NOYB wrote:
"Harry Krause" wrote in message
...
NOYB wrote:
"Harry Krause" wrote in message
...
NOYB wrote:
NFIB and small business make the difference in Washington, D.C.
NFIB comes out fighting every time lawmakers and regulators try
to
take another bite out of your business or your pocketbook. NFIB
members
from
all over the country make their voices heard, and Congress listens --
and
those victories translate into money in your pocket.
Hehehe. They sho' got their hooks into you.
Obstacles Cleared for Overtime Reform
You mean elimination.
Small Business Scores Health-Care Option With HSAs
President Bush signed legislation in December 2003, authorizing
the
creation of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). Taking effect Jan. 1,
2004,
HSAs
are tax-free savings accounts for medical expenses that will allow
more
small-business owners to obtain affordable health coverage for
themselves
and their employees.
This is one of the biggest and saddest laughs of all. An HSA is no
substitute for a strong health insurance plan. Can you tell us why?
Any taxpayer with a high-deductible insurance plan can
contribute
up
to $2,600 a year ($5,150 for families) into an HSA account.
Well, that ought to cover two days at the hospital...or removal of a
hangnail.
Doh! The "high-deductible insurance plan" pays the big bills. The $2600
pays the routine trips to the doc. I pay almost $11,000 for a family of
four (with an 80/20 plan and $500 deductible). I bet my premium would
drop
by 75% if I had a very high deductible plan. If nobody gets sick in a
given
year, then I would save mega-bucks...which is money that would be lining
the
pockets of some insurance executive if it weren't for HSA's. If we *do*
get
sick, then it's virtually a wash.
The other issue NFIB is strongly lobbying for are AHP's. Until an
Association Health Plan bill is passed, we small business guys don't get
the
same special privileges as is afforded government workers and union
members.
You guys lobbied for AHP's and got 'em (in principle, if not in
name)...and
now it's our turn.
Indeed, AHP's are promising. A really serious problem these days is that
the cost of pharmaceuticals for covered employees now costs health plans
about the same as hopsitalization. This is leading to caps and higher
co-pays for some.
I figure that once AHP legislation passes, it'll force to the table two of
the larger profit-makers in the pharmaceutical industry...namely,
manufacturers and pharmacies. I would hope to see the individual
associations (with memberships sometimes exceeding several hundred thousand
people) negotiating directly with the manufacturers and the pharmacies.
Of course, the biggest opponent of AHP's is the insurance industry. AHP's
give associations bargaining power against the insurance companies...and
could give associations enough clout to completely bypass the insurance
companies.
Wanna know who the key opponents are?
Blue Cross/Blue Shield
State insurance commissioners
AFL-CIO and other unions
Mental Health Groups
Health insurance agent associations
Senator Edward Kennedy
Senator Richard Durbin
(source:
http://www.cropusainsurance.com/legi..._opponents.asp)
In light of your strong allegiances to the aforementioned groups and
individuals, I'm surprised that you've broken ranks
and described AHP's as "promising". I guess there's some hope for you yet.
;-)
More bull****. I'm directly involved with several of the largest unions
affiliated with the AFL, and the AFL itself, all deeply involved in
health care associations set up for the very purpose you are discussing
here.
You need to expand your lists of sources, fella.
--
Email sent to
is never read.