Ok Trekkers, Don't Forget To Sign Up For Mandatory Obamacare Oct 1st

Discussion in 'Miscellaneous' started by Shilliam Watner, Sep 29, 2013.

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  1. Amaris

    Amaris Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    Re: Ok Trekkers, Don't Forget To Sign Up For Mandatory Obamacare Oct 1

    It's a monologue. It's what the most devout of proselytizers do. If you have questions, they don't answer you directly. They push forward with their pre-formulated message, trying to distract and defuse without being direct. Directness is bad, because then they can't stay on message, they have to answer questions, and most lack the knowledge to adequately answer said questions, so it's more of what you're seeing above.

    A key difference is that unlike the current system, the less income you have, the more subsidies you'll be eligible for. For those who can afford insurance, but won't purchase it either through the exchange, or through employer coverage, a fine will be levied against their income taxes at the end of the year.

    The PPACA is built for low income families.
     
  2. J.T.B.

    J.T.B. Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    Re: Ok Trekkers, Don't Forget To Sign Up For Mandatory Obamacare Oct 1

    stage whisper: I know! ;)
     
  3. Naira

    Naira Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    Re: Ok Trekkers, Don't Forget To Sign Up For Mandatory Obamacare Oct 1

    Excuse my naive question, but what do people with no health insurance actually do in the US when they get sick?

    A bit over a year ago, my mother was diagnosed with cancer. I have no idea what her treatments would cost us if she had no insurance. Even the smallest bottle of medicine seemed to cost more than a few hundreds of euros. Unfortunately, cancer and other serious diseases are common.

    If I understand correctly, the whole point of this disagreement is that many Americans do not want to be requested to pay for health insurance. But, what do people who don't have any do when they get sick? Is it common for people in the US to have thousands of dollars kept aside to spend in case of emergency? Or do they just die?

    (I am not trying to raise any fights here, I am genuinely interested in the answer.)
     
  4. Manticore

    Manticore Manticore, A moment ago Account Deleted

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    Re: Ok Trekkers, Don't Forget To Sign Up For Mandatory Obamacare Oct 1

    They go to the emergency room.
    No, they don't have the thousands set aside. Instead, they declare bankruptcy and let everyone who does have insurance foot the bill.
     
  5. Alex1939

    Alex1939 Captain Captain

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    Re: Ok Trekkers, Don't Forget To Sign Up For Mandatory Obamacare Oct 1


    Those posts are not consecutive so what's your problem?


    Oh yeah, I forget that I am visiting the most poorly moderated and biased forum I have ever participated in.

    Don't infract me, just ban me. A KKK meeting is more warm and welcoming than this joint.


    Star Trek Fans, all about being open and accepting everybody, unless you have a different opinion. In which case, you can go fuck yourself.
     
  6. iguana_tonante

    iguana_tonante Admiral Admiral

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    Re: Ok Trekkers, Don't Forget To Sign Up For Mandatory Obamacare Oct 1

    Your... "kind"? :vulcan:

    Iguanas are smart, gentle, sociable creatures. Your posts are ruining their reputation.

    Source?

    Of course it isn't. The best, most efficient way to provide affordable health care to more people is a tax-funded, state-sponsored universal healthcare service. Everybody knows that.
     
  7. Robert Maxwell

    Robert Maxwell memelord Premium Member

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    Re: Ok Trekkers, Don't Forget To Sign Up For Mandatory Obamacare Oct 1

    Hey, remember how Star Trek was set in a post-capitalist utopia where everyone has access to their basic needs, including medical care, without having to work themselves to death in order to get it? That Gene Roddenberry sure was craaaaaaaazy.
     
  8. Misfit Toy

    Misfit Toy Caped Trek Mod Admiral

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    Re: Ok Trekkers, Don't Forget To Sign Up For Mandatory Obamacare Oct 1

    Given some of the views you've expressed, I'm not terribly surprised that the KKK would warmly welcome you.
     
  9. nightwind1

    nightwind1 Commodore Commodore

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    Re: Ok Trekkers, Don't Forget To Sign Up For Mandatory Obamacare Oct 1

    They get treated anyway, then skip out on paying and leave everyone else stuck with the bill.

    Kind of like dining-and-ditching at a restaurant.
     
  10. Amaris

    Amaris Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    Re: Ok Trekkers, Don't Forget To Sign Up For Mandatory Obamacare Oct 1

    True, except most of them have no choice. It's like a homeless man, desperate for food, eats at the only restaurant in town because if he doesn't eat anything, he dies. Sure he knows he can't pay, but what else is he to do? People who have no insurance (and can't afford it or are simply denied it) know it's going to cost them thousands, and they know they won't be able to pay, but if they don't get medical treatment, they'll die.

    That this has to go on, due to necessity, in one of the richest nations in the world is disgusting.
     
  11. iguana_tonante

    iguana_tonante Admiral Admiral

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    Re: Ok Trekkers, Don't Forget To Sign Up For Mandatory Obamacare Oct 1

    :lol: win
     
  12. IndyJones

    IndyJones Vice Admiral Admiral

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    Re: Ok Trekkers, Don't Forget To Sign Up For Mandatory Obamacare Oct 1

    And this is quite common. Medical bills are the number one reason why people declare bankruptcy in this country.
     
  13. SeerSGB

    SeerSGB Admiral Admiral

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    Re: Ok Trekkers, Don't Forget To Sign Up For Mandatory Obamacare Oct 1

    So long as she doesn't fall out of compliance, we got insurance through the wife's job--for now. after 1/1/14 we'll see. If she gets her hours cut and files below compliance, she's off it for good.

    You have watched Trek haven't you? Cause that's sort of the Federation's entire diplomatic policy in a nutshell.
     
  14. Tora Ziyal

    Tora Ziyal Vice Admiral Admiral

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    Re: Ok Trekkers, Don't Forget To Sign Up For Mandatory Obamacare Oct 1

    The fines will be deducted from income tax refunds (or included in the amount that you owe, I assume, but I haven't actually seen that documented). As for affordability, there will be subsidies, as J. Allen said. Also, in most states, Medicaid is being expanded, so it will pick up more of the lowest-income people.
     
  15. Amaris

    Amaris Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    Re: Ok Trekkers, Don't Forget To Sign Up For Mandatory Obamacare Oct 1

    It's going to be a great thing for a lot of low income folks. In fact, I predict in 20 years, people will be telling the government to get its hands off their Obamacare.
     
  16. Spot's Meow

    Spot's Meow Vice Admiral Admiral

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    Re: Ok Trekkers, Don't Forget To Sign Up For Mandatory Obamacare Oct 1

    I feel lucky to have such great medical insurance through my employer, and that there is no possibility of my hours being cut. I pay $5 a month for my medical insurance right now, so having to pay $200 or more would be a big difference for me. Although my benefits are great my actual salary is not very high. Before I got this job I did not have health insurance for a couple of years. Luckily I did not get sick. I am very grateful for my situation now and hope that in a few years time the kinks will be worked out of this new system.
     
  17. Starbreaker

    Starbreaker Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    Re: Ok Trekkers, Don't Forget To Sign Up For Mandatory Obamacare Oct 1

    The website has been unusable all day
     
  18. Australis

    Australis Writer - Australis Admiral

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    Re: Ok Trekkers, Don't Forget To Sign Up For Mandatory Obamacare Oct 1

    First off, Rob, thanks for your answer a few pages back. I got the gist of it, though it still seems somewhat complicated to me.

    As for our new friend... wow. Alex1939? More like Alex1839.
     
    Last edited: Oct 2, 2013
  19. Alidar Jarok

    Alidar Jarok Everything in moderation but moderation Moderator

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    Re: Ok Trekkers, Don't Forget To Sign Up For Mandatory Obamacare Oct 1

    I wondered if the IT support staff for the website was affected. I agree that it's mandatory spending, but I didn't know if that makes every employer essential.

    If you qualify for medicaid, you are exempt from the mandate (but should probably get medicaid).* If you don't qualify for medicaid, you have to buy insurance, but you qualify for subsidies depending on how low your income is. If you fail to get insurance, you owe a fine that's based on your income (so the less income you make, the lower you have to pay). This is assessed through your taxes and the IRS can do no worse than take your tax refund to pay it. The fine starts small, but increases each year. There's supposed to be a cap on the maximum amount of fine, which I believe is the same cost as an unsubsidized insurance plan (so you'll never pay more for not having coverage than you would for having coverage).

    * It's slightly more complicated due to some states refusing to adopt the expanded medicaid coverage, but that's the basic idea.
     
  20. MacLeod

    MacLeod Admiral Admiral

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    Re: Ok Trekkers, Don't Forget To Sign Up For Mandatory Obamacare Oct 1

    Just a few links with figures to add to the debate

    http://www.bloomberg.com/visual-data/best-and-worst/most-efficient-health-care-countries

    We'll compare the UK to the US.

    Rank: UK 14, US 46
    Efficeny Score: UK 55.7, US 30.8
    Life Expentacy: UK 80.8, US 78.6
    GDP cost per capita: UK 9.4%, US 17.2%
    Cost per captia US$: UK 3 690, US 8 608

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/29/most-efficient-healthcare_n_3825477.html

    is related to that bloomberg report.


    So it's more expensive than the UK, Is less efficent than the UK and the life expentacy is lower.

    Now of course the various health care systems used around the world have they pros and cons.

    But from what I've read regarding the current crisis in the US is that it is the far-right of the Republic party the element known as the Tea Party that appears to be holding the US to ransom. Some of the more moderate Republics are willing to pass a budget (or perhaps more accuratly a Continuing Resolution) with no rider attaced related to PPACA.

    If the US public is so against PPACA then surely they should be able to gain a two thirds majority in both Houses of Congress in order to esure they can repeal the PPACA. However I think that won't happen as by and large it appears as if the US is roughly split 50/50 Democrat/Republican. Included in that is of course the swing voters who appear often to decide the outcome of US elections.

    To draw an analogy from US history it appears as if certain elements of the US Congress are fighting over the hose pipe whilst the house is on fire. (An over simplification maybe)

    Would it be better if the Tea Party Republicans split from the Republican Party and formed their own party? Surely if they are that confident if their beliefs that those who normally vote Republican believe in their policies rather than the more moderate polives of some of the other Repblicans they should easily sweep into power.

    Sometimes a vote will be cast because of a particualr candidate, more or often or not we vote for the party that most closely supports our beliefs.
     
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