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In California, middle class feels health insurance squeeze
The Sacramento Bee ^ | aturday, Mar. 8, 2014 - 12:00 am | By Christopher Cadelago and Phillip Reese

Posted on 03/08/2014 10:42:05 AM PST by Mariner

Dawn and Nick LaPolla of Fair Oaks are solidly middle class, and they aren’t uninsured.

Yet their required switch to a new health insurance plan under federal changes puts them at a financial crossroads.

If they earn less than $94,200 a year, the family of four’s preferred plan through the California health exchange would cost about $750 a month. But if they make even slightly more, they’ll pay about $1,040. That’s because they would exceed the threshold to qualify for federal subsidies. Their current high-deductible plan, which expires in two months, costs $573 a month.

Unlike wealthier state residents who more easily can afford the new, often more comprehensive plans, or lower-income people aided by government subsidies, the LaPollas are part of a sizable segment of Californians slowly coming to grips with dedicating a greater percentage of their income to new policies.

“It’s completely unfair,” said Dawn LaPolla, 40. “Wouldn’t you consider us still part of that struggling group? We’re not buying yachts. We’re not going on trips every year. We’re not putting our kids in private schools. We’re not buying Fendi bags. We’re still unsure whether we will be able to pay our mortgage.”

For the vast majority of residents, the Covered California subsidy isn’t an issue. Low-income residents receive health insurance through Medi-Cal. Millions of others have insurance subsidized by their employer.

Through the exchange, subsidies are available for those making up to four times the federal poverty level. Eighty-six percent of those enrolling are getting some form of financial assistance. That means hundreds of thousands of Californians would be better off financially if they made a little less money because of the sharp income cutoff.

(Excerpt) Read more at sacbee.com ...


TOPICS: Front Page News; Government; News/Current Events; US: California
KEYWORDS: abortion; deathpanels; democratcare; donkeycare; jackasscare; obamacare; zerocare
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To: Mariner

“Brother, you asked for it.” Francisco d’Anconia


21 posted on 03/08/2014 3:47:02 PM PST by Billthedrill
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To: Billthedrill
"Francisco d’Anconia"

He is a productive genius who decides to show what would happen if someone were to devote such genius to the deliberate impoverishment of a company that is under threat of nationalization. The purpose is to show that a man of the mind can always defend himself against the worst attacks of a society that rewards failure and punishes success. The price is high: in this case, the destruction of a fortune that has lasted for centuries. But the prize is much more valuable: simple liberty.

22 posted on 03/08/2014 4:57:44 PM PST by Mariner (War Criminal #18)
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To: Go Gordon

“Only a liberal would call corporate contributions to an employee’s health insurance a “subsidy”. Obviously the employee earned the contribution as part of the payment for services rendered.”

Offering benefits including health care is how employers attract good workers. Obviously big government liberals have no clue how the real world works.


23 posted on 03/08/2014 9:23:02 PM PST by yorkiemom
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To: Mariner

“..., the LaPollas are part of a sizable segment of Californians slowly coming to grips with dedicating a greater percentage of their income to new policies.”

Anyone paying the least bit of attention knew this was part of the plan. I’m not sure who I find more annoying, the liberals or these ignorant whining types.


24 posted on 03/08/2014 9:25:34 PM PST by yorkiemom
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To: Aria

“So sick of this crap - now you have to think about being careful you don’t make too much money.”

I’m not advocating joining the ranks of millions of white people who have jumped on the welfare gravy train, but many would benefit from these programs (by being hurt less by them) if they would simply have families. It reduces your income tax burden, and is factored into your earning versus the poverty level (instead of looking at the level for a family of one or two, it could be a family of three, four, or ten). I’m shocked at how many taxpaying Americans are content (or at least submit to being forced) to subsidize the families of others while they themselves leave no genes behind to propagate the species, culture, and faith.


25 posted on 03/09/2014 4:41:52 AM PDT by kearnyirish2 (Affirmative action is economic war against white males (and therefore white families).)
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

“We need to pass it, in order to find out what is in it.” Nancy Pelosi = Sen CA


26 posted on 03/09/2014 10:28:16 AM PDT by stocksthatgoup (Take out the trash)
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To: FAA

“...Vote stupid and suffer the results....”

Friend, you just coined THE phrase describing the “Hope and Change” years 2009-2016.

Excellent.


27 posted on 03/09/2014 12:41:01 PM PDT by NFHale (The Second Amendment - By Any Means Necessary.)
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To: Mariner

If I remember correctly, most of California voted overwhelmingly for the Sock Puppet and his cabal of socialist, correct??

In the words of Jerry Seinfeld: “Gee... that’s a shame.”


28 posted on 03/09/2014 5:27:55 PM PDT by NFHale (The Second Amendment - By Any Means Necessary.)
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To: bert

The more wages increase so go prices!


29 posted on 03/09/2014 5:39:47 PM PDT by TribalPrincess2U (0bama's agenda—Divide and conquer seems to be working.)
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To: Mariner
"In California, middle class feels health insurance squeeze...And it'll really sink in when they're stuck 4 hrs in a waiting room with 3rd world illegals to see a Pakistani doctor."

So it's all working out as planned.

30 posted on 03/09/2014 5:40:51 PM PDT by free-in-nyc (Freeping from the heart of the occupation)
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To: TribalPrincess2U

Yes, and the Obamacare tax will just get lost in the shuffle


31 posted on 03/09/2014 5:45:01 PM PDT by bert ((K.E. N.P. N.C. +12 ..... History is a process, not an event)
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