healthcare and tax penalty

[linderlizzie]

I was just wondering how many FC'ers have medical insurance.

I was also wondering how many do not and if they intend to pay the medical penalty for not having any insurance. 

Thoughts on Obamacare, anyone? 

[healthfreedom]

I have health insurance (thank God), and have had it for a number of years. However, I know there are lots of people who need to sign up for the new obamacare health insurance, or they will face a tax / penalty.

Personally, I don't think the tax/penalty is fair, because every individual should be able to exercise their free choice to have health insurance or not to have it. But, again, it is the law of the land; a law that I would never have voted for if I was a member of Congress.

[sherryfan]

Talk about affordable health insurance but when quote all health insurance is greater than $700 per month and nothing under, the copay is 5,000. I heard the governor estimate more than 6 million family will face the penalty from last year.

[Sendmicheck]

I am insured by my job and do not need to apply for health insurance.

[bleyd]

I used to have coverage through my employer. But now I'm covered under my hubby's medical as a retiree dependent.

[bigfoot951]

I do not have health insurance and they will not let me get it because of my medical history.  Wasn't that supposed to be part of Obamacare, that they couldn't deny me for that?  Yeah, kind of shows what I think of the whole thing.

[melissaotto1982]

I have health insurance and I just want to know how many people will be honest in answering that question on there return.

[gaylasue]

I got a policy through the Kentucky Healthcare Exchange last year.  I was given a set monthly amount that was applied to my policy premium.  I didn't use the insurance at all last year in hopes that it would not increase but the policy I had went up over $200/month.  I had to switch to a lesser plan that now has a $4,500 deductible.  I'm still paying $284/month for this policy after the allowance given based on my income.  I have a feeling that I will have to pay extra on last year's policy because of the overtime I worked at the end of the year put my income in a higher bracket for the allowance that I was getting.  I think the health insurance system is a racket.  I still can't afford to get sick and go to the doctor especially after having to pay the monthly premium.  I would have been better off last year not to have gotten an insurance policy.  The penalty is much cheaper than one month's premium was.  The penalty is suppose to go up to at least $1,500 for 2015.

[mrisha]

I have insurance, so it doesn't present a problem for me.  If everyone is suppose to have healthcare, what happens if they can't afford it?  Did anyone think of that?  I think its a bit ambiguous to expect all to have insurance.

[lvstephanie]

I also get my health insurance through my employer, but my premiums have still gone up quite a bit after the Affordable Care Act went into effect, even though democrats would have had us believe that premiums wouldn't be affected by this law. BTW, the Supreme Court stated that it would be unconstitutional to mandate the American public into purchasing something or face penalties for not complying, which is why the ACA had to be re-categorized as a tax. Thus there isn't a so-called tax penalty for not purchasing health insurance; rather health insurance is a tax that everyone has to pay, but those getting their insurance elsewhere can have that tax waived. However to most people, this is just legal semantics that amounts to the same thing in that people have to have insurance or be "penalized" by having to pay additional amount in taxes.

[sherryinutah]

I am very blessed to have medical coverage and I also have a life insurance plan that would pay for me to be cremated, if I "kick the bucket."

 

 

[ljrjess69]

ive got health care thank goodness........

[natashaspy]

I don't have insurance.  This year I don't have to pay the penalty because they said we qualified for medicaid but NC turned me down anyway so I got an exemption code for my taxes.  Next year I will have to pay.  I was approved for it through the market but the cheapest they had was almost 200 dollars for me, with a 6000 dollar deductible.  So basically I'd be paying a ton of money for NOTHING...and the fee would be less than the insurance

[cathy37]

I am retired, but not old enough for medicare.  Part of my retirement package is that my former employer has to pay my insurance until I go under medicare.  People who have private insurance (not through Affordable Care) has had their premiums go up, so I guess we are paying so others can get insurance through the Affordable Care Act.

[countrygirl12]

I don't think paying the penalty is a choice.  They will take it out of your returns.  And you have to make so much before you are have to pay a fine.  Most people will be exempt.