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The Spectacle Blog
Kaiser Health News looks at the expanded role that the Internal Revenue Service will have if Democrats' pass their health care legislation. Most notably, both the House and Senate bills would require Americans to submit proof of insurance with their federal tax returns, or else they will face a tax for not complying with the mandate to be paid to the IRS. While the article mainly focuses on the logistical challenges posed by the new responsibilities given to the IRS, it doesn't explore another potential problem -- tax non-compliance.
The individual mandate won't affect most Americans, who are already covered either through existing government programs or through their employers. Those most inclined to be uninsured by choice -- and thus likely to be most resistant to the mandate -- are the so-called "young invincibles" who have low health care costs and can't justify paying the expensive monthly premiums. In fact, according to Census Bureau, 8 million of the uninsurerd are between 18 and 24 years old and 10 million are between 25 and 34. Members of this subgroup are also more likely to work on their own, or do cash intensive jobs such as bartending or waiting tables, where it's easier to float below the radar and avoid filing tax returns. Though it's difficult to quantify, it would seem that individuals in this position would be less likely to file tax returns after Obamacare is implemented if doing so meant the added burden of presenting proof of health insurance, or facing an additional tax penalty.
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More Blog Posts by Philip Klein
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Pingback| 1.4.10 @ 3:44PM
Twitter Trackbacks for The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : Would Health Care Bills links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Franklin| 1.4.10 @ 4:12PM
You got it!
What's good for Geithner's goose is good for our gander!!
Lazy Jack| 1.4.10 @ 5:05PM
The Statment....
The individual mandate won't affect most Americans, who are already covered either through existing government programs or through their employers.
....is absolutely wrong. At a fundamental level, the mandate creates an obligation, accrued at birth, for every citizen in the U.S. Not only does it appear to violate the letter and the spirit of the constitution, it presumes that we accept that an imperial central government is more moral than the individual.
What do you think?
For more about the conscience of the federal government, see:
http://thanksforthelaughs.word.....onscience/
Lazy Jack
Martin j smith| 1.5.10 @ 7:53AM
The concept of an individual mandate raises serious constitutional questions in principle. And, should be challenged in courts.
As for the invincible "young". This is an interesting group-many voted for Obama-if we recall. Hows is the Hope and Change going ?
The idea of "work for cash" avoid taxes might be a temporary fix--but it is not a long term solution individudally. Challenging the mandate and voting AGAINST those who implement it should be encouraged. It should be pointed out to these young voters that your guy Obama has messed with your lives. And, there is more to come.
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tailgunner| 1.5.10 @ 10:11AM
Many Americans are not required to file IRS tax returns either because they do not earn enough or their income is not taxable.
Will Obamacare suddenly require them to do so?
What effect will the added unnecessary administrative burden of millions more tax returns have on an already strained bureaucracy?
Pingback| 1.5.10 @ 4:40PM
The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : Would Health Care Bills … American Me links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Jeremy Engdahl-Johnson| 1.5.10 @ 7:24PM
On the one hand, political and economic necessity may make young invincible policies a good idea. On the other hand, we're diluting the health insurance pool. See: www.healthcaretownhall.com/?p=1630
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