US Supreme Court Upholds Obamacare Health Mandate

[Deerthug]

After following and reading the various opinions on the pros and cons of the healthcare mandate, I agree with certain parts and disagree with other parts.

I agree with:

1. The no exclusion for pre-existing conditions;

2. Keeping children on your plan until age of 26;

3. Striking down of the expansion of Medicaid to cover lower income Americans.

I do not agree with the penalty to employers or families who do not purchase insurance. This is just another tax that we don't need.

Romney is already spouting that if elected he will repeal the mandate on day one of office. Promises . . . Promises . . .

What do you all think?

[virgil]

Romney is already spouting that if elected he will repeal the mandate on day one of office. Promises . . . Promises . . .

What do you all think?

I think that Romney will promise to do whatever it takes to get elected- even if it means promising to repeal a plan that he came up with in the first place.

[Elmo]

I certainly don't want anything forced on me but if I have to choose the lesser of two evils, I rather force a more a proactive approach to health care than a reactive approach. In other words, focus more on a healthier style of living to prevent diseases such as diabetes instead of focusing on how to deal with people once they get it.

I hardly ever see the doctor but I exercise regularly and I mind what I eat. I would love the smoke that cigarette just like anyone else. I love an extra piece of cake just like anyone else. I love sitting on an air conditioned bus instead of walking up the hill. But I quit smoking, moderate my junk food intake, and walk up that hill so that I don't have to see the doctor that often so why should I be paying for those who wants to those vices? Seriously, you mean they get to enjoy all those vices and have someone else pay the financial consequences of it?

Comedian Bill Burr said: The show, Biggest Loser, talks about how sad it is for these obese people and how hard it is for them to lose weight but no one talks about how much fun they had putting on that weight to begin with.

[WNYBuckHunter]

Welcome comrades

[Grouse]

This society is doomed. Wait until you see what Obamacare will cost this country and how much taxes will increase to pay for it. Employers are already starting to think about dropping their private health plans and paying the fine for not having one because it will be cheaper not to.

[virgil]

But I quit smoking, moderate my junk food intake, and walk up that hill so that I don't have to see the doctor that often so why should I be paying for those who wants to those vices? Seriously, you mean they get to enjoy all those vices and have someone else pay the financial consequences of it?

This is the big misperception. The truth is that you have always been paying for the care given to people who don't take care of themselves. The Affordable Healthcare Act does not change that.

My honest feeling is that in the coming years, insurance companies and employers will start charging higher premiums for people who knowingly put themselves at higher risk- smokers, obese, etc.

[virgil]

This society is doomed. Wait until you see what Obamacare will cost this country and how much taxes will increase to pay for it. Employers are already starting to think about dropping their private health plans and paying the fine for not having one because it will be cheaper not to.

That's ridiculous. Have you seen what the fines actually are- something like $40k.

[SteveB]

Romney is already spouting that if elected he will repeal the mandate on day one of office. Promises . . . Promises . . .

What do you all think?

I think that Romney will promise to do whatever it takes to get elected- even if it means promising to repeal a plan that he came up with in the first place.

We may not be able to count on him to repeal it, but at least the possibility exists.

There is no chance Obama will do anything but make it worse if given the chance.

[Deerthug]

Have you seen what the fines actually are- something like $40k.

I read that the fine in 2014 if you don't have healthcare as an individual it's $285 or 1% of your annual income and in 2016 it goes up to $2085 or 4% whichever is greater. For employers its $3000 per employee so it's definitely possible that it could be $40k. The end result for employers is that they are going to be passing it on to their employees or reducing their salary to compensate for the difference. Some will be dropping healthcare altogether.

[adkbuck]

Another dagger struck on the heart of Freedom.

If you love bureaucracy, if you love ridiculous 2600 page long documents, if you like seeing 90% of your tax money used wasted and not going to what it is supposed to, if you like having government people making your important personal decisions, then you are happy.

If you have little regard for freedom you are happy!

Health care can be fixed, its costs reduced and the poor covered but only by getting the wasteful government out of the way and allowing allowing the private sector to work with minimal regulation where useful and relevent.

If you thought TARP (it is estimated on 6 cents of every dollar provided the publicized relief) was a waste and a failure, stay tuned!!

[Culvercreek hunt club]

My employer pays 80% of our premiums. ....at least they did until now. There are already discussions of the penalty vs providing. ... and if you have a GREAT insurance program that the company provides it will be reported on the W-2...next step is taxing as income....unless it is collective bargaining. Unions get a pass...hmmmmm. wonder why?

[Culvercreek hunt club]

The truth is that you have always been paying for the care given to people who don't take care of themselves. The Affordable Healthcare Act does not change that.

Agreed and the programs like medicais medicare and Social security that were save alls that the Govt managed have all been busts. They can not function within costs. Hell even the post office is doomed. I don't want them touching anything. Their track record is dismal.

[Elmo]

I pay around $90 a month for my health insurance through work. In the past 5 years, I've gone to the doctors 3 times total (other than my annual check up). Once for a bone bruise when I accidentally hit myself with an alluminum bat while playing softball, lyme disease test after my second tick bite in the span of a couple of weeks, and surgery to have a benign cyst removed. My total bill over those visits is around $1500.

I have no problem assisting those who tried to help themselves but couldn't. I don't agree with helping those who are not willing to cut back on diet and or exercise to prevent medical assistance in the future.

[Culvercreek hunt club]

Come on Elmo..you must be one of those eveil 1%ers. You will do you fair share!!!! Just wait and see. I wish I could type an LOL after that but I am much closer to tears.

[ants]

Bad..Bad..Bad, all around.

Im sure it will cost an employer way more, per year, than the $3000 fine to provide insurance for each employee. So why would'nt the employer just S-can all employee insurance, pay the fine and save a ton of money? I would.

I think the Supreme Court got a little activist on us. Suprise!!

/

[NYbuck50]

A staggering blow was dealt to business owners across the country today by our own government, and the saddest part is half of us either dont know or dont care.

[Culvercreek hunt club]

A staggering blow was dealt to business owners across the country today by our own government, and the saddest part is half of us either dont know or dont care.

i wish there was an agree button because I don't like this even though I agree with it. Th eHalf that you mention.....are the group typically taking rather than contributing.

[Elmo]

Come on Elmo..you must be one of those eveil 1%ers. You will do you fair share!!!! Just wait and see. I wish I could type an LOL after that but I am much closer to tears.

I sponsor a child through Children's International, donate to Kiva, and MassKickers regularly. I run in various races (paying my "donation" fee every time).

I have no problem helping those in need.

[Culvercreek hunt club]

I sponsor a child through Children's International, donate to Kiva, and MassKickers regularly. I run in various races (paying my "donation" fee every time).

I have no problem helping those in need.

Still not giving enough if there is anything left for you...please get with the program

[Grouse]

Employers already pay way more than $3000 per year for their employees health coverage. Not knowing that makes me understand why you think they won't drop the coverage and pay the fine. The fine will also vary based on the size of the company and their annual sales. Every example I've seen shows every business would be better off paying the fine.

Think about it, the government gets single payer healthcare which gives them complete control of all American healthcare and businesses are forced to pay for it. Slick huh?

And remember, the SCOTUS declared it is a TAX, and we all know taxes always go up. Hold onto your hats Comrades!

[BizCT]

No clue what this even means, but sounds like as long as you work for a solid large company, I don't think anything will change.

Is this a big deal or something?

[fasteddie]

I sponsor a child through Children's International, donate to Kiva, and MassKickers regularly. I run in various races (paying my "donation" fee every time).

I have no problem helping those in need.

If you still have money , you aren't giving enough !

[Elmo]

If you still have money , you aren't giving enough !

Hahaha! I guess I'm good then because I'm broke.

[Culvercreek hunt club]

No clue what this even means, but sounds like as long as you work for a solid large company, I don't think anything will change.

Is this a big deal or something?

If you are working for a big company and have GREAT benefits.....the amount that insurabnce package is over the threshold they set is going to be taxed as income.

[wooffer]

Here is a good link to the basics of what will happen.

http://urbanlegends.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sdn=urbanlegends&cdn=newsissues&tm=72&gps=398_61_1221_591&f=00&su=p284.13.342.ip_p504.6.342.ip_&tt=2&bt=1&bts=1&zu=http%3A//www.kiplinger.com/businessresource/forecast/archive/health-care-reform-tax-hikes-on-the-way.html%3Fsi%3D1

Todays decision sets a very bad precedent, today healthcare...tomorrow who knows what.