Obamacare as a source of optimism, but no free ride

American Public Media's Marketplace had a great report this morning on states setting up, well, marketplaces for health care in their areaa, as they are in the process of doing to satisfy the requirements of the Affordable Care Act.  Today, reports Jeff Horwich, "the Secretary of Health and Human Services tells states whether their plans for health insurance exchanges pass muster. These are the new insurance marketplaces provided for under Obamacare."

One state that seems to have done a very good job is Oregon -- no surprise.  Horwich writes:

Oregon is one state that's been near the head of the pack in setting up its exchange. Its version called CoverOregon, and Rocky King is the executive director.

He describes the plan that Oregon has laid out: "Just picture a house that you can walk through the front door -- no matter who you are -- give some information at a desk that's right there. And whether you are an individual that is eligible for Medicaid -- we can send you down the hallway to the room that you can enroll in Medicaid there. Or if you are a small group employer, you can go upstairs, and we're going to be able to allow you to shop for plans, enroll in those plans... all walking through that same door."

Increasing the choice to consumers will also reshape the health care industry, King adds. There will be standardized plans, he explains, so "for the first time, you don't have to call up a carrier and say, 'Now tell me what those benefits are again?'"

Instead, you'll be able to look it up, just like a Travelocity-type website: "What's first class, what's second class, what's coach? And compare those plans straight across. It's like putting up the nutritional value of the health care plans," he says. ...Marketplace

Here's the calculator for individuals and families. I played with it, giving myself a low income and the age in the 50's. The savings are significant. But it still costs. This isn't a freebie.