At approximately 12:01AM Tuesday morning, the U.S.
government shutdown. At the current time, no one knows exactly how long this
shut down will drag out but many people, especially those who are directly affected,
are highly concerned on how this will affect the economy.
Doing a quick online search regarding the shutdown, you will
notice that the issue that the Democrats and Republicans cannot come to a
consensus with is Obama Care. “This
shutdown is not about deficits. It’s not about budgets,” Obama
said. “This shutdown is about rolling back our efforts to provide health
insurance to folks who don’t have it. This, more than anything else, seems to
be what the Republican Party stands for these days. I know it’s strange that
one party would make keeping people uninsured the centerpiece of their agenda,
but that apparently is what it is.”
Whether Obama Care is a good or bad thing, I remain
undecided at the moment because there are obvious advantages such as everyone
will have access to healthcare in case of an emergency, which is great. However
for those individuals who cannot afford healthcare costs, what will they do?
You might be wondering how a government can just “shutdown”
when the President and other officials are still working. While the political
side of the government is hard at work in attempts to fix the issue, many
government agencies have been “shutdown.” The National Security Administration
will remain open for obvious reasons and so will the Social Security office
because it has been set into “permanent law”. While they do have to report to
work every morning, they will not be receiving a pay check. Offices such as the
Postal Service and the Federal Reserve, who generate enough funds to support
themselves while in this shutdown will also remain open, Congress will also
stick around.
The National Institutes of Health will no longer be in
service, the Department of Homeland Security will not be issuing any new Green
cards, Visas or Passports, The Department of Housing and Urban Development will
no longer pay the monthly rent for the thousands of American families that are
on welfare, the Justice Department will not be taking on any Civil Cases and the
National Park Service which runs 400 national parks and museums will also close
its doors. This is just a simplified list, if you would like to know more and
see all the Federal Departments that will be affected please click here. If you
would like to know the impact of the government shut down will have on the
various departments, pleaseclick.
Now getting back to Obama Care, I was texting a friend last
night who is not insured and she did not seem to have a clue as to how Obama Care
would affect her or what she needed to do to prepare for it. After speaking
with other individuals, it seemed as not a lot of people understood what was
going to happen, including the fine they would have to cough up on top of the
healthcare costs if they did not have healthcare by March 1st, 2014.
Beginning on October 1st, 2013 you could purchase
health coverage through the AffordableCare Act health insurance exchange. After you have purchased your coverage,
it will take effect on January 1st, 2014. However, you do have six months from
October 1st, 2013 to find a plan that is right for you. If you do
not have coverage after that date, you will be fined. The fine is the higher of
1% of your yearly income or $95 per person. After the first year, the fine will
increase to the higher of 2.5% of your yearly income or $695 per person.
Below are 6 things you need to know before the New Year
rolls around.
1. If your employer provides you with health
insurance, you will not need to worry about anything.
2.
If you work 29.5 hours or less, your employer is
not required to provide you with health insurance.
3.
Retirees are eligible for Medicare.
4.
If you are under the age of 26, whether you are
in college or you are married, you are still eligible to be under your parent’s
healthcare plan, whether it is through their employer or private.
5.
Dental coverage is covered.
6.
And for whatever reason, if you are not able to
enroll in a healthcare coverage due to religious reason, you will not have to.
However, you still need to submit proof of your religious beliefs.
I would love to know about your thoughts on the healthcare
reform act! Please comment below and remain respectful to others opinions.
