Too bad Nancy Pelosi could not have taken the time to actually look inside the 2000+ pages of the Obamacare law to see what little goodies were stashed away in the Pandora’s box Congress created. On the outside of the box was a gift-wrapped promise: Lower healthcare costs for everyone. As reality sets in, however, [...]
According to Forbes, more than 11 million Americans are now covered by an HSA plan. That’s up 14% in one year and a mind-boggling 87% increase since 2008. Find the Forbes article here. Health savings accounts were introduced as part of the Medicare Reform Act in 2004. A health savings account combines a high deductible [...]
In what can only be described as an incredulous turn of events, the Obama administration has gone from arguing “it’s a tax” to “make less money” in its effort to stave off legal challenges to the healthcare reform law. Originally, the administration had tried to argue that the penalty for not purchasing individual coverage was [...]
On April 15, President Obama signed legislation that rescinds the burdensome 1099 requirement that was inserted into the healthcare reform legislation to help fund Obamacare. The idea was simple enough. Increase reporting of independent contractor work that is reported via 1099′s. The Democrats figured this would get them a few extra $Billions in tax revenue. [...]
On April 15, President Obama signed legislation that rescinds the burdensome 1099 requirement that was inserted into the healthcare reform legislation to help fund Obamacare.
The idea was simple enough. Increase reporting of independent contractor work that is reported via 1099′s.
The Democrats figured this would get them a few extra $Billions in tax revenue.
Americans thought otherwise. The 1099 requirement was seen as an intrusive gesture into an already burdensome tax world. (The new requirement would basically mandate reporting of all expenses over $600 even to vendors who were not “employed” by a company.)
Americans won this round, and thus, the first demantling of Obamacare.
Whether further, meaningful demantling occurs will depend entirely upon the 2012 elections. Without stout majorities in both the House and Senate, effective legislation will not pass, regardless of the Party in the White House.
In the meantime, health plan premiums continue to rise with no abatement in sight. This is due in large part to Obamacare mandates, most noticeably the mandatory coverage of children (as dependents) under age 19 regardless of health conditions. Although this is a good thing for parents with children who have pre-existing conditions, unfortunately, the Democrats failed to offset this requirement by mandating that all children under 19 be covered under a health plan, regardless of health. Thus, the only ones left to subsidize the unhealthy children – are all the rest of us.
The sooner we face up to the fact that this is no longer “insurance,” the sooner we’ll be on the path to real discussion – whether or not we really want a socialistic healthcare system here.
As I’ve said countless times before, when the Democrats had the opportunity to shove something down our throats, they should have shoved an effective “single-payer” system instead of this monstrosity cleverly disguised as insurance coverage.
They had one shot to shove. They blew it. Now we’re going to be paying for it for decades and decades.
CDR
Perhaps you have heard the story about McDonald’s threatening to cancel one of its limited benefit health plans. As I understand it, this plan costs participating employees only about $500 a year in premium contributions (about $35 to $40 per month) but the kicker is that the plan maxes out its benefits at $2,000. To the extent my understanding is accurate, employees are paying 25% of the maximum benefit in premiums – which is steep. But, to be fair, those plans tend to pay benefits right away without having to go through large deductibles, etc. There’s a reason the cost is so steep – they are highly utilized.
When the Government informed McDonald’s that this type of health plan was no longer valid, McDonald’s responded by threatening to cancel the coverage altogether. In response, the Government (via Secretary Sebelius) blinked and allowed McDonald’s to have a waiver which effectively allows them to continue the sub-par coverage for at least a year. To date over 100 other large companies – AND UNIONS – have filed for and been granted the same types of waivers for health plans that do not meet the definition of acceptable coverage under Obamacare.
Whether it’s a good idea for McDonald’s to offer such coverage is beyond the scope of this post. Instead, my point is to highlight the bigger picture, which is, that everyone is having their “right-to-choose” taken away from them by the Government. And you thought the Democrats were the “right-to-choose” party, right? Guess again. Nothing like Obamacare to make it clear – they think they know what is best for you and by golly you are going to like it.
Granted, healthcare costs are getting higher and higher. Affordable premiums are a thing of the past. Nevertheless, the Government is forcing people into Cadillac health plans – they are forcing people to pay higher and higher premiums, and they are doing it on purpose.
Once Obamacare kicks into full force in 2014, you will no longer have the right to purchase limited benefit plans of any kind. This includes the “mini-med” plans like McDonald’s offers but it also includes full coverage plans that happen to have high deductibles – like really high (higher than HSA-qualified levels). For example, you will not be able to buy a $25,000 deductible plan that pays 100% after the deductible – because the Government says the deductible is too high. Never mind the premiums – the deductible is too high. Common sense would dictate that the limited number of folks opting for those types of plans would be in a better position to know whether they can afford the higher deductible. The Government thinks their sense should take precedence.
Want your freedom of choice returned? Urge your representative and senators to repeal Obamacare. When your Democratic representatives and Senators balk – throw the “right-to-choose” back in their face by asking: “I thought you supported the right to choose.”
Contrary to the stated objective of passing Obamacare by the Democrats, the CBO has confirmed that the law will increase, not decrease, the costs of prescription drugs for all Americans.
This time, the free-spending liberals cannot blame conservatives for scare-tactic politics. After all, the CBO is an independent governmental entity.
Interestingly though, the CBO has reached the same conclusion presented by conservative Republicans prior to healthcare reform votes – that the legislation would increase, not decrease, the cost of healthcare.
The Report was created at the request of Congressman Paul Ryan who stands to be the single most powerful person in Washington come January. Mr. Ryan is a wizard at governmental finance and it’s safe to say he is the number one fear of all free-spending liberals. As the future Chair of the House Committee on the Budget, he will wield enormous power.
Thankfully he is on our side – the side of the people.
