Question

Many people chose not to buy insurance, but rather to pay the premium. Can we expect impoverished people to give up money in penalties when they do not have money to buy insurance?

Answer 1

One of the most important reason health care costs have increased over time in the US is due to new medical technology. Current levels of Medicaid funding are primarily driven by the influence of this group. When crafting the Affordable Care Act democrats were attempting to provide the middle class with greater health insurance security by preventing insurance companies from denying coverage due to pre-existing conditions and high medical expenditures. Patients will purchase less health care that is deemed to be valuable like cancer screening and medication for chronic disease and for the same copayment amount, patients with lower incomes will

reduce their use of health care more than those with higher. The taxpayers subsidize in full, or in part ,the purchase of health insurance for the low-income women and children and high income workers at large firms.