Up to $3,800 Fine for Failure Get Health Insurance (proposes Sen. Baucus)

Associated Press ^ | September 8, 2009

[reaganaut1]

A top senator is calling for fines of up to $3,800 on families who fail to get medical insurance after a health care overhaul goes into effect.

The plan from Democratic Sen. Max Baucus of Montana would make health insurance mandatory, just like auto coverage. It would provide tax credits to help cover the cost for people making up to three times the federal poverty level. That's about $66,000 for a family of four, and $32,000 for an individual.

But those who still don't sign up would face hefty fines, starting at $750 a year for individuals and $1,500 for families. The maximum penalty on individuals would be $950.

[reaganaut1]

Americans won't support fines for not having health insurance, especially when they realize the IRS would be enforcing this mandate.

[Paladin2]

What if one is homeless? How are they going to “find” one?

[Rutles4Ever]

More brilliance from the left.

[2banana]

Illegals exempted, of course...

[SoldierDad]

So, tax credits for families making $66,000 or less, while people like me and my wife will be subsidizing those tax credits through a hike in our taxes in order for these people to have coverage. Yep, robbing Peter to pay Paul.

[Dubya-M-DeesWent2SyriaStupid!]

When moving between states I got a $50 dollar fine for a mistake of my car insurance not being active the local DMV screwed up yet acted before I could breathe the new states air.

Regarding this healthcare fine...is it to the individual or the individuals workplace?

[Jet Jaguar]

BTTT

[AtlasStalled]

Obama said no new taxes on those making less than $250,000 a year. However, a “fine” imposed and enforced by the IRS on anyone failing to buy health insurance under the proposed government mandated “reform” program is a tax on the middle class. Indeed, requiring individuals to buy insurance is one big fat tax by telling consumers how to spend their money on what the government wants.

[JohnLongIsland]

Sorry doctor I can’t pay your bill because I had to pay the DeathCare fine.

[Dubya-M-DeesWent2SyriaStupid!]

Since they want tee total control will they give everyone FREE<-——— (my a$$)

Dental/Vision insurance coverage?

[RC2]

Will the people remember this http://loyaltoliberty.com/

[Pearls Before Swine]

Americans won't support fines for not having health insurance, especially when they realize the IRS would be enforcing this mandate.

Or especially when they realize the fines only apply to taxpaying citizens. For the welfare and illegal constiutencies, there will be full coverage and no costs.

Another major Big O wealth transfer plan.

[Earthdweller]

They won't care about your stupid mandates...

Don't you see idiots, people are walking away from their debt. You have put too much "mandatory" on them already. They don't care...they will walk away from all of it. Slaves masters, government slaves masters and a nation of poor debtors and slaves. You will make so many people so overwhelmed with debt from the lawyers and courts, they will never recover and they will give up.

The elites are stupid, they think money comes from trees. Liberal elites of both parties have brain damage.

[kabar]

What about the illegal aliens?

[mojitojoe]

This is going to make DUmmie heads explode. They planned on getting everything free and letting others pay for theirs.

[TheConservativeParty]

Yeah, and the illegal aliens that will and do get healthcare for free on the backs of us taxpayers, I guess they won’t be getting fined for not getting health insurance, right Senator?

[tatsinfla]

and union members

[wny]

Yet another violation of the Constitution, not that matters to the demholes (or most pubbies for that matter). Identifying individuals or groups for punitive taxes clearly violates Article I, Section 9, paragraph 3 of the Constitution that provides that: “No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law will be passed.” No due process, no jury of your peers. The IRS simple declares you guilty and confiscates your money. You will be punished and potentially financially ruined because you don’t obey the dictates of the ruling class. Tell me again how this is different from the Soviets, the Nazis, Cuba or any given third world banana republic and/or hellhole.

[TomGuy]

The Medicare prescription drug plan has a similar 'forced' penalty for non-compliance:

If you sign up for Medicare Part D at a later date, your premium will increase by 1% per month (based on the national average premium for that year) for every month you were eligible but did not join. This penalty is a lifetime penalty. It will be added to your drug plan premium for the entire time you are enrolled in a Medicare Part D plan. [Source Univ of Cal, SF]

For 2009 the national average premium is $30. So each month you go without coverage adds 30 cents (1 percent of $30) to your monthly premium. For example, if you sign up for Part D during open enrollment in November or December 2008, and you’ve been without creditable drug coverage for 20 months after first becoming eligible to join Part D, your penalty would be $6 a month or $72 over the year on top of your regular plan premiums. If the national average premium increases in 2010 and subsequent years, your penalty get higher also. [Source: AARP.org]

[what's up]

So for those Americans who lose their health insurance for some reason (between jobs, employer can't afford to pay it anymore, etc.) suddenly they have to pay a fine until they can get it again?

LOUSY!