How can anyone justify charging this much money as a penalty for not buying health insurance?

The penalty for 2017 is the greater of:

* $695 for each adult and $347.50 for each child, but no more than $2,085 per family, OR

* 2.5% of your family yearly taxable income, but no more than the national average annual premium for a bronze plan sold through the Marketplace

http://www.webmd.com/health-insurance/tax-penalties-aag

A typical nuclear family with two parents and two kids would have to pay $2085 per year or more if they earn enough. Uninsured people have to pay this tax and they get literally nothing in return. Is this insane or am I insane?

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Burnley123 · 41-45, M

Its necessary to have a pool for Obamacare to work. The alternatives are the old system which left many uninsured and was a disaster, or Trumpcare which is likewise.

Single payer would be better and more affordable to more people. Europeans and Canadians pay half as much per capita for their health and the big pharma are the only beneficiary of the Us system.

jackjjackson · M

I agree Burnsie. In additional to pharma insurers make a boatload under the current system.

Invisible · 26-30, M

Whether or not Obamacare works is arguable if they have to force people to pay for something that they don't want or for nothing at all

Burnley123 · 41-45, M

I agree that it has problems because it was a compromise. For you to cover people with pre existing at affordable level you need to make a pool compulsory, which is not ideal. Better and more affordable if you had NHS model.

Angelly · F

@Invisible: Emergency Room RN with 25 years experience speaking- re: your question " force people to pay for something they don't want". No one wants to pay for any type of insurance whether it be home, car, life, or medical, because there is the possibility it may not ever be used & you are willing to take that risk.However, over the years, younger folks(20,30,40's)are experiencing diseases that USE TO BE considered illnesses that affected "old people" ( diabetes, high blood pressure, STD's, kidney&liver disease,ect), & without insurance coverage, will not go to the Doctor to be treated, leaving the disease to progress.
If we were not "forced" to pay for Social Security&Medicare through our paycheck deductions, what would become of our elders?

Invisible · 26-30, M

@Angelly: Well, when you put it that way insurance sounds like an incentive to make terrible health decisions

jackjjackson · M

@Burnley123:

Agreed. Eliminating the for profit rip off insurance companies help the patients to be.

Angelly · F

@Invisible: oh well, tried to give some insight on this subject, but your response sheds light on your unwillingness to grasp.😏

jackjjackson · M

@Angelly:

Excellent points!