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defiantbadgirl -> RE: Judge rejects key part of Obama healthcare law (12/13/2010 6:03:03 PM)
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There are two problems I see with the Affordable Health Care Act.
1. No public option
People should be able to choose if they want public or private insurance. This would force private companies to lower their premiums. Also, if a private insurance company refused to pay for life saving treatments, the person affected could switch to the public option. Right now, people this happens to only have two options - sell everything they own and die when they run out of money or commit felonies and live in prison so they can get the health care they need to stay alive.
2. The marriage penalty
Any program or law that's based on the Federal Poverty Guidlines has a marriage penalty. According to the Federal Poverty Guidelines, a family of one is considered at 133% of the Federal Poverty Level if their yearly income is less than $14,403.90. For a family of two, it's $19,378.10. That's a difference of only $4,974.20. The Federal Poverty Guideline doesn't take into account if the second family member is an adult spouse or a child. So to be at or below 133% of the Federal Poverty Level, a married couple can only make $19,378.10. If two people live together without marrying, each person can make up to $14,403.90. Together, that's $28,807.80. This discourages marriage for anyone with a chronic health condition or a history of cancer or even a pre-cancerous condition unless they can afford to spend $800/month premiums (for them alone), plus co-pays, plus medication. People shouldn't have to choose between marriage and health coverage. The way Federal Poverty Guidelines are figured needs to change. This isn't the 1930's where one income adequately supported most families.
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