snowbunny

And you'd be able to pay the rest of the cost?

scrubbedexpat099

You will need more than that.

Michael

What does that mean? Does that mean you would rather purchase toys and then default on your medical bills if you get sick or does that mean your income is below the US medium income for your family size so you can't afford to purchase health insurance?

If it is the first, then I don't have a lot of sympathy for you but if it is the second, then yes this bill will help you purchase insurance.

chrisfromusa

Geisinger Health offers plans with $250 deductable for as low as $108 per month go PA course that's without Rx, and I have asthma so I have a pre-existing condition

I'm actually very frugal but we're in that pinch that my family makes too muhc money to qualify for government assistance yet realistically not earn enough to cover health insurance.

So I take it that's a no then? That you wouldn't personally write me a check for two grand out of your bank account so I can buy health insurance with it?

Michael

Everybody but the richest has financial problems. We all want to spend our money on something other than health insurance but I don't think people have the right to keep on dumping their health care costs on other people just because they can't seem to manage their finances. Why do you think you have a right to file bankruptcy on medical bills?

I actually support that people could opt out of purchasing health insurance and don't have to pay a fine. However there are conditions attached. Once they opt out, they could never opt back in and would always be at the mercy of unregulated health insurance companies if they ever decided to purchase health insurance (could be refused, could be canceled, could be quoted unreasonable prices, etc.). They also couldn't ever discharge medical bills in bankruptcy and they could never get subsidized health care. That only seems fair since they have made a decision not to be part of the program that everyone shares in.

However, when that was proposed, conservatives thought that was unfair.

scrubbedexpat099

We pay twice that for a $5,000 deductible.

But a good point, all those people on this thread who are happy to pay more to help others, why are you not already doing it?

chartreuse

Perhaps this will be the new doughnut hole?

Michael

I don't know or care what you income level is but the current health care reform will subsidize health insurance for incomes up to $82,000 for a family of four (different maximum incomes for different size families).

fatbrit

Not the Sprint then! 2L with a 16V head. And a 4-speed box with o/d on 3 and 4 -- when it worked!

Giantaxe

But being a man of principle who detests "socialism" he's going to decline those subsidies.

chrisfromusa

However charity is different, so would you help buy insurance for me then?

Giantaxe

I think others are more deserving of my charity. Maybe you could sell your car (if you have one) so you don't have to drive it on any socialized roads?

snowbunny

Can I claim a tax deduction?

fatbrit

Mr Obama's going to help you. Remember to say thank you.

Brit3964

Why should charities cover it? That's the sort of thing that happens in Central America where there is little or no government assistance with healthcare. Not the USA, the richest country in the world. Not to denigrate the charities that do good work here in the USA but leave it all to charities??