Why was healthcare passed?

The resulting legislation is more about health insurance reform than healthcare reform. Because the law was passed health insurance companies can no longer refuse to cover people who are already sick. Before the law was passed the health insurance companies could reject applicants who already had serious illnesses such as cancer, Parkisonism, or children with autism. Because of such a rejection medical treatment was out of reach for people suffering from such illnesses.

In order to get the insurance companies to agree to stop their discriminatory practices the Senate and House members involved in drafting the bill met with members of the insurance companies. The insurance companies demanded that the government include a requirement in the law which mandates that every adult US citizen must buy insurance or else pay a penalty. The money the US citizens pay into the insurance industry will go towards covering the costs of taking care of not only healthy people who need minimal healthcare but also those who are very ill and require intensive health care. If there wasn't any mandate no one would buy the insurance until they get sick and there wouldn't be enough funds to cover all expenses.

This is a basic summary of the explanation I've read over and over. This legislation passed by a combination of years of neglect to address the issues of helping people with pre-existing conditions and also the pressure being brought by several interest groups that want to change the American healthcare system.

Some of these changes are needed like making coverage more affordable and accessible but this legislation does not cover the issue of cost. The legislation was passed by the politicans making many deals with the health insurance and pharmaceutical industry lobbyists. Also the President during his campaign promised that he'd help coverage become more affordable and speicifically said there would not be a mandate (requirement to buy insurance) forced on the American people. I remember him specifically saying this as he criticized Hillary Clinton who said her plan would require a mandate.

I'm sorry your father has to endure this extra expense. It's happening all over. The legislation is supposed to even the costs out at some point but I'm not at all convinced.

The health insurance companies are raising the premiums because they claim they now have to have the funds to provide extra care to all the people with pre-existing conditions. However, there has been only a very limited response by people with such illnesses. The policies being sold for them have very high premiums. So it's hard for me to tell exactly how effective everything is at this point.

You'll hear that the law will expand coverage to millions of people. What is going to happen is that people who make less than $15000 a year will get healthinsurance and healthcare for free. From the income level of $15000 a year and up everyone will have to pay 8-10% of their yearly salary for an insurance policy that the government will have to approve of. These policies will deductibles of $2000 a year. Which means that in addition to the premium you'll have to pay $2000 of your own money before the insurance kicks in. And the policy will only reimburse at 70-80%.

The government has promised subsidies to certain income groups to help pay for the insurance. I'm going to be honest with you. I will get a subsidy but even that will not help me afford my share of the premium. My basic expenses of rent, utilities, education and food, clothing consume almost all of my monthly salary. The government will then force me to pay a penalty if I don't get the coverage. How can I pay money I don't have?

Repeal is a complicated process and as long as Obama is President he will veto any repeal the Republicans put forth. There are some parts that could be defunded but we'll have to see what happens. I think that they will try to stall the funding and implementation. If a Republican wins the Presidency in 2012 he or she might be able to repeal it but it's going to be a big fight.

It's good you're questioning what's happening because it effects your future in many ways. Start writing letters and sending emails to your local officials and if you feel strongly about the issue get involved.

I'd recommend you check out the reports available at the Kaiser Family Foundation. This foundation has many non-partisan reports and evaulations that will help you better understand what is happening.

If you're interested in the Republican view you can check out the National Center for Policy Analysis. This is a conservative think tank www.ncpa.org and you can read the blog of Dr. John Goodwin about alternatives.