Still waiting for that ObamaCare bounce
Yet another opinion poll indicates the public wasn’t sighing in relief after ObamaCare passed. The latest is from CBS News, which calls the American public “increasingly skeptical” about the new health laws:
Fifty-three percent of Americans say they disapprove of the new reforms, including 39 percent who say they disapprove strongly. In the days before the bill passed the House, 37 percent said they approved and 48 percent disapproved.
Republicans and independents remain opposed to the reforms, and support has dropped some among Democrats. Now 52 percent of Democrats approve of the new reforms, a drop from 60 percent just before the bill was passed by Congress.
So, no softening among Republicans and independents, and a hardening of Democratic opinion against the bill.
There was a brief bounce: In the days immediately following the House’s passage of ObamaCare, the approval gap for the legislation improved from minus-11 to minus-4 (follow the CBS News results in the second table here). Within one week, however, the gap had re-widened to the current minus-21.
The same goes for the USA Today/Gallup poll, which showed a 12-point swing in ObamaCare’s favor immediately following the House vote. Less than a week later, however, sentiment as measured by the very same poll had swung back against the new law by those same 12 percentage points.
Rasmussen Reports shows a steady 12- to 13-point disapproval margin for the bill-turned-law. Recent polls by Quinnipiac and for the Washington Post also show lingering disapproval for the new law.
The public’s verdict remains clear: While the Democrats could reasonably claim a mandate after the 2008 elections to do some kind of health-care reform, this wasn’t what the people expected or wanted.
Pundits keep trying to guess how much longer the public will stomach hearing about health care, given that it has dominated the public debate since last summer. The conventional wisdom is that people will tire of hearing about health care, but I think that’s only half-right. People may tire of hearing only about health care, but this kind of early hardening of opinion against ObamaCare suggests that it could easily remain at the heart of a broader election-year debate about the size and scope of government.
One piece of evidence for my thinking: The early results of the voting at ContractFromAmerica.com. The top three vote-getters so far are a requirement that Congress cite the specific provision of the Constitution that gives it authority to pass any given bill; the rejection of a cap-and-trade plan for CO2 emissions; and a balanced-budget amendment to the Constitution. Each of these ideas has received support from at least two-thirds of the participants so far; the online vote is still under way, and the full results will be announced April 15.
The president says it will take more than one week for public opinion of ObamaCare to improve. Fair enough. In the meantime, as the public learns more about what’s in the new law, the hole is only getting deeper.
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173 comments Add your comment
RJ
April 5th, 2010
3:18 pm
Does the public opinion of the bill have any relevency? Isn’t the real question whether the law is good or bad? That question we wont have the answer to for years. To say what the opinion is today is a bit dumb.
I’ll bet there were a ton of people angry about Civil Rights laws being passed at the time as well.
I’m really sick of the media using public opinion polls to state if something is good or bad. Just because an uninformed person believes it, doesn’t mean it’s true. Personally, I could care less what people think of the law. I’m more concerned as to what the law means for me. That’s a question the media and Congress still seems to be dodging.
Kyle Wingfield
April 5th, 2010
3:28 pm
It matters, RJ, insofar as this issue will shape this year’s election debates. Like it or not, public opinion will help energize or deflate people like the tea partiers who could have a big impact on this broader debate I mentioned. It will shape the campaign pitches of Republicans, Democrats and third parties, all of whom (I believe) will be held accountable going forward for what they promise this year and what they deliver if the public hands them the reins.
And at some point, one would think, your question about what the law means for you will become part of the equation. People will gradually figure that out for themselves, and the real-world impacts will be reported more and more. That will in turn affect public opinion, and thus all those other things I just mentioned.
In other words, it’s not just the opposition in the polls that matters. It’s what that opposition signals. That’s why I continue to watch the polls.
JKL2
April 5th, 2010
3:38 pm
Then why did you elect a president who rules by opinion poll?
As Nancy Pelosi said”wait until it passes then you can find out what in it.” Not that they would hide anything in 2,700 pages of legalize. Love the transparency.
Cutty
April 5th, 2010
3:43 pm
Should we be waiting on that Iraqi oil to pay for the war too? We already know we weren’t greeted as liberators with flowers. Since we’re still shelling out money for this war, I believe its still relevant
And we don’t want to start discussing Bush misstatements do we?
Irishmafia
April 5th, 2010
3:43 pm
So I’m contemplating this awful health care bill and thinking of the law of unintended consequences.and this occurred to me.
1. People not currently covered by insurance will have to purchase insurance.
2. It stands to reason that many of those uninsured use the emergency room as their “doctor” and pay little or nothing for their care.
3. Now they will have to pay for insurance -though you can bet that most of it will be subsidized by the government`-but hopefully not all of it.
now here’s the big part.
4. All these people who may in fact have never had an insurance policy will now have to take responsibility for paying their premiums AND CO-PAYS and DEDUCTIBLES, unless of ours our daddy government included these at no cost.Can you imagine all these people who take no responsibility for their own lives suddenly charged with coming up for funds to pay co pays and deductibles to ER’s and doctors? Have not heard this aspect discussed anywhere
The Tar and Feathers Party
April 5th, 2010
4:06 pm
Just wait until people see the increase in their health insurance premiums, to pay for diseased kids and undeserving aids things, not to mention the autism moms with their screaming brats.
Jefferson
April 5th, 2010
4:13 pm
Next. This is law now. Nothing to see here, move on.
Tracey
April 5th, 2010
4:13 pm
It matters because healthcare is responsible for 1/6th of our economy. The GOVERNMENT is in control of 1/6th of our economy. So my question is, If this was so important (and I think healthcare reform is long overdue) why did we push it through in the dead of night, behind closed doors and against the will of the majority of the people? And that does MATTER. If you are going to do it, do it right and this is NOT the right bill and will do nothing to lower premiums.
retiredds
April 5th, 2010
4:18 pm
The real story now is the economy. If it continues to improve, as it will, and enough job creation begins to offset that unemployment numbers, and it will, the health care stuff will pass into the background. Americans have short memories, in spite of the Tea Party noise. Stock market poised to break through 11,000, now, Kyle that’s news. Opportunity knocks for those who look forward not backward.
Intown
April 5th, 2010
4:29 pm
Keep hoping and praying Kyle. In the meantime, the stock market reacted favorably to regulatory certainty after the health care law passed and Repubs continue to bellyache about the straw man of socialism they created in their own minds. The real test for the electiosn will be what can Obama get done before November to continue to move the nation foward and keep it competitive in the 21st century’s global economy despite people like you.
Blue
April 5th, 2010
4:29 pm
On behalf of Cynthia and her ilk, Kyle, I’m going to have to ask you not to print any poll numbers that disprove her rantings. And Jefferson…you will get your “next” and there will be something to see at elections. Four words to remember; “Republican elected in Massachusetts!”
Port O' John
April 5th, 2010
4:36 pm
ContractFromAmerica?
Spending lots of time in the right-wing echo chamber instead of taking the kids off for a spring break vacation this year Kyle?
Yes, by all means the GOP should run its Congressional campaigns on a promise to repeal the health care law. Return the power of insurance companies to drop you if you get sick and deny coverage for pre-existing conditions. Return to the status quo. Let’s debate this all over again. But now the GOP is backing away from that — wonder why?
If the GOP really cared about health care reform they could have done something about it during the 12 years they controlled Congress or anytime during Bush’s term. So, let’s here about all of the reform legislation proposed by the GOP during the Bush years. Got any?
How about cutting government costs? Didn’t Bush balance the budget and give Obama a surplus to work with? And what did Obama do with all the fruits of Bush’s fiscal prudence? He squandered it.
Of course in reality, there is no such thing as GOP fiscal prudence — just talking points. Here’s one: ‘deficits don’t matter’ — guess who said that? Your hero, Dick Cheney.
retiredds
April 5th, 2010
4:42 pm
Blue, “Republican elected in Massachusetts!” And?
Jefferson
April 5th, 2010
4:55 pm
Blue — who’s the GOP going to run ? They have yet to show anybody with anything to vote for? Same old tired talk & no action. I don’t care which party gets things done, just get things done. The GOP talks but when they get in, they either do nothing or mess things up so bad you get big changes. Blue, you must be from GA.
Linda
April 5th, 2010
4:55 pm
Many people have catastrophic hc insurance, which used to be called hospital plans. It’s like being self-insured for routine care. Fees can be negotiated & doctors give discounts of up to 50% for cash on the spot. Clinics for tests are up to 80% less than the doctors’ offices. It’s cheap for people who are young, healthy, self-employed or whose employer doesn’t provide insurance.
Catastrophic plans are banned under the hc bill & the comprehensive plans required could cost at least 4 times more than catastrophic plans.
The penalty fees in the hc bill are not only cheaper than buying comprehensive insurance, they’re cheaper than buying catastrophic insurance! Pre-existing conditions are covered.
Why would employers continue to provide insurance? Why would anyone buy insurance until they become sick & arrive at the ER?
What happens to insurance companies when they are insuring only sick people?
retiredds
April 5th, 2010
5:07 pm
This quote from Nathan Deal about what he is going to do for GA as reported by Jim Galloway:
“… these efforts (Opening an Atlanta office) will bolster our ability to reach Georgia voters and get out our message about my vision for cutting waste, bringing new jobs to our state and creating a better future for Georgia’s families,” Deal continued.
Kyle, Is this what you are referring to above when you stated: “Like it or not, public opinion will help energize or deflate people like the tea partiers who could have a big impact on this broader debate I mentioned. It will shape the campaign pitches of Republicans, Democrats and third parties, all of whom (I believe) will be held accountable going forward for what they promise this year and what they deliver if the public hands them the reins.”?
Somehow I don’t buy it, especially in GA politics. The statement made by Deal seems to be a dusting off of statements made 8 years ago by the Repubs who took over the statehouse and governor. In my book, they have no credibility. Give it 10-15 years of hard work to earn back the trust of the nation and then maybe they get my vote.
2by8
April 5th, 2010
6:07 pm
Irishmafia did you have the same sentiments about the irish peace accord do even know what is in the healthcare Irishmafia my behind
You are just spouting off with no clue or agenda but if bush had passed you would have been okay.
LA
April 5th, 2010
6:34 pm
Is Obama still president?
Tammi
April 5th, 2010
6:41 pm
Why does the on line headline say the bounce was “brief” when the article says there was no bounce?
yeah c'mone
April 5th, 2010
7:02 pm
Does everyone want me to remind them how stupid Georgia Democrats are? Well ok….House Representative Hank Johnson said that he didn’t think it was a good idea to populate Guam, because he thought the island may tip over into the ocean…hahaha!! Just one more reason to get those freaks out of office! Oh yeah….it’s a true story, but you won’t see it in the ajc.
Tammi
April 5th, 2010
8:09 pm
We are still howling at the Hank Johnson you tube. What a moron this guy is! When the general tells Hank that he is not that worried about Guam tipping over, Hank tells him that’s what people thought about global warming too.
You can’t make this stuff up! Hank’s a howler!
Tony
April 5th, 2010
8:34 pm
The only deep hole is the one your writing talent fell into. What a goofy and useless story.
Michael
April 5th, 2010
8:54 pm
With all the lies that were spread about the reform, including that it was “Armageddon” and would “pull the plug on grandma,” I don’t doubt that people would either be confused or hate it. As Bush said about the Iraq conflict, this is something that will take years to really see whether it’s effective and/or cost-reducing.
I think its popularity will rise as portions kick in. When people without health insurance because of a pre-existing condition are able to join these high-risk pools, they’ll like it better. When seniors get the $250 checks to cover more prescription drugs, they’ll like it better. When the exchanges open in 2014, you’ll have about 32 million people who will like it better.
As of now, it’s kind of like a huge ocean liner moving its first three feet and onlookers saying “that thing can’t move at all!”
Bigboy
April 5th, 2010
9:40 pm
Well said Michael
John
April 5th, 2010
9:51 pm
Tracey, the law was enacted “behind closed doors?” It was broadcasted on CNN. But yes, I’m sure the doors were closed in Congress, but the television cameras were rolling.
Kyle Wingfield: Still waiting for that ObamaCare bounce | The Kansas Progress
April 6th, 2010
7:54 am
[...] So, no softening among Republicans and independents, and a hardening of Democratic opinion against t…. [...]
Bill Sanford
April 6th, 2010
8:07 am
interesting article for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution;
I live in Michigan. The people I talk to greatly detest Obama’s healthcare bill. That was the sentiment before the bill got rammed through Congress, and that is even more the sentiment today. One of the more salient opinions I have heard is outrage that the Democrats would ignore clearly stated public “will”. I think it is this “willfully ignore” aspect that has people so upset… and the next is the lying about the budget impact – no one believes this bill is going to save the country money. Taking a half trillion dollars from Medicare, and paying six years worth of benefits by 10 years of taxes, or what seemed to strike people as being “big lies”.
There is a good chance that Michigan will be going Republican this year – and Obama’s healthcare bill will probably be the primary reason this happens.
First Sergeant
April 6th, 2010
8:25 am
Tammi, you are absolutely right, “You can’t make this stuff up”. Just like George W. Bush, every time he opened his mouth, Americans had to cringe, because, “We Never Knew What Was Coming Out”. Eight years of no intellect and this is the best you have (Hank Johnson). You Ma’am, are one of those Americans with a short memory.
MJP
April 6th, 2010
8:30 am
“Just because an uninformed person believes it, doesn’t mean it’s true.”
The arrogance of the American Liberal. The American people are too stupid to know better. Keep thinking that way.
“I’m more concerned as to what the law means for me. That’s a question the media and Congress still seems to be dodging.”
That should really tell you something. The reason the MSM and Congress are not telling you what’s in it for you is because what is in it for you is higher taxes, reduced healthcare quality and bigger government. You will need to do some of your own legwork if you want real answers.
“I’m more concerned as to what the law means for me. That’s a question the media and Congress still seems to be dodging.”
That should really tell you something. The reason the MSM and Congress are not telling you what’s in it for you is becuase what in it for you is higher taxes, reduced healthcare quality and bigger government. You will need to do some of your own legwork if you want real answers.
Deb
April 6th, 2010
8:42 am
Really, Jefferson? The bill was passed, it’s law, time to move on? You REALLY believe that? How do you apply that logic to laws that segregated people by race? That severly restricted free speech rights in the 1920s? That disenfranchised Blacks and women? I guess you will be just as vociferous in defending the Bush tax cuts, (which helped MY middle class family!), the Patriot Act, the ban on partial birth abortion, etc….oh wait! Those are supported by the REPUBLICANS, so your rule doesn’t apply to legislation THEY passed! Your simple-minded assessment demonstrates that you do not understand that elections provide the people with a way of electing representatives to either uphold or change laws that the majority does not support. Your ignorance is either based on an insufficient education or blatant hypocrisy.
quitaque
April 6th, 2010
8:48 am
The very first comment to this article, by a liberal supporter of the bill, begins with these questions: Does the public opinion of the bill have any relevency? Isn’t the real question whether the law is good or bad?
Um, yes, since we live in a democracy, the public opinion of the bill does have some “relevency.” Liberals would apparently prefer a dictatorship but we don’t live in one. Liberals out of power talk about consensus and respect for dissent and respect for minority rights. Liberals in power tell us that public opinion does not have ANY “relevency.” Not even a little tiny bit of “relevency.” No siree.
Step back and look at yourselves in the mirror, people. You are coming across as Hitler wannabees? Is this REALLY who you are? Because it’s sure starting to sound like it.
L/W
April 6th, 2010
8:50 am
RJ calls the public “uninformed,” I suspect the opposite is largely true, which is why the opinion polls matter as much as they do. The Dems no doubt wanted the American public as dumb about the bill as possible, but the news about all the back room deals came out, not to mention the half-trillion dollar Medicare cuts. The bill *is* a bad bill. The heart of it is Ezekiel Emmanual’s “Complete Lives” agenda. RJ should read it if he’s “uninformed” as to the nature of the beast that we’re now stuck with.
Gary of Indiana
April 6th, 2010
8:51 am
Of course the opposition is growing. Just two weeks into law and we learn of $14 billion taxes that will be passed onto the consumers. We learn that the government is punishing corporations for paying for their retirees prescription drug coverage. We learned that at least 700,000 people will lose their jobs in the next 5 years because of this insanity. We learned that this bill hires 17,000 new IRS goons to kick in the doors of citizens who do not buy health insurance and haul them off to jail. We learned that not only is Obamacare going to slash Medicare coverage for senior citizens by $500 billion, it is also going to increase the number of people on Medicare by 30%.
The more people learn about how horrible this bill is and how much we will suffer if it is not repealed, the more that will insist that it be repealed. If opposition keeps growing, a movement to put congressmen in prison for voting for it will start growing.
walliat
April 6th, 2010
8:56 am
I think Deb just swallowed Karl Marx’s book. Typical Lib talk: Disenfranchised…race… everyone opposed to the bill is ignorant…you do not understand……race……Bush tax cuts…… insufficient education..simple minded….change laws that the majority does not support.
Get a life Deb.
Max
April 6th, 2010
9:00 am
There is nothing popular about a bill that promises to increase jobs and lower health care costs when the top companies in their field send in SEC reports that the new legislation will cost 100M or more to put into place; when they send warnings to their pensioners about not getting drug benefits, or that they will have to freeze hiring or fire people. This bill does not cut costs, and even now congress is scrambling to fix wording because it was so vague that the bill actually does not cover all children with pre-existing conditions as touted by the W.H. Now, let’s think about this logically for one second. We have a gov’t run post office that will be dropping saturday service. We have an over extended, ill funded social security, medicaid and medicare program. Does anyone believe that our government can improve these social entitlements even though it’s been raiding the piggy bank since 1950? No, it cannot.
Finally, HHS will be determining and enforcing the minimum care standards required by health insurance industries. What, by virtue of this law passing, is to stop the government from determining the minimum standards for any industry? The free market should decide if you want the best health care delivery system (which, btw, we do have). Not the government.
Gary of Indiana
April 6th, 2010
9:05 am
The good news here is that not every democrats is stupid enough to support this monstrosity. At least some of them have some compassion and want to prevent the massive suffering and deaths this bill will cause.
Some are still mindless Obamazombies but the fact that many are snapping out of their daze and realize that socialism is not a good thing is encouraging. The terminally ignorant will always support far left wing socialist policies and candidates but they are becoming more and more of a minority every day. Last poll I saw showed that 17% of this country is liberal. That’s a problem when 100% of the branches of our government are far left-wing looney liberals.
First Sergeant
April 6th, 2010
9:06 am
quitaque
April 6th, 2010
8:48 am
Liberals in power tell us that public opinion does not have ANY “relevency.” Not even a little tiny bit of “relevency.” No siree.
What was your opinion when Cheney downplayed “the US deficits”. Did you open you mouth? What about the lie Bush told about “weapons of mass-destruction”. Did you have an opinion then? Oh, but our fearless leaders obviously did feel “public opinion didn’t have relevance”. Like you already mentioned, “Not even a little tiny bit of “relevency.” No siree”. Thank God for Health Care Reform, for you really could use a “memory check-up”. Just sayin!
RobbieRob
April 6th, 2010
9:20 am
I, too would like to comment on the first liberal poster who wondered about the public opinion’s relevancy.
Ummmmm……hate to break it to ya but that 57% AGAINST ObamaCare is where the money comes from. We are the government. The government makes nothing, produces nothing and produces no revenue beyond what they steal from the American People.
In that manner, public opinion is ultimately supremely relevant because the American people are loudly stating they do not want THEIR money spent like this.
Ignore and insult at your own peril for this November there will be a political bloodbath that will make 1994 look like tea in the garden.
But we all know what will happen in that instance. Krugman, the rest of the NY Times opinion page, the Washington Post, the Big 3 tv networks and their likewise liberal brethren on cable will all proclaim about the “temper tantrum” by the American People.
Too predictable and too funny.
Mark Kyle
April 6th, 2010
9:20 am
“”"I could care less what people think of the law. I’m more concerned as to what the law means for me.”"”
Wow, that is as good an example of someone being part of the ‘gimme’ generation. So you only support plans that are good for you personally? I find that to selfish, in the extreme. And that’s one mistake many of us on the left make: we deride the ‘teabaggers’ for voting against their own interests, as if this somehow proves their lack of intelligence. On the contrary, I believe that, in most cases, this proves their commitment to the common good.
Were I to only support plans that benefitted me, personally, I would have a very low opinion of myself.
IMO.
M.K.
Jessica Richards
April 6th, 2010
9:22 am
Mark,
I agree. That poster seems extremely selfish.
mfw
April 6th, 2010
9:23 am
Some liberal commentators have made a point of saying the passage of the Civil Rights bill was unpopular. Not true. Polls show 68% of the country approved. (see http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/1964_civil_rights_act.htm)
No party has ever passed such a massive entitlement as Obamacare in the face of such strong opposition. We can only hope Democrats pay a heavy price for decades to come.
Political Curmudgeon
April 6th, 2010
9:52 am
First of all, it’s Health *Insurance* Reform, not Health Care reform. Those are different things and it is important to be clear what you are talking about. There is a reason why Obama is careful to use the former and not the latter. Nothing in this legislation changes anything about how health care is delivered. It affects only how it is paid for.
As for the polls. I wish these polls would ask those who disapprove why they disapprove. I’m aware of only on poll that did so (CNN, I think), and the results showed that some disapprove because the bill did not go “far enough”.
If those who approve plus those who disapprove because the bill did not go far enough constitute more than 50%, what does that say about the upcoming elections?
For the record, I disapprove.
DefiantOne
April 6th, 2010
9:58 am
The first poster asked if public opinion mattered. In a democracy you would assume so, but not to the Obamacrats.
The comparison to the Civil Rights bill is way off. That legislation passed with huge bipartisan majorities in both houses of Congress over a shrinking but vocal minority. The Democrats rammed this through on razor thin margins with backroom deals and dirty tricks. The bipartisanship was in opposition to the bill.
Unlike the Civil Rights bill, public opposition to the heal bill is growing rather than shrinking, and it will continue to grow. That’s because every day there’s more bad news coming out on how awful this boondoggle is for American job creators and American citizens. Oops, seniors will have their pensions cut. Oops, the deficit is going to rise to 90% of GDP (yes, your taxes are going up). Oops, we forgot to cover children. Oops, premiums are rising by 25%. Oops, there will be 17,000 IRS goons forcing you to buy corporate insurance or else.
Most people knew from jump the bill stunk and was nothing more than another bailout: massive transfers of taxpayer wealth to Big Insurance and Big Pharma. The difference is the strings attached will eventually kill those industries and many others too, while bankrupting families and the nation’s treasury.
The public was right on this. The Obamacrats were wrong. There will be no bounce…except the bouncing of Democrats’ butts down the steps of Congress once they get the boot in November.
Robyn
April 6th, 2010
10:00 am
There aren’t too many comments here about how the country can’t afford this bill at this time. Health care costs are on an unsustainable trajectory. Controlling costs should be the focus and I just don’t see how this bill accomplishes that. Our national economy is a house of cards built on debt owned by China. I predict a succession of economic crises in the future with a double dip recession. A top economist and macro-financier told me that the federal government will socialize more and more of the economy in a desperate attempt to hold off or contain financial disaster. He told me to watch for warning signs. Look what’s happened to date: government owned car companies, government controlled health care, government controlled banks/Wall street, and possibly government controlled utilities in the future. The federal government will try to control cash flow to ward off bankruptcy and will try to socialize all bank accounts/stocks/bonds/investments. When I say “socialize” I mean control these assets through various regulations/restrictions/taxes. They are doing that now to a degree but he told me to watch for far more socialization in the future. To point to the stock market and say it’s approaching 11,000 and think that is an indication of recovery is very short-sighted and naive indeed. He believes that the housing market won’t recover any time soon, unemployment will stay very high, the credit squeeze will continue and that assets will lose much of their value. And the response of the federal government will be to socialize as much of the economy as it can. Health care reform is simply another gigantic step on that path.
Morrus
April 6th, 2010
10:06 am
Vote out the incumbents and start over
Political Curmudgeon
April 6th, 2010
10:06 am
I encourage those who oppose the Bill to state exactly what they oppose. For instance.
I oppose the purchase mandate that forces private individuals to purchase health insurance directly from private companies for two reasons.
1. I just don’t like it, in principle. However I have looked into the issue and I think it very unlikely that any constitutional challenge will stand.
2. The Federal Government will subsidize the cost of mandatory insurance premiums for those in the lower income brackets of the “middle class” which starts at 301% of the federal poverty level. This represents a transfer of money from the public treasury into the pockets of private health insurance corporations.
For those who are interested in where the Health Insurance Reform provisions of the legislation originated, look here: http://www.americanhealthsolution.org/assets/Uploads/ahipreformpolicyproposal.pdf. It’s no secret that America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) essentially wrote this legislation. And that the deal they cut with the Obama administration in exchange for their support was (1) there will be no public option, and (2) Mandatory purchase.
Real American
April 6th, 2010
10:07 am
LOL….funny….”the polls”….yeah ok…good grief, why not just let Rodney Ho write this blog too?
TB
April 6th, 2010
10:08 am
Here is some tax info for the un-informed.
Small Businesses – The maximum credit is 35 percent of premiums paid in 2010 by eligible small business employers and 25 percent of premiums paid by eligible employers that are tax-exempt organizations. In 2014, this maximum credit increases to 50 percent of premiums paid by eligible small business employers and 35 percent of premiums paid by eligible employers that are tax-exempt organizations.
The credit is specifically targeted to help small businesses and tax-exempt organizations that primarily employ low and moderate income workers. It is generally available to employers that have fewer than 25 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees paying wages averaging less than $50,000 per employee per year. Because the eligibility formula is based in part on the number of FTEs, not the number of employees, many businesses will qualify even if they employ more than 25 individual workers.
(Notice the payroll amount. If you work at said company don’t expect a raise anytime soon or if you happen to be an employee that makes over that amount, expect to be terminated so that your employeer can take that credit)
Medical expense deduction (Schedule A). Increases the threshold for deducting medical expenses to 10% beginning in 2013 (currently set at 7.5% of AGI for 2010).
Through 2016, the 7.5% AGI limitation is unchanged if at least one taxpayer on the return is age 65 or older by the end of the year.
Medicare tax. Increases the employee portion of Medicare tax by 0.9% to 2.35% (currently set at 1.45%) for earned income in excess of $200,000 ($250,000 for joint filers).
Any tax not collected by the employer (paid through withholding) must be paid by the employee via the income tax return.
Applies to self-employment income as well.
No deduction is allowed for the excise tax paid.
Certain employers required to provide health care coverage to employees. Employers with 50 or more employees must provide health care coverage to qualified employees and pay at least 60% of the premium cost.
(If you work at a company with 50-70 employees, be on alert for termination. Employeers will likely want to get to 49 employees to avoid paying that 60% premium)
Sorry folks, but Unemployment will be on the rise if after November 2 stays as Status Quo!
Mike
April 6th, 2010
10:13 am
Have to wait and see if the bill is good or bad? I guess as an unemployed member of society, when I hear the cost to Boeing and Caterpillar in the 100’s of millions dollars just this year….I wonder what the priorities of this administration really are.
alhubb
April 6th, 2010
10:21 am
My gripe with the monstrosity that has been foist upon the American people is that Congress and the White House never called for one second of hearings on what was broken about health care delivery and what would fix it. The snail darter (remember that fish?) rated way more hearing time than the government intruding into 1/6th of the American economy did. I think a vast majority of Americans realize that “somethig” need to be done, but this bill is nothing more than some ideas spawned by political hacks with an eye towards power grabbing rather than what would fix the problem.