The government shut down continues in the United States. A big stumbling block is the Democrats demand to continue extended Affordable Care Act (Obama care) subsidies beyond this year.These extended subsidies were put in place by the Biden administration during Covid.

Democrats are saying that if these extended subsidies are ended at the end of this year subsidy costs could triple. Democrats say they could raise average premium costs from $8000 a year to $24,000 a year.

As a Canadian, I thought Obama care was similar to our universal healthcare system. I did not realize premiums had to be paid. So I did a little research on Obama care and it was mind-boggling. There are so many rules and regulations in place that administrative costs must be sky high. Furthermore, an average American must need an IQ level in the stratosphere to understand all the regulations. There are various levels of care going from bronze to platinum. Copayments vary, depending on the level of care. . It appears that a number of things are covered without a deductible while others are not. It is a total nightmare.

As Canadian, I can go to my doctor’s office for a physical, get blood tests as part of the physical and that’s it. I don’t have to worry about paperwork. I don’t have to worry about how much it costs. I don’t pay a premium on it. It just is.

An American, would have to find out whether the physical requires a deductible payment or not. The same thing for blood tests.

In general, there are premium costs involved. There are out-of-pocket costs involved. It’s a mess. It’s a total mess. Despite this, no matter what Trump says, 71% of Americans want Obama care to stay.6

Americans look at our healthcare system, and they say that our taxes are higher than theirs. I would suggest that the average American after accounting for healthcare costs and premiums are paying a whole lot more in the long run than we Canadians are.

All I know is that when I go to the states and get health travel insurance, the cost are extremely high.

That’s all I have for today.