I'm totally confused about this new Health Care bill. I'm here to request help with a couple of questions I have. I was just reading a diary about the Attorneys General of several states challenging the legality of it and was struck with how much so many people here know about it. I thought since so many have so much knowledge maybe someone would be kind enough to explain some things to me.
My first concern is the mandate without at least a public option. This means that everyone will be required to buy health insurance, correct? This raises a couple of questions for me. First, I'm afraid that this will just enrich insurance companies. If we're required by law to purchase health insurance, the only place we can get it is from an insurance company. Therefore, insurance companies are going to be making tons and tons of money. Second, will the insurance we will be required to buy be affordable? I'll use my daughter as an example. She's on umemployment in New Jersey. The cost of living there is outrageous. On top of a ridiculous amount for rent, high gas prices and high food costs, will she now be required to either purchase health insurance she can't afford or pay a fine she also can't afford? Will she have to decide between eating healthful food or insurance?
My second major concern is the raiding of Medicare. Since I will be eligible in a little over two years, will it still be there? And why is it necessary to take funds from Medicare anyway? I know this is selfish, but I've worked for decades and paid taxes and will be retiring soon and I want to know if Medicare will be there for me when I need it.
My third concern is the taxation of people making over 250,000 USD a year. My boss is a small business owner. He's the only vet in a small veterinary hospital and makes probably 3K a year. If his taxes go up to help pay for this, I probably won't get a raise or a bonus next year and I won't be able to afford health insurance that I can't afford anyway and also won't be able to afford the alleged fine.
Anyway, I'd sure appreciate some clarification Thanks so much.