What the infamous Health Care bill IS and ISN'T
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RichardM1 wrote:
You don't think this has anything to do with Congress placing mandates on them, do you?
Oh, of course it does. Congress regulates the stamp price, requires them to deliver six days a week, requires them to keep certain office hours and shifts, and tells them how to run their pension plan. It's ridiculous and unsustainable. From a balance sheet standpoint, however, the only difference between the USPS and a private corporation is who's extending them a line of credit. Medicare and Medicaid are government programs, funded entirely by taxpayer money, and doing nothing (From a financial perspective) but draining the federal coffers. The USPS is a business that has income and expenditures, and if it was run better (And more independently) might generate a profit.
Proud to have finally moved to the A-Ark. Which one are you in?
Author of the Guardians Saga (Sci-Fi/Fantasy novels) -
RichardM1 wrote:
Liberals claim doing it is racist. Conservatives claim not doing it lets generally liberal illegals vote.
Well, I usually lean toward the liberal side, but I have to side with the conservatives on that issue. Check IDs and keep it honest.
RichardM1 wrote:
They are required NOT to check them at the polling booth, a singularly 'citizens only' activity. Why would they degrade people by requiring something harder, proof of legal status, at the insurance pool?
Because while elections are a touchy political and civil rights subject, since that's our opportunity to stick it to our all-powerful overlords, health insurance is just about money. Since the right to vote is guaranteed by the constitution, it's hard to add any kind of restriction to it (Though come on, checking IDs should be a no-brainer). Health insurance has no such legal protections. Of course, I'm betting there'll be some kind of loophole... The illegals will probably be able to buy it directly from the insurers, instead of via the exchange, unless those insurers are demanding SSN/TIDs.
Proud to have finally moved to the A-Ark. Which one are you in?
Author of the Guardians Saga (Sci-Fi/Fantasy novels)Ian Shlasko wrote:
health insurance is just about money
Do you really believe HCR is just about money? Do you think there could have been a minor power grab in making it more OK to regulate those damn insurance companies? I will let you figure out if a single payer health care system was about the money.
Ian Shlasko wrote:
Of course, I'm betting there'll be some kind of loophole
You and me, both. I see you are coming over to the Dark Side, little by little.:suss: Lord Cheney will have you under his power. It is just a matter of time. ;P .
Opacity, the new Transparency.
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Ian Shlasko wrote:
* Insurance companies get more regulation... First and foremost, they won't be able to deny people for existing conditions.
So you were including this as a downside to the bill?
Opacity, the new Transparency.
I was including it as a factual component of the bill. Fact, not opinion. I wasn't intending to take a side on whether this is good or bad. I was trying to educate people.
Proud to have finally moved to the A-Ark. Which one are you in?
Author of the Guardians Saga (Sci-Fi/Fantasy novels) -
Can you point out any conservative rhetoric you put up there? I can point out liberal rhetoric you put up there:
Ian Shlasko wrote:
* This won't be putting us further into debt. It will actually REDUCE the deficit by ~$140 billion over the next decade.
It will put us over 360 billion further in debt, just from the dems' numbers. The 500 bil they are using to finance it is spending the money that comes in to fund future payments for medicaid/medicare, which will still have to be made.
Ian Shlasko wrote:
* Most people will NOT see a tax increase. The extra money not provided by medicare/medicaid changes will come from applying the medicare tax to investment income (Currently it only applies to normal income) for people making in excess of $200k/year ($250k for families), and starting in 2018, the high-end insurance plans will gain a significant tax... They're also adding a 10% tax on tanning salons, which seems kind of odd.
Per CNN, in 2009, 47% of households paid no income tax. So if 4% of households see no tax increase, this is technically true. So, if 49% of households see a tax increase, most people will not see a tax increase. So that is just a talking point.
Ian Shlasko wrote:
* Premiums are supposed to be reduced... They're adding "exchanges" where small businesses and individuals can more easily purchase insurance... I guess it'll increase competition among insurers, by easing comparison. Note that these will be managed by each state, not centralized federally. This is the free market at work, folks.
Insurance companies had a 2-10% profit margin[^] last year, when they were not taking on preexisting conditions (others say the industry average was 2.2%, which falls in this range). So their costs per person will go up (they now have to amortize the preexisting conditions), they will have to start spending more on advertising to compete with the others, and they will be lowering prices. How do you see that working?
Opacity, the new Transparency.
RichardM1 wrote:
It will put us over 360 billion further in debt, just from the dems' numbers. The 500 bil they are using to finance it is spending the money that comes in to fund future payments for medicaid/medicare, which will still have to be made.
It looks like the money they're using to finance it will be coming from the extra taxes I've stated, and the closing of whatever that "doughnut hole" thing is supposed to be (I admit I didn't look into that part). In other words, they spend money now, and as the program comes into effect, it makes that money back... Unless I'm completely missing something here.
RichardM1 wrote:
Per CNN, in 2009, 47% of households paid no income tax. So if 4% of households see no tax increase, this is technically true. So, if 49% of households see a tax increase, most people will not see a tax increase. So that is just a talking point.
The actual numbers are right there... The tax increases come on individuals making more than $200k, and families making more than $250k. That and the tanning salon thing, and a rather large tax increase (40%) on the high-end insurance plans (People spending over something like $25k a year on premiums, not including dental and vision).
RichardM1 wrote:
Insurance companies had a 2-10% profit margin[^] last year, when they were not taking on preexisting conditions (others say the industry average was 2.2%, which falls in this range). So their costs per person will go up (they now have to amortize the preexisting conditions), they will have to start spending more on advertising to compete with the others, and they will be lowering prices. How do you see that working?
Keep in mind that everyone will be forced to buy insurance, including healthy people who haven't had a need for it in the past. I don't know how many of each category are out there, but that will determine whether the "health pool" gets better or worse. And don't forget, there are more factors than that. Their costs are tied to the actual cost of doctor/hospital care, to the number and variety of tests they require, to prescription drug costs, malpractice insurance, etc... I know the bill is doing something to affect that, but as I didn't know the details, I didn't include it. Hence the phrase "Premiums are supposed to be reduced" instead of "will be reduced."
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Ian Shlasko wrote:
health insurance is just about money
Do you really believe HCR is just about money? Do you think there could have been a minor power grab in making it more OK to regulate those damn insurance companies? I will let you figure out if a single payer health care system was about the money.
Ian Shlasko wrote:
Of course, I'm betting there'll be some kind of loophole
You and me, both. I see you are coming over to the Dark Side, little by little.:suss: Lord Cheney will have you under his power. It is just a matter of time. ;P .
Opacity, the new Transparency.
RichardM1 wrote:
Do you really believe HCR is just about money? Do you think there could have been a minor power grab in making it more OK to regulate those damn insurance companies? I will let you figure out if a single payer health care system was about the money.
Now you're just taking my statements out of context. I'm talking about the legality of requiring ID, and you're applying it to the ethics of regulation. This is a forum discussion, not a political campaign.
RichardM1 wrote:
You and me, both. I see you are coming over to the Dark Side, little by little. Lord Cheney will have you under his power. It is just a matter of time.
Heh... Everything has loopholes. Tax shelters, offshore banking, bailouts... People are always gaming the system, no matter which system and no matter which political party, company, or group is behind it.
Proud to have finally moved to the A-Ark. Which one are you in?
Author of the Guardians Saga (Sci-Fi/Fantasy novels) -
No, CSS is technically right. It forces MOST people to buy insurance, and it raises taxes on the wealthy (And on tanning salons). Of course, I said all of this in the original post on this thread, so I dunno what he's arguing about.
Proud to have finally moved to the A-Ark. Which one are you in?
Author of the Guardians Saga (Sci-Fi/Fantasy novels)Ian Shlasko wrote:
and it raises taxes on the wealthy
Riiight... :rolleyes: it imposes fees and fines lower income people instead. Garnishing your wages if you do not buy insurance.
Watch the Fall of the Republic (High Quality 2:24:19)[^] Sons Of Liberty - Free Album[^] The True Soapbox is the Truthbox[^]
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I was including it as a factual component of the bill. Fact, not opinion. I wasn't intending to take a side on whether this is good or bad. I was trying to educate people.
Proud to have finally moved to the A-Ark. Which one are you in?
Author of the Guardians Saga (Sci-Fi/Fantasy novels) -
Ian Shlasko wrote:
and it raises taxes on the wealthy
Riiight... :rolleyes: it imposes fees and fines lower income people instead. Garnishing your wages if you do not buy insurance.
Watch the Fall of the Republic (High Quality 2:24:19)[^] Sons Of Liberty - Free Album[^] The True Soapbox is the Truthbox[^]
CaptainSeeSharp wrote:
Riiight... Roll eyes it imposes fees and fines lower income people instead. Garnishing your wages if you do not buy insurance.
No, if you're making less than $80k a year, and aren't covered by your employer (Businesses with more than 50 employees will be required to offer a coverage plan), they give you credits to help you afford insurance. If you still don't get insurance, THEN you get fined. Of course, there are exceptions to the fine. American Indians living on reservations are exempt... You can raise a religious objection and be exempt... And I forget the exact numbers, but if the cheapest available insurance would be more than some percentage of your income (I think it was 8%), I think it exempts you. For someone who lectured me for finding summaries instead of reading the entire text, you don't seem to have read much at all.
Proud to have finally moved to the A-Ark. Which one are you in?
Author of the Guardians Saga (Sci-Fi/Fantasy novels) -
CaptainSeeSharp wrote:
Riiight... Roll eyes it imposes fees and fines lower income people instead. Garnishing your wages if you do not buy insurance.
No, if you're making less than $80k a year, and aren't covered by your employer (Businesses with more than 50 employees will be required to offer a coverage plan), they give you credits to help you afford insurance. If you still don't get insurance, THEN you get fined. Of course, there are exceptions to the fine. American Indians living on reservations are exempt... You can raise a religious objection and be exempt... And I forget the exact numbers, but if the cheapest available insurance would be more than some percentage of your income (I think it was 8%), I think it exempts you. For someone who lectured me for finding summaries instead of reading the entire text, you don't seem to have read much at all.
Proud to have finally moved to the A-Ark. Which one are you in?
Author of the Guardians Saga (Sci-Fi/Fantasy novels)Fuck that, I will work under the table.
Watch the Fall of the Republic (High Quality 2:24:19)[^] Sons Of Liberty - Free Album[^] The True Soapbox is the Truthbox[^]
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Fuck that, I will work under the table.
Watch the Fall of the Republic (High Quality 2:24:19)[^] Sons Of Liberty - Free Album[^] The True Soapbox is the Truthbox[^]
Don't forget to mention that when you fill out your tax return.
Proud to have finally moved to the A-Ark. Which one are you in?
Author of the Guardians Saga (Sci-Fi/Fantasy novels) -
Don't forget to mention that when you fill out your tax return.
Proud to have finally moved to the A-Ark. Which one are you in?
Author of the Guardians Saga (Sci-Fi/Fantasy novels)They can come and brutally slaughter me with their black ski-mask thugs with sawed off shotguns.
Watch the Fall of the Republic (High Quality 2:24:19)[^] Sons Of Liberty - Free Album[^] The True Soapbox is the Truthbox[^]
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They can come and brutally slaughter me with their black ski-mask thugs with sawed off shotguns.
Watch the Fall of the Republic (High Quality 2:24:19)[^] Sons Of Liberty - Free Album[^] The True Soapbox is the Truthbox[^]
Oh, that mental image just cheered me up... Thanks :)
Proud to have finally moved to the A-Ark. Which one are you in?
Author of the Guardians Saga (Sci-Fi/Fantasy novels) -
I know that it forces everyone to buy insurance and raises taxes.
Watch the Fall of the Republic (High Quality 2:24:19)[^] Sons Of Liberty - Free Album[^] The True Soapbox is the Truthbox[^]
So Ian doesn't know anything because he hasn't read all 2700 pages and you know enough having read none of it? I hope your sphincter is more watertight than your logic, Captain Wet Pants. :laugh:
You measure democracy by the freedom it gives its dissidents, not the freedom it gives its assimilated conformists.
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They can come and brutally slaughter me with their black ski-mask thugs with sawed off shotguns.
Watch the Fall of the Republic (High Quality 2:24:19)[^] Sons Of Liberty - Free Album[^] The True Soapbox is the Truthbox[^]
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So Ian doesn't know anything because he hasn't read all 2700 pages and you know enough having read none of it? I hope your sphincter is more watertight than your logic, Captain Wet Pants. :laugh:
You measure democracy by the freedom it gives its dissidents, not the freedom it gives its assimilated conformists.
Tim Craig wrote:
Captain Wet Pants.
I almost spat my lunch out in stifling a laugh. :laugh:
That's called seagull management (or sometimes pigeon management)... Fly in, flap your arms and squawk a lot, crap all over everything and fly out again... by _Damian S_
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Tim Craig wrote:
Captain Wet Pants.
I almost spat my lunch out in stifling a laugh. :laugh:
That's called seagull management (or sometimes pigeon management)... Fly in, flap your arms and squawk a lot, crap all over everything and fly out again... by _Damian S_
I still think Pillowpants is funnier :)
Proud to have finally moved to the A-Ark. Which one are you in?
Author of the Guardians Saga (Sci-Fi/Fantasy novels) -
I still think Pillowpants is funnier :)
Proud to have finally moved to the A-Ark. Which one are you in?
Author of the Guardians Saga (Sci-Fi/Fantasy novels)Don't get me wrong, that one is too, but I wasn't expecting it. :laugh:
That's called seagull management (or sometimes pigeon management)... Fly in, flap your arms and squawk a lot, crap all over everything and fly out again... by _Damian S_
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They can come and brutally slaughter me with their black ski-mask thugs with sawed off shotguns.
Watch the Fall of the Republic (High Quality 2:24:19)[^] Sons Of Liberty - Free Album[^] The True Soapbox is the Truthbox[^]
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Ok, since this is the big topic lately... A semi-quick summary, particularly to those of you non-USians who may have gotten the wrong impression from all of the mindless rhetoric. (Paraphrased from: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20000846-503544.html[^]) * It is NOT government-run insurance. It adds more regulation to private insurers, but the so-called "public option" is NOT included. * Most people will NOT see a tax increase. The extra money not provided by medicare/medicaid changes will come from applying the medicare tax to investment income (Currently it only applies to normal income) for people making in excess of $200k/year ($250k for families), and starting in 2018, the high-end insurance plans will gain a significant tax... They're also adding a 10% tax on tanning salons, which seems kind of odd. * Premiums are supposed to be reduced... They're adding "exchanges" where small businesses and individuals can more easily purchase insurance... I guess it'll increase competition among insurers, by easing comparison. Note that these will be managed by each state, not centralized federally. This is the free market at work, folks. * Subsidies will be provided to people/families below 400% of the poverty level who do not have access to an employer's health plan and are not already eligible for Medicare/Medicaid. * Illegal immigrants will NOT be included in any of this. They won't even be allowed to buy insurance in the exchanges. * Insurance companies get more regulation... First and foremost, they won't be able to deny people for existing conditions. * Starting in 2014, everyone who doesn't have health insurance (With some exceptions for low-income families) will be subject to an annual fine. * This won't be putting us further into debt. It will actually REDUCE the deficit by ~$140 billion over the next decade.
Proud to have finally moved to the A-Ark. Which one are you in?
Author of the Guardians Saga (Sci-Fi/Fantasy novels)So it isn't a New World Order Top Secret Conspiracy to depopulate the planet, microchip those who remain, create a new caste of slaves and make the world a bit more suitable for our new alien overlords? Disappointing.
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Tim Craig wrote:
Captain Wet Pants.
I almost spat my lunch out in stifling a laugh. :laugh:
That's called seagull management (or sometimes pigeon management)... Fly in, flap your arms and squawk a lot, crap all over everything and fly out again... by _Damian S_
Sometimes I just can't resist swinging at the piñata. :rolleyes: [modified] Sweet talked Vanna into giving me a tilda. :cool:
You measure democracy by the freedom it gives its dissidents, not the freedom it gives its assimilated conformists.
modified on Tuesday, March 23, 2010 8:15 PM