Senate bill fines people refusing health coverage (public ‘option’ will be forced? RomneyCare!)

AP via Google ^ | 7/02/09 | RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR

[Libloather]

Senate bill fines people refusing health coverage
By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR – 58 minutes ago

WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans who refuse to buy affordable medical coverage could be hit with fines of more than $1,000 under a health care overhaul bill unveiled Thursday by key Senate Democrats looking to fulfill President Barack Obama's top domestic priority.

The Congressional Budget Office estimated the fines will raise around $36 billion over 10 years. Senate aides said the penalties would be modeled on the approach taken by Massachusetts, which now imposes a fine of about $1,000 a year on individuals who refuse to get coverage. Under the federal legislation, families would pay higher penalties than individuals.

In a revamped health care system envisioned by lawmakers, people would be required to carry health insurance just like motorists must get auto coverage now. The government would provide subsidies for the poor and many middle-class families, but those who still refuse to sign up would face penalties.

Called "shared responsibility payments," the fines would be set at least half the cost of basic medical coverage, according to the legislation.

In 2008, employer-provided coverage averaged $12,680 a year for a family plan, and $4,704 for individual coverage, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation's annual survey. Senate aides, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly, said the cost of the federal plan would be lower but declined to provide specifics.

The legislation would exempt certain hardship cases from fines.

The new proposals were released as Congress neared the end of a weeklong July 4 break, with lawmakers expected to quickly take up health care legislation when they return to Washington. With deepening divisions along partisan and ideological lines, the complex legislation faces an uncertain future.

[Repeal 16-17]

Americans who refuse to buy affordable medical coverage could be hit with fines of more than $1,000 under a health care overhaul bill unveiled Thursday by key Senate Democrats looking to fulfill President Barack Obama's top domestic priority.

[Cue Borg voice] We are the Liberals, resistance is futile. Your life as it has been is over. From this time forward, you will service us. [/Borg voice]

These morons must truly believe they are omnipotent. I don't think we can afford to wait for the 2010 elections (assuming they'll be free and fair).

[ThE_RiPpEr.]

What will they do if your religion is Scientology? The liberals always scream about the separation of church and state. I bet they will be silent on this issue.

What if you are a gun owner? Is the government going to tax guns in a stealth way by saying your are now a higher health risk and forcing you to pay higher premiums? Bring in your guns and we will lower your health insurance?

This is all about control and reparations.

So much for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

[Repeal 16-17]

Enough about Romney! This isn’t only about him! It’s about all Liberals. If Romney died, would this bill become acceptable?

[Antoninus]

RomneyCare redux. Is there any doubt that Romney would be pushing exactly this kind of plan were he in office?

And the frightening thing is--he could have pushed it through. With Obama in charge, the GOP at least has a political reason to fight and probably defeat it.

In this case, we're so much better off having Obama as president than a socialist fraud like Romney.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Government is always a terrible master.

[ActrFshr]

So if Romney runs in 2012 our choices will be what exactly? Bankruptcy or unaffordable health care? Oh yay!

[Dust in the Wind]

BTTT

[icwhatudo]

I wonder how they will determine who is “poor” to recieve subsidies for health care.

If someone has a 3,500 s.f. home, 3 suvs, commercial property with a tenant, and owns his own business..will they still be considered poor like a certain SCHIP family?

[icwhatudo]

Oops, left out the two rooftop decks...

[Patas]

So they are going to fine Collage kids who have Emergency Medical?

Excellent!

[Texas Mulerider]

Will anyone get to actually read the plan?

Sure, once it's translated from the original Russian.

[SunkenCiv]

Americans who refuse to buy affordable medical coverage could be hit with fines of more than $1,000... The Congressional Budget Office estimated the fines will raise around $36 billion over 10 years. Senate aides said the penalties would be modeled on the approach taken by Massachusetts, which now imposes a fine of about $1,000 a year on individuals who refuse to get coverage. Under the federal legislation, families would pay higher penalties than individuals.

That means, all those without coverage right now (those Obama et al are trying to "protect") will be forced to opt in (which means it ain't really an "opt") to make sure the insufficient tax revenue supporting the system won't be so insufficient that, for example, people like Raum Emanuel will have to start paying taxes.

[1035rep]

Probably the same one that forced us to buy car dealerships.

[Alex Murphy]

In a revamped health care system envisioned by lawmakers, people would be required to carry health insurance just like motorists must get auto coverage now. The government would provide subsidies for the poor and many middle-class families, but those who still refuse to sign up would face penalties.

Ping for later

[B.O. Plenty]

General Petreaus:

Lead by example as demonstrated elsewhere, sir

Our Constitution is in danger...you swore to uphold and defend it against all enemies, foreign and domestic.

Domestic enemies ARE at the door, sir....

[politicalmerc]

Do you need another sharp shooter at your place?

[AU72]

My 28 year old son did not yet sign up for medical insurance in Massachusetts and when he filed his State Income Tax he was hit for a 570.00 penalty thanks to ‘Romneycare’.

[gwilhelm56]

**[Cue Borg voice] We are the Liberals, resistance is futile. Your life as it has been is over. From this time forward, you will service us. [/Borg voice]**

All my medical expenses for the last 10 years (including one broken Leg and spouses LASIK Surgery, and my Glaucoma Surgery) would only cover about 2 years worth of Health Insurance Premiums.

YO, BARKY ... take your “”Affordable B******* Coverage and ...

[gidget7]

AMEN to that Jim. Romney care in MA is a nightmare, AND it’s broke! It has caused those of us with medical coverage to wait month’s to get an appointment for a simple check up. We have young people who were unable to leave home because they couldn’t afford medical insurance, car insurance in order to have their own place. Now, they aren’t working, and get unemployment, and one week has to go to their stupid medical insurance. Not to mention, after paying for it every month, they never get to use it because you must reach $2500. before you can.

I refuse to call it healthcare. That is something we do ourselves, medical care is something doctors provide, medical insurance is what we join to help with the expense of possible serious and expensive procedures that may come up.

[DrewsMum]

bookmark romneycare