After troubled rollout, Obamacare's new test starts on New Year's Day

Supporters of the Affordable Healthcare Act gather in front of the Supreme Court before the court's announcement of the legality of the law in Washington on June 28, 2012.

GNN:  New Year's Day will bring a fresh test for President Barack Obama's healthcare overhaul, as hundreds of thousands of Americans will begin to use the program's new medical coverage for the first time.

For the nation's healthcare system as well as its politics, the stakes are huge in Wednesday's launch of the program known as Obamacare.

For anxious Democrats with an eye on the 2014 congressional elections, it is a chance for the Obama administration to rebound from the disastrous rollout of the website that enrolls people in private coverage through the program - and show that the White House's effort to help millions of uninsured and underinsured Americans is finally gaining its footing.

Or, as Republican congressman Fred Upton and other critics of Obamacare warned in recent days, Wednesday could represent the beginning of another debacle that fuels Republicans' push to make dissatisfaction with Obamacare the chief issue in the November elections.

More immediately, the question is whether the program will work as advertised on January 1, after a chaotic enrollment period in which problems with the HealthCare.gov website led to a series of deadline extensions and undermined public support for Obamacare and the president.

The White House said early Sunday that about 1.1 million people have enrolled in coverage plans through the federally run HealthCare.gov, which covers 36 states. That figure does not include the latest enrollment data from 14 states that run their own healthcare enrollment sites - including California, Connecticut, Kentucky, New York and Connecticut - and where response to Obamacare has been enthusiastic, so the total enrollment nationally is likely more than 1.5 million.

That is well short of the 3.3 million enrollees administration officials were hoping for by now, but it represents a dramatic improvement from a month ago, when barely 150,000 had signed up because of a series of technical problems with the HealthCare.gov site.

Many of the newly insured under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act - about 975,000 on the federally run exchange - signed up just ahead of a deadline on December 24 to receive benefits on January 1, giving health insurers a tight framework to create accounts that can be accessed by doctors.

One fear, as expressed by administration officials and insurance industry executives, is that some people who need medical care during the first days of 2014 will head to the doctor, only to find there is no record of their new insurance.

That could mean patients would have to pay upfront and submit a bill to their insurance carriers later.

And even though the Obamacare program is not directly responsible for the private insurance purchased through its online exchanges, White House officials have acknowledged that any early problems with the coverage are likely to reflect on the administration.

Some insurance executives say that even a few stories of coverage problems during the next few weeks - which seems inevitable when dealing with such a massive program - could damage the reputations of the White House and the healthcare overhaul.

"The big moment of trust is 12:01 a.m. on January 1st, when a mother is standing in a pharmacy with a baby in her arms trying to get a script filled," Aetna Inc Chief Executive Mark Bertolini said this month. "Getting that information right so that we don't have these events which ultimately end up in our lap if we don't do them well, it's very important for us all to get it right."

A senior administration official acknowledged that "there will be bumps in the road."

"We need to plan for them, we need to anticipate and we need to make sure that we are ready to respond," the official said.

Physicians say they are used to dealing with changes to patients' insurance coverage and it is not unusual for there to be lag times between enrolling in a new insurance policy and the time it becomes official.

Some doctors will be willing to delay billing. Others may not be.

"Come the start of the year there will be dueling narratives: the people who have never had insurance before who are actually getting decent care for the first time in their lives, and people who are having issues with the administration's new policies," said Dan Mendelson, chief executive of Avalere Health, which has been tracking the healthcare overhaul.

"They are going to kind of cancel each other out," he predicted. "Three months from now when we are in the electoral cycle, the policies will be judged on the basis of enrollment (numbers), rather than any technical problems."

Mendelson expects the early 2014 problems to be limited given the light pace of enrollment spread out across the nation, and the fact that hospitals and other providers are experienced in troubleshooting coverage questions for patients.

'WE CONTINUE TO HOLD OUR BREATH'

Stories of patients with Obamacare plans who were turned away or asked to pay higher-than-expected medical fees upfront because of technical or administrative delays within the program would help the case of Republicans and other foes of the law.

During the past week, Republicans signaled that they will be closely watching what happens with Obamacare enrollees who seek medical care during the first several days of the new year.

"We continue to hold our breath with the next shoe to drop," said Upton, a Michigan Republican who is leading a charge in the House of Representatives against Obamacare.

"When folks visit their doctor or take a child to get necessary treatment (this) week, will the services actually be available? The consequences of the administration's incompetence could not be greater," Upton said.

Some Democrats, including House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California, see the start of Obamacare coverage on January 1 as a turning point for the program that will work in Democrats' favor and reverse polling trends against Obama and his party.

"By the time we get into the spring, I think the Affordable Care Act will either be a (political) wash or a plus for Democrats," Pelosi told reporters last week.

As many as 7 million people had been expected to sign up for Obamacare coverage when the 2014 enrollment period ends on March 31, but that estimate has been thrown into doubt because of the program's error-plagued rollout.

GETTING IT RIGHT

The Obama administration and several of the state-run exchanges have urged consumers to call up their new insurance plans to make sure they are covered.

The administration and several states have offered their call-center personnel to assist in cases in which there are problems with enrollments.

Late last week, the U.S. government indicated that it was ready to respond to any stories of distressed patients who emerge beginning this week.

The administration said it has set up contacts at all of the health plans working in the federal marketplace to "have a mechanism to address the issue (and) ... make sure that it can be resolved as quickly as possible."

Doctor groups said they were confident their current systems for handling patients who need help clarifying insurance coverage would make sure people receive needed care.

"Whenever a patient changes an insurance company or plan there is a period of adjustment," said Dr Richard Schilsky, chief medical officer with the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

While there may be a period of limbo for some people between signing up and the insurance taking effect, unless there is a medical emergency, patients probably will be able to wait a week or so to see a doctor, Schilsky said.

"If someone needs care, they will get it," he said.

Dr Charles Cutler, chair of the Board of Regents of the American College of Physicians, said many fellow experts in internal medicine who treat people for chronic disease would not be concerned if it took several weeks to get insurance information for a patient.

"In my practice we assume people are honest," said Cutler, whose practice is in suburban Philadelphia. "If they say they have signed up but are not in the system, we will get it straightened out."(GNN)(Reuters)(GNN INT)

(Reporting by Toni Clarke in Boston and Michele Gershberg in New York; Additional reporting by Roberta Rampton in Washington; Editing by David Lindsey, Vicki Allen and Eric Beech)

RTA all set to meet New Year Eve rush

Metro to run round the clock; feeder buses to transport passengers from parking lots

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) will operate the Metro for an extended period, create 13,500 additional parking spaces and add new signage for the smooth movement of traffic on December 31 and January 1 for New Year festivities and fireworks.

The plan is to ensure smooth traffic flow near The Dubai Mall - Burj Khalifa during the celebrations where crowds are expected to gather for the annual fireworks display.

“The traffic plan features the provision of additional parking spaces and directional signage, and extended operation of the Metro from 5.30am on December 31 up to midnight of January 1. The Dubai Metro will adopt a skip-stop operation system that is stopping at only one station of the following three stations: Business Bay, Dubai Mall - Burj Khalifa, and Financial Centre.

The Metro will stop at one of these three stations and skip the other two from 4pm on December 31 up to 4pm on January 1 in order to increase the passenger capacity of the three stations. During the period, the Metro ridership is anticipated to hit 749,842 riders on the Red Line and 359,025 riders on the Green Line.

 The team has provided 13,500 additional parking slots near the events area; 8,000 parking at Meydan, 2,500 at the World Trade Centre, 1,500 parking at Residency & Foreigners Affairs Department at Jafiliya, and 1,500 parking at Zaabeel Park,” explained Maitha bin Udai, CEO of RTA Traffic and Roads Agency.

“Signages are being set up to direct traffic to alternative parking and to the internal roads network at the Business Bay to access the Shaikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road to ease pressure on the Financial Centre Road. Work is currently on in setting up a solid rail in the median of the Shaikh Zayed Road in the sector along the Burj Khalifa and the Business Bay in order to fend off pedestrian crossing and traffic disruption.

A bus shuttle service will be operated to transport passengers from the eastern side of the Shaikh Zayed Road to the Western side of the Road. Traffic signals on the Financial Centre Road and the Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard will ensure smooth traffic flow during various peak hours, and the Virtual Messaging Signs will be used to alert road users of any road closure as well as directing the public to use alternative locations for parking their vehicles,” she elaborated.

Sixty feeder buses will be deployed to serve the Metro with additional parking and alternative taxi ranks, over and above the existing routes serving the neighbourhood. Fifteen buses will be deployed to serve Meydan parking, 20 buses will serve Trade Centre parking, 15 buses will serve the parking of Zaabeel Park as well as the Residency & Foreigners Affairs Department, and 10 buses will be deployed to move the public from the eastern part of the Shaikh Zayed Road to the Western part of the road.

Locations of feeder buses have been identified and dedicated bus lanes will ensure easy movement of buses. Buses will be in operation around the clock and will synchronize with the operation of the metro stations.

Emaar has expressed readiness to bear all operational expenses of the above buses. Thus riders will be treated to free rides. Public bus ridership is expected to reach 49,920 passengers, and the event held at the Dubai Mall - Burj Khalifa is likely to post a 30 per cent increase in public transport users compared to the numbers recorded last year.

Parking spaces and a dedicated lane have been designated for taxis to facilitate taxi access to the event venue, where two main car parks have been allocated, namely the sandy area of the Business Bay at the end of the tunnel extending from street No. 312 which can house up to 300 vehicles. Both the tunnel and the lane on this street will be restricted to taxis and buses to serve as an express lane from the Trade Centre to the event’s venue. The second car park is the sandy area alongside the Financial Centre Road, which can accommodate about 500 vehicles. A temporary exit has been set up leading taxi cabs directly from the parking area to Al Khail Road.

 Alternative parking spaces have also been designated to accommodate cabs during peak hours at both Trade Centre & Jafiliya Station parking lots, besides opening new bus routes to lift passengers to the alternative locations.

Fifty-five Limousine companies will also be invited to offer services to passengers during the event. Taxi cabs are expected to lift 120,400 passengers in 69,000 trips from and to the event’s venue.

Palm Jumeirah

During the New Year’s Eve celebrations, the Dubai World promises a record-breaking firework shows at the Palm Jumeirah. Fireworks will be displayed all over the Palm Jumeirah. As many as 50,000 viewers are expected to attend the event, including 30,000 people among the residents and visitors of the Atlantis Hotel.

Three checkpoints have been set up as the entry to the Palm Jumeirah on the day will be restricted to residents, invitation and pass card holders, pre-booking holders, taxis and buses.

Entry to the Palm Jumeirah will, however, be denied to all vehicles including card holders, taxis and buses from 10pm on December 31 — that is two hours before the start of firework displays. All roads leading to the Palm from Sufouh Road or from the circular bridges at the Palm’s entrance will be closed in coordination with the Dubai Police.

Given the lack of parking spaces for such huge attendance inside the Palm Jumeirah and in order to avoid traffic jam in the Palm’s internal roads, alternative parking areas have been designated outside the Palm, and accordingly buses will shuttle invited guests and booking holders to the venue. The designated parking spaces are, American University car parks, which can hold about 600 vehicles, and the sandy area at the Dubai Internet City which can accommodate 1,300 vehicles. Atlantis Hotel management has expressed readiness to prepare the area and provide all traffic safety means including lighting during the event.

An area along Al Sufouh Road has been designated as a public parking space to enable the public to watch the firework displays. All traffic signals along Al Sufouh Road will be controlled to ease the traffic during peak hours.

Concerning public buses service at the Palm Jumeirah area, 40 feeder buses of the Nakheel Harbor and Tower Station will shuttle people between the event’s venue and the alternative car parks mentioned above, where access cards will be checked at the designated parking spaces. The Dubai World has expressed commitment to bear all operation expenses of the -above-mentioned bus routes, thus offering free service to the public and facilitating bus riding process.

Moreover, parking lots have been designated for taxis and 55 limousine companies will be invited to offer service to the public during the event. Taxis on the day are expected to lift 5,200 passengers in 3,000 trips from and to event venue.

The Leader of RTA’s Team for Managing Traffic Movement and Handling Operational Plans during Official and Annual Events said: “The light signals control room will monitor the traffic in the area and the team will direct it according to the requirements of handling the traffic movement and volume at intersections and streets adjacent to the Burj Khalifa. Variable Messaging Signs will provide guidance to drivers about alternative routes; and operation team members will be available at site to coordinate with the Dubai Police and Emaar to ensure the implementation of the proposed operational plans and carry out the required amendments.

Maitha bin Udai called upon all community members to use the metro and public transport rather than private vehicles, especially during festivities in Dubai, such as for the New Year’s Eve celebrations, pointing out that the team’s plan had taken into account the demand for public transport and provided everything required to accommodate the growing numbers of potential riders. (GNN)(khaleejtimes)(GNN INT)

Dubai chalks out plan for safe New Year celebrations

Police warn revellers that stunts and celebrations on public roads on New Year’s Eve will draw heavy penalties.

Motorists will be issued tickets and their cars impounded for three to six months if they park in the middle of the road to watch fireworks. — KT file photo

With the target of zero road deaths in the country’s crosshairs for 2020, the Dubai Police are hoping to start the new year as they mean to continue with a warning to revellers that stunts and celebrations on public roads on New Year’s Eve will draw heavy penalties.

The Dubai Police have sent a warning to anyone hoping to ring in 2014 performing stunts or causing danger on the roads that there will be a ramped-up police presence on the night of December 31, with every junction in the emirate manned by a number of policemen, while car towings, seizures and traffic fines will be handed out liberally.

Dubai Police Commander-in-Chief Major General Khamis Mattar Al Mazeina said rallies and driving stunts will not be permitted on the notoriously frenzied occasion.

All roads will be secured by police officials and traffic police who will facilitate traffic movement and assist the public to ensure the crowded occasion goes off without a hitch.

Al Mazeina called on all to abide by laws and warned youths from racing their cars, saying celebrations do not mean putting people’s lives at risk. The announcement comes days after Khaleej Times reported drunk driving accidents in Dubai were up a massive 43 per cent in the year to November, compared with the previous year.

He said that people often parked by the side of the road to capture photographs or admite the celebra  tions who may be hit by errant drivers, while antics on the road would also further obstruct clogged traffic and increase traffic jams caused by the flood of people into the emirate.

“People are expected to come from neighbouring countries and other emirates to celebrate so the police have secured all areas of fireworks in coordination with the Dubai Civil Defence and the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). Alternative roads will be assigned if (authorities) decide to close some roads.”

Al Mazeina called on the public to use public transport over the course of the day.

Dubai Police General Department of Traffic Director Major General Mohammed Saif Al Zafin said police would enact security plans and strategies prepared by a New Year’s Eve committee. This would include Dubai police officials deployed on all roads and junctions, with Diera and Bur Dubai traffic departments due to deploy more than 150 traffic police officers and personnel on main roads and celebration areas expected to see bottle necks, including Jumeirah, the Burj Khalifa and The Dubai Mall, the Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah Road, and the usual trouble hotspots of Al Mamzar, Al Warqa and Al Riqa.

Al Zafin said that to ensure security and safety during the celebrations, police patrols would be stationed at every junction in the Dubai emirate, manned by four traffic police.

He called on people who intended to partake in public celebrations to arrive as early as possible and to park their cars in the dedicated areas, not on road sides.

Police would not tolerate any violations or traffic obstruction and would take immediate action against those who caused any chaos, unruly noise or traffic obstruction, he said.

The police would instantly lock wheels of those vehciles whose drivers had parked in the middle of roads in an attempt to catch fireworks displays, he said. Ther cars will be lifted to a police seizure area, while drivers will be issued traffic tickets for obstructing the traffic. Car seizures would last between three to six months, he said.(GNN)(khaleejtimes)(GNN INT)