Thanks "Squashed"!

(Updated) Pros and Cons of the Healthcare Reform Bill

My previous list of pros and cons of healthcare reform has gotten a bit dated. I’ve updated it. Once again, I’ve attempted to keep it as simple and non-partisan as I can manage. Let me know if you think I have misrepresented anything or left out anything crucial.

Pros:
A lot of people who don’t have health insurance will now have health insurance.
95% coverage of legal U.S. residents under 65 will be covered. Compare this with 83% and dropping now. This is an increase of 32,000,000 people. (Those over 65 are already covered by Medicare either way.)
Insurers will not be able to stop paying for people who are sick, even if they lose their jobs.
People who cannot afford health insurance won’t have to pay as much money for it. If you are particularly poor, insurance will be very cheap or even free.
People who are already sick will be eligible for healthcare.
Medicaid availability will expand significantly
Children will be able to stay on their parents’ insurance plan until they are 26.
Insurers must spend at least 80% of premiums on actual medical care.
There will be a federally regulated insurance marketplace that should make health insurance more portable.
The bill will reduce the deficit.
Medicare fraud will be cracked down on.
The prescription drug “donut hole” will be closed. (If you don’t know what that is, you will now never have to worry about it.)

Cons:
Most of the bill won’t go into effect until 2014
For the first ten years, it will cost $94 billion a year on average. This is a bit less than the yearly cost of the Iraq War. Unlike the Iraq War, there are cost savings and tax increases to more than cover all of this expense.
The bill might increase the cost of health insurance in some states. This depends on whether the gains from increased efficiencies and increased competition are outweighed by the cost of providing additional benefits.
The Individual Mandate. You will have to either buy health insurance if you don’t have it or have a 2.5% tax increase. This insurance will be subsidized for most people—but there is no guarantee that the subsidy will suffice for your specific situation.
There will be a tax on very expensive health insurance plans.
There will be a tax increase on very high income people. If you are making more than $200,000 (or $250,00 for a family) your Medicare Payroll tax will increase and you will need to pay Medicare taxes on investment income.

Other stuff that might be good or bad, depending how you feel about things:
Increased government involvement in healthcare. Government already pays for huge amounts of healthcare—so this won’t be anything new.
The bill is abortion-neutral. There will be no federal money for abortion. It will also not have additional restrictions on it. Neither side gets everything it wants on this one.
Additional regulation on insurance companies. This might increase costs. It will increase quality.
Doctors will have increased access to information about what treatments are most effective for their cost. If two treatments work equally well and one is cheaper, doctors can recommend that one. This was almost universally considered a good thing until a few years ago, but some people have started criticizing it lately.
Large employers will have to offer health insurance all of their employees or pay a fee.
Medicare Advantage plans will get less federal money. They will still get the money normal medicare patients get. So the Federal government will still be giving extra money to private insurance companies—but it won’t be giving them as much extra money.
In the long run it will (hopefully) reduce medical costs. Rising medical costs are the main reason the long-term budget projections are so alarming. Something has to be done. Unfortunately, this bill might not do enough. While there will definitely be some savings, it’s not clear that they will be as transformative as hoped.
There will not be a public option for people who want it.

I think we’ve moved beyond the part of the debate where people are screaming about death panels, euthenasia, rationing of healthcare, forced abortion, one-child policy, and putting a government bureaucrat between you and your doctor. I don’t think I need to reiterate how none of that is in the bill. Additionally, Nebraska no longer gets special treatment in the reconcilliation bill.

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Ignorance

I don't understand...if no one likes Obama as President, then how did he get to be the President?! Did all these people forget they had the right to VOTE?

Hell Froze Over!

Yes, Hell must have frozen over because I'm moving back to cold Colorado! As much as I love Southern California and want to stay, it appears best I move to be closer to family. My sister's roommate moved out and has an empty room at her place in Grand Junction. Mom is going in for surgery on her shoulder this week and will be out of commission for about 2 weeks. In addition, Mom & Dad got scammed and their home is in foreclosure, so I feel like I need to be there. So, I'm going to Meeker for a few weeks to help Mom out and enjoy the holidays with my family, them moving to Grand Junction to look for work. Not sure I'm ready for small town, country life, but I'm excited to be close to family and like the idea of living with my baby sister and spending some quality time with her. I will be nice to actually have a room as I've been sleeping on the floor in my friend's living room in Cali for 2 months now. A little privacy will be so welcomed. I will definitely miss Cali weather as you just can't beat how beautiful it is here, even when it's cold and rainy! But I'm sure I'll survive, as I did live in Colorado for 18 years, right?! Funny the unexpected things life hands us. Never thought this would be my life in a million years! But I'm grateful for my health, my family, and my future. Your prayers would be greatly appreciated on my parent's behalf. God bless you one and all!

Starting Over

Made it to San Diego (well Chula Vista) last Wednesday and am loving the California weather. Adjusting to a roommate and small quarters is taking some time, however I'm very grateful he saw the potential in me and wanted to help me out in this journey to better my life. I'm still looking for work, but I didn't expect that to happen right away. I actually have been void of the internet and just got it today, so that's put the job hunt in the forefront. I'm sure I'll have a job soon enough, even if it's just getting my foot in the door in a great company with lots of potential. You can't beat California weather!! I am so glad I don't have to deal with snow!! So, I'm just busy networking and trying to get my bearings. Learning my way around will take a little time, but I'm trying. Thanks for all of the love and prayers.

Cali or bust!

Well, Vegas was a bust! My car broke down the day I was to leave and spent the day at the shop getting it fixed. I did make it to Vegas, however the car wouldn't start the next day, so I made it to NO interviews and spent 10 days stranded in Vegas trying to get Checker Auto Parts to honor their warranty. After failing at that, I just had my mechanic in Vegas put in an all new part. I made it back to Utah about 10 days after I was supposed to be back. Thank God my cousin in Henderson loved me enough to let me crash with her and to feed me! And my car still isn't wanting to start, so that's a frustration in itself!

Anyway, I believe the trip to Vegas was an omen that I'm NOT supposed to move back there, so it's no longer an option. After weeks of sending out resumes here in Utah and in Colorado, with little to no response, I've decided to take a friend of mine up on his offer to stay at his place in San Diego, California. Moving to another state again, in less than a year, is a bit scary, but nonetheless, I've always wanted to live in California and am looking forward to the opportunities it can bring. I've had no quality of life in Utah and with the cold setting in, it's just reassurance that this move will be better for me. I'll have to put everything I own in storage, until my life settles and I get a place of my own, but I'm still looking forward to the Cali weather and the quality of life San Diego will offer.

I haven't exactly told any of my family that I am planning to move to California, as I know my mother will not be happy that I'm moving further away, but I have to do this for me. And, they will know soon enough!

Thank God for friends who give a damn!

On the move...again?

I spent a beautiful, long Labor Day Weekend in Colorado with my family. I spent my first night in Grand Junction with Nicole at her place, and was good just to have some quality time with my sister. Then it was off to Meeker for the rest of the weekend. Travis had exciting news, as he's engaged to a young lady named Carol, who I got to meet for the first time. He's the happiest I've seen him in years! I'm so happy for him. The kids are all growing up so fast, and I loved seeing the majority the nieces and nephews again. My youngest, Brad is HUGE. I can't believe how much he's grown since I saw him in July. Brooklynn, Trevor's youngest is on the verge of walking and is just so adorable.

Unfortunately, I lost the job I moved to Utah for just before I left on my trip, so I'm once again looking for some sort of stability. I'm not sure where I'm headed just yet, but I have had but one interview here in Utah, so I'm headed to Vegas this next week for some interviews, which may just lead me back there. I wouldn't be sorry if it did! The world is just a scary, unstable place for me right now. I hate it. I am, however, so looking forward to getting to the city, seeing friends, getting out and being able to breathe for a bit. And, of course, hopefully I get a good job offer, soon, wherever it may be. If all else fails, I may be putting down new roots in California! I guess life's an adventure, if nothing else! Just trying to stay positive! I haven't made a friend, or had a date since I've been in Utah and am ready to move somewhere a little more my speed, so time will tell.

Wish me luck and say a prayer...

July 4th

Have a happy and safe 4th of July!