Let’s talk about how all this got started or the reason they say all of this got started. I’m talking about the Health Care Reform Bill. Currently, there are 32 million without health insurance. The new health insurance coverage expansion begins in 2014. When fully phased in, 95 percent of eligible Americans would have health insurance coverage, compared with 83 percent today. I have to admit I thought there was a wider gap between insured and uninsured. The difference here is twelve percent and yet it will cost $871 Billion. (Chump change.)
There are several expletives I’d like to use as I watched Washington these last few days. (I’ll leave what they are to your capable imaginations.) However, I thought I’d like to know the who, the when, and the why of the health care bill. Maybe you’re not as curious as I am, but here is a small run down of what I found out.
Thursday afternoon the Senate passed the reconciliation portion of health care reform. The vote was 56 to 43, with all Republicans and three Democrats voting against it.
Included in the no votes were Democrats Ben Nelson of Nebraska, both Arkansas senators, Mark Pryor and Blanche Lincoln, and both of Maine's Republican senators, Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe, who Democrats had once hoped would vote for the bill. Georgia Republican Johnny Isakson missed the vote due to illness.
Among The Republican amendments were defeated Wednesday those amendments defeated were Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) to prevent convicted child molesters and rapists from getting reimbursed by the government for drugs to treat erectile dysfunction; an amendment from Sen. George LeMieux (R-Fla.) to require all members of Congress to enroll in Medicaid; a measure from Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) to certify that no households earning less than $250,000 will see increased taxes as a result of health care reform; and an amendment by Sen. Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) to certify that Americans will not have to change their health insurance as a result of the bill if they do not want to. However the Senate parliamentarian, Alan Frumin, ruled in favor of Republicans on two objections to portions of the student loan reform section, a decision that changes the text of the reconciliation bill and thus requires the House to vote again. When did students loans become a health care issue? Weather you believe in the health care plan or not or your Republican or Democrat can we both agree that student loans has nothing to do with heath care. Isn't this a streeeeeetch even for government? At least they are going back to vote on this again. I would encourage you to write your senators and house representatives on this matter because it will come up again and soon.
Health insurance mandate - Almost everyone is required to get health insurance or else pay a fine. There is an exemption for low-income people. This exemption though is for households who will earn less than $25,000 a year. The Mandate takes effect in 2014.
In 2014, the IRS penalty of $750 per individual or 2% of income – whichever is greater – kicks in for those that choose not to purchase health insurance. No one can be denied access to insurance for pre-existing conditions, and annual caps on benefits are banned altogether. In addition, the temporary high risk pools are now done away with as states will have to have exchanges put in place.
There are several expletives I’d like to use as I watched Washington these last few days. (I’ll leave what they are to your capable imaginations.) However, I thought I’d like to know the who, the when, and the why of the health care bill. Maybe you’re not as curious as I am, but here is a small run down of what I found out.
Thursday afternoon the Senate passed the reconciliation portion of health care reform. The vote was 56 to 43, with all Republicans and three Democrats voting against it.
Included in the no votes were Democrats Ben Nelson of Nebraska, both Arkansas senators, Mark Pryor and Blanche Lincoln, and both of Maine's Republican senators, Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe, who Democrats had once hoped would vote for the bill. Georgia Republican Johnny Isakson missed the vote due to illness.
Among The Republican amendments were defeated Wednesday those amendments defeated were Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) to prevent convicted child molesters and rapists from getting reimbursed by the government for drugs to treat erectile dysfunction; an amendment from Sen. George LeMieux (R-Fla.) to require all members of Congress to enroll in Medicaid; a measure from Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) to certify that no households earning less than $250,000 will see increased taxes as a result of health care reform; and an amendment by Sen. Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) to certify that Americans will not have to change their health insurance as a result of the bill if they do not want to. However the Senate parliamentarian, Alan Frumin, ruled in favor of Republicans on two objections to portions of the student loan reform section, a decision that changes the text of the reconciliation bill and thus requires the House to vote again. When did students loans become a health care issue? Weather you believe in the health care plan or not or your Republican or Democrat can we both agree that student loans has nothing to do with heath care. Isn't this a streeeeeetch even for government? At least they are going back to vote on this again. I would encourage you to write your senators and house representatives on this matter because it will come up again and soon.
Health insurance mandate - Almost everyone is required to get health insurance or else pay a fine. There is an exemption for low-income people. This exemption though is for households who will earn less than $25,000 a year. The Mandate takes effect in 2014.
In 2014, the IRS penalty of $750 per individual or 2% of income – whichever is greater – kicks in for those that choose not to purchase health insurance. No one can be denied access to insurance for pre-existing conditions, and annual caps on benefits are banned altogether. In addition, the temporary high risk pools are now done away with as states will have to have exchanges put in place.
Pheew! Did you get all that. I hope you learned something and I'm hoping that whatever your opinion is that you will take a moment and get involved. We really do live in the best country in the world--The United States of America. We are truely blessed.
I found my information at: Politics Daily—written by; Patricia Murphy, Health Bill 2010 Info; CNM News Network
blah. I have a few opinions but I probably shouldn't get myself worked up over it right now. =)
ReplyDeleteI know people want to believe this is the best thing that has happened to our nation in a long time but I do not think this is a good idea. Our health care system is already stretched to its limits. Adding 30 million more people to the "required" system is going to make it even more impossible to get my children in to see their doctor when they have an ear infection or strep throat. Remember, there aren't going to be tons more doctors and nurses working to help us yet the government is going to add 30 million more people into the system. As far as the cost, I think people are going to be stocked at the cost the working class are going to face in a few years. Nothing is FREE PEOPLE!!!! AND I don't know of a goverment run health care system on this planet that is better than the private ones.....
ReplyDeleteMardi, I quite agree. I've seen the DMV lines and I can only think they may be a mirror to the future of doctor lines.
ReplyDelete