Originally Posted by bionicarm
http:///forum/post/3093173
The House Bill is only one of many proposals on this healthcare plan. If you bothered to read the article, it even states that the bill is still up for debate and further amendments. Nothing is etched in stone. Considering the Senate announced today that they won't even touch this reform before the end of August, the whole thing is dead until this fall (which ticks me off that they get some useless 3 month vacation while this important and controversial legislature goes 'dormant' as usual).
Let's say this did get passed debate and pushed to the Senate. Here's the part of the proposed House Bill that you have your panties all in a bind about:
Employer responsibility. The proposal builds on the employer-sponsored coverage that exists today. Employers will have the option of providing health insurance coverage for their workers or contributing funds on their behalf. Employers that choose to contribute will pay an amount based on eight percent of their payroll. Employers that choose to offer coverage must meet minimum benefit and contribution requirements specified in the proposal.
Assistance for small employers. Recognizing the special needs of small businesses, the smallest businesses (payroll that does not exceed $250,000) are exempt from the employer responsibility requirement. The payroll penalty would then phase in starting at 2% for firms with annual payrolls over $250,000 rising to the full 8 percent penalty for firms with annual payrolls above $400,000. In addition, a new small business tax credit will be available for those firms who want to provide health coverage to their workers. In addition to the targeted assistance, the Exchange and market reforms provide a long-sought opportunity for small businesses to benefit from a more organized, efficient marketplace in which to purchase coverage.
Based on these formulas, most small businesses who pay their employees $10 or less will be exempt from this 'penalty' or even providing health coverage. It would put a dent in my bottom line, but it's something I can deal with. Not to mention, it states there will be a 'small business tax credit' availble if I do have to contribute. Knowing what I know about other tax credits I've received, I may actually make money on the deal.
You seem to be stuck on the assumption that this House Bill is the defacto bill for the entire healthcare plan. It's only one proposal of many. Reading the article, this is the Senate's version of the employer-assisted part:
The HELP Committee bill will require businesses with 25 employees or more to offer health insurance or pay a fee (currently slated at $750 a year per full-time worker) to the federal government. Individuals would be required to obtain coverage.
So based on the Senate version, it wouldn't apply to me. Even if it did apply, $750/year per employee is chump change to the benefits I get in return - healthy and satified employees that won't walk on me when a bigger company can provide them the healthcare they need.
Bottom line, everything is still up for debate. If Obama gets his way, this controversy will be moot point. He wants to use subsidies and tax credits that already exist to pay for 2/3rds of the plan. The other 1/3rd will come from individuals who make more than $280K/year by reducing their tax exemptions. You just keep on fuming about PROPOSAL'S. I'll wait until the FINAL bill is etched in stone and sent to Obama to sign before I pass anymore judgements on it.
You don't really get it do you? Stop and try to see what my point is. Let me breakdown into a mantra your liberal mind can be receptive to.
CEOs and business owners are evil. They only care about their bottomline and that they keep raking in the money. If government imposes a new "tax" or forces them to pay for healthcare costs of each employee t 72% of the bill you WILL see unemployment climb. No if, nd, or buts. It will happen. Why? Because the business owner will lay off people to compensate for the added costs. If the raise their prices to compensate for it, the corporations (think walmart) will run the small guy out of business as they will not be competative anymore. Thus forcing them to lay off people due to lost business.....
MY problem with this, at this place in time, is not the socialized medicine aspect, not the government intervention, or the taking from the "wealthy" to prop up the poor., It is the simple fact we are in a recession and going to be for a long while. By doing this during such times you will prolong the recession and double unemployment.
