Lipinski Approved Obamacare

OBAMACARE COVERAGE FOR THE POOR ISN'T AS SIMPLE AS PROMISED

As has been reported, Congressmen and women are not exempt from ObamaCare (but it’s close).  They're not exempt, but they are automatically heavily subsidized (for themselves and their staff).  Congress was subject to the same ObamaCare rules as the rest of us, up until September of 2013.  In late July and early August (of 2013), closed-door meetings occurred. Gathered were the President, Members of Congress, and officials from Office of Personnel Management (OPM). The result? On August 7, 2013, OPM issued a preliminary 17-page rule (finalized and approved a month later) which would offset ObamaCare costs to Congress (Source: forbes.com November 2013).  

SUBSIDIES FOR THE AVERAGE CITIZEN

For an average citizen to be heavily subsidized, Americans must earn under 400% of the federal poverty level (FPL), then they can get a type of subsidy called advanced premium tax credits. Tax credits lower premium costs.  So Congress "just gets subsidized" and the average citizen has to be below 251-to-400% of federal poverty guidelines.

By accepting a tax credit (a subsidy), low-income or lower-middle class families face significant tax ramifications.  If you chose wrong (based on previous income tax filings or estimated future filings) and too much subsidies are given, the I.R.S. can take back those subsidies - leaving you with a tax burden owed to the I.R.S. just for healthcare alone - this is on top of your already owed state and federal tax levies each year.

The tax credits phase out quickly for those in the exchange, and are therefore unavailable for many young people (18-34) in numerous states, based on the complex government formula used to calculate the subsidies.

The initial tax credit calculation will be based on an applicant’s income tax return from the previous year, or a best estimate of what it will be next year. The credit can be taken in advance at the beginning of the year. However, individuals who enroll in the ObamaCare exchange will run the risk of having to pay back a significant portion of the tax credit if their life circumstances change.  

If one's life circumstances change, it is suggested that you inform your insurance provider, the H.H.S. and the I.R.S. if your income circumstances change for any reason whatsoever - individuals will have to submit a new application to re-determine eligibility, triggering a special enrollment period and subsequently termination of the old policy (you might not even get to keep your plan on ObamaCare - here we go again).

ALMOST 40% OF POOR WILL STILL OWE TAXES ON HEALTHCARE

A UC Berkley/UCLA Study on subsidies reported that "if no income changes were reported, 38.4 percent of individuals receiving subsidies would be in families that were predicted to owe repayments." If income changes of 10 percent or more were reported and the new income was used to adjust subsidy levels, 35.8 percent would still owe repayment (Source: forbes.com March 2014).

To date Congressmen, like Dan Lipinski (D-IL Dist.3), currently enjoys his "automatic" subsidized high-quality health care, while the rest of America is stuck dealing with all the confusing aspects, shrinking plan options and tax liabilities of ObamaCare!  Lipinski voted in-favor of keeping ALL of ObamaCare over 10-times and even voted to keep the I.R.S. in charge over your health care system (H.R. 2009 - August 2013).  He has made no public statement, no pledge to District 3 residents that he plans on changing any bit this program – however, you're still stuck with the tax bill.