Obamacare Reform; a brief summary

It isn't easy to understand many types of insurance, and in many instances we are in denial of necessity. A new law was passed in 2012 approved by the Supreme Court (!) that will have controversial ramifications. Most notably, if a citizen or family does not have health care, an IRS tax penalty will be enforced (minimum $200/month of not having minimum coverage). Note that the details below are contingent on a NEW plan, and not one prior to 3/23/2010

• Summary of Benefits and Coverage listed at hospitals (kind of like a menu of what is available and what is right for the average person with particular syndromes)
• This helps you compare tiers of coverages:
• Bronze (minimum for family of 4- $20,000)
• Silver
• Gold
• Platinum
• Wider Medicaid* coverage and more claims coverage for accidents that would today be neglected. If a claim is denied, the following must occur:
• You are notified why it was denied
• Notice of right to file appeal (closed in as quickly as 72 hours) or external review
• Preventative health care (!) is exempt from co-pay or deductibles
• Testing, counseling, and vaccinations
• Cancer and disease screenings
• Citizens under age 26 can be covered under parent's health care
• Coverage provided to citizens with Pre-existing conditions
• Cancellation by insurers must be reasonable
• Choose your Primary Physician
• Emergency care out of network requires NO raise in premiums
• All fees are disclosed clearly giving citizens a 'menu'
• Increased jobs for hospital employees and construction workers
• Every health record will be electronic rather than on paper.

NEGATIVES

• Employers may cut down on full time staff and lay off workers to avoid paying for mandated health care of 50+ employees
• Wait times: more citizens are required to have health care will equal more citizens needing to be seen by physicians, creating high demand for hospitals that are already burdened by too many patients
•  More taxes taken out regardless of tiers to support operating fees
• Create tiers of people by increasing our awareness of health care tiers - we have comprehensive knowledge of each tier, so we see that the rich are increasing longevity and utilizing empowering pharmaceuticals. 

WAYS TO OBTAIN INSURANCE

• Through your employer
• Buy insurance privately or through an exchange
• Apply for government programs like Medicaid
• Citizens who cannot find health care for less than 8% of their annual income are exempt from penalties

*Medicaid eligibility: 133% of the federal Poverty level (or $29,700), be a federal resident

• Federal residency requires passing the green card test, and is given only 5 years after the first day you are physically present on American territory after the test. During those 5 years you are a resident alien. You can also gain citizenship through marriage. See my other blog on residency (http://diyjamesesler.blogspot.com/2013/07/residency.html)

As with all ubiquitous,trans-formative mandates, infrastructure will hold the health care reform up. I think within 10 years, everything will be smoothed out, but the subsidies, penalties, and long wait times will cause major upheaval and lack of focus in American way of life (think citizens on strike). In my mind, we are moving away from democracy and laissez faire and taking leaps backward into the Caste system.