Here's a couple of facts for ya...It is estimated that Obamacare will add $1.79 per hour to the cost of each employee. If employers choose to pay the mandated fine rather than spend the $1.79 it will cost them $.98 per hour per employee. As many as 1/3 of companies in the U.S. are considering canceling health coverage for employees as they can't afford it. Dozens of very large businesses have already announced layoffs in anticipation of increased health coverage costs. AND, if you don’t have health insurance you will be fined AND the IRS will withhold your tax refund…Awesome.
Now, some will say all that is 'theory.' Here are some facts from a wise young man (under 35 so yeah, he's young, it's all relative).
----
"Please, if anyone reading this has
seen their family insurance premiums decreased by $2500 over the past 4 years, I
would like to hear your story. Who is
your provider? Do you work for a large company? Small company? Self-employed? I’m
trying to get a sampling from my 250+ FB friends. Anyone seen their premiums
decrease? Benefits increase? I want to know what industry you work in and how
it has improved. Let’s have an adult discussion, no politics, just facts
please.
I couldn't stand the suspense so I
just went and looked at a pay stub from 2009. In '09 (before my employer had a
chance to push Obamacare costs onto its employees) we were paying $141 every 2
weeks, 26 times per year that is $3666. My last paycheck 2 weeks ago we paid $210.
26 times a year that comes out to $5460. That is $1794 out of pocket difference
just for the premiums. In addition, we have since lost our copay plan, now
instead of paying flat rate per visit, we pay $1k minimum deductible per family
member per year. After that we pay 10% of all costs. Additionally, our ER visit
costs have gone up, RX co-pays have doubled, dental and vision have both
increased proportionately also. I understand how inflation works, I understand
things are going to cost more over time, don't need an economics lesson, but
this is NOT inflation, this is insurance companies pushing the smothering costs
of Obamacare onto its clientele. Still waiting for someone to inform me how
this new health care plan has helped anyone.
In '09 (pre-Obamacare insurance
costs) it cost us ~$450 to have our second child. That’s, OB visits for 9
months, 5-day inpatient for both mom and baby (including c-section) and
post-care visits. If we had that same baby today it would cost us over $4k out
of pocket. Math majors, that is a 1000% increase. Still waiting for someone to
show me the silver lining. I’m not seeing it.
My angle is always to win
people with facts, arguing the politics of socialism vs free enterprise falls
on deaf ears, we should all know that by now. Showing people how much real $$
something actually costs a hard working family may actually have more sway. Listening
to Obama brag about how has he met all/most of his objectives in the recent debates really set me off. Don’t pee on my shoe and tell me it's raining! I’m
well educated, I have a high paying job,Ii own all my vehicles, I have owned a
home for all 11 of my adult years, I have ZERO consumer debt, and somehow even
given all of that, I still can't pay for fuel to put in my car and I routinely
have to choose between taking my child to the doctor’s office or putting food
on my table.
Tell me how redistributing wealth has helped anyone in this
country. If people want handouts, come to church. At our church we freely give.
Let the government protect us from terror, let the people take care of our own
welfare. Let big bird pay for his own cable network, I’ll pay for the NFL
network if I want to watch the NFL!"
True that.
