If you haven't read @benwikler's thread on the tax bill, you should.
THREAD: I'm going to break some of it down in a more personal manner because that's what motivates me.
THREAD: I'm going to break some of it down in a more personal manner because that's what motivates me.
2. This tax bill goes after the adoption tax credit.
I'm adopted. My adoptive parents were not wealthy. Tax credits and grants are the entire reason they could afford to be parents.
Without adoption, I may not be here.
I'm adopted. My adoptive parents were not wealthy. Tax credits and grants are the entire reason they could afford to be parents.
Without adoption, I may not be here.
3. This bill goes after the medical expense deduction.
"Most people can't use this" you might say.
But those that need it need it DESPERATELY. We haven't yet, but may in the future because of our medically fragile child. It matters to us.
"Most people can't use this" you might say.
But those that need it need it DESPERATELY. We haven't yet, but may in the future because of our medically fragile child. It matters to us.
4. It goes after the student loan interest deduction.
My husband and I have a huge pile of student loans that literally drowns us. Because of my child's chronic issues, I can no longer work.
That interest deduction helps us every single year.
My husband and I have a huge pile of student loans that literally drowns us. Because of my child's chronic issues, I can no longer work.
That interest deduction helps us every single year.
5. That job I used to work? I was a teacher. I poured an incredible amount of my own money in to my classroom. The only bit I got back?
The $250 deduction on our taxes.
This bill comes after that, too. And $250 matters on a teacher' salary.
The $250 deduction on our taxes.
This bill comes after that, too. And $250 matters on a teacher' salary.
6. This bill also comes after the deduction we could take for state and local taxes, which prevents us from paying taxes on our taxes.
With the medical bills we face, every penny matters, so that matters.
With the medical bills we face, every penny matters, so that matters.
7. What it boils down to for my family:
WITH our employer based insurance (HDHP with HSA), over TWENTY PERCENT of our income goes to premiums, medical expenses, and medical needs our insurance doesn't cover.
WITH our employer based insurance (HDHP with HSA), over TWENTY PERCENT of our income goes to premiums, medical expenses, and medical needs our insurance doesn't cover.
8. And that 20% is from ALL THREE of my husband's jobs. Not just the job that provides the insurance.
That means we struggle. We struggle to pay the student loans for the job I can no longer work. We struggle to find that $10,000 deductible.
That means we struggle. We struggle to pay the student loans for the job I can no longer work. We struggle to find that $10,000 deductible.
9. *$10K out of pocket, sorry for error.
And we don't struggle because we are lazy or don't work or can't manage money. We struggle because life dealt us a pretty crappy hand over a few things.
And we don't struggle because we are lazy or don't work or can't manage money. We struggle because life dealt us a pretty crappy hand over a few things.
10. That being said, we make it. My daughter's needs are always met. Most of the time our needs are met. We aren't rich. We don't live lavishly. But we make it.
11. But this tax bill, this is an assault to the very precarious balance of our family.
Because when it costs $900 for ONE fill of ONE month of ONE of my daughter's 11 meds, every penny matters.
Because when it costs $900 for ONE fill of ONE month of ONE of my daughter's 11 meds, every penny matters.
12. And I'm sure that 20% of our income we hemorrhage to medical bills is a drop in the bucket to those who are much more wealthy than us. But it's a huge to us. So taking a hit in any other area means we struggle more.
13. Losing that $2500 in student loan interest deduction alone means an entire MONTH of my daughter's meds AND a month of her feeding therapy is no longer affordable. It goes to taxes instead of her.
14. Add ALL this to the knowledge that this tax bill is step one in coming after Medicare and Medicaid, and we must call this #GOPTaxScam what it is:
An effort to make the rich richer and sweep the legs out from under those who already struggle.
An effort to make the rich richer and sweep the legs out from under those who already struggle.
15. So pick up the phone and call every day. Attend the protests that @MoveOn and other are organizing. Speak up and make sure everyone knows what this tax bill REALLY contains.
16. And if it doesn't impact you, call for HER. She turns 4 on Monday. Consider it a birthday present to Savannah and helping keep her healthy, at home, and alive.
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