Don White wrote:
"H the K" wrote in message
m...
On 10/24/09 10:35 PM, elder wrote:
H the K wrote:
October 25, 2009
Small Business Faces Sharp Rise in Costs of Health Care
By REED ABELSON
NY Times

As Congress nears votes on legislation that would overhaul the health
care system, many small businesses say they are facing the steepest
rise in insurance premiums they have seen in recent years.

Insurance brokers and benefits consultants say their small business
clients are seeing premiums go up an average of about 15 percent for
the coming year ? double the rate of last year?s increases. That would
mean an annual premium that was $4,500 per employee in 2008 and $4,800
this year would rise to $5,500 in 2010.

The higher premiums at least partly reflect the inexorable rise of
medical costs, which is forcing Medicare to raise premiums, too.
Health insurance bills are also rising for big employers, but because
they have more negotiating clout, their increases are generally not as
steep.

Higher medical costs aside, some experts say they think the insurance
industry, under pressure from Wall Street, is raising premiums to get
ahead of any legislative changes that might reduce their profits.

- - -

Yeah, like we really truly need for-profit health insurers who rape
all of us repeatedly.

A relative works for a big retailer. Insurance cost a lot. The coverage
has a huge deductible and co payments. Next year it goes up in price
again and deductibles and co payments are even higher. Still paying on
share of cost that insurance didn't cover from treatment in early part
of year. They cut hours. Next year it will take the equivalent of 2
months pay to cover the deductible and co payments.
Another works for national chain. They cut their hours several times
this past 2 years. When their hours go below 70 in two weeks they lose
their coverage. Medical bills take half of the pay. Everybody get sick.
Now they must sacrifice food etc and forget a future due high cost of
insurance and small benefits to help fill the coffers of the super rich
that now own America.

Bingo. Meanwhile, the health insurers are gouging out 25%-40% profits.
Bendover a little further, please.


I still think a national sales tax would be a better way to fund universal
health care for most Americans.
Sure..the guy who buys the $100K boat, $60K auto or expensive clothes &
furnishings will pay more... but you have to think of the overall benefit to
all fellow citizens.

How about a none refundable and non-deductable 30% surtax on all income
from all sources unless you can verify you have insurance from some
source. Plus a means test. I don't think Bill Gates needs a private
plan. Bet 95% of those without insurance would soon have insurance.

Problem with a sales tax, as we have seen in Canada is simple. What
guarantees are there that it will be spent on what they say it will be?
Second is, is your employer going to give you a big raise when they
don't pay health care but you pay the sales taxes? A third issue is
fraud, GST in Canada is so screwed up even the CRA admits it is out of
control. Mind you, it makes for more people employed in government.