Reading and listening to conservative talking points here and elsewhere, I’ve become troubled that too many Americans are being led to believe they are going to be paying the healthcare law tax or penalty. I’ve seen the tax or penalty described as the largest tax increase on the poor and middle class. I say tax or penalty only because I think Gov Romney or his camp were calling it a penalty the other day because of the similar plan implemented in Massachusetts under his leadership. Not sure what they are saying today. But which terminology we use isn’t exactly a big deal to me. “Tax” is not a bad word to me so I’m personally fine calling it a “tax” if for the sake of this discussion that’s what Chief Justice Roberts would like us to call it.
Here’s the thing though. And I am fully aware trying to argue this on a conservative political forum such as this one at CAF is fruitless.
But here goes.
If you’re poor enough to be blessed to have coverage under Medicaid, you’ll have coverage.
If you’re middle class and fortunate to have coverage through an employer or you choose to keep what coverage you already have, or you qualify for Medicare, you’ll have coverage. The latter of course assuming the Ryan budget plan never gets implemented and Medicare as we know it is not ended.
If you choose to participate in the exchanges, you’ll have coverage. And better yet for those who do choose one of 4 tiers of coverage through an exchange, subsides to help pay for their health care coverage will be available for those making between 133 to 400 percent of the poverty level, an income of $92,000 for a family of four. Naturally of course the poorer and older a person is, the greater the subsidy. That only makes sense and is fair.
And if you unfortunately live in a state as I do whose Tea Party Republican governor since the court ruling is going around saying his state won’t implement the exchanges, fortunately the federal government will put one in place for residents of those states. I personally thank God and President Obama and those who supported and voted for the healthcare law for that. But mostly I thank God for leading those govermnent leaders to do something about health care in this country. If left to the states, not everyone can afford to move to one where a state exchange is offered.
The only person paying the tax ruled constitutional under the United States Constitution by the Supreme Court of the United States is the person who chooses to still after all of that, not to have health care coverage. It’s their choice.
Here’s a link that might help.
healthcare.gov/index.html
And here’s a source about the exchanges and subsidies.
cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-57466008-503544/a-post-supreme-court-guide-to-the-health-care-law/
Peace everyone. God bless!