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Q.

Under the new health care legislation, what are the requirements for individuals to buy insurance?

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A.

Starting in 2014, a person who did not obtain coverage would pay a penalty of $95 or 1% of income, whichever is greater. That penalty would rise to $695 or 2.5% of income by 2016. The bill would exempt the lowest-income people from that insurance requirement.

Medicaid would be expanded to cover those under age 65 with an income of up to 133% of the federal poverty level (below $29,327 for a family of four).

To make coverage more affordable, the legislation would offer premium subsidies for people with incomes more than 133% but less than 400% of the federal poverty level ($29,327 to $88,200 for a family of four).

In addition, people in their twenties would have the option to buy a lower-cost "catastrophic" health plan.

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Read the Original Article: FAQ: How Health Care Reform Will Affect You