Health Care Bill

So what's really in this health care bill?

The uninsured and self-employed would be able to purchase insurance through state-based exchanges with subsidies available to individuals and families with income between the 133 percent and 400 percent of poverty level. People receiving subsidies cannot be eligible for Medicare, Medicaid and cannot be covered by an employer. Eligible buyers receive premium credits and there is a cap for how much they have to contribute to their premiums on a sliding scale. This will close the so-called “gap” between people who are welfare-eligible and those who have health coverage.

Separate exchanges would be created for small businesses to purchase coverage -- effective 2014. Personally, I would like to have seen huge tax breaks for small businesses as well.

Funding available to states to establish exchanges within one year of enactment and until January 1, 2015.

Closes the Medicare prescription drug "donut hole" by 2020. Seniors who hit the donut hole by 2010 will receive a $250 rebate. In other words, seniors will find it easier to get their prescription drugs.

Beginning in 2011, seniors in the gap will receive a 50 percent discount on brand name drugs.

Expands Medicaid to include 133 percent of federal poverty level which is $29,327 for a family of four.

Requires states to expand Medicaid to include childless adults starting in 2014.

Federal Government pays 100 percent of costs for covering newly eligible individuals through 2016.

Illegal immigrants are not eligible for Medicaid. Illegal immigrants will not be allowed to buy health insurance in the exchanges -- even if they pay completely with their own money.

Six months after enactment, insurance companies could no longer denying children coverage based on a preexisting condition.

Insurance companies must allow children to stay on their parent's insurance plans until age 26

The bill segregates private insurance premium funds from taxpayer funds. Individuals would have to pay for abortion coverage by making two separate payments, private funds would have to be kept in a separate account from federal and taxpayer funds.

No health care plan would be required to offer abortion coverage. States could pass legislation choosing to opt out of offering abortion coverage through the exchange.

A quick reminder to my conservative friends on both sides of the aisle... ABORTION IS LEGAL!

In 2014, everyone must purchase health insurance or face a $695 annual fine. There are some exceptions for low-income people.

Employers with more than 50 employees must provide health insurance or pay a fine of $2000 per worker each year if any worker receives federal subsidies to purchase health insurance. Fines applied to entire number of employees minus some allowances. This means that companies like Wal*Mart will have to start providing health care or face a hefty fine.

So there you go. There it is. I didn't include information on paying for this, because, as I stated before, cost should not be the issue.

Peace.

Rev. Randal