I'm not sure where you got your info but most of the info on the penalties is wrong.
Fine for 2007 is $219. That's the loss of the personal exemption. Fine for 2008 is a max of $92 per month. No fine for children.
People 3x Federal poverty level are getting some form of reduced premium state sponsored health insurance. There is a huge grey area for individuals that make less than 40-45K where they can waive out of having coverage or paying penalites.
If you went to BCBS(they own something like 70% of the market. They are bigger than the next 2 competitors combined.) A 40 year old family will cost $1200 and up. A single can run 400-500+. The mentality up here is that people don't want to pay 800-1000 per month and then have a deductible.
Fines for 2009 are not established. In 2009 the state will determine what plans meet minimum creditable coverage. For example, if you have a 10K wrap around deductible for your family, that doesn't meet MCC. So you pay for the plan and pay a fine. Also, plans in 2009 must cover RX with minimal deductible.
There is a great deal of unrest amongst the middle class in dealing with this. The wealthy don't care, the poor get free care and the middle class gets stuck with the bill. I know a great many people who aren't buying coverage this year because the fine is so cheap.
Fine for 2007 is $219. That's the loss of the personal exemption. Fine for 2008 is a max of $92 per month. No fine for children.
People 3x Federal poverty level are getting some form of reduced premium state sponsored health insurance. There is a huge grey area for individuals that make less than 40-45K where they can waive out of having coverage or paying penalites.
If you went to BCBS(they own something like 70% of the market. They are bigger than the next 2 competitors combined.) A 40 year old family will cost $1200 and up. A single can run 400-500+. The mentality up here is that people don't want to pay 800-1000 per month and then have a deductible.
Fines for 2009 are not established. In 2009 the state will determine what plans meet minimum creditable coverage. For example, if you have a 10K wrap around deductible for your family, that doesn't meet MCC. So you pay for the plan and pay a fine. Also, plans in 2009 must cover RX with minimal deductible.
There is a great deal of unrest amongst the middle class in dealing with this. The wealthy don't care, the poor get free care and the middle class gets stuck with the bill. I know a great many people who aren't buying coverage this year because the fine is so cheap.
