The federal agency that brought us Pajama Boy has failed yet again in a social-media effort to promote Obamacare.
This morning, the ever-unsavvy Health and Human Services secretary, Sylvia Burwell, asked Americans to “share how this law has impacted you” under the hashtag #CoverageMatters.
This is an opportunity for you to be heard, to share just how this law has impacted you, why #CoverageMatters. Share your story. pic.twitter.com/rjtm5vE2sw
— Sylvia Burwell (@SecBurwell) November 22, 2016
But this year’s enrollment season opened on a particularly bleak note, with the federal government admitting that pre-subsidy premium costs would increase by 25 percent.
And options for health coverage have also dwindled as insurers struggle with the ballooning costs of caring for a sicker, older pool of insured. Whereas 232 insurers sold insurance on the exchanges when Obamacare launched, consumers now choose from just 167 options. And in many states, they have just a single insurer available.
So the response to Burwell’s tweet campaign was predictable.
@SecBurwell the ACA means less money in my bank account and not worrying about investing pesky job creating investments. #CoverageMatters
— Wally Zimolong (@WallyZimolong) November 22, 2016
#CoverageMatters it has caused my premium and deductible to go up 20% #CoverageMatters
— Larry W Young (@golfnutlex169) November 22, 2016
@SecBurwell my family has gotten good at switching doctors as they drop our #ACA plan each year. #CoverageMatters
— Rob Schneider (@hokirob) November 22, 2016
My dad and the employees of our small business can't afford healthcare. Cheaper to pay the tax (can't afford that either) #CoverageMatters
— Sean Horan (@seanh303) November 22, 2016
.@SecBurwell what coverage? You think I can afford this? BECAUSE I CAN'T. No coverage for me. #CoverageMatters pic.twitter.com/kDWzgQJqBr
— Shannon 🎼☀️💖 (@anImaginaryEcho) November 22, 2016
Anyone else from California remember when most of the doctors refused to take Obamacare after they stopped getting paid… #CoverageMatters
— Moxi (@realMoxi) November 22, 2016
#CoverageMatters Especially when it comes to comb-overs.
— Boris McCheesy (@BorisMcChesney) November 22, 2016
The ACA has been responsible for millions loosing coverage and skyrocketing premiums #FactsMatter #CoverageMatters
— Frankenbolt (@FrankenboltMD) November 22, 2016
You're telling me that a 300% increase in premiums and a $40,000 deductible under Obamacare is "coverage"? #CoverageMatters
— Ken Diesel, PhD (@KenDiesel) November 22, 2016
Can't afford to have it, can't afford not to have it, this plan sucks. #CoverageMatters
— mreigle (@mreigle) November 22, 2016
#CoverageMatters tell that to all my friends who lost their doctors. And those who cannot pay huge premiums
— Most Deplorable (@Acesmom1955) November 22, 2016
Yes, #CoverageMatters. Our healthy family can't afford the additional $1700 per month for LESS coverage from #Obamacare. #Repeal #Replace
— Ryan Bomberger (@ryanbomberger) November 22, 2016
Most millennials are opposed to Obamacare because they cannot afford to enroll in it. https://t.co/CCpABzlhXs @GenOpp #CoverageMatters
— Kierstin Koppel (@Kierstin_Koppel) November 22, 2016
@SecBurwell it raised my deducible & made coverage worse. #ACA #CoverageMatters #ThanksObama #GladThisTrainWreckEnding.
— Margie4Trump2020 (@Margie1820) November 22, 2016
— Jillian Kay Melchior writes for Heat Street and is a fellow for the Steamboat Institute and the Independent Women’s Forum.
