Some WaPo writer was on local noozradio about the health care plan. Here are my COMPLETELY ........

[Stinky The Clown]

..... not-in-the-least well formed thoughts.

The "discussion" had the noozradio hosts talking to WaPo guy and asking pretty much pre-written questions.

According to the WaPo guy (who seemed a straight shooter with no particular agenda) the plan will be a regulated market of private insurance companies. The broad regulations will be:

~ Everyone pays the same rate: individuals, small businesses and giant businesses.

~ No exclusions for preexisting conditions.

~ All forms of insurance will be available: high option, PPO, HMO, etc.

WaPo guy couldn't even speculate on the "public option" (medicare for all). He cited lots of opposition in Congress. He did say that he could see the highest option, fully employer paid plans being taxed for all value above some set rate; he added that this was actually a very limited number of people these days.

Single payer simply won't happen this cycle. It isn't on or off the table; it isn't even in the room.





So ........ my own reaction to this. I would see this as a big step forward. Not the ideal, but a real change none the less. We pay at individual rates for Sparkly and me. Our premium is obscene; I know of people who work 40 hours and earn less than we pay for insurance. Since we both have "preexisting conditions" we're pretty much locked into the plan we have now.

Cost aside, we're pretty happy with we have. A little bureaucratic hassle here and there, but overall, its okay. We really like our doc.

If our premiums could be reduced by a third, we'd be thrilled. The premium would still be huge, but better than now. If it could be cut in half, we'd be in seventh heaven. We know people with essentially the same insurance we have, also with some preexisting conditions, but who get it through work. They pay less than one third of what we do (all-in ...... company contribution plus monthly deduction from their pay).

How all this affects the poor or the uninsured, I have NO idea.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

1. You are right, no exclusion for pre-existing would be a huge change from now.

It wouldn't necessarily get us to universal coverage, but it would be a substantial change from the status quo.

[imdjh]

2. Yes, one price for all and no exclusions is a start.

One of the huge roadblocks to small business people is that Chase bank pays something like $300 per month for an employee (about a 50/50 split) and the same coverage costs $1200 a month to an individual, if they would let you in. Chase has no exclusions (except perhaps kidney failure which is covered by Medicare) so you can have HIV and get insurance day one with Chase and never ever get insurance on your own.