• This is a political forum that is non-biased/non-partisan and treats every person's position on topics equally. This debate forum is not aligned to any political party. In today's politics, many ideas are split between and even within all the political parties. Often we find ourselves agreeing on one platform but some topics break our mold. We are here to discuss them in a civil political debate. If this is your first visit to our political forums, be sure to check out the RULES. Registering for debate politics is necessary before posting. Register today to participate - it's free!

What will you do with ObamaCare/ PPACA? Opt in or out?

Will you pay into or buy out of ObamaCare/PPACA?

  • I will pay for the federally required private insurance.

    Votes: 2 33.3%
  • I will pay the tax/fine to buy my way out.

    Votes: 1 16.7%
  • IDK/ Other

    Votes: 3 50.0%

  • Total voters
    6

joko104

Banned
Suspended
DP Veteran
Joined
Jan 21, 2009
Messages
65,981
Reaction score
23,408
Gender
Male
Political Leaning
Undisclosed
Will you agree to be forced in or opt out?

I'll pay the tax/penalty to opt out. A person receives faster and better care by paying cash - and generally it costs less than insurance premiums and deductables. In addition, a couple of specialists/doctors we use do not accept patients who pay via the government (medicare/caid) or certain insurance providers so we'd have to pay out-of-pocket anyway. Another doctor offers treatments that insurance companies/government will not reimburse. Fortunately we can afford to do so.
 
Last edited:
Far too early to even worry about that. ObamaCare is a PROPOSAL, that passed in a hushed secrecy with 100% demorat ONLY congressional votes, by the thinest possible margin. It does not even take full effect until 2014; that is TWO elections away. What congress does, congress can undo. To "wig out" and assume, that it will survive in its current (not completely even written) form is nonsense. Wait and see what happens. ;-)
 
Since my job has health insurance, the AHCA probably won't effect me too much. But just knowing that affordable insurance is available if I need it is a big load off my mind.

Paying the penalty tax is still a lot cheaper than buying insurance but at least it will help prevent 'free riders." From what I understand those that chose pay the tax instead of buying insurance will have to pay the entire cost of their medical bills if they get cancer or hit by a bus. That seems fair.
 
Will you agree to be forced in or opt out?

I'll pay the tax/penalty to opt out. A person receives faster and better care by paying cash - and generally it costs less than insurance premiums and deductables. In addition, a couple of specialists/doctors we use do not accept patients who pay via the government (medicare/caid) or certain insurance providers so we'd have to pay out-of-pocket anyway. Another doctor offers treatments that insurance companies/government will not reimburse. Fortunately we can afford to do so.

I will be paying $22 month for unlimited coverage.

So you go ahead and "opt out" and when you get the $300,000 bill for a short hospital stay, then your pay is all confiscated but the last $400 then you will learn.

PS
NO ONE pays for "their own" healthcare in any HC system. We all PAY for OTHERS. That is why all HC systems have the "insurance" function in them.
 
Other - I do not plan to participate voluntarily into either scenario. If they want me to pay a "punishment" tax they will have to hold me down and take it. ;)
 
I will keep my current health care insurance.

I expect rates will go up because of the ACA. Preventive checkups, precondition excemption, etc. has got to put pressure on rates no matter how many new policies are sold.
 
My company pays full health and dental so I'm not worried one iota, however I agree that this is far from settled law.


Tim-
 
My wife and I both already have insurance through work, so it won't affect us all that much.
 
Other - I do not plan to participate voluntarily into either scenario. If they want me to pay a "punishment" tax they will have to hold me down and take it. ;)

They'll deal with this the same they do in MA and other tax evasion, which is garnish your tax returns, assess fines and eventually prosecute you. At least until we get a single payer system.

The fine will be negligible until 2016. From what I understand, if you make under 150% of poverty level it'll be very nearly fully paid for. The problems will come from 150-400% of poverty, which will have subsidies, but if you have rent car and student loan payment (or indebted to the mafia), the exchanges and even the fine could be decidedly unaffordable.

It's estimated that up to 20 million will not be able to afford insurance in fact and will continue without health care. Insurance can cost several thousand, and if you get a $500 subsidy and barely make end's meet now? In some cases, it might even be beneficial to quit one's job and fall into medicaid/food stamps. Personally I'd move to Canada before paying a tax for not even getting health care in return, if it came to that.
 
I will keep my current health care insurance.

I expect rates will go up because of the ACA. Preventive checkups, precondition excemption, etc. has got to put pressure on rates no matter how many new policies are sold.

Rate will go down once its in effect. you wil l get rebaits next month. And in 2014, its a max of 9% of your pay if you keep employer coverage.
 
They'll deal with this the same they do in MA and other tax evasion, which is garnish your tax returns, assess fines and eventually prosecute you. At least until we get a single payer system.

The fine will be negligible until 2016. From what I understand, if you make under 150% of poverty level it'll be very nearly fully paid for. The problems will come from 150-400% of poverty, which will have subsidies, but if you have rent car and student loan payment (or indebted to the mafia), the exchanges and even the fine could be decidedly unaffordable.

It's estimated that up to 20 million will not be able to afford insurance in fact and will continue without health care. Insurance can cost several thousand, and if you get a $500 subsidy and barely make end's meet now? In some cases, it might even be beneficial to quit one's job and fall into medicaid/food stamps. Personally I'd move to Canada before paying a tax for not even getting health care in return, if it came to that.

wrong wrong wrong

Everyone will afford it that makes over $10k.

Health Reform Subsidy Calculator - Kaiser Health Reform

and note that since Medicaid expansion was killed. That calculator does not apply to 100-133% of poverty. Then its 2% of pay for a premium.

And there is NO MEDICAID for the POOR. Not now and not as part of ACA after SCOTUS decision. Those under $10k income get NOTHING. No HC at all.
 
Last edited:
Rate will go down once its in effect. you wil l get rebaits next month. And in 2014, its a max of 9% of your pay if you keep employer coverage.

OK. You like income redistribution, so rates (prices for everything) should NOT be based on the actual cost of the goods and services. That all sounds so wonderful and fair yet think about that for about TWO minutes. The best thing about the USA and capitalism NOW is that working harder, producing more and increasing your work value through added education and experience is no longer really needed, except to secure a bit more in luxury items. If a McJob now gets you the same medical care as being a rocket scientist, why not simply keep a McJob and do side work (off the tax books) for extra cash? Do you really think that rich will now pay 9% of their income for that same insurance policy? This is all BS to make it seem like nobody will have to make up the difference for giving the McJob worker medical care insurance for $100/month that REALLY costs $450/month; reality dictates that $350/month must be paid by SOMEONE. Hmm...
 
Last edited:
Hooray! Free Lunches For Everyone!!!









When I change jobs, I'll see what my new employer offers. If they have an HSA option, I will probably take that. Unfortunately, my responsibility in taking a healthcare plan that provides for my family but allows me flexibility is evil, and must be punished, so if so I will end up paying the Obama healthcare tax.
 
Rate will go down once its in effect. you wil l get rebaits next month. And in 2014, its a max of 9% of your pay if you keep employer coverage.

So explain why someone earning more should pay a higher rate for the same health care insurance? Cost for insurance should not be based on income.
I think your rate quote is for those of very low income and not everyone.
 
wrong wrong wrong

Everyone will afford it that makes over $10k.

Health Reform Subsidy Calculator - Kaiser Health Reform

and note that since Medicaid expansion was killed. That calculator does not apply to 100-133% of poverty. Then its 2% of pay for a premium.

And there is NO MEDICAID for the POOR. Not now and not as part of ACA after SCOTUS decision. Those under $10k income get NOTHING. No HC at all.


As I understand the law, a large company has to offer insurance to their employees or pay a fine.

My question, does a company have to offer family plans? Many companies do that now, with employees paying a higher monthly rate. Many times a rate that would be more than 9% of income.
 
Wait, what? Thee will be a tax on people who DO have health insurance?
 
Will you agree to be forced in or opt out?

I'll pay the tax/penalty to opt out. A person receives faster and better care by paying cash - and generally it costs less than insurance premiums and deductables. In addition, a couple of specialists/doctors we use do not accept patients who pay via the government (medicare/caid) or certain insurance providers so we'd have to pay out-of-pocket anyway. Another doctor offers treatments that insurance companies/government will not reimburse. Fortunately we can afford to do so.

I've not heard of any institutions that give faster and better care to cash patients and I don't see the reasoning behind it. They typically make more on cash payments than they would an insured person. It doesn't cost less to pay with cash and not go through insurance. Most insurance companies have a contract with the institution where they have set prices for services that the insurance company will reimburse for. One of the reasons that many don't accept Medicare or Medicaid is that the reimbursement rates are too low to sustain a practice efficiently. The only reason I would pay the tax for not having insurance would be if it provided me better coverage at a cheaper rate than an insurance policy.
 
If my employer continues paying for my health insurance, I suppose I will stick with that.

If they don't, I will make an assessment of the benefits of the insurance relative to the cost. If it's a good deal I'll purchase my own health insurance. If it's not, I won't. And if I don't, I won't pay the penalty either.
 
Back
Top Bottom