Synopis of Health care bill passed last night

[jackdaniels]

Here's a look at what specific groups could expect.
The uninsured
•Most people would have to buy insurance or pay a penalty equal to 2.5 percent of their income, starting in 2013. Some could get help through Medicaid, the federal-state health insurance program for the poor.
•Eligibility for Medicaid would expand to cover people earning up to 150 percent of the federal poverty level ($33,075 for a family of four).
•People who earn more than that, but not more than 400 percent of the poverty level ($88,200 for a family of four) would qualify for subsidies to help pay for premiums and out-of-pocket costs like co-pays. They would shop for insurance on a new "health exchange," a regulated marketplace aimed at providing more choice and lower costs than what many people now have access to.
The average premium for a relatively low-cost plan on the exchange would be $5,300 for an individual and $15,000 for a family, according to the Congressional Budget Office. One option available on the exchange would be a government-run "public" plan, which the CBO expects would have somewhat higher premiums than those sold by private insurers.
•After investigating all those options, people still unable to find affordable coverage could ask to be exempted from the requirement to buy insurance.
The insured
Insurance plans would have to meet minimum benefit standards and other new regulations including:
•A ban on denying coverage based on a pre-existing condition.
•No annual or lifetime caps on coverage.
•No co-pays for preventive care.
•A ban on charging more based on health status, gender or occupation.
•Limits on how much more older people could be charged than younger people for the same coverage.
•Annual limits ($5,000 for an individual and $10,000 for a family) on how much customers would have to pay each year in co-pays and other out-of-pocket expenses.
(2 of 2)
•A requirement that insurance companies justify premium increases.


Younger adults•Parents could keep their children on the family's health coverage until the child's 27th birthday.
Seniors•Brand-name drug prices would be cut in half for seniors who fall into the "donut hole" gap in Medicare drug coverage. The government now pays up to a certain amount a year for drug coverage for seniors. Once that amount is reached, seniors are responsible for paying the full cost until those payments reach a limit. This coverage gap would narrow and eventually disappear by 2019.
•Medicare patients would no longer be charged co-pays or deductibles for preventive services.
•Seniors who get their Medicare coverage through private insurers through the Medicare Advantage program could see changes. The bills would reduce the subsidies insurers get from the government to offer the plans.
People on COBRA•People who lost their job and are paying to keep the health insurance they had while they were employed could continue doing that beyond the usual 18-month maximum, until the new health exchange is up and running.
Businesses•Businesses with payrolls greater than $500,000 would have to offer coverage to workers by 2018 or pay a penalty.
•Businesses with up to 25 employees could purchase insurance for employees on the health exchange starting in 2013. Eligibility would expand to firms with up to 100 employees by 2015 and could expand further after that.
•Firms with relatively few employees and relatively low average wages could get tax credits to cover up to half their contributions toward premiums
The wealthy•Individuals earning more than $500,000 and couples earning more than $1 million would be taxed an additional 5.4 percent on any income above that amount.
States•After 2014, states would have to pay 9 percent of the cost of expanding Medicaid.
People contributing to health spending accounts•Contributions to the tax-free flexible spending accounts would be limited to $2,500 a year, indexed to inflation.

•A requirement that insurance companies justify premium increases.


Younger adults
•Parents could keep their children on the family's health coverage until the child's 27th birthday.
Seniors
•Brand-name drug prices would be cut in half for seniors who fall into the "donut hole" gap in Medicare drug coverage. The government now pays up to a certain amount a year for drug coverage for seniors. Once that amount is reached, seniors are responsible for paying the full cost until those payments reach a limit. This coverage gap would narrow and eventually disappear by 2019.
•Medicare patients would no longer be charged co-pays or deductibles for preventive services.
•Seniors who get their Medicare coverage through private insurers through the Medicare Advantage program could see changes. The bills would reduce the subsidies insurers get from the government to offer the plans.
People on COBRA
•People who lost their job and are paying to keep the health insurance they had while they were employed could continue doing that beyond the usual 18-month maximum, until the new health exchange is up and running.
Businesses
•Businesses with payrolls greater than $500,000 would have to offer coverage to workers by 2018 or pay a penalty.
•Businesses with up to 25 employees could purchase insurance for employees on the health exchange starting in 2013. Eligibility would expand to firms with up to 100 employees by 2015 and could expand further after that.
•Firms with relatively few employees and relatively low average wages could get tax credits to cover up to half their contributions toward premiums
The wealthy
•Individuals earning more than $500,000 and couples earning more than $1 million would be taxed an additional 5.4 percent on any income above that amount.
States
•After 2014, states would have to pay 9 percent of the cost of expanding Medicaid.
People contributing to health spending accounts
•Contributions to the tax-free flexible spending accounts would be limited to $2,500 a year, indexed to inflation.



http://www.delawareonline.com/articl...0355/1006/NEWS

[F16TJ]

Tyranny, plain and simple.

[Hatterized]

look at the state of affairs in Pelosi's old hangout......California.....yup she did her state proud....damn near bankrupted the state on her own accord.....and she is the ***** in charge of the Senate....

American politics have gone to hell with what we have now for elected officials......

[wahoojack]

It still has to pass the Senate. CALL YOUR SENATOR...tell him to oppose this bill or risk being thrown out of office the next election. It is more important than ever to get involved. This is no time to sit and say your voice does not make a difference. This has got to be stopped if you are a taxpayer. Let's go to work!!!

[worldcat lemon]

Margaret Thatcher said "the problem with socialism is eventually you run out of other people's money".

OBAMA IS A SOCIALIST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Big Fish Billy]

Margaret Thatcher said "the problem with socialism is eventually you run out of other people's money".

OBAMA IS A SOCIALIST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yup...plain and simple.......

[eppefour]

You guys all seem to think the insurance companies are going to help you. You must be very rich,
Look at the salaries the insurance industry pays to their CEO's. This is only the tip of the iceberg as far as profits and employee compensation.you really think these guys give a shit about little old you?

2007 compensation

■Aetna Ronald A. Williams: $23,045,834
■Cigna H. Edward Hanway: $25,839,777
■Coventry Dale B. Wolf : $14,869,823
■Health Net Jay M. Gellert: $3,686,230
■Humana Michael McCallister: $10,312,557
■U.Health Grp Stephen J. Hemsley: $13,164,529
■WellPoint Angela Braly (2007): $9,094,271
L. Glasscock (2006): $23,886,169


2008 Total CEO Compensation


■Aetna, Ronald A. Williams: $24,300,112
■Cigna, H. Edward Hanway: $12,236,740
■Coventry, Dale Wolf: $9,047,469
■Health Net, Jay Gellert: $4,425,355
■Humana, Michael McCallister: $4,764,309
■U. Health Group, Stephen J. Hemsley: $3,241,042
■Wellpoint, Angela Braly: $9,844,212

[obxfish]

You guys all seem to think the insurance companies are going to help you. You must be very rich,
Look at the salaries the insurance industry pays to their CEO's. This is only the tip of the iceberg as far as profits and employee compensation.you really think these guys give a shit about little old you?

2007 compensation

■Aetna Ronald A. Williams: $23,045,834
■Cigna H. Edward Hanway: $25,839,777
■Coventry Dale B. Wolf : $14,869,823
■Health Net Jay M. Gellert: $3,686,230
■Humana Michael McCallister: $10,312,557
■U.Health Grp Stephen J. Hemsley: $13,164,529
■WellPoint Angela Braly (2007): $9,094,271
L. Glasscock (2006): $23,886,169


2008 Total CEO Compensation


■Aetna, Ronald A. Williams: $24,300,112
■Cigna, H. Edward Hanway: $12,236,740
■Coventry, Dale Wolf: $9,047,469
■Health Net, Jay Gellert: $4,425,355
■Humana, Michael McCallister: $4,764,309
■U. Health Group, Stephen J. Hemsley: $3,241,042
■Wellpoint, Angela Braly: $9,844,212

I dont think anyone asked what the insurance execs salaries were or if the insurance companies gave a shit. The point is Obama and his crew are driving the United States towards socialism, and thats a fact.

[BYRD]

The average profits for insurance companies is ~ 2%. Yes 2%. How many companies are that operate at that low a profit margin? After all the premiums, payments, office rentals, employee pay, etc. The insurance companies make a 2% profit.

Oil companies make about 7% average profit, Big Box retailers make about 9% average profit. Why doesn't the government get into the oil business and retail sales?

[Capt. Jon Tennant]

The point is Obama and his crew are driving the United States towards socialism, and thats a fact.

I agree, and it is very disturbing. The only problem i see is what other choice does the government have at this point in history? this country is so diversified that the people no longer share the same morals, values, or idea for the future of the USA. the facts are that the majority of the people in this country are not worth a damn. We as a country are no longer who we were... that what has always made this country so great.... seems everything has been watered down, changed, molested, mutated..... way too many concessions have been made to accommodate each groups dislikes and beliefs. now we have reached the point that we have lost any resemblance to the great country, ideals, and government our founding fathers intended. Who is America now? it seems our identity is gone forever...

God help us, for i fear our ship has gone lost at sea.