forgive me, all my news is auto-tuned

[pauraque_bk]

I have a question for those of you who follow politics (which I do not, anymore). I was reading the summary of what's in the health care bill on electoral-vote.com, and these are the first two points:

# Everyone will be required to have health insurance or pay a fine
# People who cannot afford insurance will get it for free (Medicaid) or get a subsidy

What's the threshold for "cannot afford insurance"? Because as we poor people know, often you can't realistically afford something, but the government programs for it require you to have a lower income to qualify. Too rich for food stamps, too poor for food, as it were. How is this plan going to guarantee that doesn't happen to people AND charge them a fine for not being poor enough?

(Should go without saying -- if anyone comments who disagrees with you about the bill, don't be mean to that person in my LJ.)

Comments

[cordelia_v]

According to the NYT summary of the bill (as it existed last night . . . it's been evolving all weekend), subsidies for insurance would be available to single people who have less than about 44K income, and families with less than 88K. As Beth said, you're sure to continue to be covered.

[pauraque]

It didn't actually occur to me to be worried, because I didn't think this federal bill would affect existing state programs. Does it?

[cordelia_v]

No, it doesn't affect them. The main impact will be on those who currently have no insurance, and also for those who have pre-existing conditions. It will help both groups, and won't really change much for those who currently have insurance.

[pauraque]

Cool. Thanks.