Originally posted by stj0691:First, I want to include this link, I think some might like it, some will not.
http://21st-century-classical-liberal.tumblr.com/post/26323662103/15-reasons-why-the-obamacare-decision-is-a-mind-blowing
Anyways.
While we're on the topic of healthcare, I think it's really important to remember people do need it, since it's really nice to have. Letting people buy insurance is one thing, forcing people to get insurance is another. In the grand scheme of things, it protects the sick. If you look at what is supposed to go into effect as of Jan 1st (if the thing isn't repealed by Congress), they're all generally nice - for the sick.
In my home state of Massachusetts, you either have health insurance, or (for the most part), you pay a tax penalty. Oh, and the penalty just went up recently, too. There's a list of appeals and exemptions too, found here. The Massachusetts law is the "core" of what Obamacare is. And for those wondering, Romney helped come up with the MHRA. Anyways, the only exemption if you aren't in severe poverty is the religious exemption, of which, has to be included. You can thank the Constitution for that. Which also, is very limited to what religious beliefs are exempt and which ones aren't.
Anyways, as a result of this, it's created longer waiting time for doctors and higher costing insurance premiums. I want to remind people that Massachusetts raised the state tax a few years ago by 1.25 percent, too. I'm unsure about whether the state had a budget defecit or surplus, though. I'll post about that later after researching to see how the state has fared financially. Here's some history about that though. The ACA is pretty much the same, some of the differences include new taxes and more coverage for the sick. The Obamacare plan does have religious exemption, too.
So what does this mean? If you favor higher taxes and for things to cost a little bit more, and you believe everyone should have coverage to protect the sick, this is for you. You don't have to get it, but you'll be paying taxes into it anyway. If you don't like higher taxes and like costs as they are (for now), there's always private insurance. If you can't afford that, you can try for religious exemption if that is your case. The religious exemption does not cover paying more taxes, though.
tl;dr: Obamacare raises costs for everything health insurance related like a medical insurance bailout, and defends the sick to the best it can. Also, everyone pays more taxes.
Its a state level law. 10th Amendment. Know it, love it.
For example: