Well, lets talk today about the Obamacare. A lot has being said this past week about it. We know its controversial. We know the supreme courts said it was constitutional. We know the majority of the Republicans dont like it. Let me give you my five cents on it.
I had the opportunity to read it and I can tell you its complicated. Maybe, that its the first problem about with this law. Why couldnt they make something simpler. I'm sure because its long and complicated, people dont take the time to read it and the goverment officials have done such a terrible job explaining it, it not popular and people are just afraid of it. After all is something new and unknown.
For decades, everybody has being talking about the need for healthcare reform. Well, now we got it. Almost 60% of americans are insure through work. Now, if you get fired or change jobs, the biggest concern is lapse on coverage and premiums. With the new law, that will not be a concern anymore. Cobra used to be so expensive that honestly, I dont know why it was offered. This new law will give the opportinuty to have some type of healthcare coverage to nearly 32 million americans Now, we need to find out how economical these policies are going to be. Will it be based on how much the individual makes? I know as a fact that your age, if you are a smokers are among some of the factors, it will detairman how much you will pay. Young people will have higher premiums. Be carefull Mr. President, the young people voted for you in big numbers. People with health problems will not be deny any more health insurance. Insurance companies will not be able to inquire about pre existing conditions. Children will now be able to stay on their parents policies until age 26.
Companies with more than 50 employees will have to be able to provide all their employees with health insurance or they will be fine. The fine will be $2000 per employee that will have to be subsidized through an exchange. So, I have a question? If I find myself being able to purchase insurance through the exchange and its more economicall than the one my employer is offerning me, can I refused the one at work? If that happenes my employer will be fined $2000 because of my decision. Interesting...Be careful here. Companies might not want to hire people from low income households. Small companies with less than 25 workers, will get a tax credit of up to 35% to offset the cost of the insurance. If you are a small company, a self employed person or a unemployed person, you will be able to buy insurance in your own state through what is call a health insurance exchange. This will be a virtual marketplace where people or businesses can compare benefits, prices and can purchase it. If you dont have the means to afford a policy, you could apply for medicaid. The problem is that depending on the state you live, thats how your benefits will be. A few states are not willing to expand the medicaid. I'm sure medicaid claims will increase and the majority of the people that are uninsure, will file for it. If you dont qualify for medicaid, you will receive a tax credit
The problem I see with this new law are the mandates and penalties. Government will basically be forcing you to get medical insurance. Why should people be force? Just put the options out there and let people decide, if they want it or not. People that dont get the insurance, will be penalized when they do their income taxes for not doing so. I'm sure that, you will find some people not doing their taxes to avoid the penalty. Believe it or not, there is a lot of people out there that does not file their taxes. So, those people will get out of it. There should not be a mandate. Dont regulate this so much and the law will be more popular.
The other problem is, how we are going to pay for it. There is a lot of back and forth on this. The reality is, we are still not sure. Its being statimated that the Obamacare will add trillions to the deficit. Can we afford that? Part of the money will come from people that make more than $250000 a year. As long as we dont get broke or increase taxes, I dont see a problem with it.
Something I really dont like, is that doctors will be compensated for trying to control the expending. They are looking at doctors as gate keepers. So, doctors that dont send people for a lot of extra medical investigations such as scans, tests, specialists, etc will be conpensated. That reminds me of the HMO plans. I'm sure a lot of doctors out there that are not that honest, will try to make some additional money by not giving their patients a referal.
I dont think Obamacare should be repeal. It should be modify. This is big progress and finally someone has the corage to do something about it. Lets dont take a step back. Lets take a step forward. The law is not perfect but at least is something. Republicans will get more support, if instead of trying to repeal the law, will come out with a plan to improve it and make more financial sound.
Thing to remember:
1- More people will be able to have insurance.
2- No more pre-existing conditions
3- Children can be in their parents plans up to age 26.
Things to forget:
1- Its a mandate
2- There are penalties for not doing so.
3- Will cost too much money.
