SCOTUS upholds healthcare law — Page 6

But they were telling me that when i graduated high school in 1980, too. I am an optimist and think all of America's problems are solvable.

Many sources, though, claim the hysteria over Social Security is misplaced.

Here's one:
Link

Ari Ezra Waldman on towleroad.

Seriously. Read him.
THE SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT: AN ANALYSI

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Updated On: 6/28/12 at 06:23 PM

The whole "individual mandate" thing that the Republicans are so up in arms over is really a non-issue. The mandate amounts to a maximum "tax" of $95 on those who elect to remain uninsured beginning in 2014. In 2016, the tax increases to $695 (or 2.5% of a family's income). But the bill, as written, stipulates that "In the case of any failure by a taxpayer to timely pay any penalty imposed, such taxpayper shall not be subject to any criminal prosecution or penalty with respect to such failure.", and goes onto to state that the IRS cannot place a lien or levy on anyone for nonpayment, thereby rendering the IRS powerless to enforce the mandate and collect the tax. In addition, the tax won't apply to anyone earning an income less than the minimum amount required to file taxes; $9,500 single, $12,200 for head of household, $19,000 married filing jointly, etc. -- In any event, a historic day for the U.S., and a great victory for Obama!

ETA: Actually, the above info was not entirely accurate, so I corrected the misinformation. Here's a more detailed overview of the (tax) penalty:

What is the penalty for noncompliance?

The penalty is the greater of:
•For 2014, $95 per uninsured person or 1 percent of household income over the filing threshold,
•For 2015, $325 per uninsured person or 2 percent of household income over the filing threshold, and
•For 2016 and beyond, $695 per uninsured person or 2.5 percent of household income over the filing threshold.

There is a family cap on the flat dollar amount (but not the percentage of income test) of 300 percent, and the overall penalty is capped at the national average premium of a bronze level plan purchases through an exchange. For individuals under 18 years old, the applicable per person penalty is one-half of the amounts listed above.

Beginning in 2017, the penalties will be increased by the cost-of-living adjustment.

Who will be exempt from the mandate?

Individuals who have a religious exemption, those not lawfully present in the United States, and incarcerated individuals are exempt from the minimum essential coverage requirement.

Are there other exceptions to when the penalty may apply?

Yes. A penalty will not be assessed on individuals who:
1.cannot afford coverage based on formulas contained in the law,
2.have income below the federal income tax filing threshold,
3.are members of Indian tribes,
4.were uninsured for short coverage gaps of less than three months;
5.have received a hardship waiver from the Secretary, or are residing outside of the United States, or are bona fide residents of any possession of the United States.

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Updated On: 6/29/12 at 07:09 PM

First Thing: None of Youse G D illeagal alien Yankees is getting into Mah Country Up here in the True North Strong AND Free ( healthcare). U keep yer histrionics to yerselves! Buncha Chicken Little's clucking that their world is coming to an end cos sick people can get medical care without going bankrupt!

Second thing: I give you the late Tommy Douglas- SOCIALIST premier of Saskatchewan and designer of the original Canadian Health Care system. "Courage my friends. "tis not to late to build a better world."
One brick at a time ...

^^^ ^^^
() ()

L) STICK YANQUE

("######")

U

Yeah!

"Broadway Joe, since they're youer friendecdotes, none of us can really answer that question. Plus, you've told us nothing about them - if they're young, maybe they still think are invincible. If they are older, maybe they've had some kind of medical issue that has precluded them from getting insurance. One thing I can probably say for certain is that they were all raised to believe that they SHOULDN'T believe health insurance is something that everyone is entitled to, so perhaps they why it's not a priority. But again, you've offered no information about these people"

Most of them are mid 20s, I think you summed it up perfectly, most young people around my age seem to think they are invincible and that they don't need it. These same friends of mine both in Illinois, New York and New Jersey all complain about lack of money but they all do have the fancy phones and they go spend a few hundred dollars a weekend on booze and food at bars. I think the majority of people around my age don't have their priorities straight and they don't bother worrying about health insurance unless their job supplies it so when they end up getting sick and needing the healthcare then they worry about it. Just my opinion, not stating it as a fact.

Updated On: 6/28/12 at 11:36 PM

"Right, but I just don't get what they mean to this discussion anyway, except to point to those people as those who will know have to pay the tax - which won't even be enforced from everything I've read - if they don't get themselves healthcare."

Ya I don't know how we got so far off track either. It's going to be interesting following this into the election and seeing what ends up really happening with this whole bill.

Credit where credit's due.

"I saw in the information posted about your health insurance that it covers 90% of IL docs and hospitals, but since you're actually out in NY, are there any Plan providers in NY? Because looking through the policy, it looks like your plan will only cover 50% of benefits for non-plan providers.

Also, if your health insurance premiums are actually that low, what are your deductible and lifetime max? Because unless your deductible is really high, I have to wonder if your lifetime max is pretty low (especially since it's not listed in that chart). These are sometimes called "mini-meds" and are notorious for having low lifetime maxes, and are sometimes considered worse than having no insurance because you could be one medical emergency away from blowing through your benefits and ending up uninsured with a pre-existing condition."

I've had a few different doctors visits since I got back home here in NYC and so far anyone who takes bluecross blueshield will take the insurance since they are fall under one big company.

When I get home I'll look up what the lifetime max is but I had to get my hand checked out a few months ago and the visit and x-ray ended up being around 450 bucks and I only ended up having to pay 40 bucks.