Click to See Complete Forum and Search --> : So what do you think of Mandatory Health Care
PrintDriver
04-24-2006, 05:03 PM
Massachusetts just passed a law that everyone has to have health insurance. If your company doesn't offer it, you have to buy it (that company is also fined per employee). If you are out of work you have to buy it. If you are on welfare with 15 kids you have to buy it (everything is pro-rated). They are saying the top of the income scale could be paying over $350 a month out of pocket (and I think that's over $30k per year or something dismally low) while the lower income people might be paying $15.
The penalty is to have it deducted from your MA tax return (can't get blood from a stone, I always end up paying anyway).
I can't tell if this is a good idea or a bad one until my health insurance premiums go down as promised because now everyone will be covered and I won't have to pay for the slackers. But has this ever happened?
Just like our new primary seat belt law. My car insurance premium sure hasn't gone down yet like they said it would... Bet it goes up again next year too...
morea
04-24-2006, 05:17 PM
WOW.
Right now I am just going without and doing my darndest not to get sick, since I'm out of work. I guess if it came right down to it, I'd have a choice between paying for heat and lights or having health care.
Prorated or not, it's just another expense - and like you said, you can't get blood from a stone. Who gets to decide how much I would pay? And how much will it REALLY affect the majority of the insured? Yipes.
fyred1
04-24-2006, 05:17 PM
There's far too much profit to be made from this situation. The drop will not be substantial. Will it create more jobs -- for Americans, that is?
Jeizzavelle
04-24-2006, 05:27 PM
Ack, it's crap. Stop trying to control me!
jimking
04-24-2006, 05:28 PM
WOW.
Right now I am just going without and doing my darndest not to get sick, since I'm out of work. I guess if it came right down to it, I'd have a choice between paying for heat and lights or having health care.
Prorated or not, it's just another expense - and like you said, you can't get blood from a stone. Who gets to decide how much I would pay? And how much will it REALLY affect the majority of the insured? Yipes.
Morea, what happened to your job? I thought you had a interview also.
If you don't have enough money to pay for health insurance, how come you had 15 kids? lol
morea
04-24-2006, 05:42 PM
Morea, what happened to your job? I thought you had a interview also.
the boss didn't think he was making enough money because of some VERY poor business decisions (i.e. - never calling customers back because they were going to be upset and yell at him, having to send a service crew out 3 or 4 times to resolve an issue properly, not paying bills, etc, so he was issuing a lot of refunds and actually selling merchandise for less than he was paying for it) so he cut my job and 3 others, and is having all his GD work and marketing handled by his receptionist, a tall thin blonde who was hired three months before I was laid off. That shows you what seniority and dedication are worth.
Not that I'm bitter. :rolleyes:
I don't know if the interview panned out. It was a week ago, and while I feel I did everything right including follow up with a thank you letter, it's very difficult to find a decent job around here. (That's why I spent 15 months working in the other hell-hole.)
NOT THAT I'M BITTER!
reuber1
04-24-2006, 05:43 PM
If you don't have enough money to pay for health insurance, how come you had 15 kids? lol"Because I live in South Dakota" Sorry had to, continue.
jimking
04-24-2006, 06:21 PM
Draw that unemployment and good luck.
carter the artist
04-24-2006, 06:34 PM
You've gotta love those bloodsucking insurance lobbyists. They get the best job security.
You've gotta love those bloodsucking insurance lobbyists. They get the best job security.
In close running with oil and pharmaceuticals. *sigh*
Rocketpig
04-24-2006, 07:37 PM
I absolutely love it when the government tries to infringe into my life.
With that said (and after the recent immigration/globalization argument), I'm going to take my white little Libertarian ass and get back into Photoshop so I can bill some time and stay the hell away from this topic.
Drorain
04-24-2006, 07:45 PM
not sure what I actually think about it PD, but you know mitt is trying to create some platform to stand on in the 08 pres. election. I'm glad they stopped the tuition for illegals, but this health care thing...well I'm insured anyway so it doesnt effect me, if it stops people from using ER as an asprin stop...I think it'll be good
idaho
04-24-2006, 07:58 PM
I thought I smelled lobbyist scum!
LeftBrain Artist
04-24-2006, 08:32 PM
You know, it would be good if insurance rates really did drop because everyone was paying, therefore those of us paying wouldn't be footing the bill for those of us who don't pay. But, I'm sure that many of those who don't pay, don't work, and therefore don't pay any taxes.
I'd be interested to find if any of the states where automobile insurance is mandatory - if rates actually decreased comparable to inflation and wage increases following the time that auto insurance was made mandatory.
Anybody know if that is so? I'm assuming probably not, since it seems very difficult to find it online. That would be a trend the insurance companies are not willing to share with others if it were so, because it debunks the main reason for making insurance mandatory.
LeftBrain Artist
04-24-2006, 08:33 PM
Or, did auto insurance profits rise as a result of it becoming mandatory?
Drorain
04-24-2006, 08:49 PM
in mass our auto insurance is mandatory, and prices are also regulated by govt, no geiko or progressive,...they dont have any competition between insurance agencies.
I can't complain though, I'm one of the lowest steps and my auto insurance was 760 for the year...down from 1100 last year (25 years old discount I guess)
PrintDriver
04-24-2006, 10:58 PM
Don't forget to buckle up Dro. Now they can stop you if you aren't wearing that ol' seatbelt.
Next thing you know I'll have to wear a helmet just to walk down the street.
morea
04-24-2006, 11:11 PM
hmph. I give the government enough of my money, I don't really appreciate them telling me how I have to spend the little I have left.
greyghost
04-24-2006, 11:24 PM
The seatbelt law has been around in GA for many many years- somewhere around 20 would be my guess. Florida passed it some years ago too.
I don't like the thought of mandatory insurance, unless they offer some ways for us poor folks to afford it. And have it all REALLY pay when something goes wrong, not fight tooth and nail to pay for x-rays or something.
defjoe
04-25-2006, 01:01 AM
I think it has merit but like you said PD... can't draw blood from a stone. I personally thing Canada has it right. you work you get insurance. Plain and simple. It would NEVER happen here in american cause we are all greedy bastards. We care more for money then we do for people.
we have this wonderful thing called Medicare, where you don't have to have private insurance to see a doctor. The Gov't subsidises most of it.
Drorain
04-25-2006, 12:41 PM
ya we have that as well... but like most govt run social programs, it's going bankrupt
Drorain
04-25-2006, 12:45 PM
lol I need the insurance in order to drive, but damn, that money would be better in my pocket. I think a lot of insurance is full of crap anyway...
ya PD that seatbelt law passed the house and senate which I'm bs about, I wear my seatbelt but my dad is pigheaded enough not to just because he thinks it should be his choice...I agree on the choice thing, but...meh whatever.
just so everyone knows...Massachusetts, where PD and I both reside is currently losing population and businesses are moving out. Laws like this and taxes are the reason. And its not simply the poor moving out...over 160k college level educated people left last year