The newest idea to surface in the national debate on health care is the possibility of Americans being fined for not enrolling in a health care program, according to MSNBC.
The latest turn in the debate is an interesting one, considering that, while on the campaign train, now-President Barack Obama said he was strongly opposed to imposing a fee on citizens who do not have health care.
Obama stated in the past, “Punishing families who can’t afford health care to begin with just doesn’t make sense.” He also was in support of a government run insurance plan, an idea which has reportedly lost most of its traction in Congress.
The currently proposed health care plan would be a 10 year, $900 billion plan that would cover all Americans, despite any medical problems they may have. The plan would also include fines for those who do not acquire medical coverage for themselves.
The penalties would begin at $750 per year for individuals and $1,500 per year for families. Households that make over three times the federal poverty level, which is approximately $66,000, would be assessed the highest fees at $950 for individuals and $3,800 for families.
Tax credits would be available to households making up to the three times poverty threshold and for small businesses who provide insurance to employees, according to MSNBC.
Insurers would be obligated to cover any applicant regardless of their medical history or age. However, they would be able to charge different amounts for differing circumstances. For example, smokers can be charged more than non smokers and a 60-year-old could have a premium up to five times as high as a 20-year-old.
Currently, the United States spends over $2.5 trillion each year on health care. With the total cost of the new plan being $900 billion, the government would actually save money in the long run.
Democrats have increasingly stated that they will refuse to vote for any legislation that does not include a government insurance option. They hope that this lower cost option would force private insurers to lower their premiums.
Some Democratic Congressmen, however, are beginning to change their minds after hearing the opinions of their constituents. Rep. Mike Ross, D-AK, told MSNBC, “If House leadership presents a final bill that contains a government-run public option, I will oppose it.”
Our Take
Rather than force Americans to face the decision of purchasing expensive private health care that they cannot afford or paying a penalty to the government for not having it, government officials should be focusing on keeping insurance premiums in check and making them affordable.
