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This is a perfect example of the government mandating coverage, which increases costs on the consumer. Individuals that have the level of health coverage they desire will be forced to spend more on what they do not want, or they will be fined.
All thanks to a presidential hopeful, Gov. Mitt Romney. A donkey in elephant\’s clothing.
Actually, Mark, it\’s more like government instrusion in our private lives.
I wonder what the Adames would think of their commonwealth?
It\’s time our citizens woke up! Every day we see more and more government instrusion in our lives – next they will tell you that you can only buy this house based on your income or have a limited number of children. Imposing fines if someone cannot afford health coverage (at these astronomical rates – see Florida health costs)or forcing them to \”buy up\” is unconstitutional. Where is our freedom going to? How about capping medical costs? Recently, we took our daughter to a pediatrician who was only in the room 5 minutes yet the bill to the insurance carrier was $296 – go figure.
Somebody needs to ask how much the projected additional premium tax the state expects to collect. Yes, their is a state premium (excise) tax on just about all kinds of insurance.
http://secure.cihi.ca/cihiweb/dispPage.jsp?cw_page=statistics_a_z_e#W
This is a link to a report on waiting-for-service report in Canada. Note the wait for heart bypass.
If you think this is something, read the following which is from the Ins. Journal 1/30/07 posting. Look at the salary structure Romney allowed for the folks who will \”oversee\” the program for \”low-income\” people…
Mass. Universal Health Connector Pays Executives Well
January 30, 2007
More than half of the people working for the new state agency charged with providing health insurance for Massachusetts\’ low-income residents make more than $100,000 a year — and six earn more than Gov. Deval Patrick.
The Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector\’s executive director, Jon Kingsdale, earns $225,000 annually. Deputy director Rosemarie Day receives $175,500.
Twelve of the Connector\’s 22 employees make more than $100,000. Patrick makes $140,535 a year.
\”I am going to call in the director and find out where they\’re spending the money,\’\’ House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi told The Boston Globe. \”We don\’t want administrative costs to be too high. We want the money spent efficiently.\’\’
Richard Powers, the Connector\’s director of public affairs, said the salaries reflected the employees\’ abilities. Most have an extensive background in the health insurance industry, and five of eight senior staff members make less than in their previous jobs, he said.
The state\’s universal health care law was approved last year to provide affordable coverage to about 500,000 uninsured residents. All adults must have insurance coverage by July 1 or pay a penalty, unless they prove they can\’t afford it.
Salaries for Connector employees initially are being paid by a $25 million appropriation by the Legislature, but eventually will be funded by insurance companies through premium surcharges.
\”If they\’re paying large salaries, the $25 million isn\’t going to last long,\’\’ said state Sen. Richard Moore, who helped shepherd the bill through the Legislature.
John McDonough, executive director of the advocacy group Health Care for All, said the compensation was not too high.
\”Compared to what people make in state government, these salaries are high, but not compared to what comparable people make in a commercial insurance world,\’\’ he said. \”If they didn\’t pay these salaries, I don\’t believe they would be getting the quality people they need to do this highly complex operation.\’\’
But McDonough said he worried about the system\’s sustainability.
\”The whole structure is fraught with uncertainty,\’\’ he said.
I suppose it is now obvious why there is a push for the government to do this insurance. It becomes a payraise for the home office workers.
More people are forced to buy health insurance because the formula used to calculate income is based on gross income not disposable/net income. This example pushes people “on the cusp” into the MUST BUY category.
Insurance companies run this state.