Just because "[e]very health-care system in every other industrialized nation of the world works precisely like, I'll say it, obamacare" does not mean that it is appropriate or applicable to the American people. Such medical systems cost a great deal of tax payer funds, and usually more than is predicted. Those "other industrialized nations," you see taxation rates of 40 - 45 percent; it tops out at around 48 percent in Norway.
Living well under that evil $250k cap, my husband and I are already paying between 30 - 35 percent of our income to taxes, and that is without the burden of Obamacare. Given the costs and ramifications across all strata of the economic community, item prices will be going up as companies attempt to recoup some of the asinine penalties and fees. This adds further to the cost of the program, and is one add-on I seriously doubt Pelosi and her mob even thought about...to say nothing of the impact on businesses with 51 or more employees. Some of them are already contemplating either laying off personnel, or dividing up into smaller companies to stay below the 50-employee cap, requiring them to provide insurance. I can't say as I blame them.
Thus, if the "most ethical Congress ever" was really concerned about economic recovery, they would have examined the ramifications of this bill more closely.
Contrary to what Congress has said, too, everyone in America has access to healthcare; having insurance is not a prerequisite. Yes, going into an emergency room sans insurance, for a common cold can get expensive -- but any hospital accepting Medicare must provide medical attention to anyone who walks in the door, regardless of their ability to pay. Thus, it's a fallacy oft repeated that Americans don't have access. They do. It's a matter of how they pay for it.
And, for most people, medical debt on the level you are suggesting -- a simple doctor visit for a script -- is entirely manageable. Even with insurance, some debt is unavoidable: I still have some minor debts related to a surgery two years or so ago, covering deductibles. These debts, when in lower amounts, are often overlooked when applying for certain loans. Thus, if someone makes repayment of said debts a priority, they don't stay with them and do not negatively affect credit scores.
Does this apply for all people? No; I certainly understand that there are others treated for cancer and other ailments whose debt climbs exponentially. But for the "average" American, the former is the case. And those who cannot afford the "simple" doctor visit likely already qualify for Medicare or Medicaid. If we're already paying for that, they should take advantage of an already existing entitlement.
It should not be the role of the American government, however, to determine whether or not a citizen purchases health insurance. I resent the fact that Congress seems to think that I cannot manage my life: They are now mandating what type of health coverage I should have, what foods I should eat, and how I should spend my income. Rather than this, they should be lowering my taxes, cutting small businesses a break, and encouraging other faculties that enable the American dream. All they accomplish now is smothering it.
We are -- or were -- a nation of independent thinkers, driven by our work ethic to succeed on an individual level. We are a nation built upon the ideas of personal responsibility in the "pursuit of happiness." By allowing the government to define "happiness," and provide the means, we cripple ourselves and do irreparable damage to the republican form of government. We have been the "beacon of light" which serves as an example to other industrialized nations... They should look to us, not we to them.
(ETA: I'd posted a link to Washington's Farewell Address. The server now appears to be down. Highly recommended reading.)
no subject
Living well under that evil $250k cap, my husband and I are already paying between 30 - 35 percent of our income to taxes, and that is without the burden of Obamacare. Given the costs and ramifications across all strata of the economic community, item prices will be going up as companies attempt to recoup some of the asinine penalties and fees. This adds further to the cost of the program, and is one add-on I seriously doubt Pelosi and her mob even thought about...to say nothing of the impact on businesses with 51 or more employees. Some of them are already contemplating either laying off personnel, or dividing up into smaller companies to stay below the 50-employee cap, requiring them to provide insurance. I can't say as I blame them.
Thus, if the "most ethical Congress ever" was really concerned about economic recovery, they would have examined the ramifications of this bill more closely.
Contrary to what Congress has said, too, everyone in America has access to healthcare; having insurance is not a prerequisite. Yes, going into an emergency room sans insurance, for a common cold can get expensive -- but any hospital accepting Medicare must provide medical attention to anyone who walks in the door, regardless of their ability to pay. Thus, it's a fallacy oft repeated that Americans don't have access. They do. It's a matter of how they pay for it.
And, for most people, medical debt on the level you are suggesting -- a simple doctor visit for a script -- is entirely manageable. Even with insurance, some debt is unavoidable: I still have some minor debts related to a surgery two years or so ago, covering deductibles. These debts, when in lower amounts, are often overlooked when applying for certain loans. Thus, if someone makes repayment of said debts a priority, they don't stay with them and do not negatively affect credit scores.
Does this apply for all people? No; I certainly understand that there are others treated for cancer and other ailments whose debt climbs exponentially. But for the "average" American, the former is the case. And those who cannot afford the "simple" doctor visit likely already qualify for Medicare or Medicaid. If we're already paying for that, they should take advantage of an already existing entitlement.
It should not be the role of the American government, however, to determine whether or not a citizen purchases health insurance. I resent the fact that Congress seems to think that I cannot manage my life: They are now mandating what type of health coverage I should have, what foods I should eat, and how I should spend my income. Rather than this, they should be lowering my taxes, cutting small businesses a break, and encouraging other faculties that enable the American dream. All they accomplish now is smothering it.
We are -- or were -- a nation of independent thinkers, driven by our work ethic to succeed on an individual level. We are a nation built upon the ideas of personal responsibility in the "pursuit of happiness." By allowing the government to define "happiness," and provide the means, we cripple ourselves and do irreparable damage to the republican form of government. We have been the "beacon of light" which serves as an example to other industrialized nations... They should look to us, not we to them.
(ETA: I'd posted a link to Washington's Farewell Address. The server now appears to be down. Highly recommended reading.)