The Supreme Court announced its decision on whether or not to turn over part or all of Obamacare. There have been rumors all week that Chief Justice John Roberts would issue the majority opinion, which led many (myself included) to hope that meant the individual mandate would be repealed.
Liberals have cited the Commerce Clause for the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (such a misnomer), which requires all Americans to purchase health insurance, or pay an annual fine. Because apparently the Commerce Clause isn’t just about regulating commerce, but compelling it. Or something.
Anyway, because Justice Roberts looked to be writing the ruling, and he typically votes Conservative, you can imagine the shock when it broke that he sided with the liberals in a 5-4 vote declaring that Obamacare stands. Say what now? It stands? With the individual mandate? And Roberts voted for it?
Sort of.
The court ruled that Obamacare could stand, but not on the Commerce Clause. It’s now officially a tax. Yup, Obama has levied the largest tax increase on the middle class in American history. Thanks, Mr. President! Even after the ruling was announced, Obama was still peddling the “you can keep your plan” lie.
But, but, but ... Why should I have to pay a tax for someone else’s benefit? I pay for insurance and co-pays, why should I pay for yours too? Well, people pay taxes all the time for other people’s benefits. For example -- taxes pay for the fire and police departments, but if your house never catches fire or you’re never the victim of a crime, that’s tax money you paid for someone else’s benefit. People that don’t have kids or don’t take advantage of the public education system aren’t exempt from paying taxes for schools.
I see now how it’s totally kosher to tax the middle class to pay other people’s medical bills. So now that we’ve established the constitutionality of Congress to force Americans to buy a product, and call it a tax, what else will they tax us with?
Will we have to buy Smart Cars for the ‘collective good’ of the environment? What about juicers, because juicing is so healthy? You don’t have to use your juicer, but you sure as heck have to buy one. Since our health care costs are spiraling out of control, it’s probably wise to make healthy food choices, so let’s impose a steak and arugula tax. Michelle Obama will be all over that one.
These scenarios may sound ridiculous, but where is the line? Whether you label it a fee or a tax, the government is forcing Americans to purchase a product whether they want it or not. When does it end?
I'm going to take a wild guess and say it ends November 6, 2012.
Image via dbking/Flickr
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Comments 46
While I'm not a huge fan with requiring everyone to have health Insurance I think the benefits far outweigh the negatives, like the drop in people who seek medical attention in ers and then can't or won't pay their bills.
Just a couple of things Jenny, Roberts didn't 'vote for it'. He and 4 other justics declarded that ACA was consitutional. Also, there are many levels to ACA and not simply the mandate. Many of these items are in fact to protect patients. For instance there are significant changes to HIPAA legislation that due protect individuals and are welcome changes. Also, in general you can keep your health plan. Yes some Medicare Advantage plans (but not all-some really interesting things are being done with integration of Medicare/Medicaid plans) are going away but that was the plan years ago. I am not saying that this plan is perfect but there are some really positives to it and yes I am one of those crazy liberals who does believe that healthcare is a right. I also work for an insurance company.
And yes, I know that there were some major spelling errors there. Sorry about that. Writing way too fast.
there's both pros and cons to 'obamacare', and personally i'm having a hard time on either side of the fence. while i support that there are many americans who should have coverage, i think "taxing" them for not taking such an option is unconstitutional. however, i agree with @roxygirl that prices are already astronomical because we are already paying for these folks with no insurance.
i don't think that forcing the purchase of insurance really fixes the problem, although from other sources i've read (not cited, all internet in the past few months, my apologies) some of the largest offenders of not having health insurance are actually those with higher incomes. the biggest problem i have with the universal healthcare is that while i'm not doing anything differently (i've always carried private insurance coverage through employers at my choice), my premiums continue to go up. i am in the middle class who has health insurance, but still can't afford all of my medical bills because the insurance doesn't pay enough. perhaps instead of worrying about who's getting rich off of procedures and whose lobbyists' are lining the most pockets, we can work with the medical field and insurance companies to find a middle ground so that even with insurance, health care becomes more affordable.
(cont'd)
i pay for insurance every month, and my daughter's visit to the hospital for a strep infection still cost me over $3000 out of pocket. i'm currently doing everything i can to pay that off - - when do i see some benefits to all of this? are there any at all to those who ARE middle class and ARE paying for insurance? to me it seems the middle class, who needs the most help, is once again, also the most shafted. i'm a supporter of obama, but i'm not a fan of this plan.
also, i found this useful, in case anyone else is looking for more information: http://useconomy.about.com/od/healthcarereform/f/What-Is-Obama-Care.htm