I was standing under the tree on the corner of Hard Times and the street of What the Hell is Going On. The conversation was centered on the Affordable Care Act, aka
Henry Crespo Sr.
Obamacare, which the Supreme Court has recently upheld. Over the weekend, all the Republican leadership were making their rounds on cable news programs talking “repeal and replace.” Those leading the charge included: Senator Mitch McConnell; House Speaker John Boehner; up-and-coming Senator Marco Rubio; and Presidential nominee Mitt Romney. But when asked, “Replace with what?” or “How do you intend to cover the 30 million people that are uninsured?” there were no answers of substance.
Over the weekend, all the Republican leadership were making their rounds on cable news programs talking “repeal and replace.” Those leading the charge included: Senator Mitch McConnell; House Speaker John Boehner; up-and-coming Senator Marco Rubio; and Presidential nominee Mitt Romney. But when asked, “Replace with what?” or “How do you intend to cover the 30 million people that are uninsured?” there were no answers of substance.
I was surprised that one pop under the tree broke it down like this. Youngun this is getting real personal with the president. Home boy can’t catch a break from Uncle Charlie. Under this new law, young adults are allowed to stay on their parents’ plan until they turn 26-years-old. It provides new coverage access options for folks with Pre-Existing Conditions that used to be denied health insurance. Also, if you have less than 25 employees and provide health insurance, you may qualify for a tax credit of up to 35 percent that increases to 50 percent in 2014. States will be able to receive matching funds to cover additional older folks, poor folk, folk with disabilities and some families and children under Medicaid. To preserve employer coverage for early retirees the new law creates a $5 billion program to provide financial help for employment-based plans to continue to provide valuable coverage to people who retire between the ages of 55 and 65, as well as their spouses and dependents until more affordable coverage is available through the new exchanges by 2014. All new plans must cover certain preventive services like colonoscopies, mammograms and Autism screening for children at 18 and 24 months — all of these and more without charging a deductible, co-pay or co-insurance. As Pops was walking away he said 2008 was a movement but now in 2012 it’s gotten personal. Are you in?
By Henry Crespo Sr.
Miami Times Contributor, hcresposr@gmail.com
What Do It Matter
July 25, 2012 at 6:24 pm
The way I see it, the Affordable Healthcare Act has nothing to do with health care. Do you know how much money it will take to run all of the new government agencies that this law will need? Buildings, employees, more red tape. Also, the government will know all of our business and decide who lives and who dies. 15 people on the Independent Payment Advisory Board will decide the lives of millions. Our president already said that some would have to take a pain pill. What about the thousands of IRS agents hired under this law.
Who will pay for all those people that need drugs that cost thousands of dollars a month? What about that lady that had her face bit off by her friends pet and needed thousands and thousands of dollars of surgery? Who would pay for that? The government will control who lives or dies — unless you’re rich or in the government. Why does the President exclude himself and his family from this so called great plan?
Here’s two other very frightening things. Ms. Pelosi said we have to pass the law to find out what’s in it. Have you thoughtfully considered this? Also, this law gives the Secretary of HHS all kinds of open ended power over our lives. Very frightening for Republicans, Democrats, and Independents.
Very worried.