General Discussion

Demo_Chris

(6,234 posts) Wed Oct 2, 2013, 01:42 AM Oct 2013

Penalties for not buying your mandated insurance... [View all]

According to the Christian Science Monitor:

In 2014, the fine to remain uninsured is $95 per person (up to a family maximum of $285, or 1 percent of family income, whichever is greater).

But the penalty will increase more than sevenfold in the next two years, with the fine running as much as $695 per person by 2016. The family maximum would be as high as $2,085 (or 2.5 percent of family income, whichever is greater).

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2013/1001/Obamacare-101-What-to-know-if-you-opt-out-of-buying-health-insurance

So, if you are one of the tens of millions of families who cannot afford Obamacare because you don't have a couple hundred extra a month, that's what you are going to owe. That's your tax for being poor. Enjoy.

242 replies

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Penalties for not buying your mandated insurance... [View all] Demo_Chris Oct 2013 OP

This is why I rejected RomneyCare for something better. But, alas, there was no political will in DC blkmusclmachine Oct 2013 #1

All about exemptions: kestrel91316 Oct 2013 #131

I loathe the ACA as it stands to date. Cerridwen Oct 2013 #2

Stop relying on "news sources". Go straight to the facts: kestrel91316 Oct 2013 #132

+1 for this. There's way too much BS flying around. nt IronLionZion Oct 2013 #196

This message was self-deleted by its author lostincalifornia Oct 2013 #228

"because you don't have a couple hundred extra a month, that's what you are going to owe" NYC_SKP Oct 2013 #3

we wouldn't want facts to come in the way of feeling outraged nt cash__whatiwant Oct 2013 #28

Outrage rejects you and your horrible facts! HappyMe Oct 2013 #50

From what I can tell, my cost would be $103 a month for a crappy "bronze" plan if I can get the Erose999 Oct 2013 #59

The "savings accounts" are a fucking scam and joke. NYC_SKP Oct 2013 #71

Yep, you're better off with zero coverage. 100% of medical costs is less than 40%. TroglodyteScholar Oct 2013 #200

They do have a point Tien1985 Oct 2013 #206

Couldn't have said it better myself. Unless I get a 100% subsidy, a pay raise without a hike in Erose999 Oct 2013 #212

What you make doesn't always reflect what you can afford. n/t ohheckyeah Oct 2013 #130

This message was self-deleted by its author lostincalifornia Oct 2013 #230

You fail to mention the benefits to those who don't have enough income Cali_Democrat Oct 2013 #4

Tax for being poor? tinrobot Oct 2013 #5

Thanks. elleng Oct 2013 #27

the stupid is burning too much? dlwickham Oct 2013 #143

Sure is/was. elleng Oct 2013 #186

Or you get nothing. bunnies Oct 2013 #65

The poor are already taxed and have been for eons. It's called capitalism. nt kelliekat44 Oct 2013 #229

What's a little more regressive tax as long as it benefits those on top. nt adirondacker Oct 2013 #6

Seriously? TroglodyteScholar Oct 2013 #203

If you can't afford the insurance, you will almost certainly qualify for Medicaid. Gravitycollapse Oct 2013 #7

Except in the 22 states that didn't expand Medicaid. n/t PoliticAverse Oct 2013 #14

That isn't the fault of the ACA. it is the local governments Motown_Johnny Oct 2013 #18

Not only that - Ms. Toad Oct 2013 #24

+1 ~ GOP states offer little help on buying insurance Zorra Oct 2013 #25

NM's an exception, Republican governor made smart decision Voice for Peace Oct 2013 #110

Surely the ACA could have been fixed. bunnies Oct 2013 #68

By that time it was too late, as Republicans controlled the House and the Democrats PoliticAverse Oct 2013 #138

I still would have like a vote forced. bunnies Oct 2013 #145

Well they're trying to delay the entire PPACA's implementation right now. n/t PoliticAverse Oct 2013 #148

True enough. bunnies Oct 2013 #150

Blame the legislatures of those states. Stop blaming Obama and the ACA. kestrel91316 Oct 2013 #136

People are exempt from the fines in states that didn't expand loyalsister Oct 2013 #195

Even in those states, the formula for qualifying for Medicaid changes in Jan. JCMach1 Oct 2013 #238

You could always get Medicaid if you couldn't afford to pay for your HC. sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #70

Most states Medicaid programs have been running patients through private insurer's plans for years. Hoyt Oct 2013 #79

Which is why we need a National HC system where the money designated sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #89

"You could always get Medicaid if you couldn't afford to pay for your HC." <---- False. winter is coming Oct 2013 #92

For many Medicaid is nothing but a loan with your estate as collateral. duffyduff Oct 2013 #127

This is true. I wonder if that will ever stop being the case? GreenPartyVoter Oct 2013 #207

I make too much for Medicaid, Keefer Oct 2013 #93

I'm sorry. Truly. I don't know the answer. I do know that they have been sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #96

Well... Keefer Oct 2013 #194

You don't need anymore stress. Seems there is a lot of confusion sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #219

Ohioans *never* could get Medicaid if they weren't elderly or disabled Kolesar Oct 2013 #226

Not true, It was rather difficult to get Medicaid before the PPACA expansion. n/t PoliticAverse Oct 2013 #141

How will it work now? sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #156

Well if you are in one of the states that went with the PPACA's expanded Medicaid... PoliticAverse Oct 2013 #163

Thank you. It looks like 22 states are not participating. sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #187

Yes they should still remain on Medicaid. What state in particular is this concerning? n/t PoliticAverse Oct 2013 #188

Arizona where I have a friend who is on their version of Medicaid. She sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #189

Yes it surprised some people here but she did... PoliticAverse Oct 2013 #191

Not in many states Sgent Oct 2013 #231

And how will those Southern States change in this regard now? sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #239

And now, the rest of the story pugetres Oct 2013 #8

A shut off notice? Wow.. now THAT is a loophole Motown_Johnny Oct 2013 #19

The keyword there is "may" Trekologer Oct 2013 #197

Please don't give morons ideas. n/t Chan790 Oct 2013 #199

Don't go introductin' actual facts into a good ol' misinformed outrage...nt SidDithers Oct 2013 #31

If your state didn't accept the medicaid increase, then yeah, you're screwed johnd83 Oct 2013 #9

You wouldn't owe a penalty in that case, however. n/t pnwmom Oct 2013 #53

+1 Agschmid Oct 2013 #114

I posted the numbers they came up with... Demo_Chris Oct 2013 #10

I am one who is facing a significant increase in my health cilla4progress Oct 2013 #12

You are leaving out some very important factors of the ACA, Live and Learn Oct 2013 #16

All true. cilla4progress Oct 2013 #60

Sorry you're one of the people standing over the cracks Hydra Oct 2013 #39

I know ... I worked in a bankruptcy law firm cilla4progress Oct 2013 #61

The WA Basic Health plan closed because of severe state budget cutbacks -- pnwmom Oct 2013 #54

I wasn't on Basic Health cilla4progress Oct 2013 #62

The Washington Health Program was part of Basic Health. pnwmom Oct 2013 #64

simple, keep your own insurance larkrake Oct 2013 #135

Yep, and you carefully ignored the exemptions written in the law jeff47 Oct 2013 #20

That's complete nonsense. If so, why have a penalty or mandate at all? nt Demo_Chris Oct 2013 #21

Because the exemptions cover the people you are worried about, not everyone. jeff47 Oct 2013 #22

There is no point going around on this... Demo_Chris Oct 2013 #45

Where is your data that, aside from the people who live in the states pnwmom Oct 2013 #63

None of these people would be elegible in ANY state, nor were any of them evil smokers... Demo_Chris Oct 2013 #151

I'm sure those people exist, and almost all of them could easily get a waiver. pnwmom Oct 2013 #158

You keep bringing up that I am a smoker, yet none of the numbers I have posted are for smokers... Demo_Chris Oct 2013 #164

Because you already told me that your smoking is why you can't afford pnwmom Oct 2013 #169

odd nothing out was singles out as questionseverything Oct 2013 #209

Because smoking causes more, and more expensive health problems jeff47 Oct 2013 #214

i understand the smokers are the dems questionseverything Oct 2013 #221

So....the problem is my casual wording jeff47 Oct 2013 #232

it is not about me at all questionseverything Oct 2013 #234

So now people have to mess with their credit and bills sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #192

We didn't have enough Democratic votes for a public option. pnwmom Oct 2013 #193

It's not that hard. jeff47 Oct 2013 #215

no he opposed mandates questionseverything Oct 2013 #224

And then he bothered to think about it for more than a minute. jeff47 Oct 2013 #233

the snark is why we can not fix stuff questionseverything Oct 2013 #235

Doesn't matter that you bought it for 30 years jeff47 Oct 2013 #236

I find my phone bill "a significant burden" lumberjack_jeff Oct 2013 #161

Ah yes. Reality. :eyes: jeff47 Oct 2013 #213

It's not nonsense -- you're simply uninformed, even though you've already pnwmom Oct 2013 #56

You need to do some reading so you can stop sounding so foolish and uninformed. kestrel91316 Oct 2013 #140

Exactly! SammyWinstonJack Oct 2013 #30

Because it doesn't affect them, so it can't be possible Hydra Oct 2013 #42

Yes, the cavalier attitude towards anyone who legitimately cannot afford sabrina 1 Oct 2013 #218

That's one of the things that annoys me about the cheering for this Hydra Oct 2013 #220

Because there are many waivers available from the fine pnwmom Oct 2013 #66

If your are paying attention you will see upaloopa Oct 2013 #36

The ordinary people do want single payer Hydra Oct 2013 #43

We won't "make of it what we will" MattBaggins Oct 2013 #48

This message was self-deleted by its author PowerToThePeople Oct 2013 #11

Kiss your tax refund checks goodbye leftstreet Oct 2013 #13

Or break a finger and end up at the emergency room and owe $7,000 pnwmom Oct 2013 #67

That will still happen leftstreet Oct 2013 #72

There will be a lot LESS for the hospitals to write off. pnwmom Oct 2013 #74

Uh, most writeoffs and settlements are for the insured leftstreet Oct 2013 #75

That's because so many people till now had policies with low limits. pnwmom Oct 2013 #76

No. Cost caps have been delayed leftstreet Oct 2013 #77

Most of the policies I have reviewed have out-of-pocket maximums. missingthebigdog Oct 2013 #144

The caps are delayed only for certain plans using multiple-administrators, not for most plans. PoliticAverse Oct 2013 #157

A lot more people will benefit from ACA than not. darkangel218 Oct 2013 #15

Everyone up to 133% of poverty line now qualifies for Medicaid Motown_Johnny Oct 2013 #17

Except in the 22 states that didn't expand Medicaid. n/t PoliticAverse Oct 2013 #57

And they will have any penalty waived if they don't make enough pnwmom Oct 2013 #69

as I said om post #18 Motown_Johnny Oct 2013 #178

Wow! Healthcare.gov has answers, including exemptions from fee due to hardship. ProSense Oct 2013 #23

+1000 nt ecstatic Oct 2013 #116

Thank you Democrats for supporting the Health Insurance and Healthcare industry bailout Puzzledtraveller Oct 2013 #26

Millions will receive care that before they couldn't get upaloopa Oct 2013 #40

I like the expanded medicaid portion Puzzledtraveller Oct 2013 #44

The mandate has a couple of purposes. It will add the young upaloopa Oct 2013 #49

45,000 people dying every year due to lack of health coverage isn't fair Hippo_Tron Oct 2013 #204

Surprise, surprise more anti-ACA lies from a certain crowd, And they are LIES geek tragedy Oct 2013 #29

The new set of talking points have gone out, I guess...nt SidDithers Oct 2013 #32

On Monday it was "hey, why not agree to the Republicans' demand to delay the mandate" geek tragedy Oct 2013 #34

You are not including the subsidies that should be subtracted from the total so that is inaccurate. appleannie1 Oct 2013 #33

This is a rather poor effort at trolling Capt. Obvious Oct 2013 #35

You'll get flak for this Hydra Oct 2013 #37

Part of it depends on the definition of "can't afford." pnwmom Oct 2013 #73

I ran the numbers for my situation Hydra Oct 2013 #80

You hit several nails on the head. Puzzledtraveller Oct 2013 #87

The common thread I've seen on DU Hydra Oct 2013 #91

You're assuming you don't get cancer or some other catastrophic illness Hippo_Tron Oct 2013 #208

Ah, but that's the problem Hydra Oct 2013 #216

Who will die because of the ACA and how? Hippo_Tron Oct 2013 #222

Take the penalty, save up, and immigrate to a country that cares about its citizens NoOneMan Oct 2013 #38

^^this^^ Puzzledtraveller Oct 2013 #46

Don't think of it as a tax for being poor, think of it as poor people hughee99 Oct 2013 #41

That's how a lot of this system works and why rates are going down NoOneMan Oct 2013 #47

Yep. enlightenment Oct 2013 #88

great post nt Demo_Chris Oct 2013 #159

Not necessarily. There is a possible waiver available for people pnwmom Oct 2013 #51

See this post... Demo_Chris Oct 2013 #55

All you need is one shut-off notice -- which you can then pay -- pnwmom Oct 2013 #153

Slow down jasper zipplewrath Oct 2013 #172

That must be regional then. pnwmom Oct 2013 #175

Was it your first? zipplewrath Oct 2013 #183

Exemptions from the fine: kestrel91316 Oct 2013 #147

I have NEVER understood the name of this publication "Christian Science" snooper2 Oct 2013 #52

Because of its affiliation with the Church of Christian Scientist PeaceNikki Oct 2013 #58

Yep. The Obama Administration even argued before the Supreme Court that it was a tax. AnotherMcIntosh Oct 2013 #78

An absolute lie. Drunken Irishman Oct 2013 #81

Number 2 is dishonest at best Hydra Oct 2013 #83

It's absolutely honest... Drunken Irishman Oct 2013 #84

You haven't done the numbers Hydra Oct 2013 #103

You didn't read my post, then... Drunken Irishman Oct 2013 #198

Well, believe it or not Hydra Oct 2013 #202

I'm not in any hole because I have employer based health insurance. Drunken Irishman Oct 2013 #205

Next, we'll have to solve the problem of homelessness. AnotherMcIntosh Oct 2013 #82

A mandate-solution would not be perfect, but it would help some and we could fix it later. AnotherMcIntosh Oct 2013 #85

You've definitely struck a chord. It's telling that in all this falderal, no one seems to want to Egalitarian Thug Oct 2013 #86

This is such ProSense Oct 2013 #94

See? Egalitarian Thug Oct 2013 #95

"See" what? ProSense Oct 2013 #97

"...no one seems to want to talk about health care. Egalitarian Thug Oct 2013 #100

Oh please. ProSense Oct 2013 #102

See reality: ProSense Oct 2013 #99

That, plus why disrupt the touch-down dance? Puzzledtraveller Oct 2013 #101

If the penalities are so bad then why are most exchanges jambed... Historic NY Oct 2013 #90

a) there is no collection mechanism. lumberjack_jeff Oct 2013 #98

*lmao* Hydra Oct 2013 #106

You can save it for *now*, if you like. lumberjack_jeff Oct 2013 #111

Scotus says it's a legal tax Hydra Oct 2013 #113

Their only "teeth" is deducting the penalty from any refund you may be entitled. n/t lumberjack_jeff Oct 2013 #119

Like I said, I'm saving this Hydra Oct 2013 #121

Okee doke. lumberjack_jeff Oct 2013 #124

They keep your tax return money n/t leftstreet Oct 2013 #112

If you get a refund, but choose not to spend it on medical insurance, then good. lumberjack_jeff Oct 2013 #129

Yeah, working class people buys yachts with their returns leftstreet Oct 2013 #134

Thanks. nt adirondacker Oct 2013 #237

2% of the total population will be required to pay the penalty. Raine1967 Oct 2013 #104

DU doesn't understand what it's like to be poor Prism Oct 2013 #105

I've never been so poor that my life wouldn't have been a top 5 priority. lumberjack_jeff Oct 2013 #107

You're fortunate in that way. Prism Oct 2013 #128

Thanks for laying it out so bluntly Hydra Oct 2013 #108

This is insulting, and ProSense Oct 2013 #118

Not so insulting that it stops people from lecturing the struggling. Prism Oct 2013 #125

I don't know anyone 400% or more of FPL who is struggling for any reason other than medical debt. lumberjack_jeff Oct 2013 #133

We're not discussing the same things Prism Oct 2013 #146

You seem to be implying ProSense Oct 2013 #137

It will help some and not others. Prism Oct 2013 #149

Bull shit. Plenty of DUers have serious financial struggles. Some ongoing, some sporadic. kestrel91316 Oct 2013 #152

Just stop Prism Oct 2013 #160

It's astonishing. They are flat refusing to admit that there are millions... Demo_Chris Oct 2013 #165

Your point is absurd ProSense Oct 2013 #174

Not indifferent at all. lumberjack_jeff Oct 2013 #167

We seem to be concerned about different population segments n/t Prism Oct 2013 #170

As did the guy who won the election. n/t PoliticAverse Oct 2013 #180

any SPHC system would have likely resulted in across the board tax increases, as well. Warren DeMontague Oct 2013 #211

No system is perfect Prism Oct 2013 #217

I just don't get Sgent Oct 2013 #240

Wouldn't anyone who couldn't afford Obamacare get a subsidy or qualify for Medicaid? ecstatic Oct 2013 #109

Yes. A childless couple making $62,039 without employer provided ins. qualifies for subsidy. nt lumberjack_jeff Oct 2013 #115

Yes and no Hydra Oct 2013 #117

There are a number of preventive services with no deductibles and copays. If you get really sick Hoyt Oct 2013 #154

It's a matter of scale Hydra Oct 2013 #168

If you need a kidney transplant, do you honestly think most hospitals will say no over $2,500. Hoyt Oct 2013 #173

I'm fine, but there are people who won't be, and I used to be in that category Hydra Oct 2013 #176

I believe more people will be helped. And those that aren't should be on short-list for help. Hoyt Oct 2013 #177

Haha Hydra Oct 2013 #185

Nope. If your state hasn't expanded Medicaid, it's possible to be ineligible for a subsidy winter is coming Oct 2013 #122

I don't think this is true. lumberjack_jeff Oct 2013 #155

I didn't say anything specific about the % of FPL. winter is coming Oct 2013 #166

You're right. I stand corrected. lumberjack_jeff Oct 2013 #171

Yes if you'd be eligible for Medicaid except your state isn't participating you don't have to pay PoliticAverse Oct 2013 #181

Thank you for conveniently omitting the many EXEMPTIONS from the fine. kestrel91316 Oct 2013 #120

You still have to pay back Medicaid if you are 55 and older. duffyduff Oct 2013 #126

You are referring to the Medicaid Estate Recovery program, more info which can be found here... PoliticAverse Oct 2013 #179

They'll just take it out of any refund you may owe. duffyduff Oct 2013 #123

Astonishing. virgogal Oct 2013 #139

Exemptions from the fine/penalty: kestrel91316 Oct 2013 #162

Thanks for that link Post in haste,repent in leisure. virgogal Oct 2013 #182

that's what I thought until I read that under a certain income level you are exempt from the penalty magical thyme Oct 2013 #142

It's a "crack" zipplewrath Oct 2013 #184

I expect to fall through the crack magical thyme Oct 2013 #190

Can anyone familiar with the subject truly take this post seriously? TroglodyteScholar Oct 2013 #201

Facts are facts. You can, if you prefer, live in a fox news type fantasy. That's on you. nt Demo_Chris Oct 2013 #210

Actually, the fact is Sugarcoated Oct 2013 #223

I have posted the NUMBERS... Demo_Chris Oct 2013 #225

This message was self-deleted by its author lostincalifornia Oct 2013 #227

WTF is going on lately? Yet another stupid fucking post, re: ACA! n/t ChisolmTrailDem Oct 2013 #241

I know, right? Facts and information are always stupid. What matters are FEELINGS! nt Demo_Chris Oct 2013 #242