“We have to pass the bill so you can find out what is in it.”

Flopping Aces ^ | 10-14-10 | Aye Chihuahua

[Starman417]

Today's ObamaCare discovery:

Beginning January 1, 2011, more than 15,000 over-the-counter (OTC) health care items will require a prescription (and that means a doctor’s visit) for tax-free reimbursement.

Under Obamacare, OTC drugs cannot be reimbursed tax-free from Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) or Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) without a government bureaucrat-required permission slip.

That's right ladies and gentlemen...if you want to be reimbursed for your OTC purchases through your HSA or FSA you will be required to see your doctor first.

A partial list of OTC categories is below:

[dblshot]

Well there’s one of our problems right there. People expect tax difference on OTC drugs. Come on guys, you got heartburn buy some Tums, need Sudafed pay for it and shut up. What a bunch of whiners the government has made us. An I don’t whant to hear no flames about poor old granny on Social Security. She probably can’t afford the HSA contributions anyway.

[RobRoy]

My family does Claritin (for my wife’s alergies) and aspirin on occasion.

And when I go back into contracting I’ll be going to my own $10,000 deductible policy. Americans take too many drugs. Diet and exercise can cure most of the “cheap stuff”. Some would argue it can cure the expensive stuff as well:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ye4N8EH3dog

[I am Richard Brandon]

Let me think - cost of meds $10. Tax @ 10% (to make the math easy) $1. Copay for doctor visit $10 or $15 or $20 or $25 or $35 for a walk in at my doctor. Nuff said?

By the way - what is the cost of processing the paperwork, before or after Obozocare?

[SaintDismas]

Does this mean they won’t be available for those of us don’t care to get “reimbursed”? Surely not. If it does, and people like me who don’t have health insurance will not be happy.

Thanx for the heads up, think I’ll stock up now if that’s the case. Wow

[wordsofearnest]

Take away all the tax deductibility of insurance premiums and all health care expenses. Repeal section 125 of the tax code.

[JBCiejka]

Imagine all the stores such as Dollar Tree, KMart, Gas stations, etc. that won’t carry these items because they would have to hire pharmicists to fill these.

[AngelesCrestHighway]

November 2nd.......Where are you?.....

[Chances Are]

Take away all the tax deductibility of insurance premiums and all health care expenses. Repeal section 125 of the tax code.

There. Fixed it for ya!

CA....

[veracious]

Well there’s one of our problems right there. People expect tax difference on OTC drugs.

Although I agree with your view against the tax break for buying OTC with HSA. The reason I've bought OTC with my HSA, is in order to use up the deductible in my HDHP. Now my HDHP deductible is going noticably up (thanks DC gangsters) and I cannot use OTC to help get past the deductible. From the deductible perspective, the saving rate, combined with tax savings, approaches a theorical max of 100%...

[NavyCanDo]

2011 Summary of Health Care changes (BOEING) Because of Obamacare. And they tell us we may pay more each year, at least through 2018.

The White House web site says the passing of Health care reform “makes health care more affordable.” And you have heard Obama, Pelosi, Murray, and other Democrats say the same thing over and over again

More affordable for who? They sure were not talking about Boeing Employees

2010 Deductable $200 Individual $600 Family

2011 Deductable $300 Individual $900 Family

2010 After deductable plan pays 100%
For most services

2011 After deductable plan pays 90% (80% in 2012)
For most services

2010 Office visit $15 copay

2011 Office visit $20 copay

2010 Out of pocket maximum $200 indv, $600 family

2011 Out of pocket maximum $2000 indv, $6000 family