Tormented
I'm surprised there is no thread regarding the Baucus proposal?
Well, here are my concerns:
First of all, this bit of text alarms me: "It would be paid for through cuts and savings from government health programs and through new taxes and fees on health industry players." What exactly does that mean? We're going to make health care more affordable by taxing insurance companies and cutting benefits elsewhere?
Then there's that pesky mandatory coverage with fines measure. On what legal basis can the government force me to purchase health insurance and fine me if I don't? Someone explain that to me. Is this going to be another Commerce Clause thing, i.e. the most abused bit of text anywhere in the Constitution ever?
I'm confused by the insurance exchange concept. What does that mean, a website or something?
It's amusing to see the federal government mandating an expansion of state run medicaid programs at a time when many states are slashing budgets across the board.
I'm confused about the whole taxes on "cadillac insurance plans" thing. What makes those plans special and deserving of their very own tax? Is this the governments round about way of taxing the wealthy to pay for this program without REALLY taxing the wealthy? Or is this just a way to impose a cap on plan premiums?
In the end I'm left wondering how this plan helps lower the cost of health care at all, unless you happen to be receiving a direct government subsidy.
Well, here are my concerns:
First of all, this bit of text alarms me: "It would be paid for through cuts and savings from government health programs and through new taxes and fees on health industry players." What exactly does that mean? We're going to make health care more affordable by taxing insurance companies and cutting benefits elsewhere?
Then there's that pesky mandatory coverage with fines measure. On what legal basis can the government force me to purchase health insurance and fine me if I don't? Someone explain that to me. Is this going to be another Commerce Clause thing, i.e. the most abused bit of text anywhere in the Constitution ever?
I'm confused by the insurance exchange concept. What does that mean, a website or something?
It's amusing to see the federal government mandating an expansion of state run medicaid programs at a time when many states are slashing budgets across the board.
I'm confused about the whole taxes on "cadillac insurance plans" thing. What makes those plans special and deserving of their very own tax? Is this the governments round about way of taxing the wealthy to pay for this program without REALLY taxing the wealthy? Or is this just a way to impose a cap on plan premiums?
In the end I'm left wondering how this plan helps lower the cost of health care at all, unless you happen to be receiving a direct government subsidy.