Opinions on Obamacare from healthcare workers? - Page 27
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Sep 9, '12 by ReasonInTheMadnessQuote from minnymiEXACTLY. Thank you.i support "obamacare."
i don't think there's one single reason on this earth that every person in the richest country on the planet shouldn't have access to healthcare.
people like to say, "everyone should pay for their own insurance," but the fact is.....people who DON'T work at ALL already have free medical care in the form of medicaid. it's blue collar people (i.e. people who work 40+ hours a week to pay their OWN bills vs. being on welfare) who can't afford to pay for insurance after the rent, utilities, food, etc. is paid.
people who are "taking advantage" of the government are on welfare, getting food stamps, and have free housing...sometimes they even have free childcare while they "look for a job" aka "sleep."
so, the people who don't work already have healthcare. the people who DO work, but don't make as much money as those of us with college educations and good jobs are sitting at home suffering for as long as they can take it before they go to the ER.
to be quite honest, i don't know how it's going to affect our jobs, but i don't care. if anything, i think more jobs will be available (even if it means more debt) but even if it means cutting jobs.....people in america should have healthcare!tewdles and herring_RN like this. - Guide
Sep 23, '12 by aknottedyarnReport: The Affordable Care Act, 'Obamacare,' has saved Americans $2 billion - Orlando liberal | Examiner.com
I figure that is 2 billion dollars that can and will trickle down as opposed to where that money had been. We can see that ACA can and does assist Americans. Add that to many of the other provisions that protect us and I do have hopes that ACA will bring about better health care.
The 80/20 rule will provide more money for care and less for the CEOs.wooh likes this. - iteachob likes this.
- GuideSep 23, '12 by aknottedyarn
- GuideSep 23, '12 by aknottedyarnSome can make fun of 2 billion dollars. Those people who have been overcharged and get money back will probalby spend it, rather than hoard it off shore. This helps grow the economy.
I realize that is counter to the conservative adgenda. It remains fact. The insurance industry gouges and now has to return money. - iteachob likes this.
- Sep 23, '12 by JolieQuote from aknottedyarnHow quaint! People will have extra money in their pockets and will spend it to grow the economy.Some can make fun of 2 billion dollars. Those people...will probalby spend it, rather than hoard it off shore. This helps grow the economy.
I realize that is counter to the conservative adgenda. It remains fact. The insurance industry gouges and now has to return money.
Except, they won't. Because of the oppressive new tax burden associated with Obamacare and the fiscal cliff.
(You didn't think Obamacare was free, did you?)
Here are some of the new taxes you're going to have to pay to pay for Obamacare:
- A 3.8% surtax on "investment income" when your adjusted gross income is more than $200,000 ($250,000 for joint-filers). What is "investment income?" Dividends, interest, rent, capital gains, annuities, house sales, partnerships, etc. Taxes on dividends will rise from 15% to 18.8%--if Congress extends the Bush tax cuts. If Congress does not extend the Bush tax cuts, taxes on dividends will rise from 15% to a shocking 43.8%. (WSJ)
- A 0.9% surtax on Medicare taxes for those making $200,000 or more ($250,000 joint). You already pay Medicare tax of 1.45%, and your employer pays another 1.45% for you (unless you're self-employed, in which case you pay the whole 2.9% yourself). Next year, your Medicare bill will be 2.35%. (WSJ)
- Flexible Spending Account contributions will be capped at $2,500. Currently, there is no tax-related limit on how much you can set aside pre-tax to pay for medical expenses. Next year, there will be. If you have been socking away, say, $10,000 in your FSA to pay medical bills, you'll have to cut that to $2,500. (ATR.org)
- The itemized-deduction hurdle for medical expenses is going up to $10,000. Right now, any medical expenses over $7,500 per year are deductible. Next year, that hurdle will be $10,000. (ATR.org)
- The penalty on non-medical withdrawals from Healthcare Savings Accounts is now 20% instead of 10%. That's twice the penalty that applies to annuities, IRAs, and other tax-free vehicles. (ATR.org)
- A tax of 10% on indoor tanning services. This has been in place for two years, since the summer of 2010. (ATR.org)
- A 40% tax on "Cadillac Health Care Plans" starting in 2018.Those whose employers pay for all or most of comprehensive healthcare plans (costing $10,200 for an individual or $27,500 for families) will have to pay a 40% tax on the amount their employer pays. The 2018 start date is said to have been a gift to unions, which often have comprehensive plans. (ATR.org)
- A"Medicine Cabinet Tax" that eliminates the ability to pay for over-the-counter medicines from a pre-tax Flexible Spending Account. This started in January 2011. (ATR.org)
- A "penalty" tax for those who don't buy health insurance. This will phase in from 2014-2016. It will range from $695 per person to about $4,700 per person, depending on your income. (More details here.)
- A tax on medical devices costing more than $100. Starting in 2013, medical device manufacturers will have to pay a 2.3% excise tax on medical equipment. This is expected to raise the cost of medical procedures. (Breitbart.com)
- So those are some of the new taxes you'll be paying that will help pay for Obamacare.
Any big ones I've missed?
Note that these taxes are both "progressive" (aimed at rich people) and "regressive" (aimed at the middle class and poor people). The big ones--the 3.8% investment income hike and the Medicare tax increase--only hit you if you're making more than $200,000 a year. The rest hit you no matter how much you're making.
http://finance.yahoo.com/blogs/daily...145413745.html
iteachob likes this. -
Sep 23, '12 by TweetySo much for Obamacare being socialist program handing out "free stuff".
About those taxes above, not everyone is going to have to pay each and everyone. In fact looking at them not one of them would apply to me.Last edit by Tweety on Sep 23, '12aknottedyarn and wooh like this. - Sep 23, '12 by JolieNote the last paragraph..
Note that these taxes are both "progressive" (aimed at rich people) and "regressive" (aimed at the middle class and poor people). The big ones--the 3.8% investment income hike and the Medicare tax increase--only hit you if you're making more than $200,000 a year. The rest hit you no matter how much you're making.
You may not have a FSA, but this is a biggie for those who have utilized them as a means of reducing tax liability on money spent on healthcare expenses. We have combined an FSA with a high deductible plan as a means of stretching our healthcare dollar.
Now we are not allowed to accrue more than $2500 per year in an FSA. That is insufficient to meet our deductible, which effectively raises our tax rate by quite a bit. The new limits on what FSA dollars can be used for will also impact many people in a costly way.
The tax on medical devices may not seem relevant, but if you have significant dental work, need an orthopedic device, or have joint replacement surgery in the future, you will be paying this tax. It hits elderly people at a disproportionate rate.
Many of these are "hidden" taxes, which frankly, I believe is wrong. If Obamacare is cost-effective and beneficial, then why hide it's costs from the American people? - Asst. Admin
Spidey's mom and iteachob like this.