The last week thousands around the country who have been unable to
get insurance - denied because of pre-existing conditions - are finally
able to get insurance!! Now that is change.

Everyone who has been denied insurance can now visit the U.S. Govt
website (pcip.gov) where they can learn how to apply for coverage.

The one big hole in the program is it requires that you be without
insurance for 6 months before you can apply for it. This leaves a
huge number of people out who have been denied and pushed into
ridiculously expensive coverage that they cannot afford with no option
but to go for 6 months without before they can qualify...but I think
many will try to weather a time without insurance in order to get into
the new low cost coverage.

Yeah. This is great. HOW MUCH WILL IT COST ... ? Nothing is ever as expensive as when it's 'free' ...

What good will it do to have it when CARE will be rationed ... ? Just more smoke 'n mirrors ...

The 'coverage', btw, is moot, since 'O' has said he'll MANDATE that EVERYONE PURCHASE 'INSURANCE' ...

It's not free. Just a way for people who have been unreasonably denied
insurance to have coverage again. Care is ALWAYS rationed. The best
doctors are always oversubscribed. There are always financial limits
on equipment and staff. Yes, everyone must have coverage. This is the
basis of the concept of universal health care.

Just a step on the way to single payer anyways.

I agree, except everyone is not required,, thats why there is a tax penalty and there are exceptions based upon ability to pay,,,

I think the tax penalties are a joke and will never be enforceable.
Those who cannot afford it or simply do not wish to get it will just not pay and they will still get medical care through the ER system.

I would be interested to find out about the exceptions based on
the ability to pay - can you refer me to the appropriate place to
check up on that?

from http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=137221

Section 1501 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act adds a new chapter to the Internal Revenue Code mandating all "applicable" individuals either obtain health insurance that meets the bill's "minimum essential coverage" standards or pay a penalty on tax day.

Like to remind congressional leaders of the rules they're supposed to follow? Send Congress copies of the Constitution today!

Section 1501 also spells out exceptions, those who are not considered "applicable" individuals, both for the mandate and for the penalty. Illegal aliens, foreign nationals and incarcerated prisoners, for example, are exempt from the mandate. The extreme poor and members of Indian tribes, while not exempt from the requirement, are nonetheless excused from paying the penalty.


AND from http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/03/24/health.care.viewer.faqs/index.html

Exemptions will be granted for financial hardship, those for whom the lowest-cost option exceeds 8 percent of an individual's income and those with incomes below the tax filing threshold (in 2009, the threshold for taxpayers under age 65 was $9,350 for singles and $18,700 for couples).

How quickly we forget ... it was that nice Miz Pelossini who told us all that "We have to PASS the bill before we can find out what's IN the bill!" ... nobody knows anything about how this is gonna play out. The only sure thing is that you're gonna SPEND MORE and GET LESS - if y' get anything.

Thank You! That is what I was looking for!

(psssssst ... it's from ... CNN ... )

Well since we are already paying 3 times more that most of the rest of the world in terms of per capita cost of health care - I think there is a LOT of room for improvement! Last stop. All Insurers who have denied coverage to people because of pre-conditions - it is the end of the line - you have to exit the Gravy Train at the current stop!