Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/85442
VOICES HOT BUTTONS ObamaCare: Love it? On June 28, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld most of the presi- dent's health care act, including a provision that requires Americans to prove they have health insur- ance or pay a fine. Also under the law, those with pre-existing Or repeal it? conditions cannot be denied cov- erage, children up to age 26 can stay on their parents' insurance, and states must set up online "exchanges" where consumers can buy subsidized insurance policies. Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney has vowed to repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act if he is elected. How will the battle over health care affect truckers? Only about 19 percent of owner-operators do not have health insurance, accord- ing to Overdrive research, and most who do are on their spouses' plans. Among owner-operators younger than 40, more than 31 percent have no coverage. As soon as the court's 5-4 vote came down, readers weighed in on Overdrive's Facebook page. Some of their comments follow. Repeal it! Richard W. Carlson. My health care went up $300 a month. Thank you, Obama. I love being broke. Take more. I have a little left.... Tim Mobley. I recently went owner-operator and couldn't find insurance because of high blood pressure and diabetes, I had no choice but to pick up COBRA at nearly $600 a month. ObamaCare isn't the best plan but the Republicans need to come up with a replacement now; otherwise people who need ObamaCare are going to stick with him and America can't handle or afford four more years. Mark McDermott Jr. I don't want cradle-to-grave health insurance. I just want some catastrophic coverage for my family. I don't need "big brother" telling me what to buy and if I don't they'll tax me. And those who think the whole no pre-existing conditions deal is going to be great haven't thought it through. It's just going to cost more in premiums. Paul Griffin. The govern- ment has overstepped its boundaries so many times already that there's no turning back so long as the sheeple of America continue to allow the wool to be taken from them. Zachary Bell. I think this law needs to be rewritten, sim- plified and have the penalty removed. Why should I have to pay for someone else's health care? Mike Beernaerts. I'm from Canada, where we've had socialized national health- care for decades now. Hang on and strap in America. If you thought your taxes were too high now, you ain't seen nothin' yet. Tony Jarrett. Next in line it will be like the HMOs — they decide if you really need the test or treatment. If they decide you do not need it you ain't going to get it. Sad day in America for sure. Love it! Gregg Blair. We are the only first world country that doesn't have socialized med- icine, and we have plenty of uncovered citizens. It's about time we get some coverage. Carl Scott. It's about time somebody did something. Jesse Steve Brown. A great day for America. Kelly Mahoney. This is good for all of us hardwork- ing families. Congrats if you are like me with kids in school in their early 20s who have insurance! Watch for our Hot Button questions and have your political voice heard at: 14 | Overdrive | August 2012 Facebook.com/OverdriveTrucking @OverdriveUpdate HEALTH CARE