That's not a bad idea. As long as they don't pocket that cash instead of hooking up employees. That way people can still have some independence from the government, and it stablizes the job market a bit...

Yes only for me it went the other way. I had to give up to keep mine. Its just a very important issue and needs debated now more than ever. Accountabilty from the states and smart spending would probably fix most of it.I think the rest wouldnt look that bad.

What I think would really help is:

Many children get healthcare free through the state. I would never change this.

Many adults get healthcare free through the state, and I would tweak this just for those who are not pregnant and have had their recovery after a baby. I think, the money that would have went to the adults for FULL medical and dental through the state should now go through the workplace to offer medical coverage. It kind of kills two birds with one stone. It allows for the company to only have to pay a portion of the medical, and it also gives more incentive to find a job for those who may be using the system.

I'm not talking about employers paying for insurance. They already do that, which is why so many can't afford to give it to their employees. I'm talking about a government grant, given according to business size (number of employees, etc), to be used strictly for health care. Across the board.



How bout they don't give cash, but pay the insurance companies directly? That would fix that in a jiffy! It would also help DSHS a whole lot by lifting the weight of the millions of people who need state insurance right now.



Agreed. It would also help a LOT for those adults who fall through the cracks, like me. My salary and my child support make me JUST above the wage topper for adult insurance... which means I can't get insured by my job OR the state.

Agreed. It would also help a LOT for those adults who fall through the cracks, like me. My salary and my child support make me JUST above the wage topper for adult insurance... which means I can't get insured by my job OR the state.


That's so true. Great idea!

Tina

Yes and no. Honeslty we have a deeper rooting problem causing the high cost of healthcare. Unless this problem is addressed we are merely making the richest, richer, and the average citizens poorer.

HMO, and the FDA need some SERIOUS looking into, before any money is thrown at anything.

Treat the disease, not just the symptom (that's what i like to believe.

I agree, but starting by having health insurance paid partly by the state and partly by the employer for those who are making, say under $25K per year and have no children, under $30K per year if they have a child, $35K per year if they have 2 children, $40K per year if they have 3, etc., and then going on a salary scale from then up to wean off the government completely and paying only the portion the government would otherwise be paying, I think would help for now.

It does mask in a sense, but at the same time, people are then able to get the treatment they require.

Tina

just adding my $0.02

doesnt really seem fair to those who make more - have no kids or fewer kids to pay more? for same coverage.

Can you imagin the savings!!!!I have!!!! If you really think hard on it you will find many more. Let the private market set itself and enjoy some savings on things we are already pay for..Sweet!!!

No, I'm saying that would be the cutoff.

For instance, you are a single person with no children.

You make $25K per year. Health insurance is around $367 (taken from 2007 average) per month.
You would probably live just fine, not GREAT, but fine with paying this. After employer pays (usually 50%), you are left with $183.50.

You make $20K per year. State could pay about $100 per month, employer would still pay 183.50, and you would pay $84 per month.

You make $15K per year. State could pay $183.50, employer pay $183.50 and nothing comes from your pocket.

This is just a for-instance.

i just dont like the idea of wage based deductions on your insurance costs. i dont think its fair.

for instance wage...are we talking hourly or grossly??
because im telling you in the past two years i have a vast difference in my grossly wage...if only becasue i was too stressed and missed my children too much too work 4 nights a week. so now i only do 2-3.

i think that it is the insurance companies need looked into. i think somebodys gotta be taking a cut out of all the money thats getting paid into it. and I also know that many times they find fault in reimbursing hospitals for some reason or other. length of stay is a biggy.

I feel for you. I was there before I had my child.

There is a similar issue. Single people with no children pay taxes for public schools. There are also people paying for their kids to go to private schools and they still have to pay taxes for public schools.

The reality is that even people with seemingly good coverage are without medical resources now.

I may be getting the name of the policy/coverage wrong here but I recently heard a report on retired military members who were covered under a program called tri-care. On paper they were covered but there were no doctors that were accepting the coverage.

These retirees, many of whom had combat related injuries earned their coverage but cannot get services despite being covered on paper.

Politics aside let's look at just one part of the issue logically. if every insurance company had say a single form to fill out think of the savings.

Nothing will change as long as the medical lobbies have a say.

Their scare tactics and pay offs are costing all of us in premiums, tax dollars and increased costs.

Follow the money...the medical lobbies are the ones most opposed to reforms and coverage for all. Know why?

I see savings right off. Savings passed on to the employer, savings to the individuals, savings past onto the state. All those savings would help pay for those who have none.

Same concept: Doctors that accept state coverage are far and few between.

I agree that the insurance companies need to be looked into. I also think that one of the reasons for such high insurance rates are because of all of the ridiculous insurance claims. Just the same with your auto, if you file a claim, your insurance goes up. Well, the insurance companies have to take into consideration ALL of the claims made, not just for you, but for everyone. Many people will excessively use their dr or hospital, driving up the bill and therefore driving up insurance costs.

Can you really blame the doctors?

No, there are so many regulations set on them just to ensure payment. That payment also, is not as much as a private insurance.

I think the FDA is a major culprit in this too...

Them being opposed to medical coverage for all really doesn't tell me anything though... We may need a safety net for people, but one coverage for everyone, like i said earlier, is only making the common folk, poorer, and the Richest people richer...

Nope, I can't. I bless the ones that do though.

But..I have noticed that there are very few in my area.