Quote:
Originally Posted by GenuineRisk
Except that you have to compare the cost of the program with the cost of doing nothing. Our current health care system is not sustainable. We had a choice- reform, or decide that the poor and middle class need to be left to die. Which is certainly a position, and, judging from some of the comments on this board, one that some posters here would be just fine with, but it's not the kind of America I believe in ("provide for the general welfare," as is said in the Preamble, is more like the nation I believe in). I don't think it's the kind of nation you believe in, either.
I agree with you 100% that universal Medicare would be the best and cheapest option, but unfortunately in today's political climate, that was never a possibility.
I would be surprised if your health care costs go up due to the ACA. I really would (and remember, it starts in 2014, so any increases companies make now that they blame on ACA are bs lies).
The main group of people who will find themselves liable for the tax are singles with an income of about $30,000- $80,000. Below that they will likely be covered by expanded Medicaid (as, other than Arizona and Texas and a few other Neo-Confederate bastions of "f*ck the poor" states, I don't see many refusing the additional Medicaid monies), and above that, they likely already have health insurance. When I was making $30,000 a year, I paid over $3,000 a year for private health insurance (my job didn't offer it). It sucked, but I managed. Those people can certainly afford $600 a year for a tax penalty.
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except i never advocated doing nothing, but i appreciate the dissertation. my premiums will continue to increase as they always have, along with copays and deductibles.
but now to go along with that, there will be increase in taxes, because this program will turn out to be far more expensive than people think-the cbo already adjusted the cost upwards once. and since medicare, medicaid and other federal programs have all come in at a far higher price than initially proposed, i feel safe in assuming this one will as well.
as for the states, if they swell their roles, they'll get an increase. or they can grow no more and keep current funding. they certainly won't see a better bottom line by increasing through aca.
oh, and i pay over 3k a year right now, and that's group coverage. not sure why anyone assumes that group is cheaper-it's not. my son bought his own, individual plan and selected his deductible-it cost him less than going with his employer sponsored coverage, which can turn no one down, so the price is higher for some.
i can't help but think that a bad fix is no fix at all. will more harm than good be the ultimate outcome? as the adage says, the road to hell is paved with good intentions. a wish and a dream still have to be paid for.