Supreme Court Ruling on the Affordable Health Care Act – A Maze of Questions

Now that the Supreme Court has let much of “Obamacare” stand, I’m guessing the questions will begin to flow like a river. The opinions will so just as much, either pro or con.

Let’s begin with a few of the questions that are at the top of everyone's mind.

Like, why should I be forced to pay for something I feel I don’t need?

Isn’t this considered an additional tax, and why should I be forced to pay more in taxes?

Doesn’t this infringe upon my right to decide what I need and don’t need?

How will this affect the insurance I now have, and going forward, my coverage?

According to this:

The major focus of the Supreme Court ruling is the provision mandating that all Americans obtain health insurance by 2014 or face a financial penalty.

(My interpretation: It’s an additional tax. Do we need any more in taxes? Again, can the government force you to buy something you don’t necessarily want?)

The individual mandate requires all U.S. citizens to have health insurance either through private companies, their employers, or state-sponsored exchanges. Failure to do so could result in a fine.

Under the law, insurance companies could be banned from denying coverage to applicants with pre-existing health conditions.

(My interpretation: Is this necessarily a bad thing? Don’t you feel that health insurance companies should cover pre existing conditions?)

Other provisions:

-Insurance companies could include preventative health care at no extra cost, or be banned from setting limits on payouts for coverage.

-Companies employing over 50 people could be required to provide those employees with health insurance.

-Children could also be permitted to stay on their parents’ insurance plans until the age of 26 and a part of the law could even expand Medicaid, the joint federal-state health care program for low-income Americans and seniors.

Like I said, this is something for everyone to bicker over and there’s no “one size fits all” answer. But then again, maybe that’s the trouble with the law in the first place.

Poll:

Also: Let the questions and comments begin!