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The state lines issue: As it stands right now, each state regulates insurance rates. Hence why someone in, say New York with XYZ company pays $800 @ month, moves to say Idaho and XYZ charges $500 a month. It is based on the risk pool in each state -
Allowing XYZ's "pool" to be nationwide - spreads out the risk. By spreading out the risk, premiums come down. It also allows XYZ company to consolidate their operations for reimbursements etc. As it stands now, XYZ would have to have an office in all 50 states (assuming they are in all 50 states - not all insurance companies are).
The insurance companies are the first ones to tell you that premiums would come down.
Greatday - I'm sure you have done a lot of research on this interstate issue. However, I don't believe that each state's DOI regulates only the rates. I think each individual state reviews each company's reserving policies to ensure that the insurance company operating and selling their products in the state comply with their solvency guidelines among other things. Maybe I'm wrong but I don't believe an insurance company necessarily has to have an office in a particular state to sell insurance there...they do have to prepare an actuarial memo to file the product (description, coverage, how claims are administered, reserve reqs. etc.) with each state they plan to sell in to protect the consumer. Each state regulations are different in as much as each state's health care regulations are different. I'm not sure it is as easy as you make it appear here....
The people are speaking - as much as I would like? No. But, give them an issue like UHI - or becoming a welfare state - they will let their voices heard. We have a history of this.
Also - keep in mind that I am a "no body" - except, I shared my thought with my Members of Congress and they asked me to participate in the system - I'm no one special. Think about what would happen if more people actually got involved
Some may remember the debate - nationally, about the ERA. The people defeated it.
It depends how it is presented doesn't it. All the scare mongerers out there who talk about SOCIALIZED medicine, without explaining that the USA already has many socialistic systems in place - make it sound like pro UHC people are trying to turn the USA into a communist state. Ridiculous.
Or that taxes will have to go up significantly. I'm sorry, I just don't agree with this either. Perhaps your TAXES might go up, but your COST should go DOWN. Surely your overall cost is what is most important. Not whether it is labelled TAX or PREMIUM.
Also I will say AGAIN, I think there needs to be an American solution to the American problem. It can't be an ALL or NOTHING referendum. This is not a YES/ NO issue.
I am able to see that the steps you have mentioned would be a good start. But these are not items that can be put in place with a referendum. We don't keep having to swing to these extremes do we??
Holy moly! I guess we are definitely going to have to agree to disagree. : )
To me, your views sound very extreme - probably because it sounds so backwards to me. Like a country with no money and no ability to run a country - very third world.
To someone who is used to paid vacation, paid maternity leave (not that I've ever needed it), not having to worry about health care, etc, etc - your point of view is very difficult to understand. It doesn't sound like a modern, first world view of things at all.
It's been an eye opener reading Greatdays posts. I think Greatday will never acknowledge that change could help the USA, because he would prefer things even more extreme and quality of life even lower for the average citizen than they are now.
Actually it's a bit scary to me that someone can really feel this way. It does seem very uncaring. : (
He perplexes me truly.. He talks about giving to "those who need it most".. when he refers to helping the homeless, food and shelter etc. WEll THAT is true if this debate was about FOOD , SHELTER.. BUT we are talking about HEALTH INSURANCE HERE.. Healtcare etc..
As far as THAT is concerned the poor already have it because they get medicaid OR they walk in and get treated FOR FREE and then pass the bill on to the rest of us.. THE RICH have it because THEY can afford it (or so they think until their insurance doesn't come through. then they can go bankrupt paying for it.. but atleast they have something to pull from to get the help they need). YEt with HC.. THE MIDDLE AMERICA IS SUFFERING AND THEY NEED IT THE MOST!
Oh.. and let's not forget the millions of people of retirement age.. or those that are disabled that draw on SS for income.. although not much.. is still needed.. THOSE WHO TAKE FROM IT NEED IT THE MOST.. yet.. he "opts out!".. PLEASE.. if he weren't so "well to do" he'd be upset that someone opts out too.. I would LOVE to see the numbers of those like him who "OPT OUT" and how THAT impacts the SS security system and lack of funds!! AND LIKE HIS CONTRIBUTING TO SS WOULD REALLY HURT HIM FINANCIALLY AND NOT ALLOW HIM TO PROVIDE FOR HIS FAMILY.. Please.. that is just a LAME excuse NOT to contribute..
Bet that if something happen to his "fortune" and he couldn't work anymore and needed SS he wouldn't hesitate to go down the SS office and collect his check!
Oh.. and let's not forget the millions of people of retirement age.. or those that are disabled that draw on SS for income.. although not much.. is still needed.. THOSE WHO TAKE FROM IT NEED IT THE MOST.. yet.. he "opts out!".. PLEASE.. if he weren't so "well to do" he'd be upset that someone opts out too.. I would LOVE to see the numbers of those like him who "OPT OUT" and how THAT impacts the SS security system and lack of funds!! AND LIKE HIS CONTRIBUTING TO SS WOULD REALLY HURT HIM FINANCIALLY AND NOT ALLOW HIM TO PROVIDE FOR HIS FAMILY.. Please.. that is just a LAME excuse NOT to contribute..
Bet that if something happen to his "fortune" and he couldn't work anymore and needed SS he wouldn't hesitate to go down the SS office and collect his check!
Let's be clear about something TM - when I opted out of Social Security, I was dead broke. I barely had two nickles to rub together. I was not "rich". Not in the slightest. I was in danger of being evicted from my apartment. So, don't try to misrepresent my position any more than you already have. And, once you "opt out" you can no longer "opt in" TM
And TM, you might find it interesting to know that we work with some homeless who actually have money - who are not poor - who like being homeless - who like living on the streets. Sounds crazy but, its true.
The United States Constitution does not envision a welfare state.
And, in the United States, the People ARE the Government. They have the right to speak -
No other country has our Constitution and laws either
I find your second statement laughable.. yeah.. it's supposed to be "for the people" but more and more it seems to be "for the corporations!! BY the corporations".. and putting the screws to the little guy.
Let's be clear about something TM - when I opted out of Social Security, I was dead broke. I barely had two nickles to rub together. I was not "rich". Not in the slightest. I was in danger of being evicted from my apartment. So, don't try to misrepresent my position any more than you already have. And, once you "opt out" you can no longer "opt in" TM
And TM, you might find it interesting to know that we work with some homeless who actually have money - who are not poor - who like being homeless - who like living on the streets. Sounds crazy but, its true.
Well. if they Like it and are there because they like it and have money.. then they don't need your help then.. do they.. that kind of sounds like an oxymoron.
I'm sure the government wouldn't object to you wanting to contribute to Social Security.. and pay in to the pot.. they wouldn't stop taking your money..
How hte US gov't can let you do that is beyond me.. because given that you were "poor" then what did they think you would do when you got old and ill etc.. if you didn't have money then who's to say you'd have it now.. NOpe.. you would just end up having the taxpayers footing the bill with some sort of program in one way or another.. even though you didn't contribute squat because you "opted out". Fortunately for you you now have money.. but something just doesn't sound right with this .. I smell something rotten in Denmark.. so to speak.. with the whole "opting out thing" .. and again.. maybe you did it when you were "poor" but I'd love to see the numbers of dollars they are loosing by rich folks "opting out"!
So.. now that you are NOT broke.. why not contribute to something like SS . .. because that helps those that "need it most"!
I find your second statement laughable.. yeah.. it's supposed to be "for the people" but more and more it seems to be "for the corporations!! BY the corporations".. and putting the screws to the little guy.
Your cynicism is dulying noted. I will also note that, because of that cynicism, you are a large part of the problem. Your apathy - your refusal to actually get involved other than just posting on some forum.
If you are as concerned as you say you are, why don't you seek out others of like mind and go, as a group, and talk to your Congressional Representatives?
I'm sure the government wouldn't object to you wanting to contribute to Social Security.. and pay in to the pot.. they wouldn't stop taking your money..
Actually - they would not put it in the pot. Social Security contributions have to be credited to a specific SS account - and, I don't have one.
So.. now that you are NOT broke.. why not contribute to something like SS . .. because that helps those that "need it most"!
Again - there is "nothing like SS" TM. So, it's a moot point.
I do feel however that we are making far more of a difference in people lives than say, with all respect, someone like you who merely gives money to the government, does not know where it goes, and who, again with all respect, does nothing directly to help others in need.
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