Predictions for the Obama Presidency

[premium]

Originally Posted by puppy fields

I wish my taxes were being used for universal health care. I don't care if there are lazy Americans taking advantage of it, I just don't want to depend on an employer for it.

This is pretty much how I feel about it too.

[premium]

The average taxpayer is who's going to pay for it anyway.

How else would they make it 'affordable'?

So, I guess I'll have to do the math and see what the options are once it's enacted because the way it seems right now is that if I continue to pay for the healthcare that my employer provides AND pay taxes, I'm getting double fucked.

[premium]

The largest tax increase in US history.

[puppy fields]

From what I understand, it's not the insurance premiums that is considered a tax, it's the penalty for not getting insurance that the IRS enforces that is.

[puppy fields]

Originally Posted by premium

A tax on what exactly? On not having insurance?

Derp...the revenues that the IRS collects goes to healthcare. Yeah, it's convoluted and hard to understand I guess.

It sets a precedent? The government can force you to do something as long there is a penalty enforced by the IRS.

[premium]

Yeah, that sounds like American Freedom alright.

[IslanderSteve]

Originally Posted by premium

Obama calls it Obamacare.

Fair dinkum. I shall use both terms.

[premium]

'Affordable' government sponsored healthcare = X
What I pay for employer sponsored healthcare = y

what if y < x ?

Fee the government imposes on my employer for not offering healthcare = z
Difference in what I pay and what my employer covers for me = a

what if z < a ?

[puppy fields]

Originally Posted by premium

what if y < x ?

I find this hard to believe. Who does your employer insure with?

[premium]

I'm just asking.

[premium]

If it's cheaper for a corporation to pay the tax penalty and drop it's employee's health coverage, they'll do it in a heartbeat.

[puppy fields]

But then they would lose the tax break.

[puppy fields]

Originally Posted by premium

I'm just asking.

Me too.

[fad3r]

So, is this healthcare thing like how we have to have insurance when we drive? If we are caught driving without insurance, we get fucked? If we can't afford insurance, the gov't will hook us up. If we don't get insurance through our work, we have to pay out of our own pocket or else we get fucked? From what I see, the insurance companies are getting the best deal out of this whole thing, right?

One good thing that came out of this is my sister recently got diagnosed with some rare neurological disease that required some ridiculously expensive treatment. Because of Obamacare, the insurance company will now cover those treatments. Otherwise, she'd die a painful death within 5 years.

[puppy fields]

In 2016, when the penalty is fully phased in, it will be $695 for an individual (up to $2,085 per family) or 2.5 percent of household income, whichever is greater. The penalty will increase annually based on the cost of living.

derp