What the heck does a tax cut do for the average american when....

Paragraph 1 & 2 are the stone cold truth. The 3rd is just me bitc*ing. I was in a exeptionally bad mood last night after reading a few posts involving the NHL in Houston. (Here we go,.........again. I'm trying REAL hard to behave, Jeff)


1) I dont work in a cube
2) My lunch hour is paid for
3) I USED TO BE the highest ranked non-owner in the 3 DIFFERENT RESTAURANTS,.....the result,.... no savings, no 401K, no vacation, a decimated marraige, no life,...are you getting it yet?
4) The subject was, if I'm not mistaken, about tax cuts. Do you think I ENJOY where my money has been spent over the last 18 years?.,,,, the answer is NO. I want it back,.....yesterday!!!!

 

Originally posted by Bigman
I realize tax cuts are not related to healthcare costs. My point is, what good does a tax cut do me if I'm giving it back in healthcare costs? I'm suggesting that the focus is in the wrong place.

So what does healthcare reform have to do with the recovery? AIDS? etc etc

I think the gov needs to deal w/ more than one topic at a time.

But cleaning up the healthcare/insurance/legal industry is a huge, HUGE uphill climb. Screw it. I'll just have to accept it. Some of us are screwed. As it turns out our healthcare provider predicts another 17% increase next year (after the 44% this year). They are historically wrong, so I'm betting on around 22% to 25%. Tally that together, and raises and tax cuts will not offset that cost. ...

mrpaige mentioned a relatively new, excessive cost that has been coming for years: HIPAA. It doesn't just effect medical groups and hospitals, but every company in the healthcare industry. It is so far-reaching and expensive, that it, by itself, will force small ncihe and/or innovative health carriers to dissolve or merge with larger ones.

That, combined with unchecked rises in prescriptions (strong lobby) and anti-managed care legislation are responsible for the high inflation.

Not all will experience Bigman's inflation, since small groups can get experience rated so others will have a very different experience.


Bigman,
Consider a self-funded program (using a Health Plan as a TPA) with catastrophic insurance or reinsurance (stop loss).

 

Yep, it's high. I just ran an approximate rate for you, Mrs. Max and Little Max here in NC-- approx age of 32 and the premium for the maternity rider is about 55% additional premium for the policy without the rider. Sheesh...

I don't know if this would interest you, but in my work I have found a Christian Association which offers healthcare to its membership. I've investigated it some to ascertain its legitimacy. I had some potential clients who are solely relying on this group instead of purchasing health insurance.

Here's the gist: you join the association and pay your monthly fee of $300 or so for a FAMILY. You each have a $250 Deductible. Beyond the Deductible, the members are solicited to contribute to paying your medical bills. Everybody takes a turn.. including, of course, your being solicited as a member of the group to help someone else pay their medical bills. Everyone in the association is traditionally insured with a $5000 Deductible. Everybody helps each other pay their medical bills beyond the $250 Deductibe and up to the $5000 Deductible for the group reinsurance. I'm thinking (don't know) that the solicitations for helping pay others bills might be $25-50 a few times a year. There must be some limits applied but I don't know what they are.

As I understand it, NO PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS.

This group has been around for a decade. It does require that you provide a testimony to join; they don't just take anybody. They do not play claims on "sin," i.e. no drinking or drug-related claims.

They have an extensive organization and a good web presence. They will send you out a free booklet if you request. I talked to three different reps for the same orgnization trying to find the soft underbelly. I couldn't find it. They were very forthcoming, enthusiastic, and committed.

If you are interested in checking them out, you can search the Net for them or email me and I'll track the group back down. I have a lady here I can call.

 

Everybody did.

 

Bigman-
The costs do increase every year, my suggestion is simple:

1. Shop around your insurance policy every 2-3 years. We have a policy of shopping the policy and what we often find is one of the carriers will give you a great rate to get in (we are currently at $195/single employee with Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield and we just got a quate for United health Care for $155-160/employee with better coverage). Granted you can expect a 15-20% increase every year, but after a couple years shop it around and more than likley someone will want your business.

But the costs does increase every year, we've somewhat overcome it by shopping around the policy.

 

that's interesting, giddyup...not sure i'm entirely comfortable with it, though.

 

If a Psychologist will be able to prescribe meds
What will be the difference between them and Psychiatrist?

I doubt the Psychiatric community is happy about this at all. . .
the increased competition alone. . .

Rocket River