November 30, 2009
Car insurance is mandated!
As Health care bills bounce from the House to the Senate, understandingly people and groups are concerned how these changes might impact their lives. Such concern is well founded. But it is necessary that there be more light and less heat. It was for that reason that I responded to the below comment. November 9, 2009 by Jason
Another fantastic straw man from the shameless promoters of universal health care.
Here is the premise: It is not unreasonable to have a health care mandate, since it is good for everyone and is no different from auto insurance [which is mandated with penalties for non-compliance].
1. Auto insurance that is mandated by the [state] government(s) is to protect other people, not you. You are required to carry liability insurance to cover damages to other personnel or property, not yourself. Lenders however, require insurance levels, which protect their investment – the car. If you do not want to carry collision insurance for repairs, you buy your car outright and are the only owner. You can also choose the level of coverage, for example towing, rental reimbursement, and roadside assistance.
2. If you do not drive a car, you are not required to carry insurance. Urban dwellers, children, and the elderly who do not drive automobiles are not required to carry automobile insurance of any kind.
3. Most importantly, a health insurance mandate instituted by the federal government is unconstitutional. Auto insurance requirements are at the state level and such decisions are reserved by the state according to the Constitution of the United States. The 10th Amendment of the US Constitution states, “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”
You bring up three very interesting points.
First you are correct, the state does not demand that you buy Physical Damage insurance to cover a loss to your own car, the state just demands that you have coverage for the damage you might do to someone’s person or property.Secondly you are again correct when you state If you do not drive a car, you are not required to carry insurance. I could point out that if you are an Owner/non-driver, you will need car insurance- but for the most part you are correct.Your third point that a health insurance mandate instituted by the federal government is unconstitutional, falls under the heading “Unsettled-Law”.The federal Government does pass laws that are national is scope. The simple truth is if a health insurance mandate instituted by the federal government was clearly unconstitutional, we would not see so many people fighting so hard to stop the bill.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Health Care Debate on Capitol Hill
President Obama, and many of the democrats ran on a platform promising major changes to our healthcare system. By all accounts, it appears as if the process has taken it first steps..
Today The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee formally opened the legislative process that will likely over-shadow all other legislation for most of the summer.
Senator Christopher Dodd, a Democrat from Connecticut, and leading voice in the process, stated
“This is about as historic as it gets for all of us,” “There have been major bills that we have all worked on over the years, that have been significant, that have been huge. But this will affect everybody, 100 percent of American citizens.”
This is not the first attempt to overhaul our country's health care system. That last major attempt took place in the opening months of the Clinton administration. That attempt, lead in large part by the then first-lady, was fought vigorously and successfully by the Republicans who in large part saw it as an attempt for government to grow at the expense of the private sector. With health care consuming such a large share of America's gross domestic product; it is easy to understand the concern most American's had back at that time. Matters were not helped by the "Closed-door" way that many of the possible changes found there way into the bill.
This time again, Republicans have in large measure been reluctant to support many of the proposals that have been put forth thus far. Unlike 16 years ago, there is a basic realization on all sides that "Something must be done" to address the run-a-way costs of our health car system.The Senate Finance Committee has been working to craft a more centrist bill, that is expected to have a greater opportunity at reaching a bipartisan accord.
One voice that was clearly missing from the room, was that of Dodd's close friend Senator Edward M. Kennedy,who is undergoing treatment for brain cancer. For the past 30 years no other Senator's name has been so closely tied to the cause of changing health care in a way to make sure that all Americans have access.
Today The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee formally opened the legislative process that will likely over-shadow all other legislation for most of the summer.
Senator Christopher Dodd, a Democrat from Connecticut, and leading voice in the process, stated
“This is about as historic as it gets for all of us,” “There have been major bills that we have all worked on over the years, that have been significant, that have been huge. But this will affect everybody, 100 percent of American citizens.”
This is not the first attempt to overhaul our country's health care system. That last major attempt took place in the opening months of the Clinton administration. That attempt, lead in large part by the then first-lady, was fought vigorously and successfully by the Republicans who in large part saw it as an attempt for government to grow at the expense of the private sector. With health care consuming such a large share of America's gross domestic product; it is easy to understand the concern most American's had back at that time. Matters were not helped by the "Closed-door" way that many of the possible changes found there way into the bill.
This time again, Republicans have in large measure been reluctant to support many of the proposals that have been put forth thus far. Unlike 16 years ago, there is a basic realization on all sides that "Something must be done" to address the run-a-way costs of our health car system.The Senate Finance Committee has been working to craft a more centrist bill, that is expected to have a greater opportunity at reaching a bipartisan accord.
One voice that was clearly missing from the room, was that of Dodd's close friend Senator Edward M. Kennedy,who is undergoing treatment for brain cancer. For the past 30 years no other Senator's name has been so closely tied to the cause of changing health care in a way to make sure that all Americans have access.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
These are tough times for all Americans, but but they are hitting seniors particularly hard.
While people in their 40s have 25 years for the stock market to rebound and might see the resent plummet in stock prices as a once in a lifetime buying opportunity, Seniors are dependent of their saving NOW. As their saving fall, so does their income. This reduction puts pressure to go into one's capital to make up the difference. While pulling money from savings is always a risky last resort, it is even more of a problem when you are forced to sell stocks at a loss.
On February 17, President Barack Obama signed the $787 billion economic stimulus into law. The National Association of State Units on Aging (NASUA) developed a summary that highlights key provisions of the plan.
To view it, download the
To view it, download the
Social Security's Economic Recovery One-Time Payments.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provides for the one-time payment of $250 to individuals who get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security benefits. Everyone who is entitled to a payment is expected to receive it by late May 2009. No action is required of beneficiaries. The U.S. Social Security Administration is working on the details regarding how they will issue nearly 55 million one-time payments to beneficiaries.
At a time that those on "Fixed incomes" are under such extreme stress, it is clear that
the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will provide at least a small amount of relief.
Caitlin Morgan
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