Here is a conversation I've just recently had with an old coworker. My favorite lines are in bold. Enjoy
Michelle - Great now my healthcare that I can't afford anyway is going to go up. Might have to change my vote to Mitt...
Steve Kern - Will they go up because Mitt told you so? What was stopping the increases before? Standard inflation accounts for 2-4%. AND the law limits the amount insurance companies can spend on advertising, administration, CEO bonuses etc... Haven't heard a pip about how Mitt is going to fix it.
Michelle - no, actually all 3 different news networks that I watched broke down the healthcare plan, and in the plan there were stipulations about the tax penalty as well as the premiums going up. All Mitt said was that he would fight to appeal the plan before it kicks in. I'm a very staunch liberal, but this has got to be the most poorly thought out plan I have seen. It is baffling to me that we are calling it an overhaul or a reform. I also read that part of the plan when it was first introduced in the media earlier this year. While I agree that we need healthcare and it needs to be accessible to all Americans, I don't agree with the government forcing me, or anyone else to have it, especially when people can't afford it. My insurance runs out on Saturday. I can't afford private healthcare right now. I wish I could, but I'll have to hope nothing major comes up while this job thing sorts itself out. Many other people are in the same boat as I am. I shouldn't be penalized because of my inability to pay. That's also completely ineffective as far as getting people to get insurance. Those whose 1% is less than $95 will probably struggle to pay that penalty, and those whose income is more than the $95 penalty and have to pay 1% of their income will only struggle more. It all but guarantees we sit in a recession longer.
Steven Kern - You're not much older than I am, right? Highmark direct has high deductible plans for as little as $90 a month. Do you pay for cable? Please don't tell me you do. Cause right there is your insurance premium.
Michelle - yes, for as little as $90, provided you are in perfect health. I'm not in perfect health, therefore my premiums are much higher. Obviously, I would expect that, but unfortunately it's not something I can work with at the moment. Also, don't presume I haven't done my homework and looked for insurance privately. I have. It's more than my car payment. Which would be fine if my car payment wasn't a little over half my student loan payment. See where I'm coming from? For some people, $90 a month isn't a big deal, and that's awesome. For me? When I have no idea if I will have a teaching contract and no idea at the moment what my unemployment will be because there are so many teachers laid off they are backed up on our paperwork, that extra $90 can stock my fridge for a month or put gas in my car for a month.
Steven Kern - Ah, I see. Kudos on spending less than $90 in gas for the month. You still haven't answered the question of cable television. You are aware that the mandate does not take effect until 2014, correct? Also, changes in the law may make it illegal for them to jack your premiums due to pre existing conditions. I'm not trying to hate on you. I just am not a fan of 'repeal cause I can't think up a solution myself'. And trust me, there are PLENTY of people that can afford their iPhone, their cable, their brand new car but not health insurance. Give me a break.
Michelle - You tell me to give you a break but yet you want to know if I have cable tv, after saying yourself that plenty of people can afford their phones, cable, car and not insurance? What? Yes, I do have cable tv. I have 2 dvr's and high speed internet in a bundle if you must know. We even get HBO. That's not the point. I should not have to give up things in my life in order to be able to take care of myself. No one should. Canadians are able to figure this out. So are Europeans, but we can't? Come on! And yes, I was smart enough to choose a car that gets great city and highway mpg so $30 lasts at least 10 days. I personally think there should be a cap on premiums. I also don't think people should be taxed because they can't afford something. That is the most absurd thing I have ever heard. I think the government should work with insurance companies to make healthcare affordable, I think government should work on a better way to helpl keep premiums at a minimum without hurting companies or lowering standards, this plan is a hot mess! And 2014 is not that far away. I know people who have been laid off for over a year and are only able to find part time or temporary work, unless some sort of miracle happens, they don't see their situations changing by 2014 and sincerely hope they can figure something out. If I can't get a teaching job I will be one of those people.
Steven Kern - I can't subscribe to notion that entertainment is more important than healthcare spending but we'll have to agree to disagree there. I personally don't pay for cable, have dsl for Internet and would gladly cancel my cell phone tomorrow if I needed that money for healthcare. Wouldnt see it as giving something up as I would prefer not to 'need' a phone that goes everywhere I do. All of these things, cable, Internet, phones are luxuries - not necessities. But that's my opinion. And thank goodness we live in a country where you have your own.
Michelle - Yes, I guess we will have to agree to disagree. Our cell phones double as our "house phones", internet allows me to work from home (anything less than cable internet where I live in Allentown is shoddy at best, and not only is tv relaxing, but when you teach, it's important to be up on pop culture. I use tv to teach lessons. It keeps kids from falling asleep. These luxuries double as needs in my life. I'm not the only one in this boat. Anyway, good night!