Opening salvo

President Barak Obama, in a New York Times op-ed, dated August 16, 2009 (emphasis mine):

This is what reform is about. If you don’t have health insurance, you will finally have quality, affordable options once we pass reform. If you have health insurance, we will make sure that no insurance company or government bureaucrat gets between you and the care you need. If you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor. If you like your health care plan, you can keep your health care plan. You will not be waiting in any lines. This is not about putting the government in charge of your health insurance. I don’t believe anyone should be in charge of your health care decisions but you and your doctor — not government bureaucrats, not insurance companies.

I live in New Jersey. I purchase health insurance, as an individual, from Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield. Today I received a letter from Horizon. That letter begins (emphasis in original):

Dear Valued Member,

I am writing to provide you with important information about your Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey Individual health insurance plan and how the federal health care reform law, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), will affect you.

The ACA requires health insurance plans to meet new requirements. Because of these requirements, your current insurance plan cannot be renewed on your anniversary date in 2014. However, new plan options will be available for you to purchase.