New HELP Bill Covers 97 Percent Of Americans, Costs $600 Billion
I am not sure how this helps with employees who elect not to take heath insurance? Most companies do offer health coverage it is just many employees elect not to take it for various reasons and they take the risk on tax payers’ dime.
HP-Democrats on a key Senate Committee outlined a revised and far less costly health care plan Wednesday night that includes a government-run insurance option and an annual fee on employers who do not offer coverage to their workers.
The plan carries a 10-year price tag of slightly over $600 billion, and would lead toward an estimated 97 percent of all Americans having coverage, according to the Congressional Budget Office, Sens. Edward M. Kennedy and Chris Dodd said in a letter to other members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. The AP obtained a copy.
By contrast, an earlier, incomplete proposal carried a price tag of roughly $1 trillion and would have left millions uninsured, CBO analysts said in mid-June.
Wonder if this is still in the bill:
Senate Bill Would Fine People More Than $1,000 for Refusing Health Care Coverage
Senate aides said the penalties, estimated to raise around $36 billion over 10 years, would be modeled on the approach taken by Massachusetts, which now imposes a fine of about $1,000 a year on individuals who refuse to get coverage.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/07/02/senate-democrats-trim-cost-health-care/
I do think people should be forced to have health coverage! Unless we are willing not to treat people the bill is left on the foot of people who pay taxes and have coverage.
ABC’s Dr. Timothy Johnson interviews Newt on GMA:
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Politics/Story?id=7932120&page=1
John writes, “people should be forced to have health coverage!”
That statement epitomizes the big nanny philosophy.
John:
Who will “force” people to buy health coverage?
What “force” will be allowed?
What if a free American decides he or she does not want to be “forced” to buy something they do not desire to buy?
Incredible that someone who thinks of himself as conservative would advocate use of force to make Americans purchase certain services. But not surprising because one thing is for sure, John Konop was never a conservative!
People will be irresponsible. When they don’t have insurance, they need to provide proper documentation of who they are and if they have any means they should have aggressive collections. And nothing but emergency treatment for those without insurance.
Forbes article: Cherry-Picking
The White House wants HMO’s to open their doors to every single patient.
A demand most conservatives wouldn’t buy into and their is so much money to be made by HMO’s – read contributed to your congressman.
What if you can continue to get a fixed amount per patient, cherry pick the clients and leave the lemons to medicare & medicaid…
Obama’s answer to this is gov’t control, Newt’s answer is regulated, incented choices.
http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2009/0713/health-obama-insurance-hmo-cherry-picking.html?feed=rss_business_healthcare
TOP TEN INDICATORS THAT YOUR EMPLOYER HAS CHANGED TO A CHEAPER INSURANCE PLAN:
(10) Your annual breast exam is done at Hooters.
(9) Directions to your doctor’s office include “Take a left when you enter the trailer park.”
(8) The tongue depressors taste faintly of Fudgesicles.
(7) The only proctologist in the plan is “Gus” from Roto-Rooter.
(6) The only item listed under Preventative Care Coverage is “an apple a day.”
(5) Your primary care physician is wearing the pants you gave to Goodwill last month.
(4) “The patient is responsible for 200% of out-of-network charges,” is not a typographical error.
(3) The only expense covered 100% is “embalming.”
(2) Your Prozac comes in different colors with little M’s on them.
AND THE NUMBER ONE SIGN YOU’VE JOINED A VERY CHEAP HEALTH CARE PLAN:
(1) You ask for Viagra, and they give you a Popsicle stick and duct tape