The Health Care Bill and its Implications in Layman's Terms

[angel_luv]

I understand embarrassingly little about what is going on with the Health Care bill.

Will you guys bring me up to speed?

Thanks.

[coyotes_geek]

Basically the government's "solution" to healthcare being too expensive and dominated by those mean insurance companies is to give the government trillions of dollars so that they can force everyone to buy insurance from those same mean insurance companies.

[DarkReign]

Basically the government's "solution" to healthcare being too expensive and dominated by those mean insurance companies is to give the government trillions of dollars so that they can force everyone to buy insurance from those same mean insurance companies.

Wow...well frickin' done.

[angel_luv]

:lol thx

am currently reading this ...

http://www.businessweek.com/investor/content/mar2010/pi20100322_662113.htm

So it doesn't begin to take effect until 2014 and even then not for everyone?


The combined legislation would cover 19 million uninsured beginning in 2014, with a majority of uninsured covered by 2016 (30 million). The Congressional Budget Office has scored the bill to cost $940 billion.

[Stringer_Bell]

Implications according to Liberals: This bill is a good step toward comprehensive healthcare reform, with lower prices and coverage for all Americans.

Implications according to Conservatives: This bill will bankrupt the country and its people, with higher taxes for all and more strain on the medical system.

NOTE: When I say Liberal and Conservative, I am referring to the media definition of them which is defined as where they stand on the party line.

[ElNono]

:lol thx

am currently reading this ...

http://www.businessweek.com/investor/content/mar2010/pi20100322_662113.htm

So it doesn't begin to take effect until 2014 and even then not for everyone?

No, some things start to take effect immediately. For example, children cannot be denied coverage for pre-existing conditions as soon as this law is signed.

Some other things (like lifting coverage denial for adults with pre-existing conditions) kick in in 2014.

[boutons_deux]

Don't listen to the right wingnuts here. They spew nothing but lies.


There are lots of summaries around. Here's one:

March 21, 2010
For Consumers, Clarity on Health Care Changes
By TARA SIEGEL BERNARD

American consumers, who spent a year watching Congress scratch and claw over sweeping health care legislation, can now try to figure out what the overhaul would mean for them.

The uninsured are clearly the biggest beneficiaries of the legislation, which would extend the health care safety net for the lowest-income Americans.

The legislation is meant to provide coverage for as many as 32 million people who have been shut out of the market — whether because insurers deem them too sick or because they cannot afford ever-rising insurance premiums.

For people already covered by a large employer — most Americans, in other words — the effect would not be as significant. And yet, just about everyone might benefit from tighter insurance regulations.

“We think it’s a big step forward,” said Bill Vaughan, a policy analyst at Consumers Union. “It’s going to provide a peace of mind that many Americans who really want or need health insurance will always be able to get a quality product at a reasonable price regardless of their health or financial situation.”

There would be costs to consumers, too. Affluent families would be required to pay additional taxes. Most Americans would be required to have health insurance and face federal penalties if they do not buy it. And it is still unclear what effect, if any, the legislation would have on rising out-of-pocket medical costs and premiums.

But there is no question that the legislation should benefit consumers in various ways. Beginning in 2014, for example, many employers — those with 50 or more workers — could face federal fines for not providing insurance coverage. Several of the other changes would take effect much sooner.

Six months after the legislation is enacted, many plans would be prohibited from placing lifetime limits on medical coverage, and they could not cancel the policies of people who fall ill. Children with pre-existing conditions could not be denied coverage.

And dependent children up to age 26 would be eligible for coverage under their parents’ plans — instead of the current state-by-state rules that often cut off coverage for children at 18 or 19.

And within three months of the law’s taking effect, people who have been locked out of the insurance market because of a pre-existing condition would be eligible for subsidized coverage through a new high-risk insurance program.

That special coverage would continue until the legislation’s engine kicks into a higher gear in 2014, when coverage would be extended to a wider part of the population through Medicaid and new state-run insurance exchanges.

Those exchanges, or marketplaces, are meant to provide much more competitive, consumer-friendly online shopping centers of private insurance for people who are not able to obtain coverage through an employer.

In 2014, people with pre-existing conditions could no longer be denied insurance, all lifetime and annual limits on coverage would be eliminated and new policies would be required to meet higher benefit standards.

Even sooner, in 2013, affluent families with annual income above $250,000 would be required to pay an additional 3.8 percent tax on their investment income, while contributing more to the Medicare program from their payroll taxes. And eventually, the most expensive insurance policies would be subject to a new tax.

Here is a look at some of the main ways the health care overhaul might affect household budgets.

The Uninsured

Although most Americans who do not obtain health insurance would face a federal penalty starting in 2014, many experts question how strict the enforcement of that penalty would actually be.

The first year, consumers who did not have insurance would owe $95, or 1 percent of income, whichever is greater. But the penalty would subsequently rise, reaching $695, or 2 percent of income.

Families who fall below the income-tax filing thresholds would not owe anything. Nor would people who cannot find a policy that costs less than 8 percent of their income, said Sara R. Collins, a vice president at the Commonwealth Fund, an independent nonprofit research group.

EXPANDED MEDICAID More lower-income individuals under the age of 65 would be covered by Medicaid, the federal health insurance plan for the poor. Under the new rules, households with income up to 133 percent of the federal poverty level, or about $29,327 for a family of four, would be eligible.

EXCHANGES AND SUBSIDIES Most other uninsured people would be required to buy insurance through one of the new state-run insurance exchanges. People with incomes of more than 133 percent of the poverty level but less than 400 percent (that’s $29,327 to $88,200 for a family of four) would be eligible for premium subsidies through the exchanges.

Premiums would also be capped at a percentage of income, ranging from 3 percent of income to as much as 9.5 percent.

EMPLOYMENT FLEXIBILITY The exchanges would also help people who lose their jobs, quit or decide to start their own businesses.

“If you lose your employer-related insurance, you will be able to move seamlessly into the exchange,” said Timothy Stoltzfus Jost, a professor at the Washington and Lee University School of Law.

Moreover, people of any age who cannot find a plan that costs less than 8 percent of their income would be allowed to buy a catastrophic policy otherwise intended for people under age 30.

Those With Insurance

EMPLOYER COVERAGE People who receive coverage through large employers would be unlikely to see any drastic changes, nor should premiums or coverage be affected. But almost everyone would benefit from new regulations, like the ban on pre-existing conditions that would apply to all policies come 2014.

There might even be cases where people would be eligible to buy insurance through an exchange instead of through their employer, Professor Jost said: those who must pay more than 9.5 percent of their income for premiums, or those whose plans do not cover more than 60 percent of the cost their benefits.

CHANGES IN MEDICARE One of the biggest changes involves the Medicare prescription drug program. Its unpopular “doughnut hole” — a big, expensive gap in coverage that affects millions — would be eliminated by 2020. Starting immediately, consumers who hit the gap would receive a $250 rebate. In 2011, they would receive a 50 percent discount on brand name drugs.

HIGH-COST INSURANCE Starting in 2018, employers that offer workers pricier plans — or those with total premiums of $10,200 or more for singles and $27,500 for families — would be subject to a 40 percent tax on the excess premium, said C. Clinton Stretch, managing principal of tax policy at Deloitte. Retirees and workers in high-risk professions like firefighting would have higher thresholds ($11,850 for singles, or $30,950 for families), pegged to inflation.

Although the taxes would be levied on the insurer, experts expect the assessment to be passed on to the consumer in the form of higher premiums or reduced benefits.


http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/22/your-money/health-insurance/22consumer.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&pagewanted=print

[jack sommerset]

Lazy deadbeat fuckers get one more thing for free, if it holds up and the people who pay for their own shit pay for those who don't, again. This is not health care reform, this is health care take over.

[angel_luv]

Thank you Boutons, for the article.

[DarkReign]

And dependent children up to age 26 would be eligible for coverage under their parents’ plans — instead of the current state-by-state rules that often cut off coverage for children at 18 or 19.

Well, its good to know the author of this piece doesnt mind sending "children" to prison and war.

There is no such thing as an 18 year old "child" (barring retardation), much less a 26 year old "dependent".

[coyotes_geek]

And it is still unclear what effect, if any, the legislation would have on rising out-of-pocket medical costs and premiums.


Although the taxes would be levied on the insurer, experts expect the assessment to be passed on to the consumer in the form of higher premiums or reduced benefits.

[boutons_deux]

"what effect, if any, the legislation would have on rising out-of-pocket medical costs and premiums."

The only real solution to get the for-profit insurers out of the loop is a medicare-for-all public option.

Another way to reduce costs is to annul the Repugs' insane gift (and citizen screw job) to BigPharma that forbids govt from negotiating drug prices.

Govt has enormous buying power as single buyer for medicare/medicaid/VA/public option. Americans would no longer be screwed over with drugs priced much higher, over well over 2x higher, than the same drugs in other countries.

Forbid DTC, direct-to-consumer, prescription drug marketing. No more Ask You Doctor silliness. BigPharma spends $60B on marketing and $30B on research.

Another cost reduction would be the aggressive spread of generic drugs, including re-imporation (if no single-buyer is done), while making it illegal for BigPharma to buy up and shut up generic drug mfrs to keep generics from hurting BigPharma profits.

We can all be assured that costs will continue rising, aka, screwing the consumer by the "free market" unless the govt counters the screw jobbing by the for-profit health "care" industries.

[Stringer_Bell]

Well, its good to know the author of this piece doesnt mind sending "children" to prison and war.

There is no such thing as an 18 year old "child" (barring retardation), much less a 26 year old "dependent".

It's not hard to imagine a 22-26 year old just out of undergraduate or graduate study, that gets sick shortly after making use of their degree and unable to work. They lose "dependent" status when not not in school, so why wouldn't you want them to be under their parents plan? It's not like the government is saying "we'll pick up the tab, for your 26 y/o ass." It's just saying that the parents can take on the child/offspring/person and get them treated. If anything, those are the people you want working ASAP and get them treated as fast as possible. Otherwise families have to pay out of pocket, which can delay treatment and make things worse, in addition to hurting them financially.

Just my thoughts, but it's certainly plausible to be a 25-26 y/o dependent needing treatment for something.

[coyotes_geek]

The only real solution to get the for-profit insurers out of the loop is a medicare-for-all public option.

:lol

Yeah, because medicare is in such great shape.................


Another way to reduce costs is to annul the Repugs' insane gift (and citizen screw job) to BigPharma that forbids govt from negotiating drug prices.

The democrats had a chance to do just that in the bill they just passed, but they chose not to. Democrats support big pharma corporate welfare.


We can all be assured that costs will continue rising, aka, screwing the consumer by the "free market" unless the govt counters the screw jobbing by the for-profit health "care" industries.

Good thing the government doesn't ever look to screw anyone...........

[TeyshaBlue]

Another way to reduce costs is to annul the Repugs' insane gift (and citizen screw job) to BigPharma that forbids govt from negotiating drug prices.



Silly boutonski and his talking points. The govt agressively negotiates drug prices. It was Medicare, not the Govt. Idiot. If you had even a cursory idea of how contract pricing works via the published AWG, you probably would'nt post nonsense like this.
What am I saying...this is boutonski. There's nothing you won't post.:lmao

The VA receives the best pharma pricing in the country. Period.

Bush's kneejerk legislation, The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act, (notice the word "Medicare" btw), was a very poor move on many fronts and I won't dispute the that in anyway.

[boutons_deux]

"medicare is in such great shape"

You're True.

Polls show that Medicare patients are much happier than for-profit insurer patients, and that Americans over 65 actually have better health that other countries' 65+
populations.

" democrats had a chance to do just that in the bill"

You have to pick your battles, to make compromises. The Dems knew they couldn't steal all the health care industries' cheeses at once. That cheese reduction will come later.

[coyotes_geek]

"medicare is in such great shape"

You're True.

Polls show that Medicare patients are much happier than for-profit insurer patients, and that Americans over 65 actually have better health that other countries' 65+
populations.

Medicare has damn near $50 trillion of unfunded liabilities and was already on track to become insolvent by 2018. That was before the current healthcare bill cut half a trillion dollars from it. Medicare is a failure.



" democrats had a chance to do just that in the bill"

You have to pick your battles, to make compromises. The Dems knew they couldn't steal all the health care industries' cheeses at once. That cheese reduction will come later.

You're dreaming. Democrats are never going to attempt to dismantle the corporate welfare programs they fought so hard to protect.

[Spurminator]

Angel, this is a pretty good and concise summary. Beware, though, it's New York Times, so they neglect to mention Soilent Green.

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/03/21/us/health-care-reform.html/

[Winehole23]

You're dreaming. Democrats are never going to attempt to dismantle the corporate welfare programs they fought so hard to protect.To judge from the GOP's relentless demagoguing of Medicare cuts during this debate, neither will they.

[coyotes_geek]

To judge from the GOP's relentless demagoguing of Medicare cuts during this debate, neither will they.

No doubt. Neither party has much of an interest in curtailing corporate welfare.

[MiamiHeat]

Lazy deadbeat fuckers get one more thing for free, if it holds up and the people who pay for their own shit pay for those who don't, again. This is not health care reform, this is health care take over.

Because all poor people are "lazy deadbeats" ?

You need to educate yourself on the world.

[MiamiHeat]

Well, its good to know the author of this piece doesnt mind sending "children" to prison and war.

There is no such thing as an 18 year old "child" (barring retardation), much less a 26 year old "dependent".

with sky-rocketing university tuition's, rising cost of living, and shitty wages for college students with no experience, you better believe there are millions of 18-25 year olds struggling to pay for all of their expenses while going to college and keeping a job at the same time.

this is a big burden off of their shoulders. getting sick in USA is very expensive.

[Winehole23]

Access to coverage does not equal access to care.

[spursncowboys]

Most schools have affordable medical coverage.

[whottt]

People that don't want health insurance, don't need health insurance, are now forced to pay for it....basically because a huge segment of stupid 18-25 year olds, who need health insurance less than anyone, think it's some essential need.

The funny part is what's going to happen when they turn 27 and they figure it out.

[George Gervin's Afro]

People that don't want health insurance, don't need health insurance, are now forced to pay for it....basically because a huge segment of stupid 18-25 year olds, who need health insurance less than anyone, think it's some essential need.

The funny part is what's going to happen when they turn 27 and they figure it out.

they'll probably realize that they need to go out and get medical insurance.

[whottt]

they'll probably realize that they need to go out and get medical insurance.

I don't need medical insurance. Tell me, why do I need medical insurance?

[jack sommerset]

Because all poor people are "lazy deadbeats" ?

You need to educate yourself on the world.

Never said all poor people are lazy deadbeats. WTF? More freaken trolls.

[George Gervin's Afro]

I don't need medical insurance. Tell me, why do I need medical insurance?

Because I don't want to pay for your treatment like I do now when you drag your uninsured ass into the emergency room.

[jack sommerset]

I don't need medical insurance. Tell me, why do I need medical insurance?

He only knows it will be free. I don't think George owns anything. Car, house, computer, anything. Maybe he would appreciate life more if he had.

[George Gervin's Afro]

He only knows it will be free. I don't think George owns anything. Car, house, computer, anything. Maybe he would appreciate life more if he had.

Find me where the bill says that coverage will be free dummy.

[boutons_deux]

"why do I need medical insurance"

If you seriously ask the question, then you won't listen to, or understand, the answer. dumbfuck troll.

[jack sommerset]

Find me where the bill says that coverage will be free dummy.

Will they put you in jail when you still don't pay?

[TeyshaBlue]

"why do I need medical insurance"

If you seriously ask the question, then you won't listen to, or understand, the answer. dumbfuck troll.



Another way to reduce costs is to annul the Repugs' insane gift (and citizen screw job) to BigPharma that forbids govt from negotiating drug prices.


Irony. You're soaking in it. :lmao :lmao :lmao

[jack sommerset]

"why do I need medical insurance"

If you seriously ask the question, then you won't listen to, or understand, the answer. dumbfuck troll.

A troll calling someone esle a troll. Sweet jesus. Where is the humanity?

[whottt]

Because I don't want to pay for your treatment like I do now when you drag your uninsured ass into the emergency room.

Awesome, you've guaranteed yourself not having to pay for it now, haven't you?

PS: I won't have to pay a dime for health insurance. But since you are nice enough to provide it for me, you can be sure of one thing, I am going to use it.

Every
Chance
I
Get


That I might have needed emegency health care is a maybe. That people that don't need it are going to pay for it is a certainty, that people that don't need to use it and haven't used it before are now going to, is also a certainty.

[whottt]

"why do I need medical insurance"

If you seriously ask the question, then you won't listen to, or understand, the answer. dumbfuck troll.

Who in the hell are you to tell me what I need? Maybe I'll need it and maybe I won't.

You are an abject liar to claim you know for a fact I need insurance, will need insurance. Medical care, of any kind much less emergency or catastrophic.

You are a liar.

[boutons_deux]

Health care reform, Just the Facts: Immediate changes, others that will happen over time


Posted By devonawalker On March 22, 2010 @ 10:21 am In Uncategorized | No Comments

It’s all done now, except for the Tuesday morning quarterbacking and the spin. But here is a pretty comprehenisve list of what you can expect immediately after the passage of health care reform as well as some other notable changes that will occur over time.

Changes happening immediately:

1. Adult children may remain as dependents on their parents’ policy until their 27th birthday

2. Children under age 19 may not be excluded for pre-existing conditions

3. No more lifetime or annual caps on coverage

4. Free preventative care for all

5. Adults with pre-existing conditions may buy into a national high-risk pool until the exchanges come online. These pools won’t be cheap, but they are still a lot better than being excluded. And there is expected to be some advantage due to the wider pool of the uninsured.

6. Small businesses will be entitled to a tax credit for 2009 and 2010, which could be as much as 50 percent of what they pay for their employees’ health insurance.

7. The “doughnut hole” closes for Medicare patients, making prescription medications more affordable for seniors. The government would offer a $250 rebate to Medicare beneficiaries to help pay their prescription drug costs when they hit the “doughnut hole.” Next year, Medicare beneficiaries would see a 50 percent discount on brand-name drugs to further close that gap.

8. All insurers will be required to post balance sheets on the Internet and fully disclose administrative costs, executive compensation packages, and benefit payments.

9. Authorizes early funding of community health centers in all 50 states (Bernie Sanders’ amendment). Community health centers provide primary, dental and vision services to people in the community, based on a sliding scale for payment according to ability to pay.

10. No more rescissions. Effective immediately, you can’t lose your insurance because you get sick.

11. Effective immediately would be a 10 percent tax on tanning salon services, which opponents say would lead to higher costs for indoor bronzing.

The following changes will occur over time. I have included the date of all implemented changes.

1. By 2014, all Americans must have health care coverage or pay a fine. Subsidies would be offered to help those making less than $44,000 or $88,000 for a family of four, afford insurance. Fines would be $95 in 2014, gradually rising to $695 by 2016, or up to 2.5 percent of income.

2. The most notable tax increase will occur in 2013, on individuals making more than $200,000, or $250,000 for couples. Taxes would be 0.9 percent on earned income above those amounts, and 2.9 percent on investment income (dividends, rents, royalties, etc.)

3. By 2014, no adults can be denied insurance due to pre-existing conditions.

4. Companies with more than 50 workers would be required, by Jan. 1, 2014, to provide health care for their employees or face a penalty of $2,000 per worker (exempting the first 30 workers.) Up to $40 billion in tax credits would be offered to help companies buy insurance for their workers.

5. For individuals: Beginning Jan. 1, 2014, those making less than $44,000 annually, or $88,000 for a family of four, would be offered subsidies to buy health care. The subsidies would be on a sliding scale up to 9.5 percent of income.

6. For small businesses: Beginning this year, companies would be offered tax credits of up to 35 percent of health premiums to buy insurance for their workers. Tax credits would rise up to 50 percent by 2014. Those businesses with fewer than 10 workers would receive a full credit to cover costs.

7. New taxes would be imposed, on Jan. 1, 2018, on high-value health insurance plans held by individuals — the so-called “Cadillac plans” often offered to union workers or executives. The tax would be 40 percent on the value of individual plans above $10,200 and family plans above $27,500 (slightly higher, at $11,850 and $30,950, for retirees or workers in high-risk professions.) Excludes dental and vision plans.

8. Pharmaceutical companies would face a $4.8 billion fee beginning in 2011; medical device manufacturers would be hit with a 2.9 percent fee in 2013; and insurance companies would begin to see a nearly $70 billion fee in 2014.

9. Government payments to the Medicare Advantage program would be frozen in 2011 and decline in subsequent years.
10. By Jan. 1, 2014, most states would establish new health care exchanges, where those without job-based insurance could purchase policies, much the way members of Congress now buy insurance from an array of suppliers.


URL to article: http://blogs.alternet.org/speakeasy/2010/03/22/just-the-facts-immediate-changes-others-that-will-happen-over-time/

[George Gervin's Afro]

Will they put you in jail when you still don't pay?

so it's not free.. :rolleyes

[whottt]

Health care reform, Just the Facts: Immediate changes, others that will happen over time


Posted By devonawalker On March 22, 2010 @ 10:21 am In Uncategorized | No Comments

It’s all done now, except for the Tuesday morning quarterbacking and the spin. But here is a pretty comprehenisve list of what you can expect immediately after the passage of health care reform as well as some other notable changes that will occur over time.

Changes happening immediately:

1. Adult children may remain as dependents on their parents’ policy until their 27th birthday

2. Children under age 19 may not be excluded for pre-existing conditions

3. No more lifetime or annual caps on coverage

4. Free preventative care for all

5. Adults with pre-existing conditions may buy into a national high-risk pool until the exchanges come online. These pools won’t be cheap, but they are still a lot better than being excluded. And there is expected to be some advantage due to the wider pool of the uninsured.

6. Small businesses will be entitled to a tax credit for 2009 and 2010, which could be as much as 50 percent of what they pay for their employees’ health insurance.

7. The “doughnut hole” closes for Medicare patients, making prescription medications more affordable for seniors. The government would offer a $250 rebate to Medicare beneficiaries to help pay their prescription drug costs when they hit the “doughnut hole.” Next year, Medicare beneficiaries would see a 50 percent discount on brand-name drugs to further close that gap.

8. All insurers will be required to post balance sheets on the Internet and fully disclose administrative costs, executive compensation packages, and benefit payments.

9. Authorizes early funding of community health centers in all 50 states (Bernie Sanders’ amendment). Community health centers provide primary, dental and vision services to people in the community, based on a sliding scale for payment according to ability to pay.

10. No more rescissions. Effective immediately, you can’t lose your insurance because you get sick.

11. Effective immediately would be a 10 percent tax on tanning salon services, which opponents say would lead to higher costs for indoor bronzing.

The following changes will occur over time. I have included the date of all implemented changes.

1. By 2014, all Americans must have health care coverage or pay a fine. Subsidies would be offered to help those making less than $44,000 or $88,000 for a family of four, afford insurance. Fines would be $95 in 2014, gradually rising to $695 by 2016, or up to 2.5 percent of income.

2. The most notable tax increase will occur in 2013, on individuals making more than $200,000, or $250,000 for couples. Taxes would be 0.9 percent on earned income above those amounts, and 2.9 percent on investment income (dividends, rents, royalties, etc.)

3. By 2014, no adults can be denied insurance due to pre-existing conditions.

4. Companies with more than 50 workers would be required, by Jan. 1, 2014, to provide health care for their employees or face a penalty of $2,000 per worker (exempting the first 30 workers.) Up to $40 billion in tax credits would be offered to help companies buy insurance for their workers.

5. For individuals: Beginning Jan. 1, 2014, those making less than $44,000 annually, or $88,000 for a family of four, would be offered subsidies to buy health care. The subsidies would be on a sliding scale up to 9.5 percent of income.

6. For small businesses: Beginning this year, companies would be offered tax credits of up to 35 percent of health premiums to buy insurance for their workers. Tax credits would rise up to 50 percent by 2014. Those businesses with fewer than 10 workers would receive a full credit to cover costs.

7. New taxes would be imposed, on Jan. 1, 2018, on high-value health insurance plans held by individuals — the so-called “Cadillac plans” often offered to union workers or executives. The tax would be 40 percent on the value of individual plans above $10,200 and family plans above $27,500 (slightly higher, at $11,850 and $30,950, for retirees or workers in high-risk professions.) Excludes dental and vision plans.

8. Pharmaceutical companies would face a $4.8 billion fee beginning in 2011; medical device manufacturers would be hit with a 2.9 percent fee in 2013; and insurance companies would begin to see a nearly $70 billion fee in 2014.

9. Government payments to the Medicare Advantage program would be frozen in 2011 and decline in subsequent years.
10. By Jan. 1, 2014, most states would establish new health care exchanges, where those without job-based insurance could purchase policies, much the way members of Congress now buy insurance from an array of suppliers.


URL to article: http://blogs.alternet.org/speakeasy/2010/03/22/just-the-facts-immediate-changes-others-that-will-happen-over-time/

Why not just say the government took over the health care industry?

[jack sommerset]

so it's not free.. :rolleyes

Please, stop it. Just stop it. It's free for LOTS of americans. Don't think for one second, that all of a sudden 32 million people are going to start paying for this. Just knock it off. You are being stupid.

[Wild Cobra]

:lol thx

am currently reading this ...

http://www.businessweek.com/investor/content/mar2010/pi20100322_662113.htm

So it doesn't begin to take effect until 2014 and even then not for everyone?
And the cost is based on ten years of increased taxes and fees to support six years of benefits.

[jack sommerset]

And the cost is based on ten years of increased taxes and fees to support six years of benefits.

You mean to tell me it takes 10 years of taxes/fees to pay for 6 years of benefits. How is that possible?

[Yonivore]

You mean to tell me it takes 10 years of taxes/fees to pay for 6 years of benefits. How is that possible?
All they'll do is collect taxes for the first four years -- starting at 7:15 A.M. Central Time, tomorrow. No benefits until 2014. That lady he was weeping over last weekend because she was receiving free and aggressive cancer treatment without the benefit of an expensive government program -- still wouldn't have the benefit of that government program until 2014. However, she'll be fined a $1,000 bucks a year -- starting tomorrow and garnished from her wages -- if she doesn't buy an insurance policy the likes of which she was forced to drop last year so she wouldn't lose her house.

That's how it's possible.

[Spurminator]

However, she'll be fined a $1,000 bucks a year -- starting tomorrow

Penalties for the uninsured do not begin until 2014.

[Yonivore]

Penalties for the uninsured do not begin until 2014.
My bad.

[jacobdrj]

I wish we had doctors listing all their prices. This something sorely missing from this bill.

But my favorite part of the legislation that did pass that someone will have to list prices somewhere: The buck stops with he insurance companies on some aspects of cost reporting: They are required to list their balance sheets publicly.

However, if we have learned anything from the Sarbanes Oxley act is that this will kill any small insurance companies. By requiring a small business to put so much resources in corporate reporting will inhibit entry of new insurance companies into the market. Not as big of a deal as the actual Sarbanes Oxley act on smaller corporations, but still, it is something to note.

Not the biggest deal, but certainly a valid criticism.

[MiamiHeat]

wait


4. Free preventative care for all


what the fuck does this mean?

[LakasRool4eva]

its about time healthcare is free!!!!!!!!!!!! we should not half to pay for this stuff.........

[SnakeBoy]

1. By 2014, all Americans must have health care coverage or pay a fine. Subsidies would be offered to help those making less than $44,000 or $88,000 for a family of four, afford insurance. Fines would be $95 in 2014, gradually rising to $695 by 2016, or up to 2.5 percent of income.

Hmmm, median household income is ~50k. This should do wonders for our deficit.

[SnakeBoy]

Oh wait, this plan will be deficit neutral because...


7. New taxes would be imposed, on Jan. 1, 2018, on high-value health insurance plans held by individuals — the so-called “Cadillac plans” often offered to union workers or executives. The tax would be 40 percent on the value of individual plans above $10,200 and family plans above $27,500 (slightly higher, at $11,850 and $30,950, for retirees or workers in high-risk professions.) Excludes dental and vision plans.

[FuzzyLumpkins]

I wish we had doctors listing all their prices. This something sorely missing from this bill.

But my favorite part of the legislation that did pass that someone will have to list prices somewhere: The buck stops with he insurance companies on some aspects of cost reporting: They are required to list their balance sheets publicly.

However, if we have learned anything from the Sarbanes Oxley act is that this will kill any small insurance companies. By requiring a small business to put so much resources in corporate reporting will inhibit entry of new insurance companies into the market. Not as big of a deal as the actual Sarbanes Oxley act on smaller corporations, but still, it is something to note.

Not the biggest deal, but certainly a valid criticism.

I have several friends who work in the nursing profession who have no idea what the products and services that they render cost. So if you ask your nurse how much something costs they do not know. My friends also say they do not know of anyone they could ask to find out the price if they had to.

That is pretty damn sad.

[Nbadan]

So much misinformation from the chicken-little GOP, so little time...

HOW THE HEALTHCARE BILL WILL IMPACT YOU, YOUR FAMILY & YOUR BUSINESS


Insurance companies will be prohibited from dropping people’s coverage when they become ill.


Starting immediately, children can no longer be denied insurance because of pre-existing conditions.


Adults with pre-existing conditions will be able to obtain coverage through a temporary program that will expire after new insurance exchanges go into operation in 2014.


Parents may keep adult children on their policies until age 26, extending coverage for college students and young people seeking work or without coverage through employers.


Insurance companies will be banned from capping lifetime benefits and restricted on limiting annual coverage.


Health insurers must report annually on the percentage of premiums spent on healthcare and provide rebates for excessive medical loss ratios.


All new healthcare plans must cover preventive services.


Some small business can receive a tax credit to help provide coverage for workers.


A temporary program will also help companies keep health coverage for early retirees (ages 55-64) through 2014.


Medicare drug beneficiaries may receive a $250 rebate. Long-term, the bill will close the Medicare “doughnut hole” gap for prescription drug coverage.


Exclude certain Indian tribal health benefits from gross income; the provision is effective for benefits and coverage after the bill’s enactment date.


Require the nonprofit Blue Cross/Blue Shield to have a medical loss ratio of 85% or higher to take advantage of certain federal tax benefits. The measure appears aimed at preventing gouging of consumers with soaring premium hikes.


Expand low-interest student loan programs, scholarships and loan repayments for health students and healthcare professionals to increase the workforce to meet patients’ healthcare needs.


Extends Medicare payment protections for small rural hospitals, including hospital outpatient services, lab services, and facilities that have a low‐volume of Medicare patients, but play important roles in communities.


Provide funds to build or expand community health centers and to fund scholarships and loan repayments to encourage more primary care physicians in under-served regions.


Require providers to implement enhanced screenings to crack down on fraud and waste.


Establish a website where consumers and small businesses in any state can find information on affordable health insurance coverage options, as well as information on small business tax credits and reinsurance for early retirees.


Expand public health programs and public health policies.


Set up a nonprofit institute to compare effectiveness of health treatments and outcomes.


Tanning parlors will be taxed 10% starting July 1st.


Expand adoption credits and assistance.


Encourage investment in new therapies to prevent, diagnose, and treat acute and chronic disease.

SECOND YEAR (2011)


Bonus payments of 10% will be paid to Medicare primary care physicians and general surgeons.
Medicare patients will be allowed a free annual wellness visit and personalized prevention plan service.


Requires coverage of stop-smoking programs for pregnant women.


New health plans will be required to cover preventive services free or at low cost.


Pharmaceutical companies with sales over $5 million a year must pay an annual fee based on market share.


Expands primary care, nursing and public health workforce through changes in the Medicare Graduate Medical Education program.


Creates a simple “cafeteria plan” for small businesses to provide tax-free benefits to employees, easing the administrative burden on small busienses.


Provides grants for states to set up systems to respond to consumer complaints about health insurance.


Starting in October, a new program for the poor under Medicaid will allow states to offer in-home and community-based care for the disabled who might otherwise need to be institutionalized.


Payments to insurers offering premium Medicare Advantage services will be frozen at 2010 levels, then gradually reduced to bring them more in line with traditional Medicare.

Employers must disclose the value of health benefits to employees on their W-2 tax forms.

THIRD YEAR (2012)


Medicare payments to physicians will be reformed to enhance primary care services and encourage doctors to form “accountable care organizations” designed to improve care.


Acute care hospitals will have incentives to improve quality of outcomes for Medicare patients


Hospitals will be provided financial incentives to reduce preventable readmissions.

FOURTH YEAR (2013)


A national pilot program for Medicare will encourage doctors, hospitals and other providers to improve coordination of patient care


The threshold to claim medical expenses on federal income tax returns will rise from 7.5 to 10 percent of income, but will remain at 7.5 percent for senior citizens through 2016.


Medicare payroll tax will rise to 2.35 percent from 1.45 percent for individuals who earn over $200,000 and married couples earning over $250,000.


Sale of medical devices will be subject to a 2.9 percent excise tax, however devices sold at retail to the public will be excluded from the tax.

FIFTH YEAR (2014)


State health insurance exchanges will open for individuals and small businesses to obtain health coverage. People will be able to comparison shop for standardized health packages. The measure aims to assure that people of all incomes can obtain affordable care.


Medicaid eligibility will be expanded to include non-elderly people within 133% of the poverty level. States will receive increased federal funding to cover these individuals.



Most Americans will be required to buy health insurance coverage or pay a fine. However people earning up to 400 percent of the poverty rate ($88,000 at present) can receive healthcare tax credits to assist them. Penalties for not having insurance will be $95 for 2014, $325 for 2015, $695 in 2016 (or up to 2.5% of income in 2016). Families will pay half the amount for children, with a maximum cap of $2,250 per family. Individuals will not be penalized if affordable coverage is not available.



Health insurance plans will be prohibited from excluding people with pre-existing conditions.
Employers with 50 or more workers who do not offer coverage may be fined $2,000 for each employee who receives subsidized insurance on the exchange. The first 30 employees aren't counted for the fine, however.


Free choice vouchers may be obtained by workers who qualify for an affordability exemption to the individual responsibility policy, but do not qualify for tax credits. Those workers could then take their employer contribution and join an exchange plan.


Health insurance companies with net premiums over $25 million will be required to pay a fee based on their market share.


Ban insurers from dropping people who participate in clinical trials for cancer or other life-threatening diseases.


Ban health insurers from imposing annual limits on coverage amounts that an individual may receive.


Prohibit insurers from excluding coverage for pre-existing conditions.


Prohibit insurers from discriminating or charging higher rates based on gender, health status, or most other factors.


Insurers could vary premiums ONLY based on tobacco use, geography, family size, or age. Seniors could be charged no more than triple the amount of younger consumers.


SIXTH YEAR (2015)


Medicare will reward physicians with payments that recognize quality of care instead of volume of services.


NINTH YEAR (2018)
High-cost employer-provided plans will be assessed an excise tax. However the first $27,500 of a family plan and $10,200 of individual coverage will be exempted. Retirees and people in high-risk professions will have higher levels set.


KEY CHANGES IN HOUSE BILL VS. SENATE VERSION


The Senate must still vote on whether to accept amendments made in the House (and listed above). The package of amendments now goes to the Senate under special reconciliation rules, meaning it is protected against a Filibuster. However the possibility remains that the Senate could fail to approve some amendments.


The House version offered the most generous help to low-income people to purchase health insurance (up to 400% of the federal poverty level). The House bill would also close the “doughnut hole” gap in Medicare prescription drug coverage. Democrats in the House also delayed the Senate’s plan to impose a 40% excise tax on the most comprehensive employer-provided policies from 2013 to 2018, arguing that the tax would hurt middle-class families. The House plan aims to cover additional costs instead by increasing Medicare taxes on high-income individuals and by imposing a 3.8% Medicare tax on investment income for high-income families. The House also increased fines for large employers who fail to provide coverage and would require people who don’t purchase insurance to pay at least $695 a year or up to 2.5% of their income.


While critics have argued that the bill would increase federal spending, the nonpartisan U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) has concluded that the healthcare reform measures will actually reduce the federal deficit substantially.


The Senate and House bills combined would reduce the federal budget deficit by $153 billion over the next decade. The House version alone would lower the deficit by $138 billion.



The measure will not provide coverage for abortion. President Barack Obama pledged to issue a signing statement clarifying that no federal funds will be used for abortion services as part of a last-minute deal to secure votes for passage from anti-choice Democratic legislators.The final House vote was 219-212, with all Republicans voting "no" and 32 Democrats also opposed.

Link (http://eastcountymagazine.org/node/2970)

[TeyshaBlue]

I have several friends who work in the nursing profession who have no idea what the products and services that they render cost. So if you ask your nurse how much something costs they do not know. My friends also say they do not know of anyone they could ask to find out the price if they had to.

That is pretty damn sad.

It is indeed. The deliberate and fortified opacity serves to completely divorce the consumer from the product. The single, shining failure in this bill is that it does nothing, zero, nada to peel back the curtain.

Your nurses couldn't conceivably know the cost of the meds unless they can navigate the byzantine construct of GPO contracts and even then, it's difficult to reckon the rebates to the contract itself.

[boutons_deux]

http://money.cnn.com/2010/03/22/news/economy/medicare_tax_increase/index.htm

[EmptyMan]

It means show up earlier to wait in line and hope your 5-month away MRI appointment isn't needed to save your life next week.

Not this bill, but this is yet another stepping stone to the end game.

[Marcus Bryant]

I have several friends who work in the nursing profession who have no idea what the products and services that they render cost. So if you ask your nurse how much something costs they do not know. My friends also say they do not know of anyone they could ask to find out the price if they had to.

That is pretty damn sad.

Not surprising given that 3rd party payers are the true customer in medical care. Instead of ending that disconnect for routine care, this "reform" doubles down on the existing flawed system.

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Not surprising given that 3rd party payers are the true customer in medical care. Instead of ending that disconnect for routine care, this "reform" doubles down on the existing flawed system.

It has nothing to do with pricing availability. You sure do like chasing at ghosts.

[Marcus Bryant]

It has everything to do with that. In what other industries is the cost to produce a product or service not known?

You seem to enjoy missing the obvious.

[FuzzyLumpkins]

It has everything to do with that. In what other industries is the cost to produce a product or service not known?

You seem to enjoy missing the obvious.

The bill doesn't change the context in which prices are available. IE after your home and the accounting department at the hospital does its tally.

Its not missing the obvious its just pointing out you bitching about something the bill does nothing to change one way or another. Its just more generalizations about 'beauracracy and regulation' without providing anything remotely resembling a mechanism for which it happens.

[word]

Basically the government's "solution" to healthcare being too expensive and dominated by those mean insurance companies is to give the government trillions of dollars so that they can force everyone to buy insurance from those same mean insurance companies.

Who, along with the pharmaceutical companies, wrote the health care bill.

[SAGambler]

"what effect, if any, the legislation would have on rising out-of-pocket medical costs and premiums."

The only real solution to get the for-profit insurers out of the loop is a medicare-for-all public option.

Another way to reduce costs is to annul the Repugs' insane gift (and citizen screw job) to BigPharma that forbids govt from negotiating drug prices.

Govt has enormous buying power as single buyer for medicare/medicaid/VA/public option. Americans would no longer be screwed over with drugs priced much higher, over well over 2x higher, than the same drugs in other countries.

Forbid DTC, direct-to-consumer, prescription drug marketing. No more Ask You Doctor silliness. BigPharma spends $60B on marketing and $30B on research.

Another cost reduction would be the aggressive spread of generic drugs, including re-imporation (if no single-buyer is done), while making it illegal for BigPharma to buy up and shut up generic drug mfrs to keep generics from hurting BigPharma profits.

We can all be assured that costs will continue rising, aka, screwing the consumer by the "free market" unless the govt counters the screw jobbing by the for-profit health "care" industries.

So now we are going to get the "for profit" companies out of the business. So how many more will this brilliant idea put in the unemployment line?

I'm guessing if you work, you expect a paycheck at the end of the week. If we put every "for profit" business out of business, I wish you luck on living on NO PAYCHECK at the end of the week. Or maybe Obama will send you one. Reckon?

Obama should have taken in consideration the theory that "shit always runs downhill".

[SAGambler]

Health insurers must report annually on the percentage of premiums spent on healthcare and provide rebates for excessive medical loss ratios.

As I understand it, insurers NOW must set aside 65% of premiums to pay claims. They must operate on the remaining 35%.

Now I understand this bill forces them to set aside 85% of premiums to pay claims. And operate on 15%.

And you don't think premiums will either GO WAY THE HELL UP, or the insurers will close their doors?

[boutons_deux]

"going to get the "for profit" companies out of the business"

With a medicare-for-all/strong public option, the for-profit companies will shrink and their role will change to offering top-up/HSA/FLEX/gold-plated type of insurance for costs not covered by the public option. Most all other countries with national health insurance have thriving, competitive for-profit insurers. See NPR's "Sick Around The World" to learn how fucked up USA is compared to other countries.

What's wrong with putting 10 of 1000s of for-profit paper pushers/hatchet men out of jobs? Conservatives and stock holders love it when Execs lay off 20K (IBM laid over 100K in the 80s/90s) employees so the Execs get $Ms in bonuses for "cost reduction" (job destruction).