The Affordable Care Act

[mpholland]

Maybe if things get painful enough, we might get more than 1/3 of the voters out to vote. The only time we see 50+% is in a presidential election year, and that is down from 60+% in the 60's. I would think one of the good things about forums like this is that it is detrimental to voter apathy. I haven't seen the stats, but I would suspect those that don't vote are more center minded also. That is a sad thought. Think of the changes that might be possible if we could get everyone voting.

[bobabode]

Back on topic - http://www.washingtonpost.com/nation...y.html?hpid=z2

Looks like the CBOs assertions are correct and the rightwing echo chambers' are off the mark by a country mile. The PPACA is not going to kill 2.5 million jobs as Rush Limpballs and the screaming me-mes' at Faux Noise have been screeching all of last week.

[finnbow]

Originally Posted by bobabode

Back on topic - http://www.washingtonpost.com/nation...y.html?hpid=z2

Looks like the CBOs assertions are correct and the rightwing echo chambers' are off the mark by a country mile. The PPACA is not going to kill 2.5 million jobs as Rush Limpballs and the screaming me-mes' at Faux Noise have been screeching all of last week.

Not only is this true, but McCain and Paul Ryan both insisted that ending "job lock" was an essential feature of health care reform. They were singing this feature's praises until Obama adopted it. Typical.

[d-ray657]

Originally Posted by 4-2-7

I didn't say that!

I said how I view Monetary Policies have change over the past 7 years. How I view money and the banking sector and the history learned.

The CBO report is Economics!!
And yes the ACA has been hurting job and economic growth and will continue to do so.

It will be a burden to all end users because everything the government gets involved in cost more than a true free market.

Unfortunately, a true free market is the last thing that American Capitalists want.

As far as things that the government gets involved in costing more, take a guess at what percentage of Medicare dollars are spend on administrative costs.

Regards,

D-Ray

[finnbow]

Originally Posted by 4-2-7

It will be a burden to all end users because everything the government gets involved in cost more than a true free market.

A true free market isn't possible in health care. It doesn't exist anywhere in the developed world because it can't exist. A true free market requires a consumer with full information on the product he's buying from cost to alternatives to relative effectiveness, etc ....

Unless you know and understand all the details of every possible disease, medical procedure, drug, hospital performance, and rehab option to include their costs and relative effectiveness, an informed decision is impossible. So, how exactly are you going to evaluate all these things for an unexpected heart attack, stroke, broken leg, car accident or acute illness? Anybody that tells you that a free market in health care is possible doesn't understand both health care and free markets.

One of the very few items in the entire health care arena where a free market exists is eyeglasses. I've listened to Rand Paul say that the health care system should be designed like an optical shop where you can browse eyeglasses and compare fit, looks and price. This isn't a good analog for treating cancer, heart disease, diabetes or a broken leg, however. He's an ophthalmologist and his analysis brings to mind a saying "To a carpenter, every problem looks like a nail."

OTOH, free market choices can be made between insurance plans if the plans from all companies are designed identically (or very similarly). With this, you can compare apples to apples and select on price alone. This is exactly what Obamacare does in its 4 levels of plans (bronze, silver, gold, platinum).

[Rajoo]

I have a question. Say I buy healthcare as an individual. Will my premiums be tax deductible?

[d-ray657]

Originally Posted by BeamOn

I have a question. Say I buy healthcare as an individual. Will my premiums be tax deductible?

I'm not an accountant, and I don't play one on TV, but my recollection is that what we pay in medical insurance premiums is considered a medical expense. Your medical expenses have to reach a threshold of 7.5% of your adjusted gross income before everything over that amount becomes deductible.

I job I had years ago had a cafeteria plan that allowed you to make pre-tax payroll deductions that you would use for medical expenses. Don't know if that is possible any more.

Regards,

D-Ray

[Rajoo]

Thanks D-Ray, I am sure you are right on this. So when an employer buys health insurance, it is considered a payroll expense. But for an individual it is after tax dollars. This is where the system is benefiting the employers, not the workers.

We have always provided health insurance to our employees.

[bobabode]

Originally Posted by BeamOn

Thanks D-Ray, I am sure you are right on this. So when an employer buys health insurance, it is considered a payroll expense. But for an individual it is after tax dollars. This is where the system is benefiting the employers, not the workers.

We have always provided health insurance to our employees.

Need a carpenter? I have all the tools and I work relatively cheep. <grin>

[Rajoo]

Originally Posted by bobabode

Need a carpenter? I have all the tools and I work relatively cheep. <grin>

As long as you can qualify for food stamps, you are hired.