How does this new health care bill being passed by congress affect me?

* Can I keep my health insurance?Yes , but if you want to switch. The new policies would have to meet certain minimum benefit standards.

* Would the health care bills before Congress require that i obtain health insurance and punish me if i don't?Yes, Starting 2013 or 2014 most Americans would be required to have health insurance coverage or face a financial penalty. Indviduals would have to show proof of coverage on their federal income tax returns. Exempt from this would be those with low incomes & people who don't make enough money to file income tax returns- many of these would be covered under a expanded Medicaid program.

The Senate requirement would take affect in July 2014. The Penalty for not having coverage would be $95 in 2014, $350 in 2016, and $750 in 2017 and thereafter. You would be exempt if the cost of insurance exceeded 8% of your income.

* I buy my own insurance, would this affect how much i would have to pay?Individuals would be able to purchase coverage through new state or national exchanges. That would offer several standardized types of plans from a variety of insurers. New rules would bar insurers from varying premiums based on health, but would allow differences for age, geographic locations and family size. Premiums could go down for some people - those with health problems, for example- and rise for others, such as younger people.

* I own a business, Would I have to provide health insurance to my workers?Businesses with payrolls above $750,000 will be required to provide health insurance or pay a fee equal to 8% of payroll. Fees would be lower for businesses with payrolls between $500,00 & $750,000. Businesses with smaller payrolls would be exempt.

* I can't afford health care coverage. What happens to me?

Under the Senate bill, if you earn up to 133% of the poverty level, or $29,327 for a family of four, you'd be eligible for Medicaid, the state-federal program for poor people and those disabilities.

If you aren't eligible for Medicaid, you could be eligible for government subsidies to help buy insurance. Under both bills, the assistance would be available for people with incomes up to four times the poverty level, or about $88,000 for a family of four.