Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Obama Health Care - How it Affects Middle Class Americans

Obama health care has received mixed emotions from people all over the nation. Some are in favor, others feel that the government has completely taken control of their rights. For the middle class Americans, many believe Obama care will adversely affect themselves and the upper class. While it does make significant changes to our current system, every class will be affected in one way or another.

It is believed by many individuals and institutions that low-income families will benefit greatly, and have health insurance for perhaps the first time ever. However, this benefit to the lower income class means that high-income families will pay considerably, most of it in the form of increased taxes. Obama care is a touchy subject with many Americans, who feel they will be forced to pay stiff penalties if they do not buy health insurance coverage.

Middle class Americans feel that they may suffer the most, and cannot see a way out as they attempt to pay for basic necessities such as childcare, food, housing, utilities, etc. In their minds, it they are already struggling to meet these obligations, how in the world can they afford health insurance? But if they don't purchase it, according to Obama laws they will face penalties if they fail to get health insurance coverage.

Struggling with the rising cost of insurance has been a problem for years, and the debate has continued regarding how to get the United States health care system under control. Under Obama health care, families who earn in excess of $250,000 per year will face an increase in Medicare tax from 1.45% to 2.35% - same for individuals who earn $200,000 per year. Since there is now no option regarding whether an individuals decides to purchase health insurance coverage or not, they will face penalties.

Americans who already have health insurance may think "So what? What's the big deal?" In fact, Obama health care may affect those who previously had health insurance coverage. While it seems that having more people paying in to the system would mean lower insurance premiums, that may not be the case. According to congressional estimates, by the year 2016 individual premiums may be 10 to 13% higher than they are currently.

Several factors that play in to the equation include the fact that in 2014, insurance companies will no longer be able to deny coverage or charge increased premiums due to existing conditions. Add to that the fact that shortly thereafter, insurers will no longer be able to set lifetime limits on coverage, nor will they be able to drop insured individuals who become ill. What does this mean? In a nutshell, Obama health care means that more sick people will be covered, and those costs are greater to insurance companies than those of healthy individuals. All of this may ultimately counteract the benefits of a larger health care pool.

At the current time, it is difficult to determine exactly how it will affect Americans in specific classes, or who will ultimately end up paying the most for mandatory health care coverage. One thing is for certain - while some believe that this is the best thing since buttered bread, others aren't nearly so optimistic. In a few years, we will all be able to determine just how Obama health care has affected our lives personally.

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