Republicans not only claimed reform was too long and complicated to understand, they decided not to even read the newspaper’s reporting about the newly implemented changes. This next paragraph is stunning:NBC29: A Charlottesville small business owner claims health care reform is saving her thousands of dollars, but not everyone is sold on the reform law. One side will tell you it's extending coverage to millions, while cutting taxes. The other side says health care reform is raising taxes for some and does nothing to control costs.
Janet Miller owns a small business in Charlottesville called Search Mojo, and, for her, business is booming. Because of that, she pays 90 percent of the health care costs for her 10 full time employees. Now, thanks to health care reform, she's getting a break. Miller said, "Our company is eligible for the 35 percent tax credit this year, which will equate to about $25,000 in tax savings for my company this year."
On the conservative side, we have more of the same irrational hyperbole base solely on ideology.If it sounds hard to believe, you're not alone. Even Republican Congressional candidate Robert Hurt questioned Democrat Tom Perriello when the incumbent mentioned Miller in a debate.
However, UVA Health Policy Analyst Carolyn Engelhard says this tax credit is real. "The health care reform bill offers a tax credit to small businesses with employees between 10 and 25 employees, and the tax credits go from 35 percent to 50 percent after 2014 for those who have 10 employees, and it decreases proportionally up to 25 employees," she said. "It also includes a salary range of $25,000 up to $50,000."
Bennet Saunders owns a larger business, but doesn't fall into that category. Saunders feels it's another example of the government interfering in people's lives. He also says that the 2,800 pages of legislation is confusing. "We've talked to three different brokers this year and no one can tell us what health care is going to do," he said.Fire the brokers. Can you imagine not knowing what’s in reform if you in the business of selling health insurance? That’s what anyone in the private sector would call, incompetence.
Saunders says he's all for change, but this law is too much. "Without a doubt we need changes, but the way this thing was put together in a totally, totally partisan way was nothing but one side of the isle represented," said Saunders.It must not work if it’s a partisan bill. Like the Bush tax cuts, passed through reconciliation, right?
Engelhard says the reform does some good things. It cuts taxes for small businesses, and in 2014 the health care reform will create a health care exchange where smaller buyers can form groups, with hopes of lower rates. However, Engelhard said the health care reform doesn't control costs. Also, individuals that make more than $200,000 a year, or couples that make more than $250,000 a year, will see a tax increase.
No comments:
Post a Comment