What does Obamacare mean for young people?

[umbertino]

by: Chauncey K. Robinson

October 2 2013

 

 

 

As this article is being written, the U.S. is currently experiencing a government shutdown. What happened? The official line is that the House and the Senate couldn't agree on a bill to fund the government, and time has run out. Depending on who you ask, or what you read, this all boiled down to the fight over the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which has come to be known as Obamacare.

 

Of course, in looking closer at this situation, we know that other elements were at play. For example demands like defunding Planned Parenthood, expanding drilling on federal lands, and other "compromises" that the GOP wanted passed in order to implement the Affordable Care Act. Needless to say, a compromise was not reached and we are now in a government shutdown - the first one in 17 years. This means a whole new generation of youth are getting a first hand experience of our government at work.

 

Funny thing is, the Affordable Care Act is still happening. It began October 1. The ACA bill is long and it can be very daunting to read and understand how it will affect certain parts of the population, or the working people as a whole. In this technological age, most young people want the facts, in bullet point form if you please, so that we know what exactly we can expect. So, how will the ACA affect young people? Here are some key points and ways in looking at it:

 

At this point in time, there are about 47 million people in the U.S. without health insurance. This includes a good amount of young people. The ACA won't greatly affect those that already have coverage through employers or government sponsored health care such as Medicaid or Medicare. So that leaves about 15 percent of the population not covered. With the ACA, they will be able to find affordable coverage. Some of the highlights of that and other changes to existing health coverage would be as follows:

 

- Young people would be able to stay on their parents insurance until the age of 26. Before, most insurers cut off the coverage at 21. Because of this provision, more than three million young people have gained coverage since approved. This works well in an economy when many young people are finding it hard to land full-time jobs that would give them the health coverage needed right out of college, high school, or post-graduate school.

 

- Everyone is entitled to free preventative care. This works well for young women seeking birth control and other contraceptives. They do not have to be charged extra for seeking birth control. Not to mention the population as a whole doesn't have to pay extra for important health screenings such as for diabetes and HIV.

- With the health exchange you can see what you're in for and you may even be eligible for a government discount. The websites provide a calculation of how much you will be paying based on your income. The lower your income the higher the tax credit you may be entitled to will be.

 

- Young women can't be charged more than men. There's a little (re: sexist) thing that insurance companies in some states do, where women are charged more than men for individual coverage. This practice will now be outlawed beginning in the new year.

 

- You cannot be charged for pre-existing conditions. This was another thing insurance companies were doing. Either they would reject people because of pre-existing health conditions or they would charge them more for it. Starting in the new year this will be illegal as well.

 

- In some states, if you make less that $16,000 a year, you may be eligible for Medicaid. This can come in handy for many young people who are having to settle for part-time work or lower wages in the current economy.

 

 

Overall, many of these benefits and changes don't just apply to young people. Then again, young people aren't some separate and apart species from the rest of the human race. What's going on in government doesn't just affect our parents or older loved ones, or older people in general. And even if it doesn't affect us directly, it affects many people we know.

 

 

http://www.peoplesworld.org/what-does-obamacare-mean-for-young-people/

 

[TexasGranny]

Garbage in = Garbage out!

 

Does Obamacare? Here are a few of the many omissions that Americans are not being told:

If you have no insurance and no income, Obamacare cannot serve you. You will be directed to go to your local community health center.

If you make less than about $11,500 a year as a single person or about $23,500 for a family of 4, you may not qualify for health insurance coverage through the Marketplace. You might not be able to get state assistance either if your state is not expanding its Medicaid program in 2014.

If you live with your parents, with no health insurance, no income, claimed as a dependent on your parents’ income tax return and you apply for health insurance coverage in the Marketplace, your eligibility and cost of insurance will be based on your family’s household income. Your parent(s) will have to purchase the coverage or pay a penalty at tax time. The fee in 2014 is 1% of yearly income or $95 per person for the year, whichever is higher. The fee increases every year. In 2016 it is 2.5% of income or $695 per person.

 

[RSTEFAN]

obamacare is going to be an eye opener to many

 

http://www.godlikeproductions.com/forum1/message2371124/pg1

 

OBAMACARE Reality Shockwave Has BEGUN...

I just saw a repost from a Facebook page - An alleged comment on the Affordable Care Act FB page states that a person had signed up online, under the $45-55,000 income range, pre-existing condition of type I diabetes. They chose the "Silver" plan...

Their premium came back as $597 per month, with an almost $14,000 annual deductible! And when the person clicked the "opt out" option, they shortly received an e-mail stating that their fine would be $4,037, and could be attached to their annual tax return. And if you don't have the $4,037 on time, then the repercussions for non-payment begin with your drivers license being suspended until the fine is paid, and if it goes 24 months without payment, a tax lien is placed on you property. It gives you the option to provide your bank info so your penalties can be withdrawn weekly, or biweekly, etc.



That comes out to about $350/month for not opting in, or $597 plus pretty much all your medical expenses for the year out of pocket (deductible) - unless you have some type of major surgery or catstrophic illness, which you then get to cough up $14,000 plus your monthly payments for. If you get that sick, do they suddenly put you on the financial assistance/reduced raters, since you obviously cannot work?

 

This is just one post, and there will be many more to come.

I am sure

lets hope this thing will be reversed somehow.

bob

 

 

[gymrat76541]

High insurance rates are a reality that people just have to learn to live with.

This is not driven by Obama Care, it is driven by the over-inflated prices that the health care industry is throwing on the American people.

Too many people are running around without health care and when the emergency comes up, they skip on the bills.

The hospitals have no choice in weather or not they have to treat people when they come into the hospital. If it is NOT a private facility then by law they must treat peope without payment. Hundreds of hospitals have and will close down if this continues.

 

I like that the Republicans are fighting Obama Care - not for the American people, but for big business who does not want to pay extra money to insure their workers. They are pushing for - NO CARE. Because they do not care if Americans have insurance or not as long as they do not have to pay for it.

 

If you asked me - I think the battle should be with the health care system who is diving up the cost of health care beyond what is reasonable. It is even getting so bad that some folks can not afford the prescribed medication for their illness. A single pill can cost hundreds of dollars. This is because they are passing on the research, development and even legal fees for the medication.

Just like cigarettes - they cost an American $5 + per pack. In other countries they are 50 cents a pack. Why? Because they Americans pay gross taxes (State & Federal) plus the legal fees on deals worked out to settle law suits.

Edited October 2, 2013 by gymrat76541

[Rayzur]

I've always found it interesting that the exact same medicine, made by the exact same manufacturer, sold in different packaging in another country is easily a quarter of what it would cost here, if not less. And its the same stuff made by the same company. While there is likely some variation in the formula,  (fillers etc) certainly, its no greater than the variation found right here in the USA with generics. The FDA requires a prescription for many things simply sold over the counter in many countries. In that regard, the US seems to be the absolute most controlling of any of the major countries... And its not like our health stats show there is any benefit for doing so, or that people are somehow more healthy. Indeed the US numbers are abysmal in most categories of measured health...

Edited October 3, 2013 by Rayzur

[dog53]

Oh and please let me add that under obama care all women must have a prenatal care and a maternity care clause in their policy  . Now these are extras mind you they cost more money.

Here`s the kicker

 

Its required on every policy

Dont matter what age you are .

 

Retired

 75

Just you and your husband in your golden years. 

You got pay just like everyone else for prenatal care and a maternity care

 

 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

       

Sorry I gotta laugh or im gonna hurt somebody

im 61 years old and have to pay for prenatal care and a maternity care

Aint that a kick in the a$$