hr3400

No Health Insurance? You’re going to jail.

By: Larry Walker, Jr.

Many of us had ‘hoped’ for some simplification of the Internal Revenue Code, which has grown from 14 pages to over 17,000 pages since its inception. But it doesn’t look like that will happen anytime soon. H.R. 3200 will increase the burden of the income tax code by making the IRS the primary enforcer of Mandatory Health Insurance.

Did you hear that? You get your ‘mandatory’ health insurance, but you had better file your tax returns, and file them timely and correctly. Not only that, but you will have to determine what kind of health insurance you have and report it on your tax return, and if you don’t have it, or if it’s not acceptable, then a hefty penalty will be imposed.

It’s found in Title IV, Subtitle A, on pages 167-215 called Amendments to IRS Code of 1986. The expanded powers of the IRS in H.R. 3200 would empower the IRS to require taxpayers to show proof of health insurance coverage, collect fines on individuals and employers who did not have adequate proof of health insurance and determine whether your health insurance was a government approved plan.

So let’s see, will this make life easier, or more convoluted? My theory is that it will not only do the latter, but in the process will deprive all American’s of what if any liberty remains.

Linear thinkers, like Obama and others on the left, are incapable of seeing beyond the end of their noses, so it’s up to us to do our part to shed a little light.

According to Table 16 (below), courtesy of the IRS, at the end of 2008 approximately 9.2 million taxpayer cases were in inventory for filing income tax returns with additional taxes owed to the tune of $94.3 billion (including interest and penalties). And approximately 3.4 million taxpayer cases were in inventory for not filing income tax returns at all, and owe around $21.2 billion.

You don’t suppose there’s any chance that the same 12 million people who either don’t pay, can’t pay, or won’t file income tax returns are the same ones lacking health insurance? Imagine that, the very same people who may owe the government over $100 billion now begging for free health insurance. No I’m not blaming them, but I’m just saying, it may very well be that the tax code is too complicated, that penalties are too stiff, or that income taxes are just way too high. But let’s leave that for another century, and let’s entertain our Messiah’s plan to make taxes more burdensome through Government-run Health Insurance.

Now let’s consider some logic. The IRS, a government agency that allows around 15% to slip through the cracks, will be in charge of a health insurance system that lets around 15% slip through the cracks. What will be the outcome? Do you think it’s possible to achieve 100% compliance with the tax code? Just ask the Obama Administration (Geithner) about ‘that one’. And do you think it’s possible to achieve 100% participation in health insurance, or in anything else human?

Short of placing government security cameras in our houses, a micro-chip in our heads, and completely brainwashing us, 100% participation in anything is not a human attribute. The 80/20 principle is generally good enough for us mere mortals. So on that count, the human factor, the plan fails.

Most likely, the outcome of Obama’s far-left, linear, robotic health insurance plan will be one of the following:

The same 85% who currently comply with income tax laws and have health insurance will continue to comply with income tax laws and buy health insurance, while the same 15% remain on the sidelines. (Most likely)
More people will choose to comply with income tax laws, and more will choose to be covered by health insurance. (You wish)
Less people will choose to comply with income taxes, and less will choose to be covered by health insurance. (Probable)
The 85% who currently comply with income tax laws and have health insurance will revolt, and stop paying income taxes and for health insurance. (Possible)
The ridiculous plan will die in committee, or if passed will subsequently be repealed. (Best)

What do you think?

Sources:

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/08db16co.xls

http://www.irs.gov/taxstats/article/0,,id=207457,00.html

http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=109741

Putting Patients First!

RSC Chairman Tom Price has introduced the Empowering Patients First Act. This is another positive solution from the Republican Study Committee that grants access to affordable, quality health care for all Americans, and is centered around the patient. By increasing patients’ control over their health decisions, we will make coverage more affordable, accessible and responsive, while offering more choices and the highest-quality care.

This solution is centered around four main principles:

#1: Access to Coverage for All Americans

The Empowering Patients First Act makes the purchase of health care financially feasible for all Americans, covers pre-existing conditions, protects employer-sponsored insurance, and shines light on existing health care plans.

#2: Coverage is Truly Owned by the Patient

This legislation grants greater choice and portability to the patient, and also gives employers more flexibility in the benefits offered. It also expands the individual market by creating several pooling mechanisms.

#3: Improve the Health Care Delivery Structure

Physicians know the best care for their patient. That’s why this legislation establishes doctor-led quality measures, ensuring that you get the quality care you need. It also reimburses physicians to ensure the stability of your care, and encourages healthier lifestyles by allowing employers to offer discounts for healthy habits through wellness and prevention programs.

#4: Rein in Out-of-Control Costs

A key concern in positive reform is reining in out-of control costs. This legislation does this by reforming the medical liability system. Also, the cost of the plan is completely offset through decreasing defensive medicine, savings from health care efficiencies, sifting out waste, fraud and abuse, plus an annual one-percent non defense discretionary spending step down.

Additional Information:

Short Summary

Detailed Summary

Section by Section Summary

Full Bill Text

RSC Press Release

Steny Shivers, Shakes at Patient-Centered Health Care Solution

Side-by-Side Comparison with the House Democrat Government Takeover (H.R. 3200)

POLITICO – “How the GOP Wants to Fix Health Care”

Chairman Price Accepts Obama’s Invitation to Examine Health Care Proposals Line-by-Line

Letters of Support:

From Americans for Tax Reform