In 2014, most of the bill's most heralded benefits take effect. This is the year when the state insurance exchanges go on-line, with subsidized coverage available in the form of tax credits, and when Medicaid will be expanded to cover individuals making up to 133 percent of the Federal poverty level (currently about $28,300 for a family of four). Insurers will be prohibited from denying coverage to adults with pre-existing conditions and charging higher premiums to individuals with chronic conditions starting this year, and they will also be required to cover maternity care the same as all other medical procedures. 2014 is also the year the mandates kick in: individuals who do not have insurance and cannot prove hardship will pay a $95 fine, rising to $695 by 2016; families without insurance will pay fines of up to $2,250, indexed for inflation after 2016; and employers with more than 50 employees that have any employees enrolled in subsidized coverage through the exchanges will pay a penalty of $2000 times the number of workers employed minus 30.
Mark Levin said that the CBO estimated it would cost the IRS $10 billion (over 10 years?) to pay for enforcement, but there is no provision with the bill for these costs. Also, the IRS cannot confiscate property for those who do not pay the penalty on time, nor can it charge interest on those who fail to do so.
Since the timeline is spread out, will Americans remain angry for the next year or two and be active in opposing it? Or will they simply adjust and accept?
No comments:
Post a Comment