Government Wants To Fine You For Not Having Health Insurance!
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Giordano Bruno
This bill oversteps its constitutionally mandated bounds on so many levels it is hard to know where to begin. The “Affordable Health Choices Act”, being pushed through the Senate by Chris Dodd and Edward Kennedy, is part of Barack Obama’s overall health care plan for America, which tentatively socializes health care coverage in this country, and allows Government unprecedented control over how U.S. citizens deal with their doctors. Now, not only does the Obama administration and the Senate want to control health care in the U.S., but they also want to fine you for not participating in it! That’s right! The “Affordable Health Choices Act” includes a provision which will fine you $1000 or more if you refuse to get health insurance. The comparison is made in the AP article below to the Government requirement of car insurance if one drives, but this comparison is absurd for obvious reasons.
First, a person is not required by law to drive, and therefore, it is not necessary for him to get car insurance if he does not need it. However, it is certainly necessary for a person to breath and to live (at least for most people it is), so essentially, this bill imposes a tax on you for living. If you are alive, you must have health insurance according to Chris Dodd and the Obama Administration. This mandate completely ignores the fact that most people cannot afford decent health insurance, and some don’t trust the medical establishment’s methods of treatment at all, so why would they want it?
Proponents of the bill claim there will be subsidies for low income families, but here another problem arises in the fact that Dodd and others who support the bill have yet to explain how they plan to fund this little adventure into collectivist medicine. The details of the bill and how they will utilize its budget have not been revealed. The Government Budget Office does however make the happy observation that the fines derived from the bill could raise up to $36 Billion over ten years time. How nice for them.
The vote for this bill will reach the House by the end of July, and the bill is very likely to include a “government-run insurance option”. My suspicion is that if this bill passes, the only insurance most people will be able to afford will be the “government option.” This scenario leads to a whole other mess of ugly issues. When the government is your insurance provider, what kind of coverage and what quality of care will you receive? To anyone who thinks this is a good idea, I suggest they ask a veteran what kind of treatment they receive at their local VA Hospital. On average the response will be incredibly negative, and if they treat veterans that way, how will they treat you?
Senate Bill Fines People Refusing Health Coverage
WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans who refuse to buy affordable medical coverage could be hit with fines of more than $1,000 under a health care overhaul bill unveiled Thursday by key Senate Democrats looking to fulfill President Barack Obama’s top domestic priority.
The Congressional Budget Office estimated the fines will raise around $36 billion over 10 years. Senate aides said the penalties would be modeled on the approach taken by Massachusetts, which now imposes a fine of about $1,000 a year on individuals who refuse to get coverage. Under the federal legislation, families would pay higher penalties than individuals.
In a revamped health care system envisioned by lawmakers, people would be required to carry health insurance just like motorists must get auto coverage now. The government would provide subsidies for the poor and many middle-class families, but those who still refuse to sign up would face penalties.
Called “shared responsibility payments,” the fines would be set at least at half the cost of basic medical coverage, according to the legislation. The goal is to nudge people to sign up for coverage when they are healthy, not wait until they get sick.
In 2008, employer-provided coverage averaged $12,680 a year for a family plan, and $4,704 for individual coverage, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation’s annual survey. Senate aides, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly, said the cost of the federal plan would be lower but declined to provide specifics.
The legislation would exempt certain hardship cases from fines. The fines would be collected through the income tax system.
The new proposals were released as Congress neared the end of a weeklong July 4 break, with lawmakers expected to quickly take up health care legislation when they return to Washington. With deepening divisions along partisan and ideological lines, the complex legislation faces an uncertain future.
Obama wants a bill this year that would provide coverage to the nearly 50 million Americans who lack it and reduce medical costs.
In a statement, Obama welcomed the legislation, saying it “reflects many of the principles I’ve laid out, such as reforms that will prohibit insurance companies from refusing coverage for people with pre-existing conditions and the concept of insurance exchanges where individuals can find affordable coverage if they lose their jobs, move or get sick.”
The Senate Health Education, Labor and Pensions bill also calls for a government-run insurance option to compete with private plans as well as a $750-per-worker annual fee on larger companies that do not offer coverage to employees.
Sens. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., and Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., said in a letter to colleagues that their revised plan would cost dramatically less than an earlier, incomplete proposal, and help show the way toward coverage for 97 percent of all Americans.
In a conference call with reporters, Dodd said the revised bill had brought “historic reform of health care” closer. He said the bill’s public option will bring coverage and benefit decisions driven “not by what generates the biggest profits, but by what works best for American families.”
The Congressional Budget Office, in an analysis released Thursday evening, put the net cost of the proposal at $597 billion over 10 years, down from $1 trillion two weeks ago. Coverage expansions worth $645 billion would be partly offset by savings of $48 billion, the estimate said.
However, the total cost of legislation will rise considerably once provisions are added to subsidize health insurance for the poor through Medicaid. Those additions, needed to ensure coverage for nearly all U.S. residents, are being handled by a separate panel, the Senate Finance Committee. Bipartisan talks on the Finance panel aim to hold the overall price tag to $1 trillion.
The Health Committee could complete its portion of the bill as soon as next week, and the presence of a government health insurance option virtually assures a party-line vote.
In the Senate, the Finance Committee version of the bill is unlikely to include a government-run insurance option. Bipartisan negotiations are centered on a proposal for a nonprofit insurance cooperative as a competitor to private companies.
Three committees are collaborating in the House on legislation expected to come to a vote by the end of July. That measure is certain to include a government-run insurance option.
At their heart, all the bills would require insurance companies to sell coverage to any applicant, without charging higher premiums for pre-existing medical conditions. The poor and some middle-class families would qualify for government subsidies to help with the cost of coverage. The government’s costs would be covered by a combination of higher taxes and cuts in projected Medicare and Medicaid spending.
Source:
[...] Government Wants To Fine You For Not Having Health Insurance … [...]
AMERICA’S NATIONAL HEALTHCARE EMERGENCY!
It’s official. America and the World are now in a GLOBAL PANDEMIC. A World EPIDEMIC with potential catastrophic consequences for ALL of the American people. The first PANDEMIC in 41 years. And WE THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES will have to face this PANDEMIC with the 37th worst quality of healthcare in the developed World.
STAND READY AMERICA TO SEIZE CONTROL OF YOUR NATIONAL HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.
We spend over twice as much of our GDP on healthcare as any other country in the World. And Individual American spend about ten times as much out of pocket on healthcare as any other people in the World. All because of GREED! And the PRIVATE FOR PROFIT healthcare system in America.
And while all this is going on, some members of congress seem mostly concern about how to protect the corporate PROFITS! of our GREED DRIVEN, PRIVATE FOR PROFIT NATIONAL DISGRACE. A PRIVATE FOR PROFIT DISGRACE that is in fact, totally valueless to the public health. And a detriment to national security, public safety, and the public health.
Progressive democrats the Tri-Caucus and others should stand firm in their demand for a robust government-run public option for all Americans, with all of the minimum requirements progressive democrats demanded. If congress can not pass a robust public option with at least 51 votes and all robust minimum requirements, congress should immediately move to scrap healthcare reform and request that President Obama declare a state of NATIONAL HEALTHCARE EMERGENCY! Seizing and replacing all PRIVATE FOR PROFIT health insurance plans with the immediate implementation of National Healthcare for all Americans under the provisions of HR676 (A Single-payer National Healthcare Plan For All).
Coverage can begin immediately through our current medicare system. With immediate expansion through recruitment of displaced workers from the canceled private sector insurance industry. Funding can also begin immediately by substitution of payroll deductions for private insurance plans with payroll deductions for the national healthcare plan. This is what the vast majority of the American people want. And this is what all objective experts unanimously agree would be the best, and most cost effective for the American people and our economy.
In Mexico on average people who received medical care for A-H1N1 (Swine Flu) with in 3 days survived. People who did not receive medical care until 7 days or more died. This has been the same results in the US. But 50 million Americans don’t even have any healthcare coverage. And at least 200 million of you with insurance could not get in to see your private insurance plans doctors in 2 or 3 days, even if your life depended on it. WHICH IT DOES!
If President Obama has to declare a NATIONAL STATE OF EMERGENCY to rescue the American people from our healthcare crisis, he will need all the sustained support you can give him. STICK WITH HIM! He’s doing a brilliant job.
THIS IS THE BIG ONE!
THE BATTLE OF GOOD Vs EVIL!
Join the fight.
Contact congress and your representatives NOW! AND SPREAD THE WORD!
(http://action.firedoglake.com/page/s/publicoption) (http://www.actblue.com/page/healthcareheroes)
God Bless You
Jacksmith – WORKING CLASS
[...] says: July 13th, 2009 at 12:27 am AMERICA’S NATIONAL HEALTHCARE EMERGENCY!It’s official. America and the World are now in a [...]
LOL! You can see a response to Jacksmith’s little post above right here:
http://neithercorp.us/npress/
Ok let me start off by saying that we live to be free however, being charged for what we want for our bodies is not free. As an american I can not afford health insurance for my husband and I. Also as a future mother I would want the doctors that know what they are talking about. I have had back problems for the past 2 years and I have yet found a doctor to find out why I am having constant back problems. So with this said I am protesting this law due to if you cant afford to pay health insurance what makes the president think that we can pay the fine. Thank you for hearing my point of veiw.
I feel this bill should not pass it is hard enough to find a place to be seen when you dont have health coverage and you have low income dss dont like to give the medicaid to those that have low income so they will find a reason to say you cant get it regardless there are people will well over 1000.00 worth of perscriptions that HAVE to be filled and they cant get it becuase dss finds ways out of giving you the medicaid and you think anyother insuance is going to be better i dont think so… my daughters father is supposed to pay for her insurance yet he wont becuase its 124.00 a month yet he has the insurance on his other daughter and wife. whats the reason becuase he can’t afford it…. what are yall going to do about it charge him just for not being able to pay another 124.00 for the coverage? Honestly you people really want to see the second great depression becuase that is what this world is coming too and i am 23 now i saw this coming when i was simply 15 the economy is down so to pull it even further down you people think your all high and mighty becuase you have more money than you need and your going to just charge the “little people” i thought obama would have been good becuase he grew up in the “hood” however if he really wanted to do something good he would make it easier for people to maintain medicaid yeah i understand the state is the ones paying for it however what are those of us that are so low income supposed to do? i recive 220.00 a month and thats when my daughters father decides to send his child support in my monthly bills come to 600.00-700.00 a month not to mention the things i need for the house to keep up with the house. I have not been able to get a job simply becuase of my work history. my teeth have been messed up since i had my daughter 4 years ago and i cant get them fixed becuase of your insurance that everyone tries to say is so great
Ali and Kat:
Those are the exact kinds of issues that normal Americans deal with everyday, and government doesn’t understand it, nor does the government want to. This health bill is about CONTROL, and that is all. Forcing people to pay for substandard government regulated healthcare is the last this we need. And then they top it off by trying to FINE you if you don’t go along with it, or can’t afford it?! The idea sounds insane until you realize they don’t care about you, they just want authority over every tiny facet of your life.
Actually guys, i think were all getting worried a little prematurely. I did some research, and it turns out if you choose not to enroll, all that happens is you get a 2.5% tax slapped on any income you make above a LOW poverty line.
Now if you fail to pay that tax (just like any other tax), you get threatened by fines/jail time.
http://www.factcheck.org/2009/11/imprisoned-for-not-having-health-care/
Thom:
Any tax or fine which forces Americans to accept government run insurance is unacceptable. The government has no right to tell us how we are to maintain our personal health. There should be no compromise on this.
Here’s my situation. I’m a US citizen and resident, work in Central America, and live there most of the year. When I come back to the USA, maybe a month or two out of the year, I am not covered by insurance. Scary. I make about $15K per year (and work much more than 40hrs a week), don’t own a car, don’t drink alcohol, don’t have kids, rarely eat out, and pay $350 rent for a studio apartment with all my electricity, wifi, etc covered.
So if they decide to force me to pay $250 a month ($4000 per year) for the worst insurance available in my age group, or pay a $1000 fine, obviously I’ll pay the fine. I won’t get any extra services for my $1000, so that’s 5% more of my income gone to pay for the wars rather than my own health care. Millions of the poorest Americans will have to pay that extra $1000 rather than buy medicine for their own children, I am not unique in that sense.
My other choices would be getting residency in a Central American country (which most poor Americans couldn’t do), work 80+ hours a week (if I could find more employers), or get an apartment for $100 a month, which is possible but would not have running water, electricity, or obviously the wifi I need for work. Or, I could take out a loan and go back to university to get another degree and job, and be tens of thousands of dollars in debt. Or I could join the military and get free health care.
Now, I produce products that are sold worldwide, by US-based corporations, and which are taxed in several ways. These products bring money into the USA from other countries using capitalism, and the taxes obviously help pay for the Senators’ cars, clothing, and wars. If I join the military to get free health care, the USA loses those products and as a soldier, I am basically a ward of the state – you all have to pay for all my needs, not just health care. That’s a net loss for the USA, all you get is maybe a few more dead Iraqis rather than my healthy contribution to US capitalism. Maybe that’s what the government would prefer?
I was 100% for health care reform. I often work in Costa Rica, which has better health care than the USA thanks to a two-tiered system that provides universal basic health care for the public and better care for people with private insurance. I thought that would be a great idea for the USA. Costa Rica doesn’t fine its poorest citizens 5% of their income because they can’t afford to pay for private insurance; the CR government understands that their poorest citizens aren’t wasting that money on cars and big houses, that money is used for survival. I guess my government assumes that I’m spending that $250/month I could use for insurance on stupid things, maybe new shoes or a car. But I own three pairs of shoes and take the bus.
Ugh, frustrating. Stupid. Rich people are so stupid, this is such a “let them eat cake” moment for the Democrats. Anyway, thanks for letting me rant. If you ask me what my solution would be, I would ask you to look at Costa Rica’s health care plan.
I’m 29, white and unmarried. in 2008 I made 48,000, 2009 I made 17k. I can’t help but think this health care thing is going to hurt me. I have no insureance cause i can’t afford it but at this point I’d rather take my chances and not have it.
I wonder if anyone looks back into the campaign of the “great” prez obama, where did some of his large contributions come from? this all seems to be a way to boost the health insurance companies bottom line, and now we will all be forced to pay them. I wish i could get into a business that it is said, “You must buy from me, or you will face jail time”. because if you think about it what is going to be the penalty of not getting this coverage, most likely the same that you get if you dont pay your taxes. First a percent added for unpaid fines, then the capture of your property to pay for your fines, then when that doesnt work, its jail time for you.
i work, i pay taxes. should i be punished again because the government cant figure out how to fix what is wrong with out making me pay more. why dont they try to cut a few of the governors pay? they get all fired up when aig got bonuses, but they say nothing when the fellow governors and state house workers get there raise every year. they need to look internally and stop making these cuts that are destroying the nation.
I think fining someone for not having health insurance is BS I am 31 yrs. old out of work and cannot afford health insurance. Obama doesn’t care about the american people he only cares about himself. His Czars or whatever they are called are the exact same way and I am sorry but all those that voted for Obama seriously need to get their heads examined……
Well, this is just America getting what they deserve. They were all convinced to drink the Kool-Aid that the press gave them to elect Obama. Sadly, if it wasn’t for the press, he never would have won, Clinton had him beat. For those of you who haven’t figured it out, here’s what happened: The right wing media knew that Clinton was making a killing in the polls and they had to do something to get the old man in the White House. So, they decided to focus all their effort on ruining her campaign, thinking that Americans would NEVER elect a black man. Oops, plan backfired. Now we are stuck with this nut case until 2012. As far as I’m concerned, America should STFU. Maybe next time people will think for themselves instead of letting the press do it. BTW, here’s a well hidden fact: The NVA was on the verge of surrender in Vietnam when the press made the war look so bad that we decided to pull out due to pressure from the public. We love to let the media do our thinking for us, and so far it has cost us a war the chance to have a real president. Too bad we can’t impeach them……..
I totally understand everyone should have healthcare.Example my daughter and her family. He has his insc. thru his work but fam is $660/mo. She does daycare so no insc.Minnesota Care was $700/mo. for my daughter and granddaughter! I thought this was to help people. My point to the story is some one who makes $40,000/year cannot afford a fine to!