Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel (yes, Rahm Emanuel’s brother) is known as the “architect” of Obamacare.
He is also Vice Provost for Global Initiatives; Chair, Department of Medical Ethics & Health Policy at the University of Pennsylvania.
Medical ethics? This is the guy who famously stated that he hopes to die at 75.
But I don’t think he’s really talking about himself.
He probably means everyone else.
That is how Obamacare can really save money.
Via Free Beacon.
Obamacare architect Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel blamed Republicans, specifically Sen. Marco Rubio (R., Fla.), on Wednesday for premium hikes resulting from President Obama’s signature legislation.
Prior to Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly interviewing Emanuel, Fox’s Trace Gallagher highlighted that Aetna, one of the largest health insurers, said policy holders were becoming sicker and more expensive than previously anticipated. Aetna also said the lack of young and healthy policy holders is making it impossible to provide affordable and high quality healthcare.
“After losing $433 million over the past two years starting in 2017, Aetna will stop selling Obamacare in 11 of the 15 states it now serves. United Healthcare, the nation’s largest insurer, says it lost $1 billion over the past two years and in 2017 it too will exit most healthcare exchanges,” Gallagher said.
Kelly asked Emanuel about Gallagher’s preview and whether his previous statements were wrong about how Obamacare would be a “stable” way to buy health insurance.
Emanuel accused Gallagher of “cherrypicking” the most extreme examples, but admitted that some of the premiums had increased more than others.
“Fifty plus percent,” Kelly interjected.
“The premium hikes are because they came in. They did miscalibrate the market. They were trying to get market share. It is a correction. And you know, it is a problem that we do need to address. There’s no doubt. It needs to be addressed,” Emanuel said….
Emanuel accused of Kelly of cherrypicking again, and she repeated that the average does not mean anything to the policy holders facing high costs.
After Emanuel could not respond to Kelly’s assertion, he shifted the blame for the premium hikes to Republicans.
“Republicans bear some of the responsibility for this. Remember, Marco Rubio eliminated some of the risk adjustment that actually buffered and helped the insurance companies in this situation,” Emanuel said.
Kelly responded that there was “plenty” of blame to go around, but Emanuel said Republicans are the ones who should be blamed….
Obamacare Insurance Markets on Verge of Collapse
Obamacare rate hikes rattle consumers, could threaten enrollment
****************************************************
