Opposition to Health Care Law Declining, A Lot

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2010/07/29/opposition_to_health_care_law_declining.html


July 29, 2010

Opposition to Health Care Law Declining

The latest Kaiser tracking poll finds opposition to the landmark health care law signed into law by President Obama in March has declined over the past month, from 41% to 35%.

Meanwhile, 50% held a favorable view of the law, up slightly from 48% a month ago, and the highest level since the legislation was enacted.

What's not to like. It didn't change things all that much in the short run. Of course the mandates haven't hit yet, but they will only affect a small segment of the population over all, so I wouldn't expect them to move these numbers by more than 8% or so, probably less because many of them were people who already opposed it to begin with. In a few years, as unions have to renegotiate their contracts to avoid the cadillac taxes, it might be more unpopular then. And if they don't adjust the threshold for the increased cost of medical care that's coming, it could get even more unpopular, but again, that won't be for a good 5 years or so.

Truth is, when people who didn't have insurance before find out how expensive health care is even with insurance, they'll mostly be mad at the insurance company anyway.

Now what will be interesting is whether members of congress can actually campaign on the topic. That 50% is wide, but it remains to be seen, politically, how deep that support goes.

The only real mandate is the one on employers who do not cover all their workers.

Basically if you don't have coverage from your employer, you'll be mandated to purchase it individually. If your income is low enough, you can get a subsidy. If the subsidy isn't enough to cover the premium, you'll be exempt. Like I said, it's a small slice of the population, and many of them were already opposed to the bill, so it probably won't move the numbers much. Some folks will probably get scared/confused the first time the line item appears on the 1040A.

So, um, how is this a mandate?

there will be a fine for those who don't have coverage. that is a penalty.

Last I noted the only fine was to corporations who did not provide insurance.

Every person is required to be insured. That requirement can be met by having insurance through your employer. If your employer doesn't choose to give you access to health insurance (a qualifying plan) you are obligated to get one on your own. If you don't you are subject to a fine/tax/fee of $695 or 2.5% of your income, which ever is higher. If you income is low enough, you can get subsidies. If the subsidies don't cover the premium, you're exempt. If you have a religious objection to having insurance, you're exempt. Certain Native Americans are exempt.

There is ALSO a fine for employers of 50 or more people that they provide insurance. If they don't, they get fined $2000 per employee. But the employee is still required to obtain insurance.

Oh, it's Title 1, section 1002.

there are exemptions, but if you don't qualify for one, you'll be taxed/fined/billed on your 1040.

It's $695 a year or 2.5 percent of income which ever is higher(by 2016 when it is fully enacted). Probably what you're alluding to is that there's no enforcement mechanism, yet.

http://www.scpr.org/news/2010/03/21/what-health-overhaul-will-mean-for-you/

Summarizes the mandate. Of course you can look in the bill itself too. Title 1 Section 1002

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/PLAW-111publ152/pdf/PLAW-111publ152.pdf

Kinda hard to read though.

Which ever is higher. That's the penalty, some are exempt, most are not.

so that we have a large enough majority in the Senate next year to get the Public Option passed BEFORE THE MANDATES HIT.,

You suggest that there is any number of democrats that would lead to a successful passage. It isn't clear that is true. Lieberman will still be there. So will Lincoln if Obama gets his way. For that matter, it isn't clear that Obama would sign one at this point.

Less fear and opposition to HCR can only bode well for future and more consequential reform.

than what he could get through the state of SD because he was denied insurgence for a pre existing condition.. sleep apnea.. which he no longer has because he lost all the weight.. I have been reluctant to post that because I do not want to get defensive. Because what might seem like crumbs to some, is a life saving line to us. But I think as people see what is being offered the populace will be happier and hopefully more open to the next step.. public option.


When you see where most Americans are getting their news.. FOX and talk radio, you can almost begin to understand why people are so confused.

We are literally fighting a media blitz 24/7. How we got as much through as we did still amazes me!

He could not afford it .. any way, shape form or fashion. He is a dishwasher, and made too much for medicaid (trust me, what they consider too much would break your heart).. but the restaurant he works for does not offer insurance, and when he tried to get it on his own.. he was denied because of a history of sleep apnea. Now he can get it for 200.00 a month, that is still so expensive for him..but he can do that.. Medicaid has been expanded under the new health bill and he is reapplying and we hope he qualifies.

that we demand a lowly dishwasher that it would be a complete miracle if he makes 20k gross to pay 2,400 a year out of his net to get basic care and probably a lot more in copays, deductibles, and whatever other "cost sharing" he's set up with.

I don't honestly see where that kind of money comes from after rent, utilities, food, and transportation.

$200 bucks a month for somebody trying to struggle by on 7-10 bucks an hour is like piling bricks on their chest.

When money is that tight that is coming out of something that man really needs and certainly removing any semblance of a margin of error.

That's not a half a loaf other than what you have to live on.

We are fucked up that this is cause for some celebration. I understand why it is and am glad for what little burden is lifted but it makes me too sick at heart to join the dancing with the Ewoks. This kind of system cannot be sustained and poverty will be felt a little easier.

I seriously can't see where that poor man gets $200 and can't imagine how he'd squeeze out any more blood from that stone. Surely, even a $5 or $10 more means a meal or two or eating crap like ramen and cheap white rice.

This isn't right.

The people who will receive the biggest benefit are the "basically healthy" but could afford insurance for one reason or another. With the 100% for "preventative care" they'll see relatively low medical costs. Since they were already aware of how expensive insurance premiums could be, they may actually be pleasantly surprised by the rates they now get quoted. And they will now have a sense of security that they do have some coverage.

Of course, these weren't the people who most needed help, and if they really do get seriously ill, they may be surprised to find out how expensive it is to be sick, even with iinsurance. But for now they're gonna be happy.

South Dakota and Iowa where I am (I can't speak for any other states) offer basically free health care to children 18 and younger.. called HawkI in Ia.. no family pays more than 40.00 no matter how many kids and many families pay zero..I am not exactly sure what the program is called in SD. They are expanding the Medicaid portion. These are starts.. we have those under 19 covered, and those over 65..we have now moved to subsidies .. which was huge. we have our foot in the door to get the middle covered completely. And my brother falls in that middle.

If your family's yearly countable income is in the blue, and you do not qualify for Medicaid, your children may be able to get FREE coverage under hawk-I. I

Family Size Income Limit

1 $14,405 <============================> $16,244
2 $19,380 <============================> $21,854
3 $24,354 <============================> $27,464
4 $29,328 <============================> $33,074
5 $34,302 <============================> $38,684
6 $39,276 <============================> $44,294
7 $44,251 <============================> $49,904
8 $49,225 <============================> $55,514
If your family's yearly countable income is in the red, your children may be able to get hawk-i for $10-$20 per child per month. No family pays more than $40 per month.

Family Size Income Limit
1 $16,245 <============================> $32,490
2 $21,855 <============================> $43,710
3 $27,465 <============================> $54,930
4 $33,075 <============================> $66,150
5 $38,685 <============================> $77,370
6 $44,295 <============================> $88,590
7 $49,905 <============================> $99,810
8 $55,515 <============================> $111,030

which I'm paying and it's getting tough to keep that up. He's too young for Medicare and makes "too much" (disability) for Medicaid.

I went out to "healthcare".gov to check the high risk plans available for Minnesota and tound that for the group my brother would fall into it is required that a person had COBRA for 18 months and did not lose the the coverage because of failure to pay a premium. It also requires that the person has not gone more than 63 days without coverage.

The plans are as follows:

DEDUCTIBLE / PREMIUM PER MONTH
$500 Deductible / $1,161
$1,000 Deductible / $868
$2,000 Deductible / $699
$3,000 Deductible / $669*
$5,000 Deductible / $507
$10,000 Deductible / $365

*This one is also called a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) and is a Federally qualified plan for a health savings account (HSA). It has a $3,000 Individual annual deductible/out-of-pocket (covered expenses only, not including premiums).

In addition to the deductile the plans have an 80/20 "coinsurance" up to a max $3,000 out of pocket (if the deductible is less than $3000). Again, only covered expenses count toward the out of pocket and premiums do not.

The only plan cheaper than his COBRA is the one with the $10,000 deductible.

The Minnesota Care plan requires that he go without insurance for 3 months to be eligible - not really practical when you have cancer.

I am even less impressed with the insurance bail out than I was before and continue to wonder why the U.S. remains the only industrialized country that puts up barriers to accessing health care - even after "reform".

Sure there are more Dems, but not nearly 15% more.

http://www.pollster.com/blogs/us_health_care_kaiser_7813.php