SKINNER: DU Group to discuss provisions of ACA??

[rgbecker]

19. A quick review of the responses to this thread indicate that a quick review of what is going on....

in Massachusetts might help people understand what's coming.

Massachusetts has had it's Romneycare since about 2006 and it's really quite straightforward.

1. You go to https://www.mahealthconnector.org/portal/site/connector. This is what they have been calling the "exchange".

2. If you make less than about $30,000 you are going to get you insurance thru the state plan which will subsidize your health insurance so you don't pay any more than 8% of your income. ($10,000 x .08 = $800).

3. Everyone else chooses the policy they want and they sign up and start paying the premium. No questions about previous conditions, etc.

4. If you think you can't afford it and you'd rather just pay a penalty at tax time, you have that option. But you won't have any insurance.

5. If the policies are so expensive and your income is so low that you can't get coverage for about 10% of your income, there will be no penalty for not getting it.

6. Done. Check out the connector site, pretend you live in Massachusetts and see what Obamacare is bringing to your area soon.