition for illegals in NJ.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at October 14, 2013 02:58 PM (ZPrif)

146

All I know is that my cousin has made a fortune in real estate the last couple of years.
In Panama.

I think you mean Pan-a-ma-ah-oh oh-ah-oh.

Posted by: David Lee Roth at October 14, 2013 02:58 PM (uDZQl)

147 Remember when George Bush ordered code that could run Iranian centrifuges on 'puree' until the motors all burned up while SpongeBob reruns played on the monitoring systems?

Geez, what a stupid putz he was.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero) at October 14, 2013 02:58 PM (8ZskC)

148 PAIN... it's what's for dinner

Posted by: Barry "Clubber Lang" Soetoro at October 14, 2013 02:58 PM (Pr6hk)

149 How long until the IRS accidently puts all the registered Rs financial info out on the web for all the id thieves to see.

Posted by: Invictus at October 14, 2013 02:58 PM (FBkKA)

150 Chris Christie on with Greta at 7

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at October 14, 2013 02:59 PM (DmNpO)

151 139 Why do you have to give them your bank account info? If you are not asking for a subsidy, why do they have to know that shit?

Posted by: Dr. Jesse Pinkman at October 14, 2013 06:56 PM (H2XQu)

so... I haven't been out there, we're retired military so we can keep our shitty health care. But, you actually have to enter your bank account info?

Posted by: tangonine at October 14, 2013 02:59 PM (x3YFz)

152 Fuck you CJ Roberts.

Posted by: dogfish at October 14, 2013 02:59 PM (nsOJa)

153

Posted by: alexthechick - SMOD, you taunty bitch. at October 14, 2013 06:53 PM (Gk3SS)

Your computer would not be talking to IRS computers directly....

Your browser loads info up to the HHS server, which then queries the IRS server about you... which answers back to HHS server, which then answers you...

Just like e-commerce sites do for credit card information... This type of query is done all the time in business.... but it does not look like CGI has ANY experience in it....

There are a number of companies who could have EASILY done this... so of course our Federal Government chose one who could not to build the site.

Posted by: Romeo13 at October 14, 2013 02:59 PM (lZBBB)

154 You just wait for the of rich people putting 'healthcare consultants' on retainer

Nothing new there, lots of rich people have had personal physicians. Google "Michael Jackson doctor"

Posted by: HeatherRadish™ needs a beer at October 14, 2013 02:59 PM (/kI1Q)

155
I've always loved listening to The Kraut's analysis, but his recent mental gymnastics are becoming tiresome.

Posted by: Doctor Fish at October 14, 2013 03:00 PM (pJF+c)

156 I blame Ted Cruz and his political ambitions. How dare a politician have political ambitions!

Posted by: Buzzion at October 14, 2013 03:00 PM (YUDMP)

157 Wouldn't it thus mean that out there in ye olde internets is the code to get access to the IRS servers? Nope. *They* have security on their side. You as an UnPeople Prole have none.

Posted by: Schrödinger's cat [/i] at October 14, 2013 03:00 PM (U2UQk)

158 My only question is will my doctor still be able to adminster penicillin off-the-record???

Posted by: Client #9 at October 14, 2013 03:00 PM (Pr6hk)

159 You got that right.

Posted by: Antonin Scalia at October 14, 2013 03:00 PM (nsOJa)

160 Fuck you CJ Roberts.

Actually, I'm really glad he came along. It was no fun having the title Worst Supreme Court Justice in American History for all those years.

Posted by: C.J. Roger Taney at October 14, 2013 03:01 PM (8ZskC)

161 158 My only question is will my doctor still be able to adminster penicillin off-the-record???

Posted by: Client #9 at October 14, 2013 07:00 PM (Pr6hk)

you can get all the 'cillins over the internet legally without a prescription. Just make sure you do 10 minutes of googling to get the dosage right.

Posted by: tangonine at October 14, 2013 03:01 PM (x3YFz)

162 I was really surprised when they said they wanted the program on punch-cards

Posted by: COBAL Programmer at October 14, 2013 03:02 PM (Pr6hk)

163

Doctor'n is a cinch!

Posted by: Dr's Howard, Fine and Howard at October 14, 2013 03:02 PM (N3Al8)

164
My concern with Obamacare is the level of proctological care available for active women like myself.

Posted by: Ann Marie Cox at October 14, 2013 03:02 PM (pJF+c)

165 It's also us poor shmucks who lost our insurance due to this awful law and are now scrambling to make sure our families are covered.

I think I saw on the CNN crawl (it was on in the lobby) that you can still enroll in a plan by mail.

(I have no confidence that the data entry drones will be able to access any sort of system to complete your enrollment, but apparently some people do.)

Posted by: HeatherRadish™ needs a beer at October 14, 2013 03:02 PM (/kI1Q)

166 The House just passed, with bipartisan support, a bill to fund American Indian programs through Dec 15th. Now the Senate Dems can vote against the Indians too.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at October 14, 2013 03:03 PM (DmNpO)

167

@125

would you like to play a nice game of chess?

Posted by: kj at October 14, 2013 03:03 PM (kw7uo)

168 "the Obamacare exchanges try (and fail) to go through the entire enrollee qualification process on the fly." Could this be because, unlike eHealthInsurance.com, its a priority for the Obamacare website to collect the information you're required to give them?

Posted by: hairless mule at October 14, 2013 03:03 PM (EcY0f)

169 That chart looks like something contrived from the victim of an LSD laden drink administered from a CIA agent..

Posted by: Jet Built Around Cannon at October 14, 2013 03:03 PM (70CRT)

170 My only question is will my doctor still be able to administer penicillin off-the-record??? Eat more of my chicken. That will cure that painful burning sensation, 'down there'.

Posted by: Francis Perdue [/i] at October 14, 2013 03:03 PM (U2UQk)

171 With every sign up, you get a free colonoscopy!

Posted by: 404care website at October 14, 2013 03:04 PM (nsOJa)

172
Anymore, I get more bullshit calls then legitimate. Someone, somewhere has a data base of names and ages and thinks that people over a certain age are too stupid and will fall for telemarketer bullshit. Beware. Whatever that name is that appears on caller ID I take with three grains of salt.

Obviously. But I ain't that old. Not Vic old, certainly. I thought it an interesting coincidence. The calls stopped after three days, and I never answered them anyway.

Posted by: Sticky Wicket at October 14, 2013 03:04 PM (sCynV)

173 169 That chart looks like something contrived from the victim of an LSD laden drink administered from a CIA agent..

Posted by: Jet Built Around Cannon at October 14, 2013 07:03 PM (70CRT)

I thought it looked like the powerpoint presentation and path to victory in Afghanistan.

Posted by: tangonine at October 14, 2013 03:04 PM (x3YFz)

174 "I think I saw on the CNN crawl (it was on in the lobby) that you can still enroll in a plan by mail." Except you would have absolutely no clue what the hell you're signing up for if you do it that way. The whole point of this god forsaken exchange is to be able to compare plans. *rage meter explodes*

Posted by: Lauren at October 14, 2013 03:04 PM (ELdpj)

175 As soon as you accept the idea that the purpose of Obamacare is not to provide health insurance/health care, but instead to monitor and control the population, then all the confusion disappears It does not work right because it is designed to gather the most intimate and personal of information on every single man woman and child in this nation. Providing "health care" is just the mask. And on most days, I'm the one making fun of the conspiracy kooks. This system s designed solely to funnel all personal information through the government. That is why "eligibility" is a core component, so that they have a justification for compiling financial info with health info. It's really sobering to think about our useless government with access to every last bit of information on you. Let's see, Mr. Jones, you wouldn't want information on your anal warts to get out, now would you? Where's that extra undeclared $25,000 we can see from your checking account that you took in last year?

Posted by: imp at October 14, 2013 03:04 PM (L9AnB)

176 @ 170 those Perdue wings are the best . Anybody want a great recipe?

Posted by: Jet Built Around Cannon at October 14, 2013 03:05 PM (70CRT)

177 Now the Senate Dems can vote against the Indians too.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at October 14, 2013 07:03 PM (DmNpO)

The chief is all too aware of Democrap policies for red-man

Posted by: Chief Noc-a-homa at October 14, 2013 03:05 PM (Pr6hk)

178 Taking all your guns wingnuts. It's a tax!

Posted by: Chief Justice John "It's a tax!" Roberts at October 14, 2013 03:05 PM (sOtz/)

179 "Someone, somewhere has a data base of names and ages and thinks that people over a certain age are too stupid and will fall for telemarketer bullshit."

I know an increasing number of people in midlife who are dealing with Alzheimered parents. Note: get total power of attorney _damn quick_ once the symptoms start to show.

One guy said that his mom gets calls from scam artists preying on the elderly all the time. He doesn't mind, because she no longer has control of anything they can exploit. It's entertainment for her to talk to these people every day, and it's hugely frustrating for the scammers. They call back constantly.

"Mrs. Lacecurtain, it's 'Fred Smith' again from the Official Federal Department Of Assuring Your Medicare Doesn't Get Cut Off. You said yesterday your son was going to wire $20,000.00 on your behalf to our official federal government bank account in Lagos, Nigeria. But we haven't received the money."

By that time she's completely forgotten the entire previous conversation. The scammers end up starting over again with her. Over and over and over again. Groundhog Day. Sad but true.

Posted by: torquewrench at October 14, 2013 03:05 PM (gqT4g)

180 Re: Krauthammer WTF? really.. jump on board the grievance train! Can't say Gyp cause... Gypsies. good grief. Can't say negro.. well because!

There really is an over-reactionary culture of political correct speech in DC. It must be in the water. What happened to being an adult about this crap?

Posted by: Yip at October 14, 2013 03:05 PM (/jHWN)

181
Repost From a Previous Thread~

If you love socialized medicine, you're going to love Obamacare.

Five years past I was schedule for a proctoscope exam at the VA Hospital. Lying on the table, the female "doctor" commented to the assistant, and I detected a youthful voice.

I asked her age and medical degree. She responded she was qualified to perform the exam. I stopped the procedure because she refused to answer, and went to administration with the complaint.

Only later did I learn she was a 28-year old technician, and in my opinion, not qualified to perform a procedure with the possibility of bowel perforation.

I also learned there had been numerous problems in the facility. The PBI VA no longer uses technicians but only qualified doctors.

With O'Care you could be letting a promoted navigator stick a TV camera up your squeakhole to determine your cancer risk. I'll go with the cancer risk.

Posted by: Doctor Fish at October 14, 2013 03:06 PM (pJF+c)

182 I thought it looked like the powerpoint presentation and path to victory in Afghanistan. Posted by: tangonine at October 14, 2013 07:04 PM (x3YFz) Powerpoint? Shitcanistan is an AF thing?

Posted by: BCochran1981 - Credible Hulk at October 14, 2013 03:06 PM (GEICT)

183

1. Of course the Redskins thing is stupid, but it's THEIR stupid, so I love it. I hope the Raceskins get more attention. Our courageous president has jumping into the fray with the fierce pronouncement that if he actually owned the team, he would "think about" changing the name!

What courage! What decisiveness! He will fight in the bleachers, he will fight in the showers, etc.

I love the Redskin thing, it's hysterical to watch, the irony.

2. The govt is still on slowdown. I like that.

Life is good, for the moment. Of course, I'm not a Republican, which probably helps.

Posted by: Meremortal at October 14, 2013 03:06 PM (1Y+hH)

184
With every sign up, you get a free colonoscopy!

Pffft. I traded those coupons for abortion vouchers, and I'm looking to trade those for 'Ludes, which I'll then barter for booze, and ammo.

Posted by: Sticky Wicket at October 14, 2013 03:06 PM (sCynV)

185 >>>You just wait for the of rich people putting 'healthcare consultants' on retainer ... Concierge medicine is nowhere near as expensive as it sounds. In fact, it's LOTS cheaper than 404care. LOTS. The only crappy part is if you need surgery or something, it's gonna cost you. Personally, I am on the "if I get sick, go to Walgreens. If Walgreens can't cure it, I'm probably gonna die anyhow, so I'm spending all my cash on strippers and booze" insurance plan. So I'm doubly pissed... the "privilege" of not going to a doctor in 20 years will now cost me 1% of my income... or so they think.

Posted by: Timmy at October 14, 2013 03:07 PM (j0wOO)

186 As soon as you accept the idea that the purpose of Obamacare is not to provide health insurance/health care, but instead to monitor and control the population,...

Add wealth redistribution and bingo!

Posted by: dogfish at October 14, 2013 03:07 PM (nsOJa)

187 My calls stopped after I told them to come and get their checks. I just said "I am too old to stand in line at the Post Office and I don't have credit cards, so just come on over and pick up your check".

Posted by: navybrat at October 14, 2013 03:07 PM (RakrK)

188 >>>>Anymore, I get more bullshit calls then legitimate. Someone, somewhere has a data base of names and ages and thinks that people over a certain age are too stupid and will fall for telemarketer bullshit. Beware. Whatever that name is that appears on caller ID I take with three grains of salt. Look up tom mabe on YouTube. I recommend the angel of death and carpet cleaners as must listen. Take notes and apply to telemarketers.

Posted by: Buzzion at October 14, 2013 03:07 PM (YUDMP)

189 182 I thought it looked like the powerpoint presentation and path to victory in Afghanistan.

Posted by: tangonine at October 14, 2013 07:04 PM (x3YFz)

Powerpoint? Shitcanistan is an AF thing?

Posted by: BCochran1981 - Credible Hulk at October 14, 2013 07:06 PM (GEICT)

New to the DoD are you?

Posted by: tangonine at October 14, 2013 03:08 PM (x3YFz)

190

Posted by: BCochran1981 - Credible Hulk at October 14, 2013 07:06 PM (GEICT)

My 86 year-old Dad bled after they cut out a non-cancerous thingie during a colonoscopy and damn near died. Regular hospital, though, not VA.

Colonoscopy at 86? I don't know about that either....

Posted by: Meremortal at October 14, 2013 03:09 PM (1Y+hH)

191 You know whose fault this is? A. Cruz B. Sarah palin C. Buuussshhhhh D. The juice

Posted by: Navycopjoe at October 14, 2013 03:09 PM (dqux0)

192 Will vs Krauthammer: clash of the titans. George is going to have to step up his game. He's used to crushing idiot journalists like bugs, but Krauthammer is a harder target.

Posted by: pep at October 14, 2013 03:09 PM (6TB1Z)

193 Must have been the shallow graves out back that scared them off...

Posted by: navybrat at October 14, 2013 03:09 PM (RakrK)

194 Just want to reiterate read that fucking Avik Roy column in Forbes that Andy linked. READ ALL OF IT.

It's superb, and devastating, and it's correct.

Actually, you should be reading Avik Roy every day. His page on Forbes and Megan McArdle's blog on Bloomberg are two of my must-checks on a daily basis these days. They put out the best sort of stuff on Obamacare: pitilessly brutal analysis, yet written in a measured, thoughtful style such that you can share it with everyone you know, including people who might be liberal or non-ideological, with the chance of convincing them. Not just stuff that's pitched solely at us true believers.

Oh and howdy all. Seems like I missed a heck of a Gabe thread earlier today.

Posted by: Jeff B. at October 14, 2013 03:09 PM (n/+FT)

195 Posted by: Doctor Fish at October 14, 2013 07:06 PM (pJF+c)

Dude...lighten up. Perforated bowel is only about a 5% mortality rate.

A fucking technician?

The VA gets away with shit that civilian hospitals would be destroyed for.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at October 14, 2013 03:10 PM (/kU/5)

196

"I'm from the Government and I'm here to help"

Think about it.

Posted by: Ronaldo Magnus at October 14, 2013 03:10 PM (Pr6hk)

197 New to the DoD are you? Posted by: tangonine at October 14, 2013 07:08 PM (x3YFz) Lol. My older BIL is Navy. We were in a bar and a couple AF guys came in. The shit-talking that ensued was one of the funniest things I've seen. I'm pretty certain they won when one of them referred to my BIL as a "pelican fucker".

Posted by: BCochran1981 - Credible Hulk at October 14, 2013 03:10 PM (GEICT)

198 Yeah Jeff B. Gabe threw a grenade on the web and walked away... much fun was had

Posted by: Yip at October 14, 2013 03:11 PM (/jHWN)

199 Colonoscopy at 86? I don't know about that either....

Posted by: Meremortal at October 14, 2013 07:09 PM (1Y+hH)

Why? Doesn't pass your death panel criteria?

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at October 14, 2013 03:11 PM (/kU/5)

200 Gulags in Siberian give only the best healthcare to Kulaks.... Get on the train.

Posted by: Joseph Stalin at October 14, 2013 03:11 PM (Pr6hk)

201 I just took the Costas Challenge. I thought about a team named the Whiteskins. Sounds heavy metal. Do not care, at all.

Posted by: Beagle at October 14, 2013 03:12 PM (sOtz/)

202 To: Bob NSA RE: < Thanks for the heads-up on this anarchist. We'll see to it that he receives the 'Gold' treatment. Regards, Kathy

Posted by: Katheen Sebelius at October 14, 2013 03:12 PM (aDwsi)

203

Heh, you all thought Republican circular firing squads were amusing? Wait until you get a load of the new O-care circular prostate exams.

1. Okay, you 15 people form a circle.

2. Place a latex glove on your right hand

3. Put a small dab of lubricant on your right index finger.

4. Place your left hand on the left hip of the man in front of you.

5. Now, all together, bend over

6. I was just kidding about the lubricant. It's not covered on your plan.

Posted by: Seamus Muldoon at October 14, 2013 03:12 PM (N/Sup)

204 180 Re: Krauthammer WTF? really.. jump on board the grievance train! Can't say Gyp cause... Gypsies. good grief. Can't say negro.. well because!

Posted by: Yip at October 14, 2013 07:05 PM (/jHWN)

**********

And yet, tea bagger -- well because -- Ted Cruz.

Posted by: gracepmc at October 14, 2013 03:12 PM (rznx3)

205 I am trying to purchase another individual plan after mine was cancelled because of ACA. Am I understanding this correct that I will have to go to the exchange if I can't score my own?

Posted by: Truck Monkey, Gruntled New Business Owner at October 14, 2013 03:12 PM (jucos)

206 At Drudge... BIG red font: NSA collecting contacts from 500k "buddy lists" each day

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at October 14, 2013 03:13 PM (DmNpO)

207 I am trying to purchase another individual plan after mine was cancelled because of ACA. AmI understanding this correct that I will have to go to the exchange if I can't score my own? *** Or else pay the fine

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at October 14, 2013 03:13 PM (DmNpO)

208 Dude...lighten up. Perforated bowel is only about a 5% mortality rate. Which will kill you 100%, or so they say.

Posted by: John MurthaFkr [/i] at October 14, 2013 03:13 PM (U2UQk)

209 I'm pretty certain they won when one of them referred to my BIL as a "pelican fucker".

Posted by: BCochran1981 - Credible Hulk at October 14, 2013 07:10 PM (GEICT)

Hah! (writes that one down). Even us old farts will still cane each other over interservice rivalry.

Posted by: tangonine at October 14, 2013 03:13 PM (x3YFz)

210 What if they changed the name to the "rednecks"?

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at October 14, 2013 03:14 PM (DmNpO)

211 >>>Will vs Krauthammer: clash of the titans. George is going to have to step up his game. He's used to crushing idiot journalists like bugs, but Krauthammer is a harder target.

It's actually fun watching these two spar. Quite honestly, I can't think of two conservative pundits for whom I have more respect, just in terms of sheer intellectual and rhetorical ability. (I put Will perhaps ever-so-slightly ahead, but maybe that's just because he's a baseball fan so I know he's a True American Patriot.)

Fox seriously should just give them a show together, something on Saturdays or Sundays, and let them rock a throwback to the glory days of Bill Buckley's Firing Line: intelligent debate between guests and smart conservatives who can't be played for fools.

Posted by: Jeff B. at October 14, 2013 03:14 PM (n/+FT)

212 Sarah Palin turning into serious thorn in Obama's side

Posted by: Regular Guy at October 14, 2013 03:15 PM (N3Al8)

213 I do not understand the claims that no one can tell what the enormous premiums are. It is readily available through a link on the home page. Just go to healthcare.gov/health-plan-information/ The premiums and plans are all spelled out on that page.

Posted by: Name at October 14, 2013 03:15 PM (4zLy9)

214 Why white-man try to hide his treatment of red-man by renaming football team?

Posted by: Chief Nocahoma at October 14, 2013 03:15 PM (Pr6hk)

215 1. Of course the Redskins thing is stupid, but it's THEIR stupid, so I love it. I hope the Raceskins get more attention. Our courageous president has jumping into the fray with the fierce pronouncement that if he actually owned the team, he would "think about" changing the name! What courage! What decisiveness! He will fight in the bleachers, he will fight in the showers, etc. How very Sanduskian of him.

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars [/i] [/b] [/s] at October 14, 2013 03:16 PM (E0PaU)

216 spanking thread up

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at October 14, 2013 03:16 PM (DmNpO)

217 Or else pay the fine

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at October 14, 2013 07:13 PM (DmNpO)

____________________

How does that work?

Posted by: Truck Monkey, Gruntled New Business Owner at October 14, 2013 03:16 PM (jucos)

218 Messaging.. definitely the messaging.

Posted by: do Fail() while true at October 14, 2013 03:16 PM (b93FA)

219 @211 Krauthammer is also a baseball fan, but not to the exclusion of football.

Posted by: Beagle at October 14, 2013 03:16 PM (sOtz/)

220 We demand Minnesota cease use of the Vikings nickname. They're play is a poor tribute to our fierce manliness

Posted by: Scandi Defamation League at October 14, 2013 03:17 PM (Pr6hk)

221 Give me all your personal information, your credit card #, sign up, THEN, I'll tell you how much it costs.

So it is intrinsically impossible for ZeroCare to work. But it was never DESIGNED to work. It is designed to destroy the economy of the U.S. That's why it is over 2000 pages long. It's designed to be an impassible labyrinth so that Zero can laugh at as while we tie ourselves in knots trying to figure it out.

Posted by: wdk535 at October 14, 2013 03:17 PM (Sa0br)

222 209. Pelican fucker? That'd be a pain to try to top

Posted by: Navycopjoe at October 14, 2013 03:17 PM (dqux0)

223 >>>Yeah Jeff B. Gabe threw a grenade on the web and walked away... much fun was had

You need to understand, due to the government shutdown and the continuing effects of the sequester, Ace of Spades HQ has been forced to make severe cutbacks to its normal allocation of RINOs. Right now we're operating on auxiliary budgeting rules that say that only one of either Gabe Malor, Jeff B., Jack Straw, or Hollowpoint is allowed to post in any given thread at any given time.

Posted by: Jeff B. at October 14, 2013 03:17 PM (n/+FT)

224

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at October 14, 2013 07:11 PM (/kU/5)

I'm not a medical expert, but I worry about putting an 86 year-old under anesthesia unless it's really needed. Isn't that risky?

Posted by: Meremortal at October 14, 2013 03:17 PM (1Y+hH)

225 It's actually fun watching these two spar. Quite honestly, I can't think of two conservative pundits for whom I have more respect, just in terms of sheer intellectual and rhetorical ability.

Agree, but there isn't room on the set for both of their egos. One will go. Will is my prediction.

Posted by: pep at October 14, 2013 03:18 PM (6TB1Z)

226 NSA collecting contacts from 500k "buddy lists" each day Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse Having a map of one's associates is integral to taking down networks of like-minded individuals. Counterinsurgency in Iraq was predicated on establishing relationship networks and crushing the nodes between groups. If you look at the (First) American Revolution, you can see that taking out Paul Revere would have been a phenomenally effective piece of intel work.

Posted by: imp at October 14, 2013 03:18 PM (L9AnB)

227 Hah! (writes that one down). Even us old farts will still cane each other over interservice rivalry. Posted by: tangonine at October 14, 2013 07:13 PM (x3YFz) Lol. My BIL laughed. He said that "when you do real deployments, unlike AF 3 month vacations, even the pelicans start to look good." He also told them that "you fuckers couldn't organize a gangbang without a powerpoint presentation."

Posted by: BCochran1981 - Credible Hulk at October 14, 2013 03:18 PM (GEICT)

228 Right now we're operating on auxiliary budgeting rules that say that only one of either Gabe Malor, Jeff B., Jack Straw, or Hollowpoint is allowed to post in any given thread at any given time.

Ahem.....

Posted by: pep at October 14, 2013 03:19 PM (6TB1Z)

229 Anyway, so I'm on RINO shift right now. Hold on...lemme get my notes...

*ahem*

YOU'RE ALL A BUNCH TRUECON TEAPARTY MORONS YOU'RE DESTROYING THE CONSERVATIVE MOVEMENT THE POLLS LOOK HORRIBLE THIS IS NOT THE HILL TO DIE ON AKIN O'DONNELL BUCK ANGLE OH MITT WHY DID YOU HAVE TO LOSE.

Okay there, just wanted to get that out of the way.

Posted by: Jeff B. at October 14, 2013 03:20 PM (n/+FT)

230 222 209. Pelican fucker?
That'd be a pain to try to top

Posted by: Navycopjoe at October 14, 2013 07:17 PM (dqux0)

Right? I got nothin'

Give that guy a medal.

Posted by: tangonine at October 14, 2013 03:20 PM (x3YFz)

231

How very Sanduskian of him.

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars at October 14, 2013 07:16 PM (E0PaU)

[[[[[[ ,...,.

50 moron points to the house of Krebs v Carrot for catching it!

Posted by: Meremortal at October 14, 2013 03:21 PM (1Y+hH)

232 He also told them that "you fuckers couldn't organize a gangbang without a powerpoint presentation."

Posted by: BCochran1981 - Credible Hulk at October 14, 2013 07:18 PM (GEICT)

I can't think he was incorrect about that.

Posted by: tangonine at October 14, 2013 03:21 PM (x3YFz)

233 >>>Ahem.....

Sorry pep, you were dropped down to under 30 hours per week to keep us from bumping up against the Obamacare employee limits. Not my decision, you'll have to talk to HR about that. If you ask me, though, you shoulda trolled harder and used more ALLCAPS TYPING and bold italic font if you wanted to avoid that.

Posted by: Jeff B. at October 14, 2013 03:22 PM (n/+FT)

234 >>>What if they changed the name to the "rednecks"?

As a native Washingtonian, I've decided that I'm okay with the Washington Redskins changing their team name, provided they change it to the "Washington Bullets."

Posted by: Jeff B. at October 14, 2013 03:24 PM (n/+FT)

235 Actually, Joseph Warren, would have been the key node,

Posted by: Lando Boehner at October 14, 2013 03:25 PM (Jsiw/)

236 My take on the Obamacare was that it was basically written by the health insurance companies as their bailout. That is why there was no complaining from that quarter when Obamacare was proposed. Pelosi and Reid wrote the bill = Insurance industry lobbyists and consultants wrote the bill. Look at the Obamacare plans from that perspective and what do you get: Obamacare plans offer a Cadillac amount of coverage, including stuff many have no interest in buying. All that expanded coverage is going to now get directed through the insurance companies with them getting a cut. Obamacare plans offer a catastrophic level of deductibles and co-pays. Which sucks if you are a consumer, but doesn't if you are health insurance company. The vaunted subsidies of Obamacare is what is supposed to make all this work. These aren't subsidies to pay for healthcare - they are subsidies to pay for *health insurance*. The subsidies go straight to the insurance companies. Maximize the coverage, stick the consumer for a larger share of cost savings, and get the taxpayer to directly subsidize the expensive insurance, and you have Obamacare. Fun bonus points: explain this to your liberal friends, and watch their heads explode.

Posted by: Stirner at October 14, 2013 03:26 PM (iUcXw)

237 Bullets.... touche' Nice touch. I was thinking the Washington Aparachiks'

Posted by: Yip at October 14, 2013 03:27 PM (/jHWN)

238 233 >>>Ahem.....

Sorry pep, you were dropped down to under 30 hours per week to keep us from bumping up against the Obamacare employee limits. Not my decision, you'll have to talk to HR about that. If you ask me, though, you shoulda trolled harder and used more ALLCAPS TYPING and bold italic font if you wanted to avoid that.

Have I mentioned I'm black?

Posted by: pep at October 14, 2013 03:28 PM (6TB1Z)

239 216 spanking thread up

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at October 14, 2013 07:16 PM (DmNpO)

And here's me thinking I'd discover the MNF thread loaded in pics of Tampa Bay cheerleaders. Guess where my mind spends most of its time?

Posted by: tangonine at October 14, 2013 03:29 PM (x3YFz)

240 Concentrate and ask again.

Posted by: Magic 8-ball at October 14, 2013 03:40 PM (DHQv9)

241

"89 Second look at Filipino doctors..."

Filipina nurses! Game on!

Posted by: Cicero Kid at October 14, 2013 03:44 PM (DHQv9)

242 Posted by: Name at October 14, 2013 07:15 PM (4zLy9)

hummm...Did catpiss/curious get a new hash again?

Posted by: jem at October 14, 2013 03:51 PM (fM4kr)

243 "My take on the Obamacare was that it was basically written by the health insurance companies as their bailout. That is why there was no complaining from that quarter when Obamacare was proposed. Pelosi and Reid wrote the bill = Insurance industry lobbyists and consultants wrote the bill. Look at the Obamacare plans from that perspective and what do you get: Obamacare plans offer a Cadillac amount of coverage, including stuff many have no interest in buying. All that expanded coverage is going to now get directed through the insurance companies with them getting a cut. Obamacare plans offer a catastrophic level of deductibles and co-pays. Which sucks if you are a consumer, but doesn't if you are health insurance company. The vaunted subsidies of Obamacare is what is supposed to make all this work. These aren't subsidies to pay for healthcare - they are subsidies to pay for *health insurance*. The subsidies go straight to the insurance companies. Maximize the coverage, stick the consumer for a larger share of cost savings, and get the taxpayer to directly subsidize the expensive insurance, and you have Obamacare. Fun bonus points: explain this to your liberal friends, and watch their heads explode. " Then why are the insurance companies bailing out of the exchanges? I believe they inititally helped write the law, but never foresaw(how stupid) that by the time it was voted on, much of it had changed, and with the open ended ability of the bill to have whimsical regulations written daily, the thing has now morphed into a "screw the insurance companies too" law.

Posted by: Jen at October 14, 2013 04:17 PM (Puar7)

244 I love it how all the programmers out there think they can do this with existing home written code. And bubblegum. And twisty ties. And hope. And change. This will cost billions to build. Many billions.

Posted by: Foghorn Leghorn at October 14, 2013 04:22 PM (l0lja)

245 Every Republican, libertarian, or anyone else opposed to Obamacare should have been carrying that graphic showing all the new government bureaucracies in Obamacare around with them everywhere they went for the past few years. Every time they answered a question on television (or anywhere else) about why they oppose Obamacare, they should hold up that chart and ask: Do you really think that THIS is going to reduce your medical costs? Do you really think that THIS is going to make your medical care more efficient?

Posted by: Trivial Pursuer at October 14, 2013 04:22 PM (/sohm)

246 A not-flow chart.

Posted by: Goatweed at October 14, 2013 05:22 PM (8HrdX)

247 "Instead of creating a simulation where people could answer a few questions and get an estimate of the subsidy, which would have been comparatively easy, the Obamacare exchanges try (and fail) to go through the entire enrollee qualification process on the fly." Yes, but WHY did they build it that way? Because they want all your vital statistics so that, when you try to back out of the deal when you find out what it will cost you, the IRS can come after you for not fulfilling your legal duty to buy the insurance. There are already anecdotes around the web by people who made an Obamacare account, decided not to buy, and then got a threatening phone call from the government explaining what would happen to them if they didn't. The web site is set up as flypaper.

Posted by: Socrateae at October 14, 2013 06:05 PM (6uy7v)

248 Oh, and did you notice there's no way to delete your account?

Posted by: Socrateae at October 14, 2013 06:08 PM (6uy7v)

249 My 50-something sister somehow managed to make it thru the CA Ocare site and register her family (retired husband, one 20-something kid, one 20-somthing autistic kid).   However, she was told that she won't know how much her new plan actually costs until sometime in December.

In what universe are folks supposed to be forced to buy something that doesn't have a known price tag at the time of purchase?

Seems to me the GOP ought to offer up a democratic solution to Ocare -- if half the paying folks for Ocare sign up by December 15th, it's a done deal. If not, Ocare goes away.   Why just the paying folks? Those who get it for free are bought...   Also not counted -- all those folks with Ocare exemptions. Why Dec 15th -- give time for everyone who didn't sign up a chance to sign up in the remaining time. Also, this would give more incentive to the Ocare wizards to actually get the thing running smoothly rather than happily instigating and watching a total marketplace healthcare train wreck in progress.

What could possibly go wrong with democracy and choice in action?

Posted by: Seipherd at October 14, 2013 09:54 PM (AortR)

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