Impeding changes to our Health Care system

[glatt]

"There is a place with unlimited funds called health insurance Company that will take care of everything."

Is this a joke? In what fantasy world does this guy live? Has he never heard of deductibles and co-pays and limits? My employer pays the majority of my insurance premium, but not all, and my employer pays zero of my family's. I pay all of that.

[classicman]

Originally Posted by glatt

My employer pays the majority of my insurance premium, but not all, and my employer pays zero of my family's. I pay all of that.

I'm in the same boat.

[DanaC]

And what's the betting that when you most need the payout they'll find a reason not to do so?

[DanaC]

Which countries are these where the employer pays for housing/rent?

[classicman]

Dunno - I found the comments after reading an article on "the Economist" site. I never said I agreed with them.

Just realized I didn't link the article... that would have helped.

The future of health-care reform

[TheMercenary]

Wait times to see doctor are getting longer

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/...aittimes_N.htm

Surveys are still the weakest form of statistical measure. The article was interesting anyway.

[classicman]

Originally Posted by TheMercenary

Surveys are still the weakest form of statistical measure. The article was interesting anyway.

Nah PFA statistics are much weaker.

[classicman]

From the WSJ

WASHINGTON (Dow Jones)--An outline of health-care legislation drafted by House Democrats would require employers to provide insurance to workers and would require individuals to carry insurance.

The outline, put together by the House Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce, and Education and Labor Committees, includes a "play or pay" provision that would require businesses to provide health insurance or make a contribution to the federal government "on behalf of their uncovered workers."
But the outline also states that "small low-wage firms" would be exempted from the requirement and that a new small business tax credit would be put in place for employers offered health coverage.

I don't think we should be "forced to" carry insurance. This is beginning to look bad. Apparently there are no tangible details of their "plan" and they are floating this out there with little to no transparency. That or they have no real plan.

I am still struggling with exactly how we are going to increase the number of insured by around 50 million or 15%-20% while decreasing costs and not having the long lines or rationed care that other countries have.
Unless we are going to get taxed out the ass, this isn't logically feasible.

[Clodfobble]

Lack of a specific plan aside, I'm curious: do you think it is fair that drivers are forced to carry auto insurance?

[classicman]

Yes I do. Do you equate the two somehow?

[classicman]

Obama: It's OK to borrow to pay for health care
Obama-proposed budget rules allow deficits to swell to pay for health care plan

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama on Tuesday proposed budget rules that would allow Congress to borrow tens of billions of dollars and put the nation deeper in debt to jump-start the administration's emerging health care overhaul.

The "pay-as-you-go" budget formula plan is significantly weaker than a proposal Obama issued with little fanfare last month.

It would carve out about $2.5 trillion worth of exemptions for Obama's priorities over the next decade. His health care reform plan also would get a green light to run big deficits in its early years.

But over a decade, Congress would have to come up with money to cover those early year deficits.

From where? I think thats something we should know beforehand.

[Clodfobble]

Originally Posted by classicman

Yes I do. Do you equate the two somehow?

I do think there are parallels. If you cause a wreck, it would be unjust for the other guy's car to go unrepaired. The car has to get repaired, it's just a question of who is going to pay for it. If you come down with a severe disease or injury, it would be unjust to simply let you die when we have the knowledge to save you. Again, the doctors are going to treat you, it's just a question of who is going to pay for it.

Now, I'd be all for limitations on that sort of thing--like, if you were only required to carry very-high-deductible catastrophic medical coverage. Cover the big things, save your life, but that's about it. That would seem to me to be pretty similar to the idea that you are only required to carry a minimum of liability coverage on your car, even though more insurance coverage is certainly available.

[classicman]

I see your point.

[TheMercenary]

All I can say is that you all are about to be butt fucked and you have no idea it is coming. Some will win, some will lose. But in the end you will get what you asked for and only time will tell exactly what that will be.

[classicman]

Very inspirational merc. Thanks.