Bottom Of The Barrel

We have insurance but are we healthier?

On April 12, 2006, then Governor Mitt Romney signed a law that mandates all citizens have health insurance by July of 2007, for those who secured a waiver proving they couldn't afford insurance. As we approach the deadline, current Governor Deval Patrick said the fact that 95 percent of filers were insured shows the 2006 law is making progress, based on the first major survey of the health care law. Some of the highlights of the report include:

• Nearly 350,000 residents have gained insurance


• Cost savings of:


• Adults reporting out-of-pocket expenses of more than $500 dropped by 4 percent


• Low-income adults reporting out-of-pocket expenses of more than $3,000 fell 8 percent


• 71 percent of working-age adults expressed support for the law

Now the downside:

• In 2006, $725 million in the fiscal year starting in July


• Patrick set aside $869 million [and it may cost even more]


• 97,000 were forced to forfeit their personal exemption — worth $219 — after it was determined they could have afforded health care


• Monthly penalties for those who can afford health care but refuse will jump and could total as much as $912 for individuals by December


• A total of $9.7 million in fines was deposited into a trust fund to help cover the cost of the law

While the law may seem good in theory, I'm not sure fining people who may not want or can not afford insurance is the answer. Although, adding a new dollar-per-pack cigarette tax might be a interesting solution. Also we will see if smokers will pay over $6 for a pack or not. I think they will.

It should be noted that the report was paid for by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts, the Commonwealth Fund and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. So much for unbiased reporting.

Labels: Government

posted by TheWino @ 10:21 AM