Amish Get to Opt Out of Obamacare
This is from a few days ago, but caught our attention. Why? Because the headline features AMISH and OBAMACARE, The two most polarizing topics in 21st century America. Here’s the rub: The Amish have been allowed to opt out of the law’s individual mandate to buy health insurance.
“A little-known provision of the law with its roots in a 1950s battle over Social Security exempts [Mennonite and Amish communities] from the individual mandate, an element of the Affordable Care Act that requires most Americans to purchase health insurance by January or face tax penalties.”
Of course the Amish are exempt from the mandate because of a “little-known” 60-year-old provision. Why can’t the rest of you be exempt? Because the Amish already have a functioning health care system of their own.
“While practices vary by community, most Amish fund their health care through a system that merges church aid, benefit auctions and negotiated discounts with local hospitals, promising quick cash payment in exchange for lower rates.”
Amishcare: Only 2 hours from Philly!
