The article link above talks about HR 3962. It also refers also to sections of the INTERNAL REVENUE CODE. These "penalties" are ALREADY in the Revenue Code for people who don't pay their taxes, and for collecting some defaulted loans. They have NOTHING to do with health care except in that they are ways that payment will be received for people who apply for and then don't pay for health care coverage.



HR 3962 was introduced by Mr. DINGELL (for himself, Mr. RANGEL, Mr. WAXMAN, Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California, Mr. STARK, Mr. PALLONE, and Mr. ANDREWS). Pelosi is only listed in the most general terms as "The Speaker" - which means the ones after her as well as herself!

If you "evade paying for" health care, they will dun you:
‘(a) Tax Imposed- In the case of any individual who does not meet the requirements of subsection (d) at any time during the taxable year, there is hereby imposed a tax equal to 2.5 percent of the excess of--

‘(1) the taxpayer’s modified adjusted gross income for the taxable year, over

‘(2) the amount of gross income specified in section 6012(a)(1) with respect to the taxpayer.

This is basically saying your penalty, collected by the IRS, for not having health insurance of any type, is 2.5% of your taxable income. Last year, our was about $22K. so IF we didn't have coverage, we would have to pay $525. For the entire year. I don't know if we would then HAVE insurance, or if this is a penalty.

I agree, I do NOT like the gov't mandating that EVERYONE MUST be covered. Although it's probably a good thing for everyone to have coverage, especially if it becomes affordable.

This penalty ONLY applies to people who are not already covered by work, VA, MEDICARE, MEDICAID, active duty, and "other" health plans. Most of us, would not be "affected" by this.

It is a standard way for the government to collect on debts. It is also done for student loans which have gone into default.

Additionally, this bill speaks about coverage for students. OMG, they will be REQUIRED to maintain a specific "educational standing" in order to be covered by their parents! Gasp! /sarcasm.

Don't be fooled by the rhetoric. If you already have health coverage, and you like it, you won't be affected. If you don't this plan will create ways for you to be covered that you can afford, ESPECIALLY if you have been denied coverage or are considered "high risk". This bill covers all those bases, and isn't going to throw people into jail willy nilly if they choose to NOT have health insurance.

If you think it DOES say that, please direct me to the EXACT section number where it says a person MUST buy health insurance coverage, period.

Mmm scare tactics