Proposition Politics

On Aug. 3, voters in Missouri will decide whether or not to support The Health Care Freedom Act, also known as Proposition C. The ballot measure is largely symbolic, drafted by conservative legislators to "send a message" to Washington. That message, and I'm paraphrasing here, is 'we don't like your stinkin' health care reform.'

The measure would change Missouri statutes to block penalties associated with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). The proposition, it's worth noting, is thought to be symbolic because the courts generally rule that federal law trumps state law.

However, as this article points out, many Tea Partiers and Repeal Obamacare-ists from around the country will likely be energized if Prop C passes by a large margin in Missouri.

As many know by now, the aforementioned PPACA will eventually penalize citizens for not purchasing health insurance.

In the April 7 edition of the Community Free Press, I put together a "Health care timeline" that details when different parts of the law are scheduled to go into effect. The penalties, if you are curious, are as follows:
In 2014, those without health insurance will be subject to a fine of $95; in 2015, that fine becomes $325; and in 2016, citizens will face a penalty of $695 or up to 2.5 percent of their income. Mandatory employer-provided coverage for companies with 50 employees or more begins in 2014. Such companies can opt to pay a fine instead, which would vary based on the number of employees it has.

Of course, those persons already with insurance and companies that provide coverage before the deadlines will not face a penalty.

It is also important to point out a couple of facts about the PPACA.

One, Medicaid eligibility will increase under the reforms. Those with incomes up to 133 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL) will be eligible for Medicaid in 2014, and for the first time, that includes adults without children.

Two, beginning in 2014, those who earn between 133 and 400 percent of the FPL will be eligible for tax credits based on a sliding scale. That means if you earn up to 4 times the federal poverty level you will be eligible for help to pay for insurance.

Three, in that same year, insurers will no longer be able to refuse to sell or
renew policies because of an individual’s health status. Also, health plans will be prohibited from imposing annual limits on coverage.

Four, the PPACA is expected to reduce the federal budget deficit by 2020, according to the Congressional Budget Office. This CBS article lists some other features of the reforms, as well as how the government will pay for the plan. Taxes on tanning are part of it.

If you are hoping to vote for state rights on Aug. 3 and "send a message" to Washington, you may want to remember that states themselves have already shown they can penalize citizens for not purchasing insurance. Have you ever had to prove that you had car insurance to renew your tags? To be fair, I guess no one is fined for not purchasing a car.

According to the official ballot language, Prop C is estimated to have no immediate cost or savings to state or local government entities. However, "because of the uncertain interaction of the proposal with implementation of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, future costs to state governmental entities are unknown."

The impact of a Prop C victory is, similarly, up in the air.

Just thought you should know.

One decade ago

Andrew is a good, good boy. Yes he is.

When Andrew was a baby we would sing to him the "Good, good boy" song, which his mother must have penned in a peaceful moment between contractions. We sang that song right from the beginning. It always fit.

He got really sick once as a toddler. He had RSV, which is a common virus that can lead to cold-like symptoms in adults. But for babies, it can be serious. And for Andrew, it was.

While his temperature danced around 104, a nice nurse at Cox North recommended we request a transfer; she worried he wouldn't get the attention he'd need away from the specialists at Cox South. I rode with him on my lap in the ambulance. I don't ever remember feeling more vulnerable. I believe he spent five days in the hospital altogether. By chance or by force of will, he made it through.

And ever since, he's been on the move.

These days, Andrew seems to love all foods, all sports, and all music. He appears to be especially talented at swimming, riding his rip-stick, and singing. When we sing songs in the car, Andy is the one who is on key.

Andrew is known for always wearing his heart on his sleeve. He yells the loudest when he's hurt, but he also laughs the hardest. When I took him to the arcade today, he gave his little brother all of the toys he won.

He's a surprisingly bright kid, too. As a 4-year-old, his questions were always the toughest to answer.

Today, Andrew turns 10. I have to say it has been really fun watching him grow into such a smart, caring and active young man.

After he was born, he was released from the hospital on the 4th of July. In his first night at home, he fell asleep in his bed to the distant sound of fireworks. And, fittingly, the sound of a mother's new song.

We love ya, buddy. Happy Birthday!