We've been talking about this off and on (see JCM's excellent document collection on the thread below), but for more, check in with Ed at HotAir:Senator John Ensign (R-NV) wanted to get an answer on the implications of the individual mandate in the ObamaCare bill floated by Max Baucus (D-MT) during the markup session. Ensign asked Thomas Barthold, chief of staff of the Joint Committee on Taxation, what would happen if a taxpayer refused to buy health insurance and then refused to pay the subsequent fine, which could run to $1900 for an individual. Barthold replied that one shouldn’t do the crime if one doesn’t want to do the time:
Violators could be charged with a misdemeanor and could face up to a year in jail or a $25,000 penalty, Barthold wrote on JCT letterhead. He signed it “Sincerely, Thomas A. Barthold.”
Oh hell, what's a $25,000 fine to someone who doesn't want to buy health insurance?
ReplyDeleteMy timing stinks.....
ReplyDeletePosted as update downstairs....
Doubling Down on a Flawed Insurance Model
Obama's plan takes the problems of the current system—mandates, runaway spending and more—and makes them worse.
The proposed unprecedented intrusion of government into private markets will have adverse effects on people with insurance in both the short and the long run.
The mandates will lead to large increases in the cost of health insurance for everyone. Research studies have shown that as people become insured, especially under a health plan that offers broad coverage and low copayments, they consume more health-care services. The best estimates indicate that each newly insured person will approximately double his or her health spending.
With 30 million to 40 million newly insured persons under the administration's plan, aggregate health-care demand will increase significantly. But when demand expands prices increase. We estimate that the higher demand will increase health insurance premiums for the typical family plan by about 10%. Because an employer-sponsored family insurance plan cost $12,680 in 2008, this translates into an increase of about $1,200 in the typical annual premium.
JCM, you've done an awesome job on this.
ReplyDeleteAll: My post here is almost certainly redundant, but I'm not awake yet. I was up until 5:00AM designing images for the new site, and I can barely absorb a word I'm reading. I just wanted to put something up quickly because we were approaching capacity on the last one.
Someone needs to invent a coffee shower. I'd take one right now. LOL
CC,
ReplyDeleteIt's you RB, Pink, Real who deserve the credit. I'm just tossing out tidbits.
Oh no, JCM - not at all.
ReplyDeleteI'm more suited for drawing pictures than for news commentary, so I am especially thrilled to have someone on the team who pays as close attention to what's happening out there as you do. Thank you. Seriously.
(And my timing is bad! I had forgotten that Pi Guy had a history thread scheduled for this afternoon! It's up right above this one.)
CC: What's the hex code for silver?
ReplyDeleteSilver #C0C0C0
ReplyDeleteHTML Color Names
Research studies have shown that as people become insured, especially under a health plan that offers broad coverage and low copayments, they consume more health-care services.
ReplyDeletePeople will go to the doctor for every little twinge to demand a full medical work up if they view their health as someone elses responsibility.
Wendy,
ReplyDeleteHSA, makes them a consumer for the little stuff, and the big stuff is covered. The biggest bang for the buck will come with controlling the little stuff.
I like to see a few simple changes then see what that gets us.
National insurance pool.
Tort reform.
Same tax break for individuals as corporations.
A push for HSA and fee for service for the small stuff, and catastrophic coverage.
Thanks JCM, brain isn't functioning properly.
ReplyDelete/capthca: hypegr
//fitting I think
A push for HSA and fee for service for the small stuff, and catastrophic coverage.
ReplyDeleteWhich would return "insurance" to what it was meant to be. Imagine how expensive car insurance would be if the government required insurers to pay for routine maintenance. Not only would the insurance be expensive, it would drive up the cost of oil changes, tire rotation, etc...
grrrrrrrrrrr!
ReplyDelete