When it comes to the health care reform, that is. Obviously there's still a lot to learn about it, but I'm having issues with a few things already so far. For one, the eight year timeline before everything is put into place is a bit excessive to me. Haven't we waited long enough? I'm also worried about the amount of money that's going to be spent to have universal healthcare. I realize that the tax for those earning over $200,000 / couples over $250,000 will be raised for medicare payroll... but the rest? Keep on pilin' on the debt guys...
Then there's this little tidbit:
Employers with 50 or more workers who do not offer coverage face a fine of $2,000 for each employee if any worker receives subsidized insurance on the exchange. The first 30 employees aren't counted for the fine.
So in this situation, say an employer doesn't provide coverage for his 50 employees. He'll be fined $2,000 x 20 employees = $40,000. Correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't some employers see this as a steal compared to providing insurance for all 50 employees? I know that my annual insurance costs between what my employer pays and what I pay are much more than $2000. And the above mentioned employer would only have to be fined for 40% of his employees. Wouldn't a small business owner want to go with the cheapest option in most cases? Really, if I'm not getting the picture here, please correct me; I am about the least politically inclined person you'll ever meet.
Lastly, I'm most concerned with the lack of mention of prescription drugs. Health insurance coverage does not always equal prescription coverage. I've personally experienced this issue, and believe me, it's great to have that $150 doctor's visit covered, but when he hands you a prescription for a generic drug that still costs $300 (for a month's supply) and you don't have prescription coverage, it's quite the stab in the heart. Has anyone heard any mention of prescriptions in all of this mess?
I think the argument President Obama and others make on this is that by creating the health insurance exchange (granted it will be several years, as you pointed out) it will decrease the cost overall of health care (and probably prescriptions) by increasing competition. They see the rising costs as a direct result of the insurance companies not having a high degree of competition in the market...at least that's my understanding of it. That's why the Congressional Budget Office estimates that the bill will decrease the deficit over the long term, even though we will be spending more money (through tax credits, and so forth) on health care than we were previously. That's a long answer to your question, but that's my understanding of the issue :)
ReplyDeleteI'm going to trust you on that one K... you're much more informed in politics than I ever will be!
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