Comments on: Insurance Mandate Penalty Bite on ‘09 Tax Returns

By: Evelyn Bennett

Evelyn Bennett — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 14:50:03 +0000

The recent health insurance fee schedules have failed to take in consideration those who have supplemental insurance and are compliant with the state Minimum Creditable Coverage. I am self-employed and have had Tufts Plan “No Rx” for four years. I am a Viet Nam War Widow and have documented pharmaceutical coverage through CHAMPVA of which I pay less than $100 per year for deductible and co-pays. This plan has helped to keep my health insurance costs down. I am compliant with the new state law. However, the Health Insurance industry in the Commonwealth no longer offers a “No Rx” plan, although this is not State mandated. My only option is to pay an additional $100 per month for the unnecessary RX coverage; I will also loose my VA pharmaceutical benefit because I will have an RX plan . The additional cost to me will be $200 or more per month.

By: pj

pj — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 22:48:41 +0000

Well said as usual, Ron! I whole heartedly agree. I was discussing this with my (former) employer. He is now a commisioned salesman at the new company where I am working. He was under the impression that the the MA Health Connector’s affordability schedule dictated what the individual was required to pay and the commonwealth subsidized the rest! Laughable! I set him straight with the truth: If the commonwealth deems insurance affordable to you, buy insurance or pay penalties come tax filing season. He is on 100% subsidized MassHealth. No co-pays and deductibles for him to worry about! Those types of worries are for us non-Infiniti driving, non-golfing folk. (I guess he’d best watch his commisions!)

By: Ron Norton

Ron Norton — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 00:55:23 +0000

The Individual Mandate is Big Brotherism at its worst. It is government sanctioned extortion, and supporters of the mandate can claim no moral superiority over the common street mugger. Theft is theft. Let us look at what the fines mean to the common man. They represent Christmas gifts unpurchased; a tank of oil to ward off the winter chill; the leaking roof that can not be fixed; fewer groceries on the table; the rundown automobile that can’t be replaced. The legislature and the Connector are engaged in class warfare, fining one group of citizens to support another. Political and judicial solutions to the problem appear impossible; a citizen revolt is in order. Bring your own pitchfork, we’ll provide the torches.