I’m not going to recap all I’ve read, it’s not a lot but it’s a good bit. I won’t pretend to understand all of what I’ve read (except the 10 percent tax on indoor tanning services effective July 1, I think we can alllll agree that orange people don’t look natural). I don’t have any real experience with healthcare. The last time I visited a doctor was almost 3 years ago because I was experiencing some intense vertigo. He gave me a prescription, I went on my way, it went away. From what I read (Blake Rutherford’s summary, Opencongress.com’s rundown, Short summary link of the bill on this page, and Reuters) I see nothing terrible about this bill. Maybe I’m not seeing what you’re seeing?
Largest Complaints I’ve Noticed
“How can it be constitutional to force me to buy something (ie healthcare)?”
Well probably in the same way it’s constitutional to take my tax money and apply it to funding for things like factory farming. I am morally, ethically and religiously opposed to factory farming but unless I declare myself independent from the state and disregard any future possibility of receiving benefit from a government run program then I am screwed. In a small way I keep subsidizing something I completely disagree with. Before you go all crazy on me (“That’s exactly what we’re saying about this healthcare bill!”) let me bring up some examples. I have friends, friends who do things I don’t always like. Does that mean I stop supporting them or stop being their friend? No. I’m still friends with people who eat meat. I’m friends with people who drink too much. The list goes on and on. It doesn’t mean I stop supporting them. Also the idea of community comes to mind here. In a community, such as a church (or in this case the nation), there are going to be difference of opinions and beliefs. That doesn’t mean we can’t all exist together and continue to support each other. Regardless of how you feel about this healthcare bill, you’re still my friend.
Also, as I’ve come to understand it, part of the reason the healthcare situation was so properly screwed is because people my age weren’t buying it. We don’t have the money, we feel pretty invincible and don’t really get that sick. Think of it like a commodity (or Walmart): if everyone’s buying (buying in bulk) then the price is cheaper. Now if you paid attention to the bill you’ll see that you can stay on your parents insurance until your 26, or out of college. The bill also says those who can’t afford insurance and are making below like 133 percent of the poverty level (no clue what this number actually is) will be able to receive help. Also, the tax for not having insurance your first year is $95 in 2014, $325 in 2015 and $695 in 2016 and beyond.” That tax the first year, big woop, $95, we pay that in Coca-Cola (or Starbucks) per year. I know the other numbers seem big but honestly in the context of things (especially the current cost of healthcare for an unemployed individual) it’s not that bad.
“At what costs does this come for me?”
Well, really I don’t know. It sounds like not much. From what I read it sounds like you’re going to have better options for healthcare and not be stuck with whatever your company offers you. Also, essentially, your company will have to offer you some sort of insurance. That’s nice right? I worked at a place last year that for the first half of my employment didn’t offer benefits. Not until I raised the question was something done. Not everyone has that open of a work place. Maybe I misunderstood this in the bill but it looks like unless you’re making over $200,000 a year or in a relationship where you bring in over $250,000 a year your taxes won’t be going up.
An Example From My Life
My mom has epilepsy. Under old insurance standards if she were to have lost her job and insurance coverage lapsed for whatever reason then there’s a good chance she wouldn’t have been able to get healthcare again b/c of her pre-existing condition. Her meds aren’t cheap and she needs them otherwise she’s going to crash her car into you while she’s driving around having a seizure. That’s about as much as I can personally relate to healthcare. I’m also pretty sure that pregnancy is counted as a pre-existing condition.
What I Think This Is Really About
I think you get the picture. I don’t see what the fuss is about. We all have different viewpoints. Now time for my opinion and what I think this is really about (for a lot of people). Americans have this ‘I Deserve!’ attitude. I’m not sure where we got this sense of entitlement but we got it. First of all, let me tell you what I Deserve: (I don’t know Nick’s salary (and it doesn’t matter but hypothetically roll with me) the guy sits beside me and knows more about programming than me but…) I deserve a higher salary than him b/c I went to a four year university and he didn’t, I deserve to have my student loans paid off by someone other than myself, I deserve a nicer home, I deserve a better car, I deserve more expensive clothes, I deserve to eat whatever I want, I deserve to say what I want, I deserve everything. But really, I deserve nothing and neither do you. I’ve treated my body like trash, drank plenty, smoked plenty, taken plenty of pills (recreation only), I’ve treated other people badly, I’ve lied, I’ve stolen, I’ve cheated, etc. etc. By all means I don’t deserve anything but I have it. Some how I have it and for that I’m thankful. I sleep on a futon mattress on the ground, I have a folding table with four folding chairs, a lamp and a coffee table/tv that were given to me. I’m not trying to gloat but I’m definitely not living above my means. If you are, if you think you need all of this bullshit in your life, all the big tv’s, the internet, the cable, the stockpiles of food, the suv’s, the starbucks, (and to point the finger at me: my iphone, my records), etc. etc. then maybe you should rethink some things. If you’re making $200,000/yr and living lavishly that’s cool, I don’t care, that’s your choice but don’t complain about paying higher taxes. There are far less fortunate people than you. If you or I end up getting screwed in this whole healthcare/tax deal then I’m sorry, I don’t think that’s how it’s going down but if it does, sorry.
