Many Americans have mixed opinions on how they feel about the health care reform bill. Some believe it’s going to fix our struggling health care system and others believe it’s only going to help the lower class while the middle to upper class are going to suffer. However, taking effect this 2010, there will be major changes to our health care system, affecting everyone in different ways.
How Obama's Health Care Reform will Affect Americans
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, millions of low-income families will be getting health insurance without a fight, some for the first time. While this may greatly benefit the low-income portion of the economy, it will take away from the high-income families substantially, as they will be facing higher taxes to help pay for the lower income Americans.
How the Health Care Reform will Affect the Middle Class
Some who are already struggling to make ends meet, will be forced to pay specific health insurance costs, or they may face serious penalties. According to Kaiser Family Foundation, the American middle- class will be the worse off under this health care reform, as they will be mandated to pay for health insurance coverage, as they struggle to pay for their basic living expenses such as; food, childcare and housing.
According to Miranda, a journalist with Financial Highway, those families earning more than $250,000 a year or individuals earning $200,000 a year, will go from a 1.45% Medicare tax to 2.35%. However, the biggest change to the United States will cause families to be forced to pay for health insurance plans, as it will no longer be a choice. Many individuals have lived without health insurance, as they could not afford the cost. However, the cost will no longer be an option, for Americans will be taxed.
Health Care Reform Debate in the United States
The United States health care system has been a major political debate for years. According to Wikipedia stats, the United States holds the highest healthcare costs versus the size of the economy in the world. With 30 million citizens, about 10% lives without healthcare coverage. The debate has revolved around how to safely get our health care system under control.
The middle class is defined as those with incomes that range from $44,000 to $88,000 for a family of four. It’s expected that both middle and upper-middle class families may face extremely high premiums in attempt to collect hundreds of billions of dollars in taxes. This is all aimed to help pay for the uninsured medium to lower income bracket. This also requires everyone to have the best insurance plans available.
Calculate Health Care Costs Versus Income Bracket
Overall, most Americans agree that our health care system needs some major changes, as many have been struggling to get basic care for years. However, the debate on whether Obama’s health care reform will change our system for the better remains widely controversial. For those trying to prepare for the financial changes coming their way, they may search online for a health care calculator in order to figure out what their costs may be.
Related articles:
New Tax Deductions and Credits 2009
Credit Card Reform Law 2010
Sources:
azstar.analysisonline.org” Health Care Reform and the Middle Class ”(Assessed March 25, 2010) wikipedia.org/ “ Health care reform debate in the United States ”(Accessed March 25, 2010)
Emily Rogers - I am currently working from home as a freelance writer. I have always had a strong passion for writing, utilizing my skills with every ...
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