The Affordable Care Act sucks for middle class kids.

[Barack_America]

16. Ok, let's do some math. The maximum one can make for Medicaid/CHIP coverage....

...is 300% of the federal poverty level. Most states max out at 250% of the poverty level, which is $48,000 for a family of three.

Let's assume a family of 3 makes $49,000 per year, just out of the range of CHIP coverage. Family coverage in the policies we are shopping averages out at $750 per month (excluding copays and deductibles). That comes out to $9000 per year, or 18.3% of yearly income for premiums ALONE. That's double than what the ACA deems an "affordable" amount to spend on healthcare premiums.

Do you think it's fair for a family making $49,000 a year to spend 18% of their income on health insurance premiums? Do you consider that "affordable"?** Do you think it's fair for a family making $1,000 a year over the 250% federal poverty max to be COMPLETELY excluded from federal assistance?

Maybe you do, but I would hope that most progressives would not.

**The Obama administration clearly recognizes that these families will not be able to afford coverage, but unfortunately just decided to let them opt-out of healthcare without penalty, rather than work to extend assistance to them.