Is the High Court Right to Support ObamaCare?

Denise Houston July 1, 2012 at 12:51 pm

Why do people not use their real names, instead of some made up handle.

Paul Ray July 1, 2012 at 01:02 pm

Let's face facts folks. This country is headed for a disaster when it comes to health care costs. Although the US does not rank in the top five for best of health care, it does however rank in the top 5 for availability of care. That availability is costly for those of us paying for insurance covering those without. That all goes without saying. What Senate and Congress did was a disaster and fell far short of anything anyone could construe as reform. The bill that was passed was a bill originally designed by the Clintons advisors (btw prior to Romney) and then modified and adopted by Romney and once again modified anf put into effect by Obama which does nothing to address the actual affordability. It did nothing to reign in torts, defensive medicine, competitiveness, etc. All of which would lower “costs” thus affordability.
We saw and still see what looks very ominous in this bill, for example, all companies regardless of size would have been required to submit a 1090 to any business for more than $700.00, another is the tax on premiums (still in this bill) of 3% to employer premiums 2% on self-provided. I agree with the bills creation of the high risk pool, ignoring pre-existing conditions, etc. I say to everyone, if you do not like this bill than do not vote for Obama, but I also say, if it is repealed then I will want something immediately installed in its place before this country hits a financial crisis that will make the last 4 years look like a cake walk.

Denise Houston July 1, 2012 at 02:02 pm

I agree with you Paul... so where does that leave Florida in this all. Our Governor has said he will opt us out. I didn't vote for him...

Paul Ray July 1, 2012 at 02:06 pm

I am afraid many governers are going opt to, SCOYUS left the door wide open on the opt out option at the state level but not to the individual level.

Shawn Hicks July 1, 2012 at 03:40 pm

While the SCOTUS struck down the Medicare penalty, most states will still opt in because the federal taxes collected by this law won't be portioned out to them otherwise; they will be rejecting large amounts of cash. All the Florida residents that a tax for not having insurance will be sending that money out of Florida and none of it will return. Of course, we've seen our governor send the high speed rail money (and jobs) to California, so anything's possible.

Shawn Hicks July 1, 2012 at 03:51 pm

@Paul : not at all disingenuous. And while I can see your point in comparing the uninsured to thieves, there is a major difference--the uninsured are acting within the laws while the guy that steals food from the 7-11 is not.
But let's run with your metaphor anyway. I think it opens up some interesting avenues of thought. For example, to make the metaphor more apt, let's say the guy is stealing food to feed his family because they don't qualify for food stamps but they still cannot afford food. Further, he is probably employed full time. And further still, let's say that a significant number of Americans are in this boat--45 million of them. Given that, which brings our thief in line with our uninsured, what should our country's reaction be? 1) increase police resources to get the thieves in jail 2) leave the system alone (do nothing is always an option.) 3) Improve the food "safety net" by extending food stamps or some other change to reduce the need for the people to steal food thus relieving pressure on the police (emergency rooms), reducing the price of food for shoppers (lower premiums), and making sure that citizens get enough food (health care). A famous politician in a similar situation when facing a country of such thieves is said to have exclaimed "Let them eat cake."

Paul Ray July 1, 2012 at 06:34 pm

@Shawn, sorry but you are wrong and stop creating panic where it does not exist. Back up your comments with facts not paranoia please

Paul Ray July 1, 2012 at 06:35 pm

@Shawn, and if you paid attention to the CA implementation of the high speed train, it balooned to over 300% of estimated cost. No thanks

Denise Houston July 1, 2012 at 08:36 pm

@ Paul we pay for not having alternative transportation in other in other ways. Possibility environmental, fuel, safety .. ie taking some of the cars off the roads. The job pay in Florida doesn't sustain our young people for that matter most people. I was taught not to complain but to bring a solution to the concern. Florida should be one of the leaders for wind and solar power...

Denise Houston July 1, 2012 at 08:39 pm

This should be about better paying jobs and then the state doesn't need to worry about Medicaid. Not to help the sick that don't have access to quality health care is wrong on a moral level

Shawn Hicks July 1, 2012 at 09:32 pm

@Paul : My apologies, I made the inaccurate assumption you had read the Supreme Court decision, or at least a reasonably professional summary of it. I will be more specific for you. This relates only to the Medicaid Expansion for people making under the Federal Poverty Level ($23K for a family of four.)
If the state opts in, the government will pay 100% of the expansion cost for 5 years and then 90% after that. So if politicians vote to reject it, they will leave a significant number of voters without any insurance options all for saving that 10% of the cost. The Federal government is going to get that 90% from taxes and fees related to the program that will still apply to all state citizens. So, for example, let's say Florida opts out (it likely will), all Florida citizens will be subject to the new tax and will have to pay into the system one way or the other. However, since Florida opted out, the poorest in Florida will be left out of the insurance coverage scheme and not be covered by Medicaid. So all the fees and taxes paid by Florida citizens meant to cover 90% of that expansion won't return to the state from the Federal government; they will instead be spread out to the states that did opt in. The original bill forced the states to opt in; that was struck down by SCOTUS. http://www.kff.org/healthreform/upload/8270-2.pdf http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2012/0629/After-Supreme-Court-ruling-Medicaid-expansion-faces-uncertainty

Shawn Hicks July 1, 2012 at 09:34 pm

Infrastructure of this magnitude is an economic driver. Do a little research on the economic impact of the original rail system, the interstate freeway system, and even the effect of removing the 55MPH speed limit on all freeways/highways. The cost is only half the equation. Without know the benefit, we cannot really decide if it was worth it, can we?

Shawn Hicks July 1, 2012 at 09:39 pm

We've cut billions from education--is it reasonable to expect that our students will excel enough to overcome their other economic hurdles? Florida is nearly last in the country on education expenditures and also close to the bottom on test scores. We pay the lowest and get what we pay for.

Denise Houston July 1, 2012 at 10:19 pm

@ Shawn so sad... Doesn't Florida realize our children are our future...

Jim July 1, 2012 at 11:12 pm

Whether you agree with the Supreme Court or not here are a few observations: 1) Heritage Foundation a conservative think tank is the originator of this law which was supported by Gingrich, Dole, Chuck Grassley, Jim Demint and Mitt Romney. After the Mass. law pushed by Romney said it could be used as a national law 2) In Mass. uninsured from neighboring states cross the border to use their ER's which cause increased costs - so people on vacation do have an effect on Interstate Commerce 3) you have to buy auto insurance 4) young people do get sick and I don't want to pay for that 5) its only a tax for those individuals who don't take their own responsibility and want to pass it on to others 6) this law stops socialism because everyone must pay for the use of medicine 7) currently each family subsidizes over $1,000 for the uninsured

Lincoln Farnum July 1, 2012 at 11:21 pm

Civilized countries provide healthcare for their citizens. I would like the US to be able to say that we are among them.
Those of us who have employer provided healthcare are about one pink-slip and six months from having our own health crisis. That makes us all slaves to our jobs and very much limits our personal choices. I'd like my taxes to be spent on us and our children, not the military-industrial complex (the same people who own your television and radio stations.)

Denise Houston July 2, 2012 at 01:29 am

amen to that
Lincoln...now we just need to have like minded people running Florida.

BlFalconskeep July 2, 2012 at 01:52 am

Because of the political nature of some of the comments, using a pseudonym is a common practice so that others cannot track down and possibly hurt those that have made the comment in a commentary setting.
Often discussions, most often about politics or religion can cause tempers to flair. Some people take a basic, intellectual conversation personally and try to hurt those that have opposing views or views they believe are against thier morals. Thus the use of pseudonyms to protect one's private identy.

Paul Ray July 2, 2012 at 09:10 am

In most cases but not all.

Paul Ray July 2, 2012 at 09:11 am

Florida, esp the bay area, should be leaders in the solar power movement. But alas we still use small internal explosions to propel us about town. Sad really

Paul Ray July 2, 2012 at 11:18 am

Shawn, I did read it, if you have, then tell me what premium tax is would you?

Denise Houston July 2, 2012 at 11:19 am

I find it away for people to spout off without owning their words .
Transparency is a good word. @ BIFalconskeep but I do see your point about a using pseudonym

Lincoln Farnum July 2, 2012 at 11:39 am

It allows people to behave without social constraints however and the results we pretty commonly see are not conducive to respectful communication. 'Anonymous Coward' got famous, but at some cost to our culture.
When we can no longer express our thoughts in an open forum, not pretending to be someone else, with respect to all points of view, we will have failed.

Paul Ray July 2, 2012 at 12:01 pm

Shawn, not a politician, but monarch, but nonetheless. My problem with this health care "tax" as SCOTUS Deamed it, is that it does nothing to address affordability. In fact, CBO is predicting a marked increase in per person costs over the next decade. It did nothing more than raise taxes to feed into a system already wracked with corruption. If someone can explain to me why over 50 cents on every dollar goes to cover malpractice and defensive medicine, or why drug companies are allow to write off billions in advertising and promotion of their drugs, or why buying the self same drug manufactured in the US from Canada is cheaper than here, then maybe I would shut up (well on this topic anyway). I am not a financial expert, but have spent the greater part of my career doing IT consulting for various insurance companies and can see some things that could be changed right away. The democrats had the opportunity to pass some very beneficial legislation that would have made health care more affordable and available for all and completely fell down on the job. This was not reform it was a tax and a poorly designed one.

Dick Cheney July 2, 2012 at 12:28 pm

White trash mentality.

Dick Cheney July 2, 2012 at 12:31 pm

Republicants are sore losers. Get over it.

Torrey Craig July 2, 2012 at 01:41 pm

Its all about jobs, opportunities and the political environment here. Over the past decade 781 public officials where convicted of felonies related to their performance in office. Of recent college graduates in Florida 65% or so are currently actively seeking employment outside of Florida. The GDP of Florida over the past 2 years has increased at about 0.5% while the nation has shown an increase of about four times that rate. Look at the numbers and ask what do they tell YOU ???

Paul Ray July 3, 2012 at 09:17 am

Perhaps the American public is a bit upset about being lied to once again by the current administration? A tax cannot be called reformed, it is still a tax

Paul Ray July 3, 2012 at 09:19 am

The GDP in Florida not increasing as much as the rest of the country does seem to be a no brainer. Our principal cash influx is generated by what? Tourism, and the country has been in a what? Recession, so really?

BlFalconskeep July 26, 2012 at 03:33 am

Im neither republican or democrat. I look at the issue, weigh it for what it says, look at what our constitution says, look at its impact on myself, my family, my community and my state and make an educated decision as to how to feel about it.
This "law" or whatever they want to call it is bad for ourselves, our family, our communities, our state and our country. The problems it will cause overall are exponential. Truly read what it says, do the math, look at small business owners, doctors and other areas then look at the constitution. Ask yourself if it is truly right. Then look in the mirror and see of you are one of the illegal immigrants here that the rest of us will pay medical for. If you are one, then you will see this as a good thing. If you aren't one, then you will tell the government NO on this and keep thier hands out of your bank account and personal business.