Final GOP tax bill repeals ObamaCare mandate

The Hill ^

[springwater13]

The final Republican tax-reform bill unveiled Friday repeals ObamaCare’s individual insurance mandate, leaving the GOP poised to blow a significant hole in the health-care law next week.

The change, which takes effect in 2019, removes one of the least popular parts of ObamaCare, but one that many experts warn is necessary to make the law function smoothly.

Without a mandate, there is less incentive for healthy people to enroll and balance out the costs of the sick. That is expected to lead to premium increases and could lead insurers to drop out of markets, potentially leaving some areas of the country with no coverage options.

Republicans say repeal of the mandate is a form of tax relief, because it lifts a penalty on people who decide not to buy coverage.

[buffyt]

My daughter, son in law, two grandkids, and our youngest son have no health insurance, can’t afford it, must pay they penalty. It’s offered thru son in law job, can’t afford it. Too pricy. They had their baby at home. Couldn’t afford doctor or hospital. Baby #2 has to go for med treatments twice a week. No insurance. Midwife charged $4k to come to their house for birth. I paid the $4k for a midwife

Son #2, married, has health insurance. Can’t afford to use it. Co pay and deductibles too high. He makes $32k and monthly premium is $1k thru his employer. Too much. We r subsidizing them. We r retired. Fixed income. I am giving them my SS.
Third son, single, poor. His job has fewer than 50 employees, doesn’t offer health insurance. Goes on mission trips to Haiti, comes back with flesh eating skin infection, can’t afford doctor. Takes FOREVER To heal.
So he pays the fine for not having, not being able to afford health insurance.
We r retired. Kids were just fine BEFORE ObamaCare. Always had health insurance before OC.

[John 3_19-21]

Then in less than 24 hours a tyranical judge will block its enactment.

[xzins]

Republicans say repeal of the mandate is a form of tax relief, because it lifts a penalty on people who decide not to buy coverage.

Hysterical. Are the democrats now going to argue it isn't a tax? And ruin all of John Roberts' contortionism? Lol

[Candor7]

The liberal fascist left, resisting the best tax reform in 25 years, is now spewing false fact propaganda via e-mail: ********************************************************* From: Gaylynn Burroughs [Add to Address Book] To: (redacted) Subject: URGENT: Stop GOP Tax Plan Date: Dec 15, 2017 2:00 PM ******************************************************** Feminist Majority Dear feminist activist, House and Senate Republicans have reached a final agreement between their two respective tax bills and are expected to vote on the final plan as soon as Monday. The final version of the devastating Republican tax plan gives EVEN MORE tax cuts to billionaires and major corporations than the versions they approved weeks ago. Take action now. Tell your Senators and Representative that everyday Americans cannot afford to pay for giveaways to corporations and the top one percent. This bill is a bad deal for everyday people in America. Even though public support for repealing the Affordable Care Act is below 20 percent, the GOP tax plan eliminates the ACA's individual mandate, which will cause everyone's premiums to go up by at least 10 percent and deny 13 million people access to health insurance all together. They couldn't dismantle healthcare while everyone was watching, so now they're trying to sneak it through under the table. Republican leadership is so desperate to pass this bill that they are throwing in dangerous incentives to certain lawmakers, like Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski, who has been promised a provision that will allow companies to drill for oil in the protected Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in her state. And because they are rushing to pass this bill in the wake of the GOP loss in Alabama, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office hasn't even had time to score the plan, leaving us with no idea how much their giveaways to corporations and big donors will cost. All we know for sure is that it will increase our national deficit. Demand that your Members of Congress oppose a tax bill that adds to our national deficit and benefits wealthy families over the middle class. For Equality, Erin Gistaro Gaylynn Burroughs Director of Policy and Research 1600 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 801, Arlington, VA, 22209 | 703.522.2214 | webmaster@feminist.org *************************************************** Liberal Fascist pikers!

[bigbob]

For that you can thank McCain and the rest who farted around instead of passing this months ago.

[EQAndyBuzz]

“I figured the reason for rushing this was to kill the mandate for 2018. This sucks.”

21% Tax on companies is the big winner here. That brings money back to the US and creates jobs. Getting the economy on solid footing is the most important thing right now. Plus with 2019 as the date for the mandate to die, Republicans run on the tax cut and take Obamacare off the table. Meanwhile they have another year to figure it out.

Good strategy.

[EternalVigilance]

The change, which takes effect in 2019...

Hmmm...So the Dems take over in 2018, and badabing, nothing changes.

[snarkytart]

Now don’t let the negative nellies on this thread have some facts.

2018 is DONE with anything that could be changed because enrollment is over with for 2018.

[conservative98]

One more year to change their mind. Darn.

[The Westerner]

Good points! BTW, the damage is probably irreparable. How will this bring back excellent medical doctors who gave up their practice or were driven out by the new electronic forms with mind numbing checkmark questions they must fill out for every patient? Has anyone spoken with their physician lately?

[ichabod1]

Umm... yeah. There was no way I could pay out 250-300 per month, even with the government subsidy. It was more than 600 per month in toto.

Tell you one thing though - I probably would have to have seem the doctor at least once when I was on the plan but really, there hasn't been anything wrong with me. I used to spend so much on health care when it was free or a $15 copay. It also took up a LOT of my time.

[familyop]

“Does the bill really repeal it, or does it simply reduce the penalty to zero?”

As the bill is now, it does repeal the penalties.

Everything You Need to Know About the GOP Tax Bill
Bloomberg News
December 15, 2017, 11:20 AM EST
Updated on December 15, 2017, 7:00 PM EST
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-12-15/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-gop-tax-overhaul-bill

[ichabod1]

The Republicans hate White people, that’s clear. Nevertheless, if this helps us we take it, go for more. For me, the eschaton will be when McConnell is voted out of that powerful position and someone with a decidedly redneck viewpoint takes charge. Nevertheless, the $money$ will still be there. Even if we can purge the current establishment pricks, the money from “donors” is still going to be around to corrupt the new arrivals.

I would posit a solution to this stalemate but I can’t think of one.

[Architect of Avalon]

All parts of the legislation should have been made retroactive so that people and businesses would have the cash to spend in 2018 prior to the elections, which obviously would help the economy and the likelihood of Republicans winning Congressional races.

[familyop]

"Hmmm...So the Dems take over in 2018, and badabing, nothing changes."

If we allow Democrats to get majorities in Congress, then a couple of years later, possession of firearms will be made illegal. More surveillance will follow along with laws that will bring more convictions for accusations alone, database entries for everyone who indulges in any vice, etc. Private property rights will be further chipped away.

[familyop]

Whole lot of trolling going on here. Republicans won’t change their minds about the tax reform. Tax filings in early 2019 are for the year, 2018. It’s a great tax bill. Opposition from the usual tiny handful of extreme lefties did not manage to water it down much at all.

Democrats are going to be mad indeed, but that makes them less effective. It’s a good thing.

[Cedar]

“All the rate quotes for 2018 are done, since enrollment ended today. I don’t think they could raise premiums until then to make up for fewer enrollees.”

Thank you for your knowledgeable post.

[NohSpinZone]

There is no way they’re going to win a veto-proof majority, if they win iy at all.

[Windflier]

As the bill is now, it does repeal the penalties.

Merely 'repealing' the penalties is a dodge - a cowardly and meaningless gesture, meant to appease an angry, but ill-informed electorate.

Any future congress can raise the penalty again, unless the MANDATE itself is repealed.

[EdnaMode]

They always time these sort of things at least a year after important elections. :(