HRC & health care.

[starkyld]

I've been mucking my way through the health care plans for both Democratic presidential candidates of note...and I have to say that Hillary's scares the bejeezus out of me.

I have some socialist leanings. Truly, I do. Hell, I'm willing to admit that publically. But her plan isn't socialized healthcare; it's mandated buy-in health insurance.

Comments

[pucette]

Mandating everybody to have a plan is the same as taxing everybody so they can get it for "free." Initially I was thrown off by how different those two things sound, but the bottom line is, they end up being exactly the same.

[pucette]

So I guess the difference is, the tax is affordable whereas the plans here aren't. I stand corrected. That isn't good.

[starkyld]

On the broad scale, I know you're right. Individually I think it plays out slightly differently, esp for non-traditional workers. I guess I hedge my bets on higher taxes only for those who can afford it. Either way, I'm not sure how it's financially feasible.

[cemeterygates]

We have mandatory paid healthcare in Massachusetts already and it really sucks for people who aren't already offered it cheaply through work. I have friends who are underpaying loans significantly in order to not get the tax penalties associated with violating the mandatory insurance laws here.

[starkyld]

Thank you. Can you tell me more?

[cemeterygates]

You could see how much you would have to pay with this website here, and learn more about the law there, too. Pretty much everyone who isn't already a single mother or otherwise eligible for state aid is paying at least $1400 a year for the bare minimum level of health insurance. As an individual who makes over $30k I would have to pay a lot more than that for mine through one of the state brokers if my work didn't offer it.

[starkyld]

Ouch. I am zooming to a meeting now, but will check the link out as soon as I can. $1400 sounds *almost* reasonable (still a lot) compared to my COBRA rates, but not if it's mandatory, only minimum coverage (catastrophic?), and the rate for people who make a good chunk less than I do (I don't make much).

[morbid_o]

I don't understand how either system is supposed to be workable. I support socialized health care, but that requires both a mandate and government funding. Without a mandate, the haves and have-nots of health insurance still exist. The only solution that I like sees every person with health insurance. Yet, I recognize that the current proposal would simply break the banks of some people. "No happy ending" wins again.

[pucette]

I guess it depends what she actually does to the costs of these plans. If everything stays as is, then I'd be more inclined to go with a cheaper national plan along the lines of what Obama is suggesting (can you imagine not having to change insurance between jobs/states?), though I would agree that I think you have to mandate otherwise the imbalance remains.

I don't know how any solution is going to be feasible without some huge overhaul that nobody is going to agree with.

[starkyld]

the whole system is a mess (but financially would be much more juggle-able were our leaders not to wage expensive elective wars).

Icon <3

[jacesan]

With thanks to jayesdmf for using this in UC III.

Re: Icon <3

[starkyld]

UC III?

and thanks for sharing that.

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[jacesan]

Unsecured Coins. His ongoing series exposing the truth behind controversial subjects, and strange occurrences. He sampled this song in his third episode. :)

Re: Icon <3

[starkyld]

Gotcha. I usually don't view videos because my databox is too crappy to do well with them. I'll have to borrow Mark's iMac and make an exception to catch up on Jaye's series. Thanks for pointing out my slackitude. ;-)