h0lmes, please read this

[z31maniac]

Read this entire article, and then tell me why it's such a good idea.

http://money.cnn.com/2010/04/09/news/economy/healthcare_insurance_affordable.fortune/index.htm

[mrsleeve]

in before the

But but but, its 100% private and now the evil insurance companies must be punished for trying to make money, and before the they have 50 million new customers to pay in arguments

[LBJefferies]

As far as guaranteed issue goes, the penalties will prevent people from waiting till they get sick to buy insurance. Also, the subsidies offer incentive to purchase. As far as community rating goes, this article is the first I have heard about it. However, they even point out that it's different from the law in New York and that seniors WILL be paying more.

Some people claim that premiums will go up while others claim that they won't go up or will go down. It is simply too early to tell. I think this will be the determining factor on whether the bill and this new system are a success. Only time will tell.

[z31maniac]

That's why you need to do more research, the penalties for not buying insurance will be cheaper than buying insurance.

So pay the penalty til you're sick, then buy insurance, then drop it again after your well.

[LBJefferies]

That's why you need to do more research, the penalties for not buying insurance will be cheaper than buying insurance.

So pay the penalty til you're sick, then buy insurance, then drop it again after your well.

And that's the reason you're against the bill? If it doesn't work it can be changed. In fact I am SURE they will alter the penalties sooner or later. It's in the best interests of the health insurance companies if there are higher penalties.

This is what it comes down to. Insurance is still 100% private which means competition and the profit incentive will still be there. People can no longer be turned down for preexisting conditions and there is no more lifetime cap which are very good things. The mandate and associated penalties are designed so that people don't abuse the system, maybe they should change but they WILL do what they are designed to do. Tax subsidies, meaning lower taxes, will be offered for people making less than 88k a year which offer an incentive to purchase.

Like I said before, I think the real test will be to see how much costs/premiums change. No matter what anyone tells you, no one knows for sure whether they will go up or go down. You could say that with all the new people in the system, everybody else will have to pick up the tab for them. Or you could argue that these are paying customers so they are helping pay. You could also argue that those that choose to pay the penalty instead of buying insurance are actually helping because that is 600 some dollars a year going into the system that they can't use for anything whether it be medication or a doctors visit or whatever. There are simply too many variables and it is far too soon to tell.

I am not a big fan of this bill only because I think that premiums will likely go up. But, I think that can change and will change. What I don't understand is why sooooo many people are furious because of it. THis is not a government takeover of the health care industry. This isn't socialism. There is no single payer and there isn't even a public option. This is simply a few NECESSARY regulations and tax breaks. Please tell me what is so terrible about it?

[z31maniac]

Did you get nothing from the juxtaposition of more regulation vs less regulation and it's effect on pricing?

[LBJefferies]

Did you get nothing from the juxtaposition of more regulation vs less regulation and it's effect on pricing?

Regulation does not automatically mean higher prices. The mandate just handed the insurance companies almost 50 million new PAYING customers. Prices could go down for all you know. Like I said, no one knows for sure.

[Wiglaf]

Find one article that calls it "obamacare" that actually highlights the potential benefits instead of the potential flaws. CNN has been dissapointingly biased for years now.