When you say state, you do not mean State?

Let’s do the math. Fair market value for a decent plan is anywhere from $300-500 per month. Let’s work the lower end of the scale of $300 per month. $300 per month x 355,000 equals $106,000,000 million per month. That’s nearly $1.3 BILLION dollars per year. That’s a conservative number considering that coverage gets more expensive with age.

I wonder from where that $1.3 BILLION is coming. It’s coming from you, the taxpayers. It’s coming in the form of fines, penalties, increased insurance costs, and mandated insurance coverage.

Universal health insurance is a silly idea. A smarter goal should be to make sure that everyone has access to medical care. Forcing an individual or a family to buy coverage to help cover those that can’t afford coverage is another tax.

An unelected board has determined the minimum and maximum tax that you will pay every year. This unelected board is made up of former insurance executives, union and business leaders. Not one person on this board has ever had to buy insurance coverage for themselves or a small business. In fact, most of the connector board has a background in the public sector. They have no conception of the tradeoffs between premium and deductible. In fact, I would bet that none of them have an insurance plan with a deductible and none of them even pay 20% of their premium. This is the independent board that makes decisions for you and I regarding what is affordable.

I’ll admit, I’m a broker and my business has grown due to this legislation. I have also had companies move out of state, reduce their workforce, or develop new corporations to skirt this law.

My prediction for the next 12-24 months is that the affordability scale will be raised due to the rising cost of living between heating oil, gas, etc. This means that more people will get subsidized or free coverage. Premiums for businesses and those that can afford it will increase by 33-50% due to the rising costs of free care.

Thank you for your comments! I am sorry that your employer cancelled coverage. If you are ineligible for Commonwealth Care, I recommend looking at the Connector’s website to see what private plans are available to you, (www.mahealthconnector.org). It is a common misconception that everyone is “forced” to purchase health insurance. The Connector has created an Affordability Schedule, indicating what amount of money folks can be asked to spend on health premiums under the Individual Mandate. If your income is just above the eligibility cut off for Commonwealth Care, it is possible that you are not mandated to purchase health insurance. For example, if you, as an individual, make $35,000, you are expected to pay $165/month. If there is no plan available at that price, you do not have to purchase health insurance under the individual mandate. There is also a waiver system set up for those who still cannot afford coverage. The Affordability Schedule is also on the Connector’s website.

All that said, if you’re unemployed, as you indicate above, you are likely eligible for Commonwealth Care. I am happy to talk this through with you at any time; my email is ltucker@hcfama.org. And please do not hesitate to call our Helpline for assistance: 800-272-4232.

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For the purposes of state health insurance, a resident is someone living in Massachusetts with no intention to leave.

Thank you both,
Lindsey

What’s a resident?

You’ve got it, we are all just “lab rats” to the folks at HCFA and other defenders of this lousy scheme.

“This particular experiment has been successful—and continues to be.”
Experiment? I am part of an experiment? I don’t remember giving anyone permission to use me for experimental purposes. I am in a position that, under ordinary circumstances, I would go without coverage for a hopefully short period of time while I search for a job. However, I am forced to purchase something I really can’t afford while unemployed since I am part of this “experiment”.