ACA: What Happens If You Don't Get Insurance, Pay The Penalty Tax, And Then Get Sick?

[Hoyt]

108. Apparently SW Airlines is run by same greedy people who would game system on the individual side.

First off, I doubt SW will ultimately drop it because to employees each dollar of health insurance is more valuable to employees than $1 in wages.

And, if SW had dropped health coverage before there was a penalty they would have saved $400 Million, rather than $300 million. But, they didn't. Why do you think they will now?

In any event, if SW and other employers drop it -- single payer or public option is all but assured. In the meantime, those of us who feel responsible for insuring our families in case of major illness have a way to do it.

You have also ignored the incentives for small businesses -- who haven't offered health insurance before -- to do so. Of course, if the same greedy people who are not looking for ways to game the system, run those small businesses, employees won't get chit.

In any event, we are going to have to pay for it -- either as a direct increase in taxes or through premiums. Health care will not be free. I wish it could be, but it's not.

And, most of us would rather have health insurance for our families. The responsible folks will have to pick up bill for irresponsible gamers. I'm fine with that. As long as the poor are protected with subsidies, I think it is time to go ahead with this and make it work (including improvements) and to quit griping about the things the aren't perfect, but better than what we had under the status quo.

Just one ole fucker's opinion.