Wednesday, May 26, 2010

LITTLE KNOWN "UNINTENDED" CONSEQUENCES

Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi admonished us to pass the Health Care bill so we could see what’s in it.

Well, we see.

Here’s what you people allowed the Democrats to pass:

For a year after giving birth, nursing mothers must be allowed breaks on the job to express breast milk as often as necessary, and a private place to do so that’s not a bathroom. Result to business: hours of paying for non-productivity.

A new 10 percent excise tax on indoor tanning. Result to those businesses: decreased profit, therefore increased prices for consumers.

Employers will be required next year to spell out the value of health benefits on W-2 forms. Keeping track of and control over everything you do.

Starting in January, you will no longer be able to tap your Flexible Spending account to cover aspirin, vitamins and other over-the-counter medications, unless they are prescribed by a doctor. Result: You can’t do what you want with your own money>

The health reform law now requires that states must match any federal funding they receive for abstinence-only programs. Very expensive proposition for states. Those close to bankruptcy now would be pushed over the edge.

President BO’s health care legislation will rescind a federal regulation put into effect by the previous administration to protect workers who refuse to provide care they find objectionable. Physicians will be even less free to choose what they do and don’t do.

ObamaCare requires drug and device companies to report all gifts and payments to doctors and teaching hospitals. It calls on the companies to post the information on their Web sites and report it to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which will post the first round of data in 2013. It fines companies up to $10,000 if they fail to report information, and in cases of willful failures to report, the fines reach $100,000.

Section 9006 of the new health care law may not only dramatically increase paperwork for small businesses, but also put them at a disadvantage against their larger competitors. Result to small businesses: less profits, higher prices and some may actually be forced out of business.

Health care reform has allowed $7 billion in funding for Community Health Centers buried deep in Section 10503 of the 383-page amendment. Abortion businesses will not be subject to provisions like the Hyde Amendment that stops abortion funding.


Beginning after Sept. 23, 2010, health plans that cover dependent children must continue to cover adult kids until they turn age 26. This new requirement is a sure way to increase health insurance costs.

The new health care reform law will slap a 3.8% tax on payouts from annuities purchased by high-income earners outside their workplace. This, while President BO has said that he want more annuities sold.

Congress has repealed the anti-trust exemption for health insurance and the reform plan sets up the basics of a federal infrastructure for insurance regulation. Can you say, “Higher Health Insurance prices?”

In 2013 employers will be required to pay a tax of $2,000 for every worker who gets health insurance through the state exchanges. For millions of American workers earning $20,000 a years or less, there will be a tax of 10% or more or earnings. For millions more earning between $20,000 and $40,000, the health care bill creates an earnings tax of between 5% and 10%. “No taxes of any kind on people earning less than $250 thousand per year.” Right.

The 2010 Act repeals the Medicare Part D credit for businesses, raising corporate tax bills and lowering after-tax income. Can you say, “Higher unemployment?”

A national calorie labeling rule tucked into the legislation assures that within a couple of years, everyone who walks into a chain restaurant will see calories counts displayed alongside the price of a meal. Big brother is taking care of you.

A provision in the health care plan would strip billions of dollars out of privately run Medicare plans that emphasize wellness and are increasingly popular among retirees. “Let ‘em get sick first, then we’ll decide whether they’re worth treating.”

The new health care reform subjects investment income — dividends, interest, and the capital gains from buying and selling stock and other assets — to a 3.8 percent Medicare tax. Less for us, more for the government.

Now tell me again: For whom was this ObamaCare bill written?

6 comments:

Z said...

It sure wasn't for US, was it.
Excellent points....
re; the breast feeding, not only will there be unproductive down time, imagine how some companies will have to scramble to FIND a place just for women to breast feed? Of course, today women don't give a darn who sees what, but wait till one needs some extra money and decides that the guy who walked in on her did it on purpose so the boss has to be sued to cover for her pain and suffering of embarrassment !!

Ginsu said...

The new healthcare bill, while a clear victory for many people who demand socialized benefits, represents another debilitating tax on small businesses that reduces their incentives to hire.

An interesting interview recently with Cisco CEO John Chambers; his company has $30 billion of cash on its balance sheet, much of it overseas. Due to IRS tax rules on repatriation of overseas profits, however, Chambers has a strong disincentive to invest that enormous amount of cash in the United States.
His smartest business decision is to invest the money and create jobs overseas rather than bring the money home and create jobs in the United States.

Mark said...

The calorie labeling rule also affects prices and profits. How much do you suppose will it cost to add all this superfluous information to the menus of all these restaurants?

They will have to increase prices to maintain profit margins and thus, their customers will have to dig deeper into their pockets. Some who may have intended to go out for dinner might just decide to eat at home.

Joe said...

Z: $$$$

Ginsu: Good analysis.

Mark: The grocery store might appreciate that, but the restaurants will be hit pretty hard.

WomanHonorThyself said...

For whom was this ObamaCare bill written? ..well said Joe!...keep plowing ahead..we need to keep their feet to the fire!

ablur said...

I am still amazed that this thing has passed. 70% of America doesn't want it. 80% of doctors don't want it.

Yet here we are.

I am sure that this is not an exhaustive list. It just keeps coming. The beatings from this bill are going to be hard to heal from.