I’m not one to get involved in conversation involving religion or politics: mostly because I believe everyone has their right to their opinion and their beliefs. Well, of course up to the point that it doesn’t infringe on others rights. “Live and let live.” “To each their own.” ” What shall be, shall be.” Yada-yada-yada…
The new groundbreaking, revolutionary, stupendous, earth changing (insert your own description) healthcare program is the first major change to the healthcare system in the US for many decades. It is the most sweeping piece of legislation to touch so many people since the inception of Medicare, and like everything in life, has its positives and negatives. The big question we all face is how and to what extent we as individuals will be affected, which largely helps to mold which side of the fence you may be on. To be fair, with a decision so large that will effect so many, it’s impossible to create anything that will fill the needs and make the masses equally happy. The big questions is, where do you stand and how will it change your life?
The bill as we have been led to believe (I haven’t received my copy yet, nor was I invited by our great President to give input) is over 2000 pages, and seems to be as complicated as we would imagine. The Democrats and the Republicans are at odds as to what is right (or left, as you may imagine) and sometimes it seems to me that the fight between them is more important to them than the issues at hand. Has someone recently reminded them the “For the people, by the people” adage instead of “forget the people- save the party?” I really wonder if they view their role similarly to a parent doing what’s best in the interest of the child without asking the child what they may want or need.
Much of the new plan is supported by taxing the higher income earners to foot the bill in part. As a business owner, before I can draw an income to support my immediate family, we have to pay the business bills, pay salaries to our devoted team members, pay benefits including funding my team members health insurance, taxes, and other ancillary items before I can think about my own income or funding my family’s heath insurance. Where is my credit for creating an entity that supports my team members, landlord, utilities, and dozens of others that are part of the money food chain? The higher income earners already pay more taxes by way of the progressive tax tables, so is this really the way to go? Remember Steve Forbes proposal of a flat tax? We all pay our equal percentage, rich or poor?
I am glad to see that pre-existing condition prejudice will be abolished and parents will be able to keep children in their plan up to age 26- a wonderful pair of additions. However, adding a tax or penalty if you choose not to have insurance is akin to being Orwelian…we’re taking a step back if we are going to 1984. Senator Hudd Gregg, R-NH warned Tuesday it will lead to the “quasi-nationalization of the health insurance industry.” President Obama says that once new competitive insurance markets open for business in 2014, individuals buying coverage comparable to what they have today will pay 14-20 percent less. But (because it’s the world of politics) Obama skipped over an important fact: the budget office didn’t say premiums would be lower currently. It said premiums for some people would be lower than they would have been without the bill. Got that? Good…now would you explain it to me?
