Nyssa B. Cederstrom Kemper DE English November 1, 2013 Should Our taxes be used for Someone elses Health Care?

Did you know that the taxes you pay go to provide someone else with health care? And that none of the taxes you pay are saved for YOUR health care, only the younger generations taxes will later go on to your health care. But why should we put the faith of our health in the hands of a completely different age group that we do not know whether or not they will be able to afford OUR health care in the future. Why are we using our hard earned money to pay for someone elses medical bills? Personally, I think that the taxes we pay to health care should be saved towards our health care. If not all, at least a portion of our taxes should. The economy is in a bad enough shape as it is and we cant afford to lose all of our tax money on someone elses health care and end up with none of our own. According to Americas Health Insurance Plans, the health reform law imposes a new sales tax on health insurance that will increase the cost of health care coverage beginning of 2014. The amount of tax will be $8 billion in 2014, increasing to $14.3 billion in 2018, and increased based on premium trend thereafter. The Joint Committee on Taxation estimates that the health insurance tax will exceed $100 billion over the next ten years. Others believe that we need to use our money to pay for the older peoples health care because not everyone has enough money to afford it on their own. I agree it is great to help others who need it and cant afford proper health care due to financial

struggles. However, this is where I tie in that it should be mandatory for students to continue on to college after high school as a requirement. We would not need to spend our money on other peoples health insurance if 1) The government wasnt such a mess economically, and 2) If everyone had a certain level degree of education in order to maintain above the poverty threshold. Students should be required by law to attend college at least two years before the age of 25. I say two years before the age of 25 because generally by that time students have graduated and are shooting off in their careers, and shortly after their income will decide whether or not they pass the poverty line. Students should be required to attend college and receive at least an associates degree in order to receive good paying jobs that wont leave them in the poverty level line of income. Stated in Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is a 6.2% unemployment rate for people with at least an associates degree and earn on average $785 per week. Not including taxes, that would come out to a little more than $37,600 a year. Which, according to Institute for Research on Poverty, for a household of that would only be considered on the line of poverty if that was the only income on a household of seven people. However, for an average family of four, the poverty threshold is $23,000 a year. All together, we should not being spending our money for the governments mistakes nor the fact that the people before us did not gain proper explicit education in order to receive a better job than working in McDonalds. We do not need to put further financial stress on American families to help those who knew would receive health insurance regardless. Our taxes on health insurance should be saved towards our own

and our family to provide security and independence to avoid dependence on others who might not follow through with the requirements. Many people believe that if we adapted the European structure, we would possibly be better off. When you compare the final tax rates of European Union tax rates which are about 40% in nations like Germany or approximately 50% in France and the UK, it may seem ridiculous but Americans pay about the same rates when you factor our State and Local City taxes, stated by an Anonymous responder on AskVille. In return to the high tax in Europe, residents receive free health care and college tuition. Although this arrangement may sound great, many European countries are actually in great financial debts and struggles. Only a few countries are actually having success with this type of government and not creating more debt. For example, Germany and France. Personally, I think the United States could possibly be better off it they were to adapt the tax regulations of European countries. Numerous amounts residents in the United States cannot even afford to pay for health insurance and results in others paying higher taxes to make up for the difference or if the persons illness is extreme. I think that if we were to adapt the tax regulations in the United States, we would be able to slowly but surely pay off our debts more, afford to give free health care to all residents, and give free college education. This would also help American familys to better afford the cost of living in the States. Another reason why I feel that families, even those who make more money than others, shouldnt be taxed for other peoples health care is because of the factoring cost of raising a child. Stated in the Average cost to raise a Kid article, the average cost to raise a child for eighteen years is $214,080. Previously, just about 5 or 6 years ago, it

only costed about $100,000 to raise a child for eighteen years; not including the tuition price of college. It will cost an estimated $241,080 for a middle-income couple to raise a child born last year for 18 years, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture report released Wednesday. That's up almost 3% from 2011 and doesn't even include the cost of college, Average cost to raise a Kid. In addition to this rise in the cost of living and child raising, wages arent increasing to keep up with the prices. Average cost to raise a Kid also mentions, The country's median annual household income has fallen by more than $4,000 since 2000, after adjusting for inflation, and many of the jobs lost during the recent recession have been replaced with lower-wage positions. How can the government not raise wages, increase the cost of living, and increase the taxes and health care insurance? But those taxes you pay for health care are going to someone else! They should be going towards you and your familys health care, not someone else. With this proof of a constant increasing rate for the cost of living and taxes, how can we, the younger generation, be assured or confident that the generation after us will be able to withstand the high costs of living and afford to pay for OUR health care? It is too uncertain and stressful on hardworking families who are struggling to even pay for their homes and family even if they make a six figure income. Overall, if we regulate the taxes properly, I think the United States could adapt the European tax regulations. America could possibly pay off their debt faster, everyone would receive free health care and college education, and families would be secure. Families wouldnt be paying unnecessary taxes to other people, everyone would receive an equal education and be able to afford their own expenses. This would take off more

stress on families, assure everyone health care, and most importantly; everyone would have proper education to attain a decent paying job. Lastly, since most of the taxes would be coming from goods, services, and properties, families would only have to pay for what they can afford compared to whereas they need to pay taxes even if they cant afford it.

Works Cited "Health Insurance Tax." America's Health Insurance Plans. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Nov. 2013. <http://ahip.org/Issues/Premium-Tax.aspx>.

"In Northern Europe, Where Medical Care and All Education Is through the Government, How Much Income Tax Is Paid?" In Northern Europe, Where Medical Care and All Education Is through the Government, How Much Income Tax I. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Nov. 2013. <http://askville.amazon.com/Northern-Europe-medical-care-educationgovernment-income-tax-paid/AnswerViewer.do?requestId=21608861>.

"Institute for Research on Poverty." What Are Poverty Thresholds and Poverty Guidelines? N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Nov. 2013. <http://www.irp.wisc.edu/faqs/faq1.htm>.

"We Did Raise Taxes on Some Things: Presidents Obamacare Admission." The Blaze. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Nov. 2013. <http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/09/25/obama-onobamacare-funding-we-did-raise-taxes-on-some-things/>.

Years, It Will Cost an Estimated $241,080 for a Middle-income Couple to Raise a Child Born Last Year for 18. "Average Cost to Raise a Kid: $241,080." CNNMoney. Cable News Network, 14 Aug. 2013. Web. 07 Nov. 2013. <http://money.cnn.com/2013/08/14/pf/cost-children/>.