GOP Presidential Debate

Tonight, several of the Republican presidential hopefuls will meet on stage at Iowa State University to debate, just weeks before the Iowa straw poll. Now, one topic that is sure to come up tonight is Obamacare and healthcare reform. We all know that every candidate, if they are smart, will state that they will repeal the act if elected. However, where many hopefuls will differ is on Medicare and Medicaid reform. Will they still treat it like a third rail, or will they take a page out of the Paul Ryan playbook and offer real solutions. It will be interesting to see how hopefuls like Mitt Romney, Michele Bachmann, Tim Pawlenty, and Herman Cain will answer questions relating to Medicare reform. Watch tonight on Fox News at 9 PM (EST).

2012 Election is All About Medicare

In "The Hill," Dick Morris wrote an article on April 20th about how the 2012 election will all be about Medicare. He stated that the voters want to know the future of Medicare. That article was published just six days after the House of Representatives voted in favor of Paul Ryan's 2012 budget, which included drastic changes to medicare. It also was a week after President Obama made a speech, in which Joe Biden fell asleep at, on medicare reform and the deficit. And since the article has been published Congressional Democrats have been coming out in opposition to the Medicare Commission that was created under the Affordable Care Act. I guess Mr. Morris was correct; Medicare could decide the 2012 elections. At least for now the politicians are listening to what Americans want, medicare reform. Let's see how long this holds up though. Let's just hope though that Americans prayers will be answered and the medicare revisions that are in the Affordable Care Act are repealed before the 2012 elections. If not, I guess Americans will have their voices heard on November 6, 2012.

We have a Twitter! Is everything okay?

No, it is not that type of twitter. But hey check us out @Obamacarefacts


http://twitter.com/obamacarefacts

What the Affordable Care Act Means For You

Take a look at this video produced by the Heritage Foundation. It will help you understand how the Affordable Care Act will affect you and millions of other Americans.

The Full Text of The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

Everyone and their mother has view on the Affordable Care Act, yet, very few Americans have actually read the bill. I am attaching a link to this post of the actual bill, HR3590. I know its 906 pages, so find the sections you're interested in to read. I recommend reading the section on Medicare and Medicaid, "Title II- Role of Public Programs." I really hope you read it for yourself. You can get your opinions from your Representatives, Health care Professionals, or this blog. But until you read the bill and gather your own opinions are you truly informed.

www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-111hr3590enr/pdf/BILLS-111hr3590enr.pdf

"The Worst Bill Ever"- Wall Street Journal

Back to the States issue, the expanded Medicaid program and new entitlement programs creates a $34 billion unfunded mandate on states. However, with more Americans receiving Medicaid in the coming years these costs will continue to rise. The states are forced to pay these unfunded mandates and get nothing in return. The Affordable Care Act continues to look like what the Wall Street Journal calls, “The Worst Bill Ever.”

Everything's Free in America

Medicaid, a program created under FDR to help Americans who were unable to afford health insurance receive some, is going to drastically change under the Affordable Care Act. Since then there has been a lot of fraud within the Medicaid program. People who should not be receiving this welfare are. Now, with the Affordable Care Act, that is likely to rise. With this legislation Medicaid will now fund 150% of the Federal Poverty Level. Some of these individuals can afford to get expensive tattoos and buy packs of cigarettes daily; yet cannot afford to pay for insurance. The Government Accountability Office predicts that in 10 years 25% of Americans will be on Medicaid. With more people going on to Medicaid these costs will continue to rise and reach into the pockets of hard working Americans. Just look for more people to abuse this, now that Medicaid will be easier than ever to get.

States, Have Fun Paying for the Costs

States are currently facing financial crises of their own. From states like Massachusetts to California, their deficits are reaching billions of dollars. Yet, the Affordable Care Act put the burden of costs on these states that are already suffering. This legislation expects the states to cover half of the costs of Medicare. Does Obama want to see these states’ deficits rise? With the national debt at $14 trillion, and states’ debts on average in the billions, this is not right. We must get out of this deficit, not be putting ourselves further into it.

Joe the Plumber was Right?

The Affordable Care Act creates a new Alternative Minimum Tax. Because the current thresholds are not indexed for inflation, this new payroll tax will hit more middle class families each year. This tax which is helping pay for Medicare and Medicaid will hit the wallets of Americans who are already struggling to pay the bills. This Democratic President campaigned as the man who had the middle class' interests in mind. Yet, it seems that this Democratic President has lost touch with his middle class values since entering the White House. Maybe we should have listened to Joe the Plumber back in 2008?

The American Dream: A Thing of the Past

Many of Americans get married every day. These newlyweds hope to live out the American Dream. They want the house in the suburbs with the white picket fence, the two kids, the dog, and the occasional summer vacation to Florida. Yet, under the Affordable Care Act, Obama is preventing couples from achieving the American Dream. This legislation imposes a new tax on couples who recently marry. If you and your partner make over $130,000 you will have to write a check to Uncle Sam. This will be the first time in American history where a marriage penalty is implemented into the payroll tax system. For a man who was elected in 2008 for working towards the American Dream and helping others achieve that same dream, this is not right.

Wait, More Taxes

Back in 2009, Barack Obama stated, “Everyone in America—everyone—will pay lower taxes than they would under the rates Bill Clinton had in the 1990s.” However, this is untrue. Due to the implementing of the Affordable Care Act, Americans will have to pay more to help with the changes to entitlements made in this legislation. The bill raises the Medicare payroll tax on American families earning more than $250,000 to 3.4%. This legislation also raises taxes on small businesses. Barack Obama says he works for the common man, the guy on Main Street. Yet, this bill puts the burden of Medicare costs on these Ma and Pa businesses, expecting them to cover 1/3 of the cost. Obama would rather implement this legislation that will define his presidency instead of putting honest Americans back to work. With an unemployment rate of 8.9%, he would rather set himself up for re-election than help small businesses grow and create jobs.