Health Care Debate - Pasco, WA

Read your history. The democraps are scary and will be our downfall if allowed to bring forth their vision of hateful change.

I've been reading the Topix discussion for weeks now and it is obvious the billions spent by the insurance companies, drug companies and medical investors against the plan are going to work. I will continue not getting healthcare due to the high cost of worthless insurance. My only hope is one of my illnesses will take me fast. I am ashamed of all the greedy and selfish people making comments like they have. Thank God there are a few who think differently.

I don't have excellent health care like most of you do because I don't have the money. I don't have health care at all even though I have insurance. I cannot afford the co-pay. I pay $795 per month for insurance for my wife and me to get a $6000 deductible policy. That means I have to pay the first $15,540 before they even begin paying the 70%. We don't make enough to make up the difference. I haven't seen a doctor in years. I haven't been to a dentist in 16 years. I am using the same glasses I got in 1998. We need health care reform in the worse way. I'm not looking for a handout, just a chance.

HR 3962 Affordable Health Care for America Act

1. Creates a public health insurance option and a national exchange for the uninsured and small businesses to purchase health insurance. The Secretary of Health and Human Services would negotiate rates with doctors and hospitals on reimbursement rates.
2. The bill includes mandates for individuals to purchase and businesses to provide health insurance or pay a fine. Individual penalty is 2.5 percent of gross income unless they get a waiver. Businesses that don't offer insurance pay a fine equal to 8 percent of their payroll. Businesses with a payroll of less than $500,000 are exempt from the mandate.
3. Insurance companies are prohibited from denying coverage based on a pre-existing condition. There are caps on deductibles and annual out of pocket spending is capped at $5000.
4. Eliminates the Medicare doughnut hole over ten years.
5. Allows individuals up to 27-years-old to stay on their parent’s health insurance
6. Expands Medicaid from 100 percent to 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Level.
7. Provides tax subsidies for individuals between 150 and 400 percent (sliding scale) of the Federal Poverty Level. There are also tax subsidies for small businesses.
8. As amended, it prohibits federal funds from covering abortions. Women would need to purchase riders to insurance purchased on the exchange if they wanted that coverage.
9. The bill taxes individuals making more than $500,000 and $1 million for couples. It is a 5.4 percent tax.
10. Reduces overpayments to doctors who treat Medicare Advantage patients. It is estimated they are paid 14 percent more than doctors who treat Medicare patients.

America can't afford this plan. Fix the economy first.