604

Hi, I love how you are running this blog. I just started a blog of my own and I was wondering if you would like to do a link exchange with my site. My site can be found at:

Absolutesportsreport.blogspot.com

If you want to do this, just leave a comment on my site, on any post, and I’ll link you later that night.

Thanks,
Dave

Talk about kicking a person when they're down! I may borrow that image and use it on my blog. Do you mind?

I can look it up, but do you remember how much a person has to make before the state pays 100% of their insurance? As I recall, the cost of the state health insurance was pretty pricey for someone with a limited income. Also, what happens if a person doesn't pay the fine?

Feel free to use the picture, Kathy. I wish it had come out better.

Here's a link to some info: http://www.hcfama.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.viewPage&pageId=588.

Eligibility for free or subsidized insurance is based on the federal poverty level (fpl). You get free insurance if you're at 150% or less of the fpl (about $31,000 for a family of four). You get subsidized insurance if you're at 300% or less of fpl ($61,956 for a family of four).

Good question about what happens if you don't pay the fine. Since they collect it through taxes, my guess is the penalty is the same as if you don't pay part or all of your state tax.

As messed up as mandatory payment seems, in a civilized society I think it is necessary. Here, we have mandatory payments, and big fines if you don't pay, but if you show up at the hospital all jacked-up, they are going to help you.

It only makes sense that everyone should have to pay into a system that everyone has access to.

Necessary evil?

I don't think it's necessary at all, praguetwin. Taking the money out of taxes is a fairer way to do it, rather than requiring a working-class family to choose between health insurance payments and other, more immediate necessities, like food or rent.

Plus, the mandatory insurance scheme not only maintains the inefficient, expensive, multi-payer system, it fattens the insurers' bottom line as well.

The US is a wealthy country. We cam afford Medicare for all. We don't need to mandate that working-class families pay out a sizeable proportion of their income (compared to wealthier families) for something that taxes should and could pay for.

Thanks for the links, Abi. I need to get this up on my blog as soon as I get a chance to read up on it more.

I have to agree with you and disagree with PT about the mandatory payments. I think taking the money from taxes is fairer too. I also like the idea because it guarantees a person will never go without health care because they got behind on their bills, had an emergency, drank the money up in the bar, etc.

It's just like social security. We can be complete morons and mismanage every financial decision we've ever made, but we are guaranteed to get a check no matter what.

Well said, Kathy.