LA Times Links: The Train Wreck; Disneyland Prices Just Went Up

Updates

Later, 4:27 pm: Now, CNBC is reporting that up to 2/3rds of Americans not sure if they will sign up for ObamaCare. If this is not a train wreck, I do not know what it. It is interesting that ObamaCare has been ruled a "tax" by the Supreme Court and therefore constitutional. With the IRS under siege, a lot of folks may simply use this as an excuse not to sign up -- at least for the first year, in which the penalty is pretty light: $95 or 1% of income. (It will be interesting to see "how" income is defined.) Since pre-existing conditions cannot be refused, I assume a lot of folks will go without insurance until/unless they develop a condition in which it makes sense to enroll. But I do think enough informed folks are so upset about the IRS, they won't sign up for ObamaCare for that reason alone. Eventually they will (enroll), but the roll out will be a train wreck.

Original Post

The LA Times is reporting:

Beginning in 2014, nearly everyone will be required to have insurance or face a fine — $95 or 1% of their household income in the first year. Many young adults who are not covered through work or their parents may be eligible for Medicaid or the new state-based insurance market places known as exchanges.

Last week, the state released its rates for health insurance under the exchange. While costs vary based on age and income, young adults with low or middle incomes are likely to receive substantial subsidies — for premiums, deductibles and co-pays. For example, a 21-year-old who earns about $16,000 would pay about $45 each month for the mid-level plan. State officials point out that costs could rise in subsequent years if not enough healthy people enroll.

So many story lines in this article.

"Nearly everyone." Who is exempt? The President? And most likely Congress.

The LA Times is also reporting:

A single-day ticket to either Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim for visitors 10 or older now costs $92, up from $87 -- a jump of nearly 6%.
The cost of the day pass has risen 28% since early 2010, when it was $72. Prices were previously raised in August 2010, June 2011 and May 2012.

The prices of annual tickets went up too. The Deluxe Annual Passport, which allows admission to both Anaheim parks 315 days of the year, now costs $499 -- up from $469. The Premium Annual Passport, which has no blackout dates, now costs $669, an increase of $20.

The company is now nearing the vaunted $1,000 mark for its ultra-pass. The Disney Premier Passport, which allows unlimited admission to the attractions not only in Anaheim but also in Florida, now costs $979, up from $849.

The gap between the "haves" and the "have-nots" continue to widen.

I often wonder why Disney doesn't adjust prices seasonally and/or daily, or even hourly, based on "volume."