Questions for Massachusetts DUers regarding "Romneycare" Mandates:

[Proud Liberal Dem]

Although I realize that, to some degree, we may be comparing proverbial "apples to oranges" when discussing Massachusetts' "Romneycare" system that already requires/mandates individuals to possess health insurance to the House bill that passed last night (which might not even look the same by the end of the process), I was curious to know whether or not there have been mass arrests in Massachusetts since "Romneycare" was signed into law of individuals whom were found (I guess) to not possess health insurance and/or if people are being herded into "debtor's prisons" there as we speak? :shrug: The last I heard was that Massachusetts was eventually forced to suspend(?) the mandate when the economy started really going downhill. I was also curious how Massachusetts enforces the mandate too? I guess they find out when people show up at the hospital reporting they have no insurance? :shrug: Are hospitals, clinics, etc. being ordered to report people whom don't have insurance? Does anybody know exactly how compliance managed in the House bill? :shrug:

[Ian David]

1. People are able to game the system to avoid paying the individual mandate.

The "mandate" is a joke.

[clear eye]

4. Actually it's the insurance cos. who are "gaming the system"

by offering bare minimum catastrophic coverage plans that have huge upfront deductibles and such high copays that even what they claim to cover, they don't really cover. They offer these to people who truly can't afford real insurance but whose income may look good on paper, like middleclass parents sending a couple of offspring to college.

Social workers in MA agencies are saying there's an epidemic of underinsured who still wind up medically bankrupt if they get ill. Paying a couple of grand for useless insurance is a game for the insurers, but not much of one for the purchasers.

And the rising premiums are causing the subsidies to be a bottomless pit for MA gov't, which has been crying in despair for help from the feds.

This sort of outcome was also the case in TN who tried the private, universal coverage route. They soon gave it up.

The corporate media obscured these realities from the general public during the debate of the last few months.

[Ian David]

6. That too. n/t

[geckosfeet]

2. I can tell you that the health insurance companies love it. You are required to

provide proof of insurance with your state income tax or else you are penalized on your taxes.

There are many subsidies for low and lower middle income people. But the insurance companies get paid. They love it.

I have insurance through my employer. Rates went up 12% this year. They go up every year. It is unsustainable in the long run. Part of the states financial problems are related to supporting the health insurance companies.

Massachusetts Law About Health Insurance
You need health insurance. The state's Health Connector can help.
Massachusetts health care reform

[virgogal]

3. Mass requires proof of insurance when you file taxes in April---a

tax penalty is then assessed if you have no coverage.

I don't know the amounts because I am covered.

[Muttocracy]

5. kick for more reponses. nt

[Luminous Animal]

7. Massachusetts Plan: A Failed Model For Health Care Reform

http://docs.google.com/gview?a=v&q=cache:YCYh7aZHHm4J:www.pnhp.org/mass_report/mass_report_Final.pdf+romneycare&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEEShVDnaTw_U9GBPkd9bmFODmQz3NQMoakAAjX4iOZkhC4PJYjNcMJjFfhzoR6gB7JdDxOw3ihdfe143fom4gCnkVQ-4PSBqi50r3V5PtSWQM6VfoqqXIx_RbIfnWBekuUXltsy1O&sig=AFQjCNGSdNw7x_VdbI8HtXiWFFG9QvhGfw

Produced by Physicians For A National Health Care Program.

[sandnsea]

8. 97% of residents are covered

I haven't read of anybody going to jail.

[clear eye]

9. Covered for what? n/t