It is a drag to be sure. Actually canceling health insurance might not be a bad deal, even with the 2% penalty. Let’s say you make $100k a year, you pay the $2K penalty and then just go to TJ for all of your healthcare needs and prescriptions. You would still probably come out ahead of paying HI premiums and copays here.
The one that really confuses me is this one:
A new 40% excise tax, beginning in 2013, on high-cost health plans, defined as those providing coverage in excess of $8,500 for individuals and $23,000 for families. The House’s package of modifications includes higher threshold amounts and an initial effective date of 2018.
What does that even mean to provide coverage in excess of some amount? Does that mean you are covered for more than $8500/year? Seems pretty low to me.