[Rhodes22-list] Could I Have Another Helping of Big Government, Please?

[Brad Haslett]

Robert,

The $2500 threshold is easy to overcome.  Everyone gets a dollar for dollar
tax credit for money they put in a health savings plan.  The 'gubment' spots
you the first $2500 which is offset (paid back) by your future earned
credits. A lot of big companies are distancing themselves from future health
cost of retirees (as well as defined benefit retirement plans) because
they've seen what happened to Big Steel, GM, legacy airlines, etc.  Mine is
doing the same but with a $25,000 initial deposit.  If you start young, stay
healthy, and don't abuse the system it works fine.  Again, I fully support
everyone having access to adequate health care.  It must be associated with
personal responsibility.  How my parents raised four kids without health
insurance is beyond me but I remember growing-up, we always had a 'doctor
bill'.  That would have been Dr. Judson Phillips.  He always treated us
whether the bill was paid-up or not, and sooner or later, it always got
paid. Maybe it was just a different place and a different time.  I'm willing
to bet your father and Dr. Phillips had a lot in common.

Brad

On Fri, May 2, 2008 at 10:41 AM, Robert Skinner <robert at squirrelhaven.com>
wrote:

> Herb, I would agree with some of what you say, but:
>
> The lower cost of drugs in Canada is largely the
> result of the Canadian government bargaining with
> drug companies in behalf of their citizens.  Note
> that the drug companies have not stopped selling in
> Canada, so they must still be making a profit, just
> not as much as in the USA where the individual or
> insurance company does not have the bargaining
> power of a government.
>
> As to budgeting $2500 for health care:
>
> in an ideal world, everyone would have that kind
> of reserves.  In this world, many do not, or are
> not foresighted enough to do so.  "Evolution in
> action."  Perfectly reasonable, right?
>
> At one point the best policy I could get as an
> individual in Maine cost $5000 a year and had a
> $2000 deductable.  The insurance company did not
> loose money on me.  Then I got a part-time job at
> a major US company, and I paid about $1500 a year
> for a policy with a $200 deductable.
>
> I asked, and was told that the company did not
> subsidize part timer's insurance, but was able to
> use its bargaining power to get the price down.
> Again, I note that it was bargaining power that
> made the difference.
>
> My point is that the insurance companies and
> drug companies are still able to make a profit
> with much-reduced prices or terms when pushed.
> They enjoy a substantial advantage when dealing
> with an individual, and exploit it beyond the
> point supported by manufacturing costs or
> actuarial gymnastics.
>
> That, sir, is a strong argument for collective
> bargaining in a capitalist economy.  Sort of a
> socialist-capitalist amalgum where everybody wins.
> Almost funny, wouldn't you say?
>
> Perhaps that is worthy of consideration?
>
> /Robert
> ------------------------------------------------------
> Herb Parsons wrote:
> >
> > This is almost funny in it's socialst leanings. Sorry, I know you find
> > that offensive, but here's an example:
> >
> > =====
> > As a country we spend 17 percent of our GDP on health care, the highest
> > in the developed world. Ironically, we're not the healthiest nation,
> > judging by our lagging numbers in life expectancy, infant mortality or
> > other similar variables. Doesn't our government owe us an explanation?
> > =====
> >
> > Why??? Why would our government "owe us an explanation" for our health?
> > Are they forcing the french fries down our throats? Are they requiring
> > that we buy 3 televisions per home and assorted "get off your feet on on
> > your butts" gadgets to go with them?
> >
> > Well, of course, if you wan to live in a nanny state, then obvioiusly
> > the government would owe us an explanation for what we're doing to
> > ourselves.
> >
> > And, the author is dishonest in his implications:
> >
> > =====
> > Then how do you explain our Maine patients going to Canada in truckloads
> > to buy prescription drugs?
> > -----
> > Because the government in Canada forces the prescription drugs to be
> > cheaper, and often subsidizes them.
> > -----
> > -----
> > Or some insurance companies booking Uncle Leland's kidney transplants in
> > India?
> > -----
> > For the same reason Uncle Bill ishiring out all his technical support to
> > India, because it's cheaper. Do a quick survey amongst those that USE
> > those services, see if they're "better"
> > =====
> > And to call McCain a "hypocrite" because he has taken advantage of
> > "government run health-care" (through his father's and his military
> > service" is the height of deception. He wasn't a freeloader, he wasn't
> > participating in socilaized medicine. He was taking advantage of an
> > employer offered health care system.
> >
> > =====
> > as a nation, we find no trouble with Disney making $1 billion a year
> > from Hannah Montana musicals
> > ----
> > You got it bubba, as long as Disney isn't making that $1 billion by
> > coercing the government to force people to spend the money. It's called
> > capitalism. It's a good thing,.
> >
> > By the way, anyone that has kids and doesn't budget spending $2500 in
> > health care isn't facing reality. So, he hasn't met his deductible for,
> > which means this surgery would cost him out of pocket. Fine, wait until
> > later in the year when more of the deductable's been met, or next year
> >
> > Do you REALLY consider this sort of tripe hones reporting?
> >
> > Robert Skinner wrote:
> > > Presented for your contemplation:
> > >
> > >   http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=184803&ac=PHedi
> > >
> > > /Robert
> > > __________________________________________________
> > > Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> > __________________________________________________
> > Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
>
> --
> Robert Skinner  "Squirrel Haven"
> Gorham, Maine         04038-1331
> s/v "Little Dipper" & "Edith P."
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>