This is part seven in my ongoing series of posts, as I read through the entirety of HR 3200. I’m sorry that I haven’t taken the time to jazz up these posts with graphics, etc. I guess the content doesn’t really lend itself to funny pictures as much as most of the stuff I write. 
On another note, I apologize to those of you who were awaiting this installment, since it took me nine days to get it completed. I have been swamped lately, so it took me awhile to find the “extra” time for my reading. Unfortunately, I don’t get paid to do this, like members of Congress.
Below you will find my notes for pages 304-369. Whoopee! Read more
This post is #6 in an ongoing series of posts as I read through the entire proposed health care legislation, HR 3200. I am about 30% of the way through the bill at this point, having taken a break over the weekend. As I expected, I have seen some very interesting stuff during my reading, most of which I haven’t seen covered by the traditional media on either side. This particular section revealed a pretty big error in need of correction.
Without further ado, please see my notes on pages 255-304 below. Read more
This post is #5 in an ongoing series of posts as I read through the entire proposed health care legislation, HR 3200. Big thanks to my friend Tom Burris, Dallas area mortgage broker, for the domain name suggestion. I am about 25% of the way through the bill at this point, for what it’s worth. As I expected, I have seen some great stuff therein, and some not-so-great items, too. I think the language needs to be tightened up considerably to avoid abuse, both from non-citizens and from the Commissioner.
Without further ado, please see my notes on pages 204-255 below. Read more
I decided to spice things up a bit here with the addition of “The Reckoning”. I will leave it up to you to see if this constitutes a tongue-in-cheek reference to 80’s sequels, or the reality of this bill.
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Here are my observations from pages 143 to page 204 of HR 3200:
SEC. 301. INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY.
For an individual’s responsibility to obtain acceptable coverage, see section 59B of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (as added by section 401 of this Act).
MY NOTE: What you see above is the entirety of Section 301, which may be the shortest in the entire bill. Read more
I am continuing my read-through of the entire proposed health care bill, HR 3200. My notes on the remainder of Title II are below.
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SEC. 222. PREMIUMS AND FINANCING.
(2) CONTINGENCY MARGIN- In establishing premium rates under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall include an appropriate amount for a contingency margin.
MY NOTE: I learned what a “contingency margin” was through a bit of research. It’s basically extra money set aside for any potential differences in premiums collected and actual expenses.
(2) START-UP FUNDING- (A) IN GENERAL- In order to provide for the establishment of the public health insurance option there is hereby appropriated to the Secretary, out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, $2,000,000,000. Read more
After my first post on this topic, I was a little surprised at how many emails and phone calls I received, the overwhelming majority of which were in support of what I am trying to accomplish. However, there were also a handful of not-so-nice messages mixed in. One person called me “naive” (I feel like I am probably closer to “hardened” sometimes), and I was told that I shouldn’t express a layman’s opinion on this topic, but listen to others instead. One person told me that I was ignoring the facts, and another one implied that I was being selfish. I guess my skin got a bit thicker over the past few days, because here is the latest installment. I don’t expect everyone to agree with me, but at least you will see where I am getting my information. Read more
I decided last week that I am going to read the entire proposed health care bill, HR 3200, also known as America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009. It has been hotly debated lately on a national level, and I wanted to know firsthand what was contained therein that could inspire such passion on both sides.
I have never been one to allow others to form my opinions for me, and I have a feeling that this particular topic is one that will be discussed for some time. I want to be able to speak knowledgably about this issue. There is no better place to garner this information than directly from the source itself.
My guess is that it will take me a few weeks to work my way through the bill, since it is essentially 1100 pages of legalese. That being said, I am committed to finishing this quest. I do know that this is not the final version, as it must progress through committees before getting to any vote. That being said, there is so much discussion about this that I wanted to learn as much as I could.
I am presently neither in favor of this bill nor am I fully opposed to it, although that will probably change as I read further. I intend to do my best to present the facts in a neutral manner. Read more