by mac1896 on March 20th, 2007

Question

Help answer this question below.

Massachusetts has a new Health insurance law. Residents not covered by a health plan at work MUST now buy Health insurance and pay out-of-pocket for it. Do you think this is unconstitutional ? how do you think this will affect lower income classes?

Like
Report

Share:: Facebook; Twitter; Other

Answers. 10 helpful answers below.

by unknown on March 22nd, 2007
Heck yes it is unconstitutional. I cannot afford health insurance and my husband cannot even get private insurance. What happens to people like us?
Comments
- The state fines you. More and more each year until you move to another state to avoid the fine.
  
  Report
  
  by my2cents--Vote for Paul on July 24th, 2009
Add a comment...
- Like
- Report
1 comment | Post one | Permalink
by R U Sirius on March 22nd, 2007
Massachusetts state law requires all residents to purchase health insurance by July 1st, 2007.

The law also requires employers in the state with 11 or more employees to provide coverage for their workers or be charged a penalty for not doing so.

The law also calls to establish a low-cost, state subsidized HI program for residents with annual income less than 300 % of the federal poverty level.

People who are self employed will have to go out of pocket for HI.

People who are unemployed will probably be covered by Medicaid.

The goal of the state of MASS is to insure every single state citizen will be covered regardless of status.

I also believe the state will have programs so that there will be no hardships for it citizens.
Comments
- I will withold further comments until July, when we can see what kind of " Subsidized Insurance" they come up with. I can guarantee that It won't be a 75 dollar copay at the ER, or 25 dollars for an office visit.
  
  Report
  
  by mac1896 on March 22nd, 2007
- I'll agree that the company you were talking about charging 175 a month is absurd!! I would pass and research for some more affordable insurance. Good luck and I hope you don't get ScReWed.
  
  Report
  
  by R U Sirius on March 22nd, 2007
- Not me ! I've been away from my home state for 14 years. I couldn't afford to live there anymore, and I was making over 11 bucks an hour then.........
  
  Report
  
  by mac1896 on March 22nd, 2007
- So California was first on the sinking ship list.
  It sounds like Massachusetts may next...
  
  Report
  
  by tominhouston on July 24th, 2009
- it seems that California now is in its worst shape ever.........ugh!
  
  Report
  
  by R U Sirius on July 24th, 2009
Add a comment...
- Like
- Report
5 comments | Post one | Permalink
by Sodahead on July 24th, 2009
It lacks the freedom of choice.
Comments
Add a comment...
- Like
- Report
No comments. Post one | Permalink
by R U Sirius on March 22nd, 2007
I know that the northern eastern states are requiring all of its citizens to have health insurance.

I believe what your missing is that if an employee chooses not to be insured through its employer then THEY are responsible for buying heatlh insurance OUT OF POCKET which of course is expensive.

Paying for insurance through your employer is very affordable. (I pay about 30 dollars a month while if you have children then it goes up in increments)

If someone is unemployed or poor then there are other programs to help with health care.

I think its a good idea for more states to adopt these plans. Hospitals charge paying customers extra money for patients who don't have HI so having a state or national plan may keep costs down.

What needs to happen next is to go after hospitals who order needless tests because they know that the insurance companies will pay for them.
Comments
- No, it's for ALL Ma. Residents. A guy I work with is seperated, but still friends with his wife in MA. She told him about it during a phone call (I had told him about it a week earlier), and he asked her what she was going to do, she said that she didn't know, but she knows that she can't afford it........
  
  Report
  
  by mac1896 on March 22nd, 2007
- Even the residents who are unemployed? That may be, but I doubt they'll have to pay for it.
  
  Report
  
  by R U Sirius on March 22nd, 2007
- You don't know Ma. like I know Ma........the penalty for non-conformance to the law is a higher tax rate, which is exactly what they're gunning for anyway. They're hoping that lots of people won't get the insurance (there are several companies offering right now) because they (Ma.) want the tax money.
  
  Report
  
  by mac1896 on March 22nd, 2007
Add a comment...
- Like
- Report
3 comments | Post one | Permalink
by zee-ster on March 22nd, 2007
the companies that don't offer it don't have to pay for it? the people do? i don't know if it is unconstitutional, but that seems pretty screwed up. lower income people already don't have enough money and you're gonna make them pay for insurance? that's pointless if they can't afford the copay to actually go see a doctor or fill a prescription! well, almost pointless; i guess there could be some exceptions.
Comments
- The lowest figure they've been offered by one company is $175/month for coverage for an individual, not family plan.
  
  Report
  
  by mac1896 on March 22nd, 2007
- This also includes unemployed/self-employed persons.
  
  Report
  
  by mac1896 on March 22nd, 2007
- that is messed up! :(
  
  Report
  
  by zee-ster on March 22nd, 2007
Add a comment...
- Like
- Report
3 comments | Post one | Permalink
by KagomeShuko on March 20th, 2007
It does seem very unconstitutional to me. It's not right to make somebody who can't afford health insurance pay for it. I know for a fact that some people make less than what health insurance costs!
Comments
Add a comment...
- Like
- Report
No comments. Post one | Permalink
by Scifisuz on July 24th, 2009
July 2009 - I understand that this law has been updated and will not cover certain non-citizens. I understand it's bankrupting the State.
Comments
Add a comment...
- Like
- Report
No comments. Post one | Permalink
by thatsJustme on July 25th, 2009
so , i take it Massachusetts has not 'state funded hospitals' or healthcare programs?
bad ,sad, law for the people of Massacchusetts.....you must have some trully worthless 'state' politicians...
highly unconstitutional...totally against its people instead FOR AND OF AND BY...
Comments
Add a comment...
- Like
- Report
No comments. Post one | Permalink
by mac1896 on March 22nd, 2007
I also read that the penalty for non-conformance to the new law would be a higher tax rate for the individual. I don't see how they are going to be able to enforce that, unless a cop stops you and and wants to see your health insurance card, as well as other "official" documents.
Comments
Add a comment...
- Like
- Report
No comments. Post one | Permalink
by john pennington on July 25th, 2009
The lower classes will always find a way to have health insurance.

Even if they have to go to another state.

Hmmmmmm.
Comments
Add a comment...
- Like
- Report
No comments. Post one | Permalink

Question

Massachusetts has a new Health insurance law. Residents not covered by a health plan at work MUST now buy Health insurance and pay out-of-pocket for it. Do you think this is unconstitutional ? how do you think this will affect lower income classes?

Answers. 10 helpful answers below.

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Did this answer your question? If not, then ask a new question or create a poll.

More Questions. Additional questions in this category.

Follow us on Facebook!

Related Ads

Related Questions

What is the average out-of-pocket deductible in health insurance?

According to CBO a family earning $102,100 a year before taxes will have to pay a $15,000 premium plus an estimated $5,300 out-of-pocket, for a $20,300 total. By how much will YOUR health care cost increase or decrease?

Do you think the new health care law requiring every American to purchase health insurance is unconstitutional? Why or why not?

I had cataract surgery and need a new lens prescription. However my vision care insurance says that I am only allowed to get new glasses every other year which means: 1) I'd have to wait until April 2010, or 2) pay out-of-pocket. What should I do?

My husband Has ADD and No Insurance Company will take him for individual Health care coverage Unless we have to pay way up there $500.00 Or More. Do you think Barrack Obama Could change that policy so he can get affordable Health care Insurance?

Professionally Researched

What is the average out-of-pocket deductible in health insurance?

Is acupuncture covered under the Ontario health insurance plan?

Can 3 adults be covered under one family health insurance plan?

Until what age is my child covered under my health insurance in new jersey?

Should i buy an aarp health insurance plan?

ANSWERBAG BUZZ

Answerbag.com
Your favorite Q&A site is on Facebook! Become a fan to connect with the ever-growing community of Answerbaggers, share your thoughts and find out what Answerbag's up to next!

Question

Massachusetts has a new Health insurance law. Residents not covered by a health plan at work MUST now buy Health insurance and pay out-of-pocket for it. Do you think this is unconstitutional ? how do you think this will affect lower income classes?

Answers. 10 helpful answers below.

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Did this answer your question? If not, then ask a new question or create a poll.

More Questions. Additional questions in this category.

Follow us on Facebook!

Related Ads

Related Questions

Professionally Researched

ANSWERBAG BUZZ

Answerbag.com Your favorite Q&A site is on Facebook! Become a fan to connect with the ever-growing community of Answerbaggers, share your thoughts and find out what Answerbag's up to next!

Answerbag.com
Your favorite Q&A site is on Facebook! Become a fan to connect with the ever-growing community of Answerbaggers, share your thoughts and find out what Answerbag's up to next!