Then why is there an interview with Pelosi with the direct question asked of her? The question of "do you think it is fair for people to have jail time for not getting insurance?" Of course she ducked it. And now you are saying it can't happen.
Democrats’ health care bill has mandates and penalties
By DAVE HELLING
The Kansas City Star
The House Democrats’ bill is called the Affordable Health Care for America Act, HR 3962. The information below was gathered from the bill’s text, an analysis by the Congressional Budget Office, an analysis by the non-partisan Kaiser Family Foundation, and reporting by The Associated Press. Links to those sources can be found at kansascity.com.
What’s the goal of the bill?
“To provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending, and for other purposes,” according to the text.
Would I have to have health insurance?
Yes, or pay a penalty of 2.5 percent of your income. Hardship and religious waivers would be available, and some very low-wage earners would be exempt. The requirement would begin in 2013.
People who don’t get insurance and don’t pay the penalty face fines and possibly jail time.
Would my employer have to provide it?
Yes, or pay a penalty of 8 percent of payroll. Companies with payrolls under $500,000 would be exempt. Companies would have to pay 72.5 percent of the cost of the premium for a single worker and 65 percent of premium costs for a family policy, and small companies could get tax credits to help pay their costs.
Could I keep my current insurance?
Probably, at least for a while. Your employer could always change your carrier, and it’s possible employers might decide it’s cheaper to pay the 8 percent penalty and drop coverage for workers, forcing you to buy coverage elsewhere.
It’s also possible your coverage won’t meet standards for a basic policy, and would have to be changed when the bill is fully implemented.
What if I don’t have a job and can’t afford insurance premiums?
Beginning in 2013 you could get subsidies, based on your income, to buy your own insurance. Subsidies would end at 400 percent of the federal poverty level, or $88,000 for a family of four.
What if I use Medicaid, the insurance program for the poor?
Medicaid eligibility would be expanded to include everyone earning less than 150 percent of the federal poverty level, or $33,075 for a family of four. States would have to pick up some of the additional costs beginning in 2015.
How would I find health insurance?
For those not insured at work, a national health exchange would be established beginning in 2013 where you could compare and buy coverage, using subsidies if you qualify. States could set up their own exchanges, which could be expanded beyond individuals and small businesses to include large businesses, too.
Could I get a government-run public policy in the exchange?
Yes, if you’re not covered at work. You would pay a premium, just like a private policy, and the government would negotiate with doctors and hospitals to establish payments for services.
Could my children get coverage under my policy?
Yes, until age 27.
Will insurers have to accept me, even with pre-existing medical conditions?
Yes, and premiums could not be increased based on illness or gender. The bill also establishes a temporary “high risk” pool, beginning next year, so individuals with uncovered pre-existing conditions now could get insurance and not have to wait for the exchange to start.
How much is this going to cost?
The CBO said it would cost $1.052 trillion over the first 10 years to expand insurance coverage. Because people who don’t buy insurance and businesses that don’t provide it would pay penalties, the budget office said the net cost would be $891 billion over 10 years.
Read more: http://www.kansascity.com/2009/11/07/1556149/democrats-health-care-bill-has.html#ixzz0kbbI13yE
the link is below. It is a liberal paper.
http://www.kansascity.com/2009/11/07/1556149/democrats-health-care-bill-has.html
Re: Hmmm........
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