By a vote of 219 to 212, the House of Representatives passed the health care reform bill. While it seems everybody has an opinion about Obamacare, we thought we’d stick just to the facts, and let you decide whether the bill is good or bad for the country. So with that in mind, here are 26 facts and figures about the health care reform bill:
- Republicans: No Republicans voted for the bill
- Democrats: 34 Democrats voted against the measure
- 32 Million: The estimated number of currently uninsured Americans who will receive coverage under the bill
- $940 billion: The estimated cost of health care reform over the next 10 years
- $143 billion: The estimated reduction in the deficit from the bill over the next 10 years
- $53 billion: The portion of the $143 billion in deficit reduction that comes from social security payroll taxes that eventually will be paid out in the form of retirement benefits.
- $70 billion: The portion of the $143 billion in deficit reduction that comes from premiums to be collected as part of a new government-run, long-term care program for the elderly. These premiums eventually will be paid out in the form of benefits.
- $88,000: New health insurance subsidies would be provided to families of four making up to $88,000 annually, or 400 percent of the federal poverty level
- Pre-existing conditions: Insurance companies will be prohibited from denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions.
- Age 26: Insurers would be required to provide coverage for non-dependent children up to age 26
- Doughnut Hole: Under current law, Medicare stops covering drug costs after a plan and beneficiary have spent more than $2,830 on prescription drugs. It starts paying again after an individual’s out-of-pocket expenses exceed $4,550. Called the doughnut hole, it will be closed by 2020.
- 40% Tax: A 40 percent tax would be imposed on insurance companies providing “Cadillac” health plans valued at more than $10,200 for individuals and $27,500 for families. The tax would kick in starting in 2018.
- 3.8% Medicare Tax: A 3.8% surcharge would be imposed on investment income for individuals making over $200,000 and couples making over $250,000. This tax increase is estimated to bring in $210 billion between 2013 and 2019.
- $695 or 2.5%: The potential amount of a fine if you fail to purchase health care insurance. Starting in 2016, Individuals would be required to purchase coverage or face a fine of up to $695 or 2.5 percent of income, whichever is greater. The plan includes a hardship exemption for poorer Americans.
- 50 employees: Companies with more than 50 employees would be required to pay a fee of $2,000 per worker if the company does not provide coverage and any of that company’s workers receives federal health care subsidies. The first 30 workers would be subtracted from the payment calculation.
- Abortion: In a deal with conservative Democrats, President Obama will sign an Executive Order “that will reaffirm its consistency with longstanding restrictions on the use of federal funds for abortion.” The order can be rescinded by President Obama or any future president at any time, for any reason.
- 0.9%: Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) tax rate would be increased by 0.9 percent, to 2.35 percent.
- $16 billion: The amount drug manufacturers would pay the US between 2011 and 2019.
- $47 billion: Health insurers would pay $47 billion over the same period.
- 2.9% excise tax: Medical device manufacturers would pay a 2.9 percent excise tax on the sale of any of their products beginning January 1, 2013.
- Tanning Tax: Health care reform establishes a tax of 10 percent on indoor tanning services. This would raise $2.7 billion between 2010 and 2019. As fare as we know, getting a tan outside is still free.
- $132 billion: Government payments to Medicare Advantage would be reduced by $132 billion over 10 years.
- Flexible Spending Accounts: The maximum amount you can set aside pre-tax for health care costs in a flexible spending account will be reduced from $5,000 to $2,500.
- 46%: The percentage of Americans in favor of health care reform, according to a Wall Street Journal-NBC News poll.
- 45%: The percentage of Americans against the bill according to the same poll.
- 36%: The percentage of Americans who think the bill is a “good idea,” according to the same poll.
Source: Health care reform: How House members voted – CNN.com
(source: Highlights of health care compromise bill – CNN.com)
(sources: Obama Executive Order on Abortion Funding, What health care reform means for your small business – CNN Money, Checking the Math on Health Care – NYTimes.com)
(source: Obamacare wins: Now the pain begins)
(source: American Public Divided On Health Care Reform (POLL))
Now it’s your turn–what’s your opinion about the health care reform bill?
And if you are looking for individual health insurance, check out these options and get a free quote:
Rob Berger
Rob founded the Dough Roller in 2007. A litigation attorney in the securities industry, he lives in Northern Virginia with his wife, their two teenagers, and the family mascot, a shih tzu named Sophie.
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Published or updated October 28, 2012.
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I signed on trying to find information in regards the the Healthcare Reform Bill as on the surface what I have heard it is a good thing….people who do not have insurance must get insurance or must pay a “tax”. I assumed, and we all know what that can do, that the paying of health care costs for services provided with be done with the premiums paid or taxes collected. However, in thinking about it….I am not sure that will work….because who regulates what a healthcare provider can charge? I think generally hospital fees a regulated by State agencies, and if that is true, then the $5.00 bandaid we pay for was determined by a State agency that deemed it appropriate. I am not sure physicians fees are regulated….you either pay the physician or he/she may opt not to treat you. So, as many have to expressed many times in this string…..”Free” is not necessarily “Free”, that someone has to pay—-however there are few exceptions where healthcare providers will provide their services at no charge as there way of “giving back to the community”, but who knows maybe they can write of their time as “good will” on there taxes. Anyhow since “free” is not “free” who is paying now? Will the healthcare bill make those not paying now, but getting care or more than likely sometime in their life will get health care….belly up? Granted……so will never get health care…but come on, the reality is the vast, vast vast majority is folks will some time in their life. One could argue that paying Social Security should be optional….but there was a time in this country when there was not Social Security….what happened then? Someone had to take care of the old. May it was family, churches etc. But I would venture to say most folks back then had pride and did not want a handout….so “we” had to come up with a way to allow people to maintain the self-pride and respect yet insure they would be taken care of…..because you can not count on folks to save for their retirement years.. Further, it is my understanding that it was never the intend of the Government that Social Security would be the sole retirement income for folks.
To tell the truth I was really taken a back on how hostile folks got and simply to say how rude. There is something really, really wrong in this country…..it is a lot bigger than healthcare.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if:
1. Everyone who truly loves American would be supportive of all Americans – and those who do not love American would simply leave.
2. If people were not so greedy. Have you ever asked yourself “how much is enough”? There are some that will say — there is never enough.
But the reality is some are not getting the basics of life. Some might say – - I got mine, so you can get yours the same way. I did by old fashion hard work. Many have done that, over coming many difficult obstacles. Excellent, but all are not equal. Oh sure, our Constitution says we are all created equal….and at the time the document was written that was true…..but not so any more with invitro-fertilization, etc.; we can no longer way we are all created equal as a result of conception, the joining of sperm and egg, as cloning is all ready being done with animals….so our success is incumbent on many things…those inherited and factors, influences and affects of our environment. I truly believe that is no true American who is not willing to give someone a “hand-up” , which is totally different than a handout.
3. We could instill self-pride, confidence, positive self-esteem, responsibility, strong work ethics, respect and compassion toward others and good character to the extend that only those that truly are not able to take care of themselves only remained. I truly believe that most of us can do something productive, and instead of just sitting at home drawing public assistance,and should give back in some way, there are plenty of organization who need volunteers…..but again that comes back to one having self-pride, a since of personal responsibility, good character, etc. and you and I can not fix that. Now for those who remain that are truly unable to provide and care for themselves due to physical or mental illness or disability, has our society evolved to the point we would simply let them die???
4. We could accept and embrace all our differences regardless of race, religion, ethnic origin, gender, nation origin, sexual orientation, etc. Granted we may not all agree on certain points, and must all ways remember just because something is legal, that it is fair; that something is legal, that it is morally correct.
So in closing I still do not know if healthcare reform is good or bad….is it even a start.
Steve,
The costs most healthcare providers charge are negotiated between the insurance company (or Medicare) and the healthcare provider. If the patient does not have healthcare insurance, then the healthcare provider charges “whatever the traffic will bear”) That is why it behooves everyone to have healthcare insurance if they can afford it.
The problem is that for an individual to buy healthcare insurance, the cost is more than they can afford. That is why Obamacare provides for the setting up of healthcare insurance “exchanges” where individuals and small businesses can join in as a group and have the same clout to negotiate with insurance companies for lower rates like the large companies that provide “group insurance” for their employees/
John – Thanks for the info.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if people understood that criticizing what’s wrong with the country you’re a citizen of and suggesting, or working on plans to make it better, actually DOES mean you love your country? And wouldn’t it be equally as wonderful if these same people realized that ACCEPTING inequality and buying into political lies actually proves that you DON’T love your country at all?
I think the full-blown Obamacare, if it goes forward, would bankrupt our country. I will vote for those who will repeal it.
I sign on to see if I could get some info on the Health care Bill. Since you seemed to be informed can you tell me if your a Forture 500 company lays of all of its employees. Can you take your health care ? Most of us had worked for the company 20 to 35 years. ??
what people do not is that all of those people that get ins. will still have to pay a bill.where will people get money for that bill? so with that hospitals and doctors will still have unpaid bills but alot more of them. why is it fair to make others pay for people that choose not to work and pay their own way thru life.i can see paying for the elderly,our veterans,people with a physical problem that keeps them from working ANY job in america. if i can work 3 jobs 7 days a week to provide food and health and dental care for my family,then why does anyone think they are better than i am and not work and expect me to pay for their free ride in life? please tell me why i should hand over the money I WORKED FOR to someone else that does not work. i would like to know that. it really does not matter what anyone thinks because it is still MY MONEY I WORKED FOR AND SHOULD NOT HAVE TOO KEEP UP ANOTHER MAN’S FAMILY AND MINE ALSO.a real mom and dad would get up off their lazy butts and work for their kids.
That’s great. Good for you for working 3 jobs to pay for your family. Just a little viewpoint from the other side. One of my best friend’s has a job. Full time. Sometimes her boss makes her work 10-14 hour days 5 days a week. Does she get paid overtime for this? No. Does her employer provide health insurance? No. So she makes enough to provide for her four children (she’s divorced, mind you) and now she has a torn ACL which she is STILL going to work on because 1. she can’t afford to go to the doctor and 2. she needs to keep working. Do you think that she doesn’t DESERVE to have health insurance coverage?
What is this deserve stuff??? NO ONE DESERVES anything. This is a capitalist society. If you want everyone to be treated equally then go to China.
What Nate is trying to say is that she is shit out of luck. The truth is that she deserves the benefits of government that her taxes pay for. I have great health insurance from the company I work for, but also understand that there are those that work and pay taxes, but has an employer that doesn’t provide health insurance. Nate doesn’t understand that when he was first enrolled in public school, had a family member call the fire dept or police, or have his grandparents receive their social security check, those “services” he and his family received were just just as important as someone who just wants to stay healthy/alive. Karma will eventually come back around to the selfish. It’s the law of the universe. Nate will need something vital to his health one day, and someone will tell him he doesn’t deserve it.
Back in 2005 my husband lost his job and our family health insurance. I underwent emergency surgery and spent 5 days in the hospital for a cost of over 45K. I finally paid off the debt in 2010 but it nearly bankrupted us. In 2006 I found work but got hurt on the job and couldn’t work anymore. COBRA was charging us over $1800 monthly to continue our coverage. We could no longer afford it. I know exactly how it feels to live in fear of a devastating illness or injury with no coverage to protect us. I am sure there are some people who take advantage of the system but the vast majority are hard working people who just can’t afford private insurance. The Healthcare Act will help all Americans by cutting costs and making people healthier.
Everyone but the extremely poor will be required to pay for this healthcare. Those who already have insurance are not required to be on Obamacare. Additionally, those who can afford healthcare but choose not to get it will have to pay a nominal tax. The only way for this healthcare to work is to ensure that everyone pays their fare share. No one is immune from illness or accidents.
*Amy* Tell yur friend to go to the health department…its free! And if she isnt gettin paid overtime then her employer can get in big trouble…unless shes gettin paid under the table she should have proof with pay stubbs!
TJ – RE your response to Amy, you really need to know more details on the job and classifiction of the empoyee before you answer the question. Some jobs are salaried and exempt from overtime. Generally if you are an hourly worker then you should be getting overtime for work in excess of 40 hours a week.
It sounds to me like your friend needs to start building a resume and using the experience she has gathered from her current employment look for a job that has health insurance. One of two things might happen. She might find a job that has insurance (and possibly better pay) or when she gives them her 2 weeks notice if she is a good employee they will offer her better benefits. I know it is hard to find jobs but there is nothing that says she has to stay there. I’ve gone through a hard time of unemployment with no health insurance, fought through a large amount of debt, and plan on continuing down my path of success. has it been easy, HELL NO, but I have done it and I’m a better person for it. If I had a family to support if no other options were out there then yes I would take a job with no health insurance. If they were working me to the bone with no benefits the first thing I would do is either quit/resign (tell them I would stay if I had benefits for my family) or from the day I started I would still be online every day looking for something that better suits my requirements.
Unless she is salaried. Most people don’t understand or want to admit that this is the basis of the problem with the ecomony. Employers don’t want to pay anything anymore. They don’t want to hire full time employees so they don’t have to offer health insurance. Both of my jobs offer insurance, if you are a full time employee. One of my jobs has only 5 full time employees that are not management. The management staff is salary and work anywhere from 50 to 70 hours weekly. Both employers “offer” health insurance but over 80% of their employees don’t qualify and they never pay overtime because they rely on their salaried employees to work almost two weeks worth of time in one. Needless to say that company is like a revolving door with management as well all hourly employess and probably pays more out in training the constantly new staff than they would pay to make me full time, offer everyone insurance and occassionally pay out some overtime. But what do I know, I just work there.
Unless she is salaried. Most people don’t understand or want to admit that this is the basis of the problem with the ecomony. Employers don’t want to pay anything anymore. They don’t want to hire full time employees so they don’t have to offer health insurance. Both of my jobs offer insurance, if you are a full time employee. One of my jobs has only 5 full time employees that are not management. The management staff is salary and work anywhere from 50 to 70 hours weekly. Both employers “offer” health insurance but over 80% of their employees don’t qualify and they never pay overtime because they rely on their salaried employees to work almost two weeks worth of time in one. Needless to say that company is like a revolving door with management as well all hourly employess and probably pays more out in training the constantly new staff than they would pay to make me full time, offer everyone insurance and occassionally pay out some overtime. But what do I know, I just work there.
Maybe she should have stayed married … Unless she was in a harmful situation then by all means go but if not then as the old adage goes it’s cheaper to keep her/him
Well maybe she should have stayed married … Unless she was in a harmful situation then by all means get away but as the old adage goes sometimes its cheaper to keep her/him
Amy, you answered you’re own question. He said “those whom sit at home and don’t work but are CAPABLE of contributing”. You’re friend obviously DOES work and seems to me to be a PRODUCTIVE member of society. We in opposition to Obamacare don’t like “handouts”. What you describethat would be provided for your single mother friend is NOT a handout. She is doing all that she can and deserves OUR help. The sick,impoverished,and vastly underpaid hardworking Americans absolutely DO deserve a “hand up”. In short… if you can, and do…. we will. Sit on ur capable tail…. do without.
Health Care Discount plan (Not Insurance) that will take care of 90% of the reasons people go to the ER Help cover the expense of a hi deducible Insurance Plan
I agree with Larry. Do you know what Hospital Advocacy is and does your insurances provider include Advocacy services?
Hospital Advocacy is when you are hospitalized and the anticipated charges exceed $2,500.00 an advocate will be assigned to you:
• Your advocate will negotiate the best discount on the hospital bill and work out a payment plan on the new balance.
• Historically the average discounts negotiated have been greater than 80% off the hospital total charge.
• Depending on your financial situations and if you are eligible your advocate will apply for financial assistance to pay the hospital balance off on your behalf.
• Throughout the process your advocate will keep you updated on the status of your case.
• There is only a three business day waiting period from the activation of your plan to utilize this program.
Monthly plan cost is $49.95 per a household (up to 20 people)
I agree with Larry. Do you know what Hospital Advocacy is and does your insurances provider include Advocacy services?
Hospital Advocacy is when you are hospitalized and the anticipated charges exceed $2,500.00 an advocate will be assigned to you:
• Your advocate will negotiate the best discount on the hospital bill and work out a payment plan on the new balance.
• Historically the average discounts negotiated have been greater than 80% off the hospital total charge.
• Depending on your financial situations and if you are eligible your advocate will apply for financial assistance to pay the hospital balance off on your behalf.
• Throughout the process your advocate will keep you updated on the status of your case.
• There is only a three business day waiting period from the activation of your plan to utilize this program.
Monthly plan cost is $49.95 per a household (up to 20 people)
its all a big fraud and only the real cleaver ones can see through this crap.
its all a big fraud and only the real cleaver people can see through this crap.
cleaver….
cleaver….
I am for the Healthcare Reform bill because I love my fellow humans and I love my country and I want to see my fellow countrymen & women receive care that they need to stay healthy & lead productive lives. I choose not to focus on those receiving “handouts” and not working for their fair share. Do I ignore those people? No. If I see direct evidence of abuse or crime or unethical behavior, I will always do my duty and report it, but I believe that people focus too much on something that will ALWAYS be a problem. It is a problem of life that will always exist. The best way to combat it is to do our best as citizens to stay ethical, work hard, and teach our children the same. Fight injustice when you see it, and expose those who create it. (Or better yet, show them an example of what they are capable of). I am more concerned with capitalist corporations that take advantage of our system and perpetuate greed that makes the immature, lazy-ass mother with 10 diferent babydaddys who sucks the system for all it’s worth look like an ant on a mountain. 1 greedy capitalist banker is worth 10,000 lazy welfare suckers when it comes to our economy. And something you’ll never hear from the top 1%… I do believe there is such a thing as earning too much, even if you DID work your ass off for it. I EXPECT you to give back to those who were not smart enough, wise enough, hardworking enough, or simply didn’t have the opportunity to make it where you did. You are privileged beyond measure to be where you are. Be thankful for it & give back. Work hard, live humbly, love others and enjoy the things in life that cost nothing. Those are the most important.
Do you realize the tax increase that will come about because of Obamacare?
It is a huge scandal. Do the research. The money has to come from somewhere to pay for Obamacare and it’s going to come from every WORKING American’s paycheck. Why should hardworking, not lazy, smart, Americans have to pay for those who choose not to go get a job? It is not everyone else’s responsibility.
There are plenty WORKING Americans with no health insurance. I wish my world was as simple and black and white as yours (not really, I love the ability to think critically and independently). Of course they have to raise taxes, genius. Health insurance companies aren’t going to grow a conscience and spend more money on patient care than advertising. In social democracies, people pay taxes if they want services and mandate change that benefits the common good.
I’m not one to usually reply to threads, but Anthrofreak says “Of course they have to raise taxes, genius”. I would like to know it is that taxes Have to be raised to pay for all the things that people expect the gov’t to give us in an economy that currently has a shrinking middle class, where more and more jobs are becoming minimum wage (if they haven’t already been outsourced). With a smaller middle class and larger poor class, where is this money supposed to come from out of the taxes from individuals earning $7.25-$10/hr?
I’m not one to usually reply to threads, but Anthrofreak says “Of course they have to raise taxes, genius”. I would like to know it is that taxes Have to be raised to pay for all the things that people expect the gov’t to give us in an economy that currently has a shrinking middle class, where more and more jobs are becoming minimum wage (if they haven’t already been outsourced). With a smaller middle class and larger poor class, where is this money supposed to come from out of the taxes from individuals earning $7.25-$10/hr?
I’m not one to usually reply to threads, but Anthrofreak says “Of course they have to raise taxes, genius”. I would like to know it is that taxes Have to be raised to pay for all the things that people expect the gov’t to give us in an economy that currently has a shrinking middle class, where more and more jobs are becoming minimum wage (if they haven’t already been outsourced). With a smaller middle class and larger poor class, where is this money supposed to come from out of the taxes from individuals earning $7.25-$10/hr?
I am for the Healthcare Reform bill because of the good that can come out of it by helping all Americans receive the healthcare coverage that they can afford but also the healthcare they deserve. If all Americans who are working are required by law to purchase insurance, the insurance companies will receive a great deal more money than they currently have, which will in turn help the insurance companies keep costs down for premiums because there is simply more money there. Young workers who are at lower risk will have cheaper insurance, since they are younger and less likely to need health care, so that will be a lot of extra money flowing into the insurance companies to help pay premiums for older individuals. At the same time, all preventive care will be free which will give people the freedom to go and have pre-screening exams for cancer and other life threatening diseases since we all know that these are the major costs to our health care system. Some of the biggest benefits are to come in 2014 when insurance companies will not be able to cancel your insurance because you have reached your cap of benefits. If a person receives cancer treatments under the current health care insurance provisions, the insurance company can drop your insurance once their max is met. In many cases that may be as much as $500,000 life time. For someone who has had treatments before, I know first hand how fast that cap is reached. Once that cap is reached, your insurance can drop you and no other company will pick you up because you now have a pre-existing condition. (Fortunately that is no longer the case), but your insurance company only has to pay for the max of your policy which forces you to pay the remainder of the bill. It isn’t fair to have to sell your home or lose everything you have just because you got sick. In 2014 insurance companies will be required to pay the full amount of the bill no matter what the cap is on your insurance policy. How will insurance companies be able to afford this? Remember all those younger individuals who are required to buy insurance? Insurance companies have been increasing their profits exponentially over the years and now they will finally have to pay out a little bit in stead of raking in the profits so much. After all didn’t we work just as hard for the money we put into our insurance policies as the insurance broker put in to taking it? Also, the insurance company has the clout to negotiate costs with the hospitals and doctor’s which will keep the healthcare costs down.
The heath insurance companies are NEVER going to lower their rates. They are in the business to make money. Since heath care reform has been talked about in Congress, my insurance has gone up 6 times. This bill is going to bankrupt the country. 1 in 6 hospitals will go out of business. To make heath care insurance affordable they should have tried to allow the companies go out of state. Further more, why not make doctors and hospital post their fees? This way there would be competition. I am single parent, my job does not offer health insurance and instead of buying a cell phone or tv, I purchased health insurance. Do without something to provide for your family! Read the fine print, health care reform is taking money out of Social Security. It would have been cheaper to just buy everyone that needed it a plan.
MaryC, that’s why there’s the 80/20 rule outlined by “obamacare”. Only 20% of incoming money can go to insurance companies for overhead costs and the other 80% must go to paying medical bills of those the company insures. If they over-charge (i.e. don’t pay the full 80% and they cannot keep more than the 20% and the leftover money is refunded to the people being insured).
Probably should familiarize oneself with a piece of legislation before condemning it…
everything the government touchess inflates and blows out of control including postal service that cant make a profit, medicare they cant make work efficiently. why do you think medicare on a much larger scale is going to be any different only now they will have a direct mandatory deduction from my check. i feel for anyone who needs insurance and cant afford it, but care cannot be dennied as it is and there are charitable companies that will assist if you take the time to apply or get the service and welch on the debt either way we end up haveing to pay it with higher rates.
imagine us being canada or europe were you die on a waiting list for cancer treatment. or you tear somthing and your insurance doesnt comer specialized physicians to fix the problem what will everyone fuss about then because medicare doenst you have to pay out of pocket
Precisely! Although your spelling and grammar could use a bit of work
Is it true that in 2013 people over the age of 75 may be declined coverage for emergency situations, eg heart attacks?
Thank you.
As a future healthcare professional I cannot support this bill. I do agree that something needs to be done with our current healthcare system. Health care providers are being asked to do more for less by insurance companies but the premiums you all pay are just as high if not higher! So please tell me who is to blame here? I would say the middle man! As for taxing those whoake >200,000 to provide for those who need health insurance I think it’s terrible. I have come from a lower middle class family and busted my butt to earn the degree and the income I will make! The american dream is not that you are garunteed to have a better life but the ability to work for a better life! If u don’t work you don’t move up this isn’t socialism people!
And what of those that are working hard but are still not supplied a basic need of health care? Are there really this many people so out of touch with reality to think that only individuals that are unemployed don’t have health insurance? I have a bachelor’s degree and worked hard to earn it. I work full time as a preschool teacher and bust my butt every day to work with children for $9/hour, no health insurance, no vacation time and no paid holidays. Yes, I chose this line of work I understand that. It’s a passion I love. And why should those willing to take less of a pay to educate the future of our country be penalized for their inability to afford health coverage. Maybe it’s not my “right” but I have most certainly EARNED it. Don’t forget that the individuals you harshly judge for “not making a better life” may be educating YOUR children.
Dee,
I believe that people should not be penalized for their decisions. That goes for both sides. People should not be penalized for striving to make a great income to support themselves and their families. People should also not be penalized for choosing to be a teacher with a terrible salary. We all have choices to make in our lives, and all those choices have consequences, whether good or bad. Choosing to go into a field with less then desirable benefits was your choice. You could “easily” go into more advanced teaching, say college/university professor. That way you could earn more money to support yourself. But it’s not a penality when you know the terrible circumstances you are getting yourself into. You said you understood that, but it seems like you’re not understanding that you took the risk and made the sacrifice of an opportunity to give yourself the best health benefits in order to educate the youth- a noble sacrifice indeed. To force people who chose a different, possibly better paying field to pay for the choices you made is not right, just, or fair. And forcing companies that can’t afford to pay someone is just as bad. if one does not like that, then he or she can make a totally new a revolutionary healthcare system that does not infringe on the rights and abilities of the people or the companies. In essence, a new insurance company that can afford to cover those other companies won’t. That is the American dream, to create a better situtation without relying on the government.
I do not think that the government should be responsible for providing “insurance coverage” for all it’s citizens. Now, access to care is different from ” insurance coverage” and every city or town I have ever lived in ALWAYS offered access to care to the poor and indigent, or others that could not afford coverage. University hospitals have always offered free care in Louisiana. The need for insurance is over-blown ( and I am an insurance agent ) . If my family needs health care, I’m going to find a way to pay for it , whether I have insurance or not. People will put their whole summer vacation on their credit card but then whine that they can’t get proper health care because they dont have insurance. Get real!
A Healthcare Plan does not need insurance period. A national savings account backed by government securities would be much better. Anything that would help make it money would beat out any insurance Casino. That money pooled would also create some monstrous “buying power” that would offset costs, and if used right, could actually make a profit for the pool. The research and development part of the plan could be used to constantly seek out cost effective ways to improve services and and iron out negative statistical probabilities.
This Plan would take some work of course, but would be much better than letting the Insurance Casinos profit off of a simple computer algorithm that my Ipod could handle.
Ladies and Gentlemen…Please help me understand one aspect of this bill that no one is talking about…..and that is the ability of a medical provider to backbill the patient for any amounts not covered under the bill..in addition to that the ability for an individual to be sued into medical bankruptcy for failure to pay the balance not covered by Obamacare…
For example…yo recieve services from a hospital for $25,000….Under the reimbursement schedule, the physician / hospital receive $10,000 as the usual and customary fee in the area….Under the provisions of the bill, the hospital can and will come after the patient for the $15,000 balance, known as backbilling….If the fee is not paid, the provider will then sue the patient for the balance.
I think it’s fraud. Government controlled, look at where the government has gotten us now. Don’t need it, don’t break this country. I love my country and don’t want to live anywhere other than the US of America!!!
My story: I do not have healthcare. I would like to. I grew up in a family where we never had insurance and were very poor. I worked 3 jobs to put myself through college. Now I have a state job working 40 hours a week. The state requires me to take 2 weeks unpaid vacation every year so that they can call me an OPS employee – that means they don’t have to provide healthcare. Because I have a preexisting condition and I am a female of “prime child bearing age” (I’m 29), getting private insurance would be at the cost of 35% of my monthly income. I am not lazy or uneducated. I have never been on welfare or lived off the system. I supported myself. I needed treatment for an injury I sustained and like someone previously indicated, I went to my local health department. They were not equipt to treat me and also told me that even if they were, I make too much money (32K per year). So if I were jobless and uneducated, they could help, but since I am not, there is nothing they can do for me. I would move or get another job but I need to stay in the town I am in to help take care of my mother who is in poor health. And there are not many options here.
Those of you who think that the only people who want/need this to pass are people who don’t work hard or try, please take a look at my story and tell me, where do I turn to. I was raised poor but when we were young, we shared what little we had with those around us who were less fortunate. I gave away one of the few toys I got a Christmas to the girl next door who had nothing. We never had a second helping at dinner because that could go to an elderly lady who lived down the block who had less than we did. I give to charities what little I can although I have little myself. Many Americans have become so selfish that they would watch others suffer, even if those people are trying their best to make something of themselves, while they continue to consume and collect that which they don’t even need. This is called greed. I have done work in 3rd world countries where people have nothing and still share with their neighbors, communities, and country what they can spare so that others can survive.
I have heard many speak here about what belongs to them and how they do not want to have to support others who are less fortunate. How what they work for is theirs alone and they don’t want to share. I pray you do not proclaim to be Christians. If you do, please see below:
Deuteronomy 15:11
11 For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’
Proverbs 14:31
Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him.
Luke 12:33-34
Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Whatever faith you are, these are the selfless acts that make us humans, not animals.
Tina, I agree with you completely. I don’t care if I do pay more in taxes. I want all of my fellow Americans to have good health insurance, period. There should never be a family that has to choose between food and rent over health care. When good health care is a fact of every life, we can put so much more effort into other, more important things.
My story: I do not have healthcare. I would like to. I grew up in a family where we never had insurance and were very poor. I worked 3 jobs to put myself through college. Now I have a state job working 40 hours a week. The state requires me to take 2 weeks unpaid vacation every year so that they can call me an OPS employee – that means they don’t have to provide healthcare. Because I have a preexisting condition and I am a female of “prime child bearing age” (I’m 29), getting private insurance would be at the cost of 35% of my monthly income. I am not lazy or uneducated. I have never been on welfare or lived off the system. I supported myself. I needed treatment for an injury I sustained and like someone previously indicated, I went to my local health department. They were not equipt to treat me and also told me that even if they were, I make too much money (32K per year). So if I were jobless and uneducated, they could help, but since I am not, there is nothing they can do for me. I would move or get another job but I need to stay in the town I am in to help take care of my mother who is in poor health. And there are not many options here.
Those of you who think that the only people who want/need this to pass are people who don’t work hard or try, please take a look at my story and tell me, where do I turn to. I was raised poor but when we were young, we shared what little we had with those around us who were less fortunate. I gave away one of the few toys I got a Christmas to the girl next door who had nothing. We never had a second helping at dinner because that could go to an elderly lady who lived down the block who had less than we did. I give to charities what little I can although I have little myself. Many Americans have become so selfish that they would watch others suffer, even if those people are trying their best to make something of themselves, while they continue to consume and collect that which they don’t even need. This is called greed. I have done work in 3rd world countries where people have nothing and still share with their neighbors, communities, and country what they can spare so that others can survive.
I have heard many speak here about what belongs to them and how they do not want to have to support others who are less fortunate. How what they work for is theirs alone and they don’t want to share. I pray you do not proclaim to be Christians. If you do, please see below:
Deuteronomy 15:11
11 For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’
Proverbs 14:31
Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him.
Luke 12:33-34
Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Whatever faith you are, these are the selfless acts that make us humans, not animals.
How about 2 Thes. 3:10; “that if any would not work, neither should he eat.. ”
Quoting Bible verses without the context is ridiculous! Those verses extol PERSONAL giving (up to you), not corporate giving (our giovernment). If you want to give your money to healthy people who do not want to work–go for it! I personally believe people who are healthy and able should work, or pay the consequences.
TIMM WHERE ARE THEY GOING TO GET JOBS FROM. YOU SAID YOU WORK 3 JOBS, WELL HOW THE HELL DO YOU HAVE TIME FORMTHE FAMILY YOU ARE SUPPORTING. YOU ARE GREEDY AND HEALTHY, WHILE OTHER ARE BROKE UNEMPLOYED OR SICK. WAKE UP MANN.
If socialized medicine worked so great then why do Canadians come to America for.their healthcare? Wake up ppl. Taxes are going to go up and who’s affected? People like me who only spend 40-60 a week on groceries for 5 people in my household because despite having a good looking net… Take out the money I pay for MY FAMILY TO HAVE INSURANCE and bam! Living paycheck to paycheck. The whole thing is a bad idea! America, I love you but your full of people who do not understand what this means in the longterm…
agreed Rachel.One of many reasons I am against the Healthcare bill “Obamacare”…I wish people would think for themselves instead of believing media viewpoint.I have read bill. ..I do not agree with it.
I can’t believe everyone’s plan ignorance of the issues. I work in the healthcare industry. SELFPAY is the CHEAPEST way to pay for your care. The smart person, who has money to pay their bills, should choose NOT to have healthcare. You pay approx 25% of the hospital’s fees as a selfpay patient. If your bill is 4000, you are billed 1,000. Duuhhh….a 600 dollar mri will cost about $150. why are so many people afraid of no healthcare. It’s not that people don’t have healthcare, it’s that they DON’t pay their healthcare bill. Let me tell you about those who DO have money and just don’t pay it. People ALREADY have HUGH deductible’s they don’t pay. $2,500. They get medicaid to pay that. You are all so delusional and let me tell you, totally ININFORMED about the cost and reasons why healthcare costs so much.
FIrst, get real. Medical care is expensive. The doctor has a HUGH responsibility….YOUR life. YOUR care. It costs 100′s of thousands of dollars to get your degree….remember, we expect nothing but the BEST in healthcare. That costs.
The hospital you go to MUST be TOP NOTCH. That costs you. TOP NOTCH for everyday ailments. Pneumonia, gastritis, gallstones, appendectomies. All common, everyday illness that don’t require all this HIGH tech expense. Most people don’t have expensive illness requiring all these high level expenses. But YOU want them, YOU expect them.
Second, your insurance company, your hospital, your doctor all have overhead. At least 50% of costs go to overhead. Are YOU going to open a hospital and run it? Are YOU going to run an insurance company and keep the insurance affordable?
Why hasn’t anyone, not one person mentioned the exuberant costs for the HMO plan process. Doctors at the hospital, at the insurance company. Nurses at the hospitals, doctors offices and insurance companies ALL reviewing your care. Just to say yes you were sick enough for that surgery. Huh.
I saw one DUMB comment that said, if everyone paid more for their care maybe they would think twice about getting that care. WHO got an MRI, had surgery that DIDN’T need it? I don’t know anyone. It hurts, what is wrong. These are the tools. Surgery is NEVER done for torn ligaments that isn’t needed. How ridiculous that people get procedures that don’t need them just because. So I have to pay more under that insane assumption? It is minimal the amount of people getting care that don’t need it. Thus, the insurance premiums are calculated to include all those factors.
Now, YOU HAVE to get health insurance or the GOVERNMENT will tax you/fine you. WHERE is that tax or fine going? THINK about it. For WHAT?
NOW, I get LESS allowed in my FSA. I have a family of SIX. 2500 gets eaten up QUICKLY. BULLSHIT. I HAVE insurance. I have been paying my way for years. NOW this bs story of uninsured is COSTING me MORE?????
You people are just plain, so stupid. THIS is not the answer to what is NOT the problem. That is what is wrong with america. You are dumb and stupid that you really don’t know what the problem is to begin with and take some idiots answer to solve it. NOW we are ALL paying for your stupidity. And this is stupidity.
This was NOT the timing to implement a program like this. When there is a recession this NOT the time to make a change like this.
I am glad some folks did NOT vote for this plan. No one should have. What were they thinking?
Oh shoot! That’s crazy! I didn’t know that! So you mean that time I had a seizure, got into a car accident, and paid $11,000 for an ambulance ride to the hospital, some pain reliever drugs and six stitches was the cheapest plan afterall! Wow, all of this time I’ve been mad over that pushing me into debt before I was 19 for nothing! Because if I did have help it would have cost me $44,000. Thank you Janice for taking that weight off of my shoulders.
“You people are just plain, so stupid.”
Here is a tip, Janice. Never call other people stupid. It is rude and hurtful. It makes you look bad. This is especially true when you are unable to construct an eighth grade-level sentence. Also, intelligent people know the difference between “HUGH” and “HUGE.”
Feel free to ignore this. I wrote it so that a fifth grader can read it. I wish you the best, Janice.
(Many parts of your post are factually incorrect. I am not sure you could comprehend the explanation.)
Unfortunately there is a big difference between so called facts especially when it comes to the numbers/cost. Originally it was estimated to cost 980 billion or so. Two years later the real costs are coming in and now it has been revised to 1.7 Trillion. So when it comes to cost and estimated saving it’s really bogus.
Joe,
I’m a single mother of two sons and possess 2 degrees. I worked for Toyota corporate until i was laid off with 150 other people last year. I live in southern California where the cost of living is beyond exorbant … I’ve been out of work for over a year. I’ve been on several interviews where now I’m over qualified and cannot even attain customer service jobs. I was declined for any assistance medi cal and food stamps because my unemployment of $1628 a month is too much … Really!! A 2 bedroom apartment goes for 1200 and up here!!! And that’s living meager! I’ve paid into welfare for over 16 years… I’m 36 years old and I’ve always worked! All I want to do is work, buy has anyone taken a look at our economy!?? I’m homeless with my children right now and there is no help for people like me… We fall through the cracks… I agree that those able to work should work… I also feel that unless you’ve been privy to life in the ghetto you’ve no idea about the visions cycle! You cannot end poor or welfare when there is no opportunity for growth in those places. The government sets up and allows those on welfare to live exactly how they live! I have a 17 year old son with asthma and no care to get his medication! So what do you suggest I do? I’m listening?!! I’ve begun up apply for part time jobs just to make ends meet and nothing! This country is going down hill fast! There are no jobs for the working class and the jobs that are available don’t make enough to sustain your family! Yet i still owe $56 k in student loans for a freaking education I’m not able to use!!! What’s your solution! I’m all ears!!! Because I’ll tell you… Most of you selfish pricks wouldn’t have a clue what to do if you found yourself homeless with your family!!! And this is not my fault! I’m a victim of a declining economy!!!
well maybe you should borrow more money and go back to school again and get more degrees that you cant use. or maybe stop making bad descisions, like living somewhere you can no longer afford, or moving somewhere where you can work?
Joe,
I’m a single mother of two sons and possess 2 degrees. I worked for Toyota corporate until i was laid off with 150 other people last year. I live in southern California where the cost of living is beyond exorbant … I’ve been out of work for over a year. I’ve been on several interviews where now I’m over qualified and cannot even attain customer service jobs. I was declined for any assistance medi cal and food stamps because my unemployment of $1628 a month is too much … Really!! A 2 bedroom apartment goes for 1200 and up here!!! And that’s living meager! I’ve paid into welfare for over 16 years… I’m 36 years old and I’ve always worked! All I want to do is work, buy has anyone taken a look at our economy!?? I’m homeless with my children right now and there is no help for people like me… We fall through the cracks… I agree that those able to work should work… I also feel that unless you’ve been privy to life in the ghetto you’ve no idea about the visions cycle! You cannot end poor or welfare when there is no opportunity for growth in those places. The government sets up and allows those on welfare to live exactly how they live! I have a 17 year old son with asthma and no care to get his medication! So what do you suggest I do? I’m listening?!! I’ve begun up apply for part time jobs just to make ends meet and nothing! This country is going down hill fast! There are no jobs for the working class and the jobs that are available don’t make enough to sustain your family! Yet i still owe $56 k in student loans for a freaking education I’m not able to use!!! What’s your solution! I’m all ears!!! Because I’ll tell you… Most of you selfish pricks wouldn’t have a clue what to do if you found yourself homeless with your family!!! And this is not my fault! I’m a victim of a declining economy!!!
I struggled for 15 years starting 3 failed businesses. My friends and family called me a loser. I have slept in cemeteries, park benches and airports.
I never gave up and never listened to people to get food stamps.
Today, I have a thriving business and home.
I am 42 and should retire in 3 years.
You are not a victim. You are just in a station in life that can be changed.
That is the American Dream.
I agree with Kevin.
i find it humorous that chillywillyx, wants me to feel bad for someone that only makes minimum wage, and can’t get insurance. Why should i feel bad for someone who wants to stay entry level, and not get educated? If you want more out of life you need to work for it, nothing is free. You want to make more get a damn skill/trade, the fact that one can push a broom does not entitle them to a higher earning.
It is not the governments job to wipe your ass, it is yours. If your mad that someone makes more than you, then you need to change yourself, not them.
IS IT TRUE THAT THE ENTRY EXAM FOR MED SCHOOL WILL BE WAVED FOR MINORITIES?
No.
I want to hear from just ONE person who has experienced personal hardship from being uninsured(or a person that you loved/cared about) that believes some sort of affordable national healthcare isn’t necessary. I do not believe anyone who speaks so selfishly on here could even have MET a human being that has been bankrupted, worried-beyond-belief for a child or elderly family member, etc. Sometimes good, honest, hardworking people get into hard times. There are always abusers of ANY system- including wealthy corporate CEOs(of our precious capitalism)! This country is too wealthy to not care for children, the sick, the elderly. Does a person really have to suffer themselves before wanting to be kind-hearted to others?! Many of these responses seem cruel. Didn’t we all learn to share/give as children?!
I find most that have heath insurance do not want this bill! I have lived life and experienced many hardships. My husband and I work hard and we don’t have insurance. Well I have to say to all the selfish people: If this bill is not in place and you suffer a tragic medical problem GOOD LUCK TO YOU! This is why we need this bill even if you are already insured. Say you get cancer or a heart problem, your insurance can drop you or tell you they won’t pay for treatment. Well if they drop you good luck getting insurance with a pre existing illness. So be selfish get rid of bill and karma will more than likely be knocking on your door someday! I bet you change your mind then. Just like a baby born with a very rare medical problem and the insurance co would not pay(pre existing illness they said because the baby was just born). So I really hope this type of thing doesn’t ever happen to you all, but more than likely something will happen to you or someone you love one day. I am for the bill it may not be perfect but it is a start! I am not a selfesh person.
Had no health insurance, had to have emergency surgery for a failed galbladder, the organ was dead and had been for 4 months. The surgery and hospital stay came to 35,000.00. I worked with the hospital who wrote off all but 2,000.00. It will cost me 500.00 a month for my portion of my new employee medical program. It was cheaper to work with the hospital having no insurance than it will cost to have mandated health care.
My company is also in the process of either laying off about 30 employees to get under the 50 employee limit so they don’t have to provide health insurance, or cutting all the hours below 30 hours per week of all the employees and hiring more part time employees to compensate for the work full time employees do.
When people start getting their hours cut to below 30 hours a week or laid off because of the health care law all I can say is, how is that hope and change working for you!
I can’t say that I fully support THIS bill, because I haven’t read it all as of yet, and even if I did I still wouldn’t know the ramifications of its enaction. Who here can honestly say that they can predict the future outcome of any action they take? Especially one this complex, with so many ‘free-radicals’ so to say. But what I can say is I support healthcare reform, and anything that is a step towards EVERY American being able to afford healthcare. Of course there will be a few “freeloaders.” Was there ever an endeavor in the world that didn’t have someone trying to get as much out of it as possible with as little work as possible? I really don’t care if you are a ‘freeloader,’ ‘leech,’ or whatever you want to call it; EVERY American, or human for that matter, deserves affordable healthcare, and if it means even a 10% raise in my personal taxes, I don’t care. Though, it could be because I don’t have a family as of yet, so I haven’t fully honed my selfish “me and mines” instincts. But my point with all of this mumbling is that I support anything that is an attempt at a step towards getting EVERY American help whenever they are in need of it.
“Action is a great restorer and builder of confidence. Inaction is not only the result, but the cause, of fear. Perhaps the action you take will be successful; perhaps different action or adjustments will have to follow. But any action is better than no action at all.” -Norman Vincent Peale-
I don’t understand why people think that just because someone doesn’t have a job, they don’t want one or aren’t looking for one, or why someone who is down and out, deserves to stay there. Do people really fully understand how bad their own lives would become without a social safety net?
If there were no unemployment insurance, how many people would turn to crime in order for their family to eat and have a place to live? Unemployment does not pay a lot, but it keeps the bills paid until circumstances are better. Is a world where everyone who gets laid off loses their homes, cars, etc. really a better one? is that really, overall, better for the economy?
If there were no food stamps, how many children would starve to death? Do those children not deserve a chance at life, liberty, and a pursuit of happiness, despite their parents being “lazy”? Should the sins of the parents be visited upon an innocent child?
Do lower income children not deserve an education funded by the public, in case they do not have a parent to pay for a private education? Or should they be released into the world, illiterate and ignorant, to produce more and more of the same?
Would YOUR life be better without all of these safeguards? Would the company you work at still be in business if they were removed? If homes were in foreclosure and cars are repossessed and everyone who had a lot less luck had their credit destroyed forever, the banks would have nobody to loan money to, GM would have no one to sell cars to, teachers would have no one to teach. That is the world without safety nets.
The social safety net has now been expanded. There will be no more people who have to choose between health insurance and food. No more choosing between educating your children or paying for their health. That, my friends, is a good thing. No more “Breaking Bad” type situations.
Despite not knowing the exact price, the cost, to each taxpayer, will be minimal compared to the benefits you will receive.
i have been effected by having major a illness/hospital stay involving a gastric bleed. it was extreamly expensive, and because i did my homework, and spoke to the hospital staff on what could be done, i was able to apply for and be approved for benefits (due to my low income at that point in my life) following this, I educated myself, obtained employment entry level in my department, and through hard work, advanced to a point where i could afford good health insurance. when the health care bill passed, my insurance rates went up to 175% of what they were before the bill passed. my benefits have slowly went down each year as well.
reading above, if i continue working where i am working, and continue paying for the better health care (my wife is disabled, and requires over 600$ of medications per month) i will soon enjoy being taxed an additional 40% for my coverage.
i have been on both sides of the fence in this discussion, and i oppose this bill.
the notion that i should not benefit from working 60 – 80 hours a week baffles me.
i saw a bumper sticker that sums up the mentality.. it is “why shouldn’t you have to submit to a drug test to recieve benefits?, I had to submit to a drug test to pay for them”
Do you honestly think the money you didn’t have to pay was never collected? The hospital knew it couldn’t collect it from you so they overbilled their other patients’ insurance companies. You were the problem that this bill is trying to solve. If there are less irresponsible people without health insurance in this country getting away with discounted emergency health care, other responsible people with health insurance won’t have to pick up the slack. Are you getting the picture yet? People don’t but health insurance because they can’t afford the rates, they get injured, a lucky hospital gets to treat them at a discount, said hospital then has to make up for their lost income by overcharging the insurance companies, the insurance companies increase their rates to counter the increased costs, and subsequently you have more people unable to afford insurance as the cycle repeats.
I heard that the Obamacare act has a regulation whereby if you sell your house you will be an additional tax of 2 or 3%. Is this correct and if so when does it take effect?
I have 2 restaurants with 65 full and part time employees, most live paycheck to paycheck; most smoke. I am not their mommy or daddy! Why is it my legally mandated responsibilty to pay for their health care?
Why is it your legally mandated right to pay them? They should just be keeping you and your business successful for free while not being able to afford falling ill. Better yet, why don’t you fire them, save money on not needing to benefits and run the place yourself?
You will be fined up to 2.5% by 2016 if you do not comply. Unless of course you have a “financial hardship” *wink wink* (meaning poor). Our own premiums have increased and our benefits have lessened. But, guess who will be hurt by this? The lauded “middle class”. The same middle class who voted in droves for this man will now see the reality of there choice.
Have noticed Business shutting down because of Obama Care What Next ?
Big Brother is watching
yeah…..here’s your hope & change!!!
I remember back in the early 70′s, drivin’ my old ’66 Chevy pickup, paying $58 a year for liability insurance. And then, the government made auto insurance mandatory. My premium jumped to $155 a year for the exact same coverage. The government wasn’t giving poor people insurance. Everyone had to come up with insurance or not drive (legally). So why such a big jump in premiums? The same reason that they are increasing now…because, since it’s mandatory, the insurance companies see a way to make more money. The healthcare plan is trying to cap the amount of profits the companies can make, but right now there is a lot of gray area and the insurance companies are doing what they can now to cover their profits for later. I’m not saying this is all a bad thing, because they are going to have to start covering pre-existing conditions now and that will cost them more later. They are just giving themselves a little padding to fall back on when all this is sorted out. How long has the government been fighting to get affordable healthcare for American citizens? Long before Obama became president. Both parties have fought to be the first to get healthcare legislation introduced, and now it’s finally happened. Since it was passed by Democrats, Republicans are wanting it repealed, not that they care about the American families, they just don’t want to be one-up’d by the Democrats. Democrats would be doing the same thing if the Republicans had been the first to get it passed. It’s the American Political way! The thing is…now, we finally have it and it would be a shame to just get rid of it for the sake of a party’s pride. It’s not perfect, but it’s a start. It will have to be put into use before we can see how well or not it is going to work. The parts that don’t work out as planned will need to be ammended, probably many times before we have a good working model. In the years to come, as all the different parts are ironed out, we will see it level off, and maybe someday, our kids or their kids, or their kid’s kids won’t even have to think about this thing called insurance. It will be a part of their daily world. What we need to do, is all get along and try to make it the best that we can for them.
A good recipe doesn’t just happen the first time. It has to be modified to be the best it can be!
Can ANYONE explain to me why, IF Obama care is about getting everyone to buy health insurance, this regime is going to tax those of us who have gone to the expense of buying a superior coverage health insurance plan? And while you are at it, explain why “flexible spending plans” or HSAs are having contributions cut in half? If you want to provide for the poor and infirm, knock your socks off, but why does that involve taking away from those of us who actually provide for ourselves and just want to be left the hell alone?
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