www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2006/4/4/225536.shtml?s=ic



Tuesday, April 4, 2006 10:54 p.m. EDT

Romney to Sign Mandatory Health Bill


BOSTON -- Lawmakers overwhelmingly approved a bill Tuesday that would make Massachusetts the first state to require that all its citizens have some form of health insurance.

The plan — approved just 24 hours after the final details were released — would use a combination of financial incentives and penalties to dramatically expand access to health care over the next three years and extend coverage to the state's estimated 500,000 uninsured.

If all goes as planned, poor people will be offered free or heavily subsidized coverage; those who can afford insurance but refuse to get it will face increasing tax penalties until they obtain coverage; and those already insured will see a modest drop in their premiums.

The measure does not call for new taxes but would require businesses that do not offer insurance to pay a $295 annual fee per employee.

The cost was put at $316 million in the first year, and more than a $1 billion by the third year, with much of that money coming from federal reimbursements and existing state spending, officials said.

The House approved the bill on a 154-2 vote. The Senate endorsed it 37-0.

A final procedural vote is needed in both chambers of the Democratic-controlled legislature before the bill can head to the desk of Gov. Mitt Romney, a potential Republican candidate for president in 2008. Romney spokesman Eric Fehrnstrom said the governor would sign the bill but would make some changes that wouldn't "affect the main purpose of the bill."

Legislators praised the effort.

"It's only fitting that Massachusetts would set forward and produce the most comprehensive, all-encompassing health care reform bill in the country," said House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi, a Democrat. "Do we know whether this is perfect or not? No, because it's never been done before."


The only other state to come close to the Massachusetts plan is Maine, which passed a law in 2003 to dramatically expand health care. That plan relies largely on voluntary compliance.

"What Massachusetts is doing, who they are covering, how they're crafting it, especially the individual requirement, that's all unique," said Laura Tobler, a health policy analyst for the National Conference of State Legislatures.

The plan hinges in part on two key sections: the $295-per-employee business assessment and a so-called "individual mandate," requiring every citizen who can afford it to obtain health insurance or face increasing tax penalties.

Liberals typically support employer mandates, while conservatives generally back individual responsibility.

"The novelty of what's happened in this building is that instead of saying, `Let's do neither,' leaders are saying, `Let's do both,'" said John McDonough of Health Care for All. "This will have a ripple effect across the country."

The state's poorest — single adults making $9,500 or less a year — will have access to health coverage with no premiums or deductibles.

Those living at up to 300 percent of the federal poverty level, or about $48,000 for a family of three, will be able to get health coverage on a sliding scale, also with no deductibles.

The vast majority of Massachusetts residents who are already insured could see a modest easing of their premiums.

Individuals deemed able but unwilling to purchase health care could face fines of more than $1,000 a year by the state if they don't get insurance.

Romney pushed vigorously for the individual mandate and called the legislation "something historic, truly landmark, a once-in-a-generation opportunity."

One goal of the bill is to protect $385 million pledged by the federal government over each of the next two years if the state can show it is on a path to reducing its number of uninsured.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has threatened to withhold the money if the state does not have a plan up and running by July 1.



Socialized health care will be the final nail in the coffen.  Hopefully this idiotic new law will be a big black eye for Matt Romney as the '08 pres. election heats up.

If all goes as planned, poor people will be offered free or heavily subsidized coverage; those who can afford insurance but refuse to get it will face increasing tax penalties until they obtain coverage; and those already insured will see a modest drop in their premiums.

You mean like all the illegal aliens that will flock to that state if this passes?


What's that?

I think it's a big flushing sound I hear . . .



CMOS

Hey there comrad, get your new insurance card yet?

They have no business telling citizens to buy this or that.  They are no better than communists.

Absolutely there is no way this will stand up to even the mildest challenge in court.  Health care is a most personal choice and taxing people who do not wish to have insurance will be the death knell.

Quoted: They have no business telling citizens to buy this or that.  They are no better than communists.

Edited.

That is one DEEP pile of bull shit.

"It's only fitting that Massachusetts would set forward and produce the most comprehensive, all-encompassing health care reform bill in the country,"

The cost was put at $316 million in the first year, and more than a $1 billion by the third year, with much of that money coming from federal reimbursements and existing state spending, officials said.


One goal of the bill is to protect $385 million pledged by the federal government over each of the next two years if the state can show it is on a path to reducing its number of uninsured.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has threatened to withhold the money if the state does not have a plan up and running by July 1.

So, they are going to spend 1 billion dollars to save 385 million?  Now that sounds like something government would do.  I also like the part where business are taxed 295 per person, but individuals are hit with a 1000 dollar penalty.  

I think 1 billion is just the tip of the iceberg.  In 5 years I see it at 5 billion.

Quoted: If all goes as planned, poor people will be offered free or heavily subsidized coverage; those who can afford insurance but refuse to get it will face increasing tax penalties until they obtain coverage; and those already insured will see a modest drop in their premiums. You mean like all the illegal aliens that will flock to that state if this passes? What's that? I think it's a big flushing sound I hear . . . CMOS

I'd like these shitwad politicians to show us, just once, how this is "free".

<crickets>

I get so fucking pissed off when I see these commercials for the old/fat people scooters and someone says "And it didn't cost me a cent!"  No, you dumb fucking bitch, it cost ME, and your neighbor and the working single mom in the next town to subside your ass into that multi-thousand dollar contraption.

This is no different, just more Socialist/entitlement/redistribution of wealth horseshit.

Quoted: They have no business telling citizens to buy this or that.  They are no better than communists.

Amen brother. The sad part is that there are people encouraging their legislators to do this shit to them..

Thank lazy America, where everyone wants the easy way out with less work!

PS. I got an 897 the yesterday, but we'll save that for another thread.

Well I won't be voting for Mitt Romney in the primaries.

It sounds like "the people" have figured out how to reward themselves with the contents of the states coffers.

heard about it this morning. when will people realize that requiring things [like insurance] just makes it a bazillion times more expensive for everyone? the working folks will be paying more in taxes to fund the poor, and the overall rates will climb, because, hey, they can charge whatever they want; you HAVE to have it...

i am thankfaull every day that NH buffers ME from MA.

Goverment Schools and now Government Health Care.
The big fat barge we call the USA is springing a small leak in the hull

I can't believe that people still buy BS like this. Anytime they tell you to give up money for social programs etc., not only is it socialism, but you can guarantee that a lot of that money is getting skimmed off the top. This is nothing more than a government sanctioned scam to steal more money from the people to line the pockets of the politicians and their cronies.

<---- MA resident

I've got to get out of here.

Quoted: It sounds like "the people" have figured out how to reward themselves with the contents of the states coffers.

A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves largesse from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits...

Too bad that quote is fake, becuase there is a lot of truth to it.

Whatever is not required-is forbidden!

Quoted: The vast majority of Massachusetts residents who are already insured could see a modest easing of their premiums.

And monkeys could fly out of my butt!

Great...now we'll get even more anti-gun Massholes moving to Maine...just what we need.

Next thing you know they won't allow you to opt for a DNR order...

Sweet Jeebus!

Tennessee has tried a universal helath care plan, yet it's voluntary. It's damn near bankrupted the state.

Massachusettes? Couldn't have happened to a better state.

I can see it now, along the border to Mexico, signs put up and paid for by the states along the border.

Hey el compinche, Massachusetts tiene healthcare gratis.

Quoted: I can see it now, along the border to Mexico, signs put up and paid for by the states along the border. Hey el compinche, Massachusetts tiene healthcare gratis.

Small fix.

just wait, you'll see Mitt's name on the 2008 presidential ballot ..... republican ballot that is.

Could be a good side to this. Attract all of the losers and bums out of other states to Mass, and encourage more of the productive citizens to bail out. Sounds like good news for people not in Massachusetts. Also, with any luck, the total failure of this program will discourage other states.

I just absolutely loathe government funded welfare....which ..... this is.

Quoted: Quoted: I can see it now, along the border to Mexico, signs put up and paid for by the states along the border. Hey el compinche, Massachusetts tiene healthcare gratis. Small fix.

Thanks.  My Spanish is weak.  I don't need to speak it here.  I learned "Southerner" as a second language in order to help me with the tourists.  Working on "New Englander" next.

LMAO

You are going to see such an exodus of losers to MA they will probably have to build more highways.

The Law of Unintended Consequences dictates that you can never just do one thing, there are always unforseen ramificiations.

Finally, there will be less human trash coming to my state. Hot damn!


ETA:
Oh yeah, one more thing. You are also going to see those with means go out of state for much of their healthcare. The system is going to be overwhelmed once this all gets going. Just another little Unintended Consequence.

God, I am ecstatic. this is going to be just great!

Glad I don't live in Masshole.
More foreigners coming for you commies. And no one deserves them more!

Got it. MA is going to start printing their own money now. Problem solved. Shame on you, you bunch of doubting slackers.

How many kids will lose their burger flipping jobs due to the added burden on business of $295 per employee?

Quoted: Great...now we'll get even more anti-gun Massholes moving to Maine...just what we need.

No, you'll just have more poor moving to MA for health coverage

"Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the
price of chains and slavery?  Forbid it, Almighty God.  I know
not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty
or give me death!"

-- Patrick Henry (Speech to the Virginia Convention, 23 March 1775)

Lol!  Are they going to go around stopping people on the street demanding to see proof of health insurance?  If you can't provide it, will they give you a fine?

This isn't "closer" to socialism.  This IS socialism.

Quoted: God, democracy sucks. Please, please, let us return to a Republican form of government! img.photobucket.com/albums/v458/willardri/Happy.jpg

The only way we'll get back to THAT is not the ballot box, at this point.

We have free, universal healthcare.

We have a population of 20m, the Medicare budget is in excess of $50 BILLION per year. The waiting list for "elective" surgery is years long (elective means things like arthroscopies, hernias, etc.), the public hospital system in in state of near collapse (it can take over 8hrs to get emergency treatment in the ER) and more and more GPs areopting out of the  medicare system because the per consulation rate of about $32 is not enough to cover expenses, let alone make any money. My doctor (who opted out) told me that they have to see a patient every 5 minutes to make the system viable. So much for thorough consultations. Public health is a bankrupting disaster

Quoted: Lol!  Are they going to go around stopping people on the street demanding to see proof of health insurance?  If you can't provide it, will they give you a fine? This isn't "closer" to socialism.  This IS socialism.

Papers Please, Comrade!

What a joke...against the law not to pay huge amounts for medical insurance...They've gone right past  Socialism to Fascism! This is virtually an extra TAX burden.

Sad very sad.

Quoted: Quoted: Lol!  Are they going to go around stopping people on the street demanding to see proof of health insurance?  If you can't provide it, will they give you a fine? This isn't "closer" to socialism.  This IS socialism. Papers Please, Comrade! What a joke...against the law not to pay huge amounts for medical insurance...They've gone right past  Socialism to Fascism! This is virtually an extra TAX burden.

No doubt.  So what will it be. . . license, registration, proof of health coverage???  Sounds like the begining of another division of enforcement to me.  Here's your $1000 fine and oh, BTW, here's a $250 ticket for speeding.  I used to live in MA, I hated it, I still hate it.  There are things about this country that make me sick.

Of course this will be the advent of newer, cheaper health insurance companies. . . probably have insane deductables like $5000 and cover nothing.   And with the new "scientific study" proving prayer doesn't work. . . Fuck!

Quoted: That is one DEEP pile of bull shit.

Anybody wanna buy a house???
<<groan>>
Why did I click on this thread???
Why oh WHY did I not take the BLUE pill???????????????????

"Mitt Romney supports the strict enforcement of gun laws. He is a supporter of the federal assault weapons ban. Mitt also believes in the rights of those who hunt to responsibly own and use firearms."

No, thanky. I'll be votin' fer somebody else.

Straight up fucking retarded, not even Kali is that leftist...... yet

Hm... so what will happen to that "modest premium decrease" when everyone who couldn't afford health insurance because of lifestyle choices like smoking, drinking, drugs, and buttsex are given it for "free" with money taken directly from the pockets of the "rich" (middle class)?

Will the state of Massachussetts ban gay sex?  Drinking?  Smoking?  Profane language?  Violent videogames?  Plaid shirts?

I see all sorts of interesting possibilities in that State's future.

Quoted: Hm... so what will happen to that "modest premium decrease" when everyone who couldn't afford health insurance because of lifestyle choices like smoking, drinking, drugs, and buttsex are given it for "free" with money taken directly from the pockets of the "rich" (middle class)? Will the state of Massachussetts ban gay sex?  Drinking?  Smoking?  Profane language?  Violent videogames?  Plaid shirts? I see all sorts of interesting possibilities in that State's future.

Add junk food and fast food in there too and you bet they will start doing more things to curb our lifestyle choices.  This is they way government can control us.

I think Texas needs a tougher immigration policy... on the citizens of other states like Massachusetts.

I used to work for a UK company.  Everyone that could afford it there had private health insurance and went to "Private" hospitals.  The public health care was known to be substandard to that in the US.  Also, ever notice the ton of Canadians coming to the US for medical care?  Don't they have "free" universal health care?

I am SO thankful I bailed from MA two years ago.

Semper Fi

What is stopping someone from starting a "pay your own way" insurance company that charges like $100 a year. The company processes the claims from the doctor and charges you directly.

It is better than paying a fine.

Now that I think about it, I think that California already has something like this.

When I got my eyes examined, they told me that all of their patients are required by California law to have health insurance.  

Their solution:  All of their patients, including myself, are enrolled in a phony insurance company free of charge.  There are no benefits, obviously.