Despite Federal Funds, Many Reject Obamacare
Despite Federal Funds, Many Reject Obamacare
(Washington D.C.) – As the enrollment period for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2015 ends, analysis by Avalere Health shows that while 76 percent of eligible individuals between 100 and 150 percent of the Poverty level signed up through Healthcare .gov this year, enrollment figures decline dramatically among people earning more. Just 16 percent of those earning between 300 and 400 percent of the federal Poverty level signed up, and just 2 percent of those earning $46,000 or more per year did so. The data shows that for consumers who bear a significant portion of the cost themselves, the federal exchange is simply not a popular option. Only when large taxpayer subsidies are provided are people choosing to enroll in significant numbers. But people are required by the ACA to purchase health insurance or face penalties, and as these penalties increase over time, more Americans will be compelled to comply with the law or face penalties that are simply too onerous. The penalty for not having health insurance in 2014 was the greater of $95 or 1 percent of annual income. This year, it will increase to $325 or 2 percent of income, and in 2016 to $695 or 2.5 percent of income.
Daniel Garza, Executive Director of The LIBRE Initiative, released the following statement:
“Even the biggest proponent for the Affordable Care Act must recognize there’s something wrong with a public policy that conscripts people to compulsory cooperation, by forcing them to purchase products they may not want. This encroachment on our freedoms has an inevitable outcome – increased centralization of power and control by the federal government in the daily decisions of more and more Americans. Ultimately such a system will hurt our most vulnerable more than any other group.
The reality of the law has been a far cry from what was promised – instead of quality of care and reduced costs, millions of middle class Americans have experienced loss of doctor and clinic choices. Today, families who can barely make ends meet are being forced to choose between buying the costly insurance they do not believe is worth it, or facing tough penalties for not doing so. It’s not the government’s role to impose such mandates on the American people. Our community has made their voice clear, with 53 percent of Latinos opposing the law.
Instead of forcing people into a system many oppose and spending more taxpayer dollars on ‘education efforts,’ the president needs to take a step back and examine – along with Congress and the states – why so many people are still rejecting the system, and how can they improve upon it.”
For interviews with a LIBRE representative, please contact: Brian Faughnan, 703-678-4581 or Josh Rivera, 202-763-4428.
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