Fines for Not having health insurance?

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   jiberishposted 14 years ago

   From Politico:
   Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.) received a handwritten note Thursday from Joint Committee on Taxation Chief of Staff Tom Barthold confirming the penalty for failing to pay the up to $1,900 fee for not buying health insurance.
   
   Violators could be charged with a misdemeanor and could face up to a year in jail or a $25,000 penalty, Barthold wrote on JCT letterhead. He signed it "Sincerely, Thomas A. Barthold."

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      A Texanposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Its a good thing Obama isn't a tyrant or we could really be in trouble!

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         jiberishposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         This letter was in answer to Ensign's question:
         
         "We could be subjecting those very people who conscientiously, because they believe in the U.S. Constitution, we could be subjecting them to fines or the interpretation of a judge, all the way up to imprisonment," Ensign said. "That seems to me to be a problem."

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            jiberishposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            WASHINGTON (AP) - House Democrats are considering a tax on high-cost insurance plans to help pay for health care overhaul that tops President Barack Obama's domestic agenda

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   jiberishposted 14 years ago

   WASHINGTON (AP) - House Democrats are considering a tax on high-cost insurance plans to help pay for health care overhaul that tops President Barack Obama's domestic agenda

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      A Texanposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      They are gonna do something no matter what we say! It will cost them them big in 2010 and 2012, but its their own fault!

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   Uninvited Writerposted 14 years ago

   What if...God forbid...it's not as bad as you think it might be?

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      jiberishposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Here's a question....Those who don't have health insurance, obviously can't afford it now....what if they are required to sign up as stated or be fined?  It is NOT going to be FREE.

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      nicompposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      It already is. The constitution is being abused. That's offensive enough for me.

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      lrohnerposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      UW, I'm surprised at you! Putting people in jail for not having health insurance? I lived in Florida where people got hefty fines for letting the sucklings (whatever they are) on the trees in front of their house grow more than 2 inches. Both seem fairly ridiculous to me.

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         Uninvited Writerposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         There is no evidence that that will happen. I doubt it would.

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4. 62

   nicompposted 14 years ago

   If that passes, we can only hope there are enough patriots who will challenge it. Drop insurance, get fined, refuse to pay, get charged with a crime, and pursue the case through the court system until it reaches the Supreme Court.

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      Uninvited Writerposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      In other words, guarantee it won't work.

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         nicompposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         You lost me.

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            Uninvited Writerposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            You won't allow it to have a chance to work even if it turns out not to be what you expect.

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               jiberishposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               Again:  Here's a question....Those who don't have health insurance, obviously can't afford it now....what if they are required to sign up as stated or be fined?  It is NOT going to be FREE.

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                  Uninvited Writerposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                  You said that already. I am sure you will have to have a certain amount of income before they fine you for not having it if that is what will be required. And it is still what if.

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                     nicompposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                     The Bacous amendment included a minimum income level before the fines kicked in. It's sickening that the federal government is reduced to fining citizens for not buying insurance AND for buying insurance that they deem is too expensive.

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                        Uninvited Writerposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                        You are getting sickened by something that you don't even know is true.

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                           nicompposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                           I beg to differ!
                           
                           
                           http://in.reuters.com/article/health/id … dChannel=0

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                              Uninvited Writerposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                              But...that is not Obama's plan, isn't that an alternative?
                              
                              "Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus has circulated a healthcare reform proposal he hopes will win support from both Democrats and Republicans.
                              
                              The proposal is based on weeks of intense negotiations by a bipartisan group of six Finance Committee members led by Baucus, a Democrat.
                              
                              Here are details of the proposal based on a document circulated to health industry lobbyists as President Barack Obama prepares to make a major speech on healthcare to Congress on Wednesday."

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                                 nicompposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                                 Obama has a plan? That's not how a legislation is concocted. What I gave you is a plan that is being considered in a Senate Committee. It's sickening that our representatives think so little of us that they would even propose it.

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                     dutchman1951posted 14 years agoin reply to this

                     Uninvited???
                     The Poverty level is 14,000 a year or less
                     are you saying that if you are below that level, you will not be fined?
                     
                     I think that is part of the current argument over the public option...not sure though. To me that would be un-equal treatment of american citizens, all or none if you ask me.
                     
                     Jon

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               Mishaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               Umm, you lost me too Susan.
               
               What to have a chance to work? A jail time?

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      Ghost32posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Exactly.  And I'm one of those between a rock and a hard place.  Have paid my own way (no insurance) for most of my life, have no insurance now, and want very much to be one of those willing to take the hit and hang in there through whatever the consequences have to be.
      
      Trouble is, I've ALSO got a disabled wife who would come completely apart if I were tossed in jail and/or federal prison for standing up.  She believes as I do, we're very much on the same page, but I'm the one who's helped her stay alive for 13 years, and continuing with that mission is no small responsibility.  I have no fear whatsoever of prison but all the fear in the world of failing Pam.
      
      It is truly astounding, the massive numbers of folks out there--well intentioned people for the most part--who remain unable to sense the horror stalking all of us in the form of this compulsory facet of the President's dictatorial proposal.

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         lrohnerposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Well said, Ghost. Read this thread to see how stupid the Canadians think we are:  http://hubpages.com/forum/topic/22816

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   Scott.Lifeposted 14 years ago

   So how am I going to buy insurance when I can't even afford gas for my car after losing my job to this strengthening economy? Now I'm to be punished for poverty? Isn't this no different then the debtors prisons of 19th century England? You're going to punish me for being broke by fining me then imprisoning me if I can't pay. That makes perfect sense. meanwhile millions collect disability for obesity and fraudulent conditions, yet after serving my country and busting my ass for the last fifteen years I can't even get unemployment benefits that I have paid into my entire adult life. Yeah that seems fair.

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      nicompposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Why do you want the government to pay for for not working?

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         Uninvited Writerposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Isn't the point of paying into unemployment so you will get some back when you need it?

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            nicompposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            I repeat, why should the federal government pay anyone for not working?

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               A Texanposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               Nicomp the federal government can't pay for anything! If he has payed into unemployment it is his money! Taxes are collected from us! They don't have money that didn't come from us! Get it?

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                  lrohnerposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                  Because, at least in my case, the Connecticut government has managed to run all of the jobs out of the state. There's nothing. Nada. Zip. Zilch. Zero. No one wants to own a company here. They pay unemployment so that all of the people won't leave as well. After all, a government can't govern without people, can they?

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         A Texanposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         I don't think he is saying that!

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            nicompposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            An Unemployment Check is a payment for not working, is it not? I've never received one, so I don't know.

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   Uninvited Writerposted 14 years ago

   the link is broken

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      nicompposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      try again. I edited it

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         jiberishposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         that is from sept 9th, what I posted is from yesterday

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7. 84

   kerrygposted 14 years ago

   Susan, the bad news is, the right wingers are right about Baucus's plan. It was essentially written by insurance industry lobbyists and is awful.
   
   For more about the legislative mess that is the current state of health care reform, this is a good (but slightly out of date and also depressing) article from the perspective of a fellow progressive who supports a single payer system: http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/st … _and_wrong
   
   The good news is, you're right that accommodations have been made to ease the burden on low income families. One of the versions of Baucus's bill (not sure if it's the most recent) offered tax credits for families that make up to three times the federal poverty limit to help cover the costs, which would theoretically cover everyone from households of 1 making up to ~$30,000 to households of 8 making ~$100,000.

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   qbanmamiof2posted 14 years ago

   With all this healthcare reform I am heavily surprised. Isn't that the beauty of this country where we are free?????
   
   I did hear a rumor that USA was a free country maybe I heard wrong.
   
   Healthcare should be a choice NOT an obligation therefore passing a law that FORCES you to buy health insurance is against this country's morals is it not?
   
   You choose to go to the Doctor if you want to be checked out or if you're sick. ALL ER'S have the obligation to stabalize you if you come in with an emergency regardless of your citizenship status, financial capabilities or if you have insurance or not. That is hospital policy but you choose to go, no one can force you to go to a doctor or hospital.
   
   THis plan is utterly absurd!!!  grrr... makes me mad

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   jiberishposted 14 years ago

   http://finance.senate.gov/sitepages/leg … re_Act.pdf
   
   The first lilnk is Mark bakus's plan
   
   http://apnews.myway.com/article/20090925/D9AUIKMO0.html
   
   This second link is the taxes

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      jiberishposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      This is the hand writen note about the fines:
      
      
      
      http://www.politico.com/livepulse/0909/ … ml?showall

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      Ghost32posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Slight refinement:  It's "Max Baucus".  He's from Montana and a total politician in all of the negative meanings of that term.  I know this from numerous angles but will mention just one:
      
      In the early 1990s, the Feds were planning to put a HAARP tower in the Bitterroot Valley.  The area fired up in outrage, and a "town meeting" was held in the basement of the courtroom in Hamilton.  My ex-wife, Sadie, and I attended.  Keynote speaker was Senator Max Baucus, reinforced by an Air Force officer.  Key speakers in opposition were Ravalli County Sheriff Jay Printz and a host of us local folks.
      
      When it was over, Sadie turned to me and said, "It's good, right?  We defeated it?"
      
      "You didn't hear what Baucus was really saying," I told her.  "He never said they'd change what they intend to do with HAARP; they're just moving that one tower over the mountain into Idaho because of we're making noise here." 
      
      And so they did.

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         dutchman1951posted 14 years agoin reply to this

         This is good to know, thank you
         Jon

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            Ghost32posted 14 years agoin reply to this

            Um...yes...except "just a tower" in HAARP terms is something else.  In the event of war, when the towers could be activated by the government, EMPs (electromagnetic pulses) would emanate from those towers to shut down all electronics in a wide radius.  In other words, your car would stop instantly, as well as your electric clock, etc. etc.  Maybe your pacemaker, too. 
            
            The Air Force Officer even admitted that the move of the tower over the mountain to Idaho wasn't REALLY going to help the Bitterroot Valley all that much--the pulses travel for an expanding radius of something like 300 miles and go like through mountains like boiling water through cheesecloth.

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               dutchman1951posted 14 years agoin reply to this

               I did not realise this, your right, this is no good at all.
               Makes me wounder if around Tulahoma and Chattanooga if we have same, but have not been told anything?

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         jiberishposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Sorry, I was in a hurry, MAX.

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    jiberishposted 14 years ago

    http://www.newsmax.com/insidecover/rohr … ode=8968-1
    
    “As we gather here in the nation’s capital, another illegal alien amnesty bill has been introduced in the Senate,” Stein warned. “Like its predecessor, this bill rewards millions of people who broke our laws with the gift of American citizenship…”

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