Shared cost is a tenet of every universal health care system.

[ProSense]

Everyone who doesn't have employer-based health care can shop the exchange, and millions of people will qualify for Medicaid. Millions more will receive subsidies.

The health care law did several things to make the plans more affordable, including subsidies and shared cost for better coverage, including caps on out-of-pocket expenses and a ban on life-time limits.

Link to list of free preventive services
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023828253

Shared cost is a tenet of every universal health care system.

In the case of the ACA, the cost is being shared by everyone via a package of essential benefits. Some young people can remain on their parents' plan. Others can purchase catastrophic coverage at a lower cost. Deductibles range and will be a lot better for many, but these also reflect shared cost.

Shared cost also means those with higher incomes pay more.

Reposting: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023795712

The new tax on the high-income earners and the wealthy.

Reported when the law passed in 2010:

A big chunk of the money to pay for the bill comes from lifting payroll taxes on households making more than $250,000. On average, the annual tax bill for households making more than $1 million a year will rise by $46,000 in 2013, according to the Tax Policy Center, a Washington research group. Another major piece of financing would cut Medicare subsidies for private insurers, ultimately affecting their executives and shareholders.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/24/business/24leonhardt.html

Krugman in 2011:

<...>

What would real action on health look like? Well, it might include things like giving an independent commission the power to ensure that Medicare only pays for procedures with real medical value; rewarding health care providers for delivering quality care rather than simply paying a fixed sum for every procedure; limiting the tax deductibility of private insurance plans; and so on.

And what do these things have in common? They’re all in last year’s health reform bill.

That’s why I say that Mr. Obama gets too little credit. He has done more to rein in long-run deficits than any previous president. And if his opponents were serious about those deficits, they’d be backing his actions and calling for more; instead, they’ve been screaming about death panels.

Now, even if we manage to rein in health costs, we’ll still have a long-run deficit problem — a fundamental gap between the government’s spending and the amount it collects in taxes. So what should be done?

- more -

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/18/opinion/18krugman.html

It's the law, 2013:

Net Investment Income Tax

A new Net Investment Income Tax goes into effect starting in 2013. The 3.8 percent Net Investment Income Tax applies to individuals, estates and trusts that have certain investment income above certain threshold amounts. The IRS and the Treasury Department have issued proposed regulations on the Net Investment Income Tax. Comments may be submitted electronically, by mail or hand delivered to the IRS. For additional information on the Net Investment Income Tax, see our questions and answers.

Additional Medicare Tax

A new Additional Medicare Tax goes into effect starting in 2013. The 0.9 percent Additional Medicare Tax applies to an individual’s wages, Railroad Retirement Tax Act compensation, and self-employment income that exceeds a threshold amount based on the individual’s filing status. The threshold amounts are $250,000 for married taxpayers who file jointly, $125,000 for married taxpayers who file separately, and $200,000 for all other taxpayers. An employer is responsible for withholding the Additional Medicare Tax from wages or compensation it pays to an employee in excess of $200,000 in a calendar year. The IRS and the Department of the Treasury have issued proposed regulations on the Additional Medicare Tax. Comments may be submitted electronically, by mail or hand delivered to the IRS. For additional information on the Additional Medicare Tax, see our questions and answers.

http://www.irs.gov/uac/Affordable-Care-Act-Tax-Provisions

There will still be some who find it unaffordable and decide to pay the fee to opt out, other may be eligible for an exemption from the fee: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023754838

For those who aren't able to afford coverage, explore the community health centers.

Medicaid not expanded in your state? Get health/dental income based cared through HRSA.GOV!
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023790963

Health centers to help uninsured individuals gain affordable health insurance coverage

Obama administration provides $150 million for health centers to offer enrollment assistance nationwide

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced new funding to help more uninsured Americans enroll in new health insurance coverage options made available by the Affordable Care Act. Approximately $150 million will help community health centers provide in-person enrollment assistance to uninsured individuals across the nation. About 1,200 health centers operate nearly 9,000 service delivery sites nationwide and serve approximately 21 million patients each year.

“Health centers have extensive experience providing eligibility assistance to patients, are providing care in communities across the Nation, and are well-positioned to support enrollment efforts,” Secretary Sebelius said. “Investing in health centers for outreach and enrollment assistance provides one more way the Obama administration is helping consumers understand their options and enroll in affordable coverage.”

With these new funds, health centers will be able to hire new staff, train existing staff, and conduct community outreach events and other educational activities. Health centers will help consumers understand their coverage options, determine their eligibility and enroll in new affordable health insurance options. Community health center staff will provide unbiased information to consumers about health insurance, the new Health Insurance Marketplace, qualified health plans, and Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program.

This funding opportunity was issued by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), and it complements and aligns with other federal efforts, such as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Service funded navigator program.

Today’s funding announcement is part of the administration's larger effort to make applying for health insurance as easy as possible. For example, last week, we released a single, streamlined application that was shortened from 21 to 3 pages. We are committed to providing the type of assistance that Americans need to ensure that they have access to affordable health care.

“Health centers work in communities across the country, giving them a unique opportunity to reach the uninsured in their communities and help connect them with the benefits of health insurance coverage under the health care law,” said HRSA Administrator Mary Wakefield, Ph.D, R.N.

Click on the link http://hhs.tv/Media/PublicResources.aspx for video B-roll and sound bites. To view the files, click on the magnifying glass next to the file title. You can then download the files after registering on the same page.

For information on applying for this funding opportunity, visit http://bphc.hrsa.gov/outreachandenrollment/.

For a list of health centers eligible to apply for this funding visit http://www.hrsa.gov/about/news/2013tables/outreachandenrollment/.

To learn more about the Affordable Care Act, visit www.HealthCare.gov. To learn more about HRSA’s Health Center Program, visit http://bphc.hrsa.gov/about/index.html.

http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2013pres/05/20130509a.html

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022820842

The law appropriated $11 billion over five years to build and operate community health centers, a major factor in increasing the annual number of patients served to 21 million, a rise of 3 million from previous levels. Some $5 billion has been put into a reinsurance program that has encouraged employers to retain coverage for retirees and their families; 19 million people benefited with reduced premiums or cost-sharing.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022566100

Single payer is coming, and it's a lot better and more civilized.

Single Payer movement in the era of Obamacare
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023715400#post10

Still, you have to pay, it's mandated and shared cost applies.

For example, financing plans have suggested an additional payroll tax of about 5 percent, and an additional 5 percent and 10 percent tax for the top 5 percent and 1 percent, respectively.

The annual tax would look something like this:

$25,000 - $1,250
$50,000 - $2,500
$75,000 - $3,750
$100,000 - $5,000
$150,000 - $7,500
$200,000 - $20,000
$250,000 - $25,000
$350,000 - $52,500
$500,000 - $75,000
$1,000,000 - $150,000

There would also be a small financial transaction tax and a mandated 7 percent payroll tax on all employers.

[ProSense]

1. Kick! n/t