I feel that it is my duty to Americans everywhere to explain the basics of this health care bill as well as expand on some interesting parts that people have questioned me about. I have read through many parts of the bill, and the bad definitely "outshines" the good since I have "howevers" lining up beside the "good".
2. Illegal immigrants would not be allowed to buy health insurance in the exchanges.
3. Bans health plans from dropping people from coverage when they get sick.
2. Health care would expand coverage to 32 million Americans who are currently uninsured. HOWEVER, what you may not know is that ANYONE who does not buy health care will be fined by the IRS. The IRS will become a larger entity, and who wants that?!
3. The uninsured and self-employed would be able to purchase insurance through state-based exchanges with subsidies available to individuals and families with income between the 133% and 400% of poverty level. HOWEVER, these subsidies are only available to those are not eligible for Medicare, Medicaid, and those individuals who cannot be covered by an employer.
4. MEDICARE: Starting in 2011, seniors in the gap will receive a 50% discount on brand name drugs. The bill includes Medicare cuts near $500 billion in the next 10 years. HOWEVER, this is also another drop in a big bucket for our nation's budget.
5. MEDICAID: The bill expands to include 133% of federal poverty level... meaning $29,327 for a family of 4. HOWEVER, the federal government will, of course, pay 100% of costs for covering newly eligible individuals through 2016... meaning more money taken from taxpayers.
2. Starting in 2012, the Medicare Payroll Tax will be expanded to include UNEARNED income. This means that there will be a 3.8% tax on investment income for families making more than $250,000 per year and $200,000 for individuals.
3. Starting in 2018, a 40% excise tax will be forced on insurance companies for what you may have heard as "Cadillac" high-end insurance plans. These plans are worth over $27,500 for families and $10,200 for individuals. Dental and vision plans are exempt and will not be counted in the total cost of health plans.
4. Requires health plans to allow young people up to their 26th birthday to remain on their parents' insurance policy per parent's choice. Okay, I can understand capping the age at 22 or even 23 for the sake of kids in college. But by the age of 26, I would say that is ridiculous.
THE REAL "GOOD"
1. Six months after enactment, insurance companies can no longer deny children coverage because of a preexisting condition. HOWEVER, I find one fault with what goes along with this, because in 2014, insurance companies cannot deny coverage to anyone with preexisting conditions... meaning that premiums will rise for everyone. How else can insurance companies stay out of bankruptcy but to do this?!2. Illegal immigrants would not be allowed to buy health insurance in the exchanges.
3. Bans health plans from dropping people from coverage when they get sick.
THE NOT AS GOOD AS IT SEEMS "GOOD"
1. It would reduce the deficit by $143 billion. HOWEVER, that is a small drop in a huge bucket compared to our actual deficit. Which, by the way, has increased about $3 trillion since President Obama has been in office. As of the end of 2009, the USA is $12,311.4 billion in debt. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_public_debt .2. Health care would expand coverage to 32 million Americans who are currently uninsured. HOWEVER, what you may not know is that ANYONE who does not buy health care will be fined by the IRS. The IRS will become a larger entity, and who wants that?!
3. The uninsured and self-employed would be able to purchase insurance through state-based exchanges with subsidies available to individuals and families with income between the 133% and 400% of poverty level. HOWEVER, these subsidies are only available to those are not eligible for Medicare, Medicaid, and those individuals who cannot be covered by an employer.
4. MEDICARE: Starting in 2011, seniors in the gap will receive a 50% discount on brand name drugs. The bill includes Medicare cuts near $500 billion in the next 10 years. HOWEVER, this is also another drop in a big bucket for our nation's budget.
5. MEDICAID: The bill expands to include 133% of federal poverty level... meaning $29,327 for a family of 4. HOWEVER, the federal government will, of course, pay 100% of costs for covering newly eligible individuals through 2016... meaning more money taken from taxpayers.
THE BAD
1. The cost of this bill is projected to be $940 billion over a 10-year period. HOWEVER, it is a known fact that the projected budget fails to reach the extent of the real budget--which is usually much higher.2. Starting in 2012, the Medicare Payroll Tax will be expanded to include UNEARNED income. This means that there will be a 3.8% tax on investment income for families making more than $250,000 per year and $200,000 for individuals.
3. Starting in 2018, a 40% excise tax will be forced on insurance companies for what you may have heard as "Cadillac" high-end insurance plans. These plans are worth over $27,500 for families and $10,200 for individuals. Dental and vision plans are exempt and will not be counted in the total cost of health plans.
4. Requires health plans to allow young people up to their 26th birthday to remain on their parents' insurance policy per parent's choice. Okay, I can understand capping the age at 22 or even 23 for the sake of kids in college. But by the age of 26, I would say that is ridiculous.
THE JUST PLAIN UGLY
1. Individuals would have to pay for abortion coverage.2. No health care plan would be required to offer abortion coverage. States COULD pass legislation choosing to opt out of offering abortion coverage through the exchange. Of course, federal funding for abortion COULD be erased from the bill with an executive order from President Obama. HOWEVER, executive orders do not trump statutory law. I wouldn't count on this being erased from the bill.
3. In 2014, everyone MUST purchase health insurance or face a $695 annual fine. HOWEVER, how will people in poverty be able to afford health insurance much less a fine!?
4. Employers with more than 50 employees must provide health insurance or pay a fine of $2,000 per worker each year if any worker receives federal subsidies to purchase health insurance.
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Now that I've covered a broad range of topics, I hope I gathered enough information for everyone to get the basics of the bill... there is SO much more to it. In fact, a couple thousand pages worth of information!
I'd like to add a few more of my thoughts and a few more facts.
This bill was passed by the House on Sunday 219-212. Most things in the bill are not accepted by the majority of Americans, yet Congressional Democrats claim that this will be a success. They compare it to bills that passed Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. With Medicare and Social Security going bankrupt, we're supposed to think that this bill will lead to success? Did you know that Medicare passed the House 313-115 (5 not voting) and Senate 68-21 (11 not voting)? AND Social Security passed the House 372-33 (25 not voting and 2 "present") and the Senate passed 77-6 (12 not voting)? These bills passed by a large margin. The health care bill that passed Sunday was FAR from that. Do you still expect it to be successful??
The health care bill passed because of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and President Barack Obama doing back dealings that are not even concrete. The Democrats that were swayed into voting will regret it this November. For those up for reelection, they will suffer the consequences by losing to another candidate.
There is so much more to be said, but I hope I covered enough for you to be informed and hear my complaints. :)
Love, peace, and freedom,
Jenna J.
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