Medical Insurance

[eugene@signmakershc.com]

Just received my quote for our medical insurance for 2014, an increase of 84.7%. This is on top of our increase of 2013 that was 40%. I pay 100% of my employee's medical insurance, but don't know if I can afford this any longer. Thanks to Obama my employees are probably going to lose their health insurance. What happened to the "if you like your insurance you can keep it". We like it, just can no longer afford it. I been in business for over 15 years and have been pretty successful, but if Obama keeps helping me I don't know how much longer I can stay profitable or successful. He keeps telling us how he is helping the middle class, I'm middle class, but if he doesn't stop helping me I'll soon be in the poor house. Between the cost of everything going up, and the constant barrage of new regulation, profit is getting harder and harder to come by. Contrary to what our president believes, profit is not a bad thing, and is actually a necessity to stay in business and employee people. Don't get me wrong, there are things the government needs to do, things that need to be regulated, but we've gone way beyond any common sense. The new crane certification rules have cost us a small fortune, and none of what we've spent may even be valid anymore. My greatest fear is having an employee get injured or killed on the job, but I don't think this certification is going to make the jobsite any safer. We require all drivers to be licensed, and that sure hasn't made the roadways any safer. Using good common sense, not taking shortcuts, having your business and your employees best interest at heart would be a lot more effective. I know there are dumbasses out there that don't care, but none of this will stop them. Fine the hell out of them, put them out of business. Just don't regulate and tax the rest of us out of business. I'll get off my soapbox now. Just had to get some of this shit off my chest.

[geraldi]

You must me mistaken. He wouldn't lie to us would he?

[HansonSigns]

Since our insurance coverage cost is on a sliding scale, the older we get, the more expensive it is. Who can afford to hire an experienced worker with the coverage like that? for medical for our 11 people (boss included) we pay $4000 PER MONTH! If the potus wanted to work on health care, why didn't he start with the insurance companies? Oh, did they help get him elected?

[megavolt512]

It's too early for me to make a judgement about Obamacare. It may be making things worse. But the status quo before it wasn't looking so good either. My insurance has been going up ~20 percent/yr for the past 10-15 years. 2012 was an exception where it was only 5 percent. Now it's back to the same. You can usually get it knocked back down if you agree to be re-underwrited.

I know this is a great country to be in if you need a specialist for a specific condition (pancreatic cancer, etc.). But for the bulk of health care 95% of us use (checkups, broken arms, MRI's, etc.) it's a very expensive place to get sick. Home of the $5000 sprained ankle.

[Snoochie]

It's too early for me to make a judgement about Obamacare. It may be making things worse. But the status quo before it wasn't looking so good either. My insurance has been going up ~20 percent/yr for the past 10-15 years. 2012 was an exception where it was only 5 percent. Now it's back to the same. You can usually get it knocked back down if you agree to be re-underwrited.

I know this is a great country to be in if you need a specialist for a specific condition (pancreatic cancer, etc.). But for the bulk of health care 95% of us use (checkups, broken arms, MRI's, etc.) it's a very expensive place to get sick. Home of the $5000 sprained ankle.

John;

Couldn't agree with you more.

The Health Insurance train wreck has been steaming down the track long before "The Affordable Health Care Act" or "Obamacare" came along. Health Care is currently some 16% of our GDP and is growing at an alarming pace. I think healthcare is becoming the 800 Lb. Gorilla in the room. The price increases were coming no matter if it had been President McCain, Romney or Obama. Health insurance is business and the function of any business is to generate as much revenue possible all the while spending as little as possible. That is called profit and that is what drives all for profit businesses.

While I can't understand the intricacies of our new health insurance system, I do not like being told that I have to buy something against my free choice, especially when I personally believe costs are going to skyrocket even further due to our new government mandate.

But, if anybody thinks that health insurance companies aren't licking their collective chops at getting a captive consumer, guess again. They don't lobby for nothing and they always make sure they get a good return on any politician they buy. Best investment any industry can make. And lest anyone forget, Justice John Roberts (Conservative) said forcing health insurance down our collective throats is perfectly constitutional. I guess it even pays to buy a Supreme Court Justice.

But, Obamacare is law so try to navigate as painless as possible, if there is something labeled as painless when it relates to our health insurance system.

And for the record, I know of a gentleman personally who works construction, got head injuries at home, spent a little over a week in the hospital, both in the intensive and general care. 3 Cat Scans and other tests and procedures later, he walked with a nearly $25,000.00 bill. Of course he couldn't pay it and told the hospital so. No insurance! You can't get blood out of a stone and the hospital couldn't refuse service in the first place, so the costs are passed along to both the State and other insured around the nation. And then we wonder why costs are spiraling out of control?

I don't have the answer, but I believe that Obamacare isn't it but it is the law and is now another hurdle I have to jump over, just like the rest on this board.

Best

[burkeenterprise]

Nancy.... Your paying 4G a month for 11 people on health care!!!! KEEP IT!

We had a plan for 2 employees that was $2,750.00 a month, just dropped it due to the cost at renewal it was going up to $4,000.00 a month. I gave them a raise to make up the difference to the old insurance rate.

As the owner I no longer have any coverage. I'm looking forward to January when either I'll be able to cover myself or pay a fine for not being able to afford the coverage.

Who knows how this Obamacare will shake out. All I know is the elected idiots in DC have been trying to reform health care since Nixon and this is the first one to pass....is it good we will only see once it's been in effect for a few years till then hold on to your hat and watch the wind blow. Dem or Rep doesn't matter they take care of themselves first then we pay for it.

One of the first things you need to qualify as a politician is how to tell a convincing lie.

[imanut]

One of the first things you need to qualify as a politician is how to tell a convincing lie.

And here I thought it was part of the OJT.

[burkeenterprise]

No Gary they need that to run for office it is the only qualification

[signfabs]

The US health system is BROKEN. The problem is not necessarily with Obama or a Universal Health Scheme. You had problems long before Obama arrived on the scene. Someone, somewhere is making a fortune at the expense of everyone else.

Australia, like many other countries, has a Universal Health Scheme that does not send us broke and people who cannot afford insurance are treated with dignity. Our GPs still drive BMWs, our specialists still work four days a week and collect vintage cars. We pay a levy on our income tax and can take private insurance if we wish which gives us a private room in hospital, choice of doctor and much earlier access to specialist care as well as cheaper optical, dental etc. Ambulance transport is prompt and free including air ambulance if needed. Only identification is required for high quality hospital emergency care and emergency treatment would NEVER be denied to ANYONE. Many doctors do not charge above the government paid fee. The hospitals are owned by the state government or a religious order (funded by the government). So no billionaires there. Our system is far from perfect but we don't have to take a mortgage to spend time in hospital.

So, where's all YOUR money going. It's the old story, "follow the money". I'm willing to bet that the majority (most likely the vast majority) of the money you spend feathers the nests of a lot of people who have nothing to do with actually delivering health care. The problem probably lies in private ownership of essential services. Don't get me wrong, I am quite politically conservative, but profiting from the misfortunes of others is little short of evil.

What can you do about it? I don't know, but a Universal Health Scheme that bypasses the profiteers is probably much closer to the solution than the problem.

[Rocco]

Since our insurance coverage cost is on a sliding scale, the older we get, the more expensive it is. Who can afford to hire an experienced worker with the coverage like that? for medical for our 11 people (boss included) we pay $4000 PER MONTH! If the potus wanted to work on health care, why didn't he start with the insurance companies? Oh, did they help get him elected?

I'll second the motion. Keep that insurance though I expect it's probably basic. Full Blue Cross/shield around here with prescription coverage, etc would be about $1400/month per worker.

[HansonSigns]

http://freetheanimal.com/2012/07/health-care-is-not-insurance.html

I've read some ugly things about the UK's health care system, but this article explained much about the american system..... interesting read.