Comments on: Obama Blasts McCain’s Brains: “He Just Doesn’t Know.”

By: Ann_C

Ann_C — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 01:07:57 +0000

McConnell,

I checked out the link to GoldenRule Insurance. Read the fine print… “rates are subject to change”. That’s something EVERY health insurance company includes on their policies and PR, and they don’t impose any time limits or spending cap per year on that one little phrase. That’s a floozy legal phrase, beware.

People have been taken in by health insurance companies who point to that one little phrase that gets overlooked on the contract, and when problems arise about insurance costs, the consumer ends up holding the bag. It happens every time, trust me, after being self-employed and running a small business, health insurance companies are the ones mining it for all it’s worth.

BTW, the deductible of $5,000 for a DINK couple living in a major city that I quoted earlier IS on the HIGH deductible-end in order for the couple to keep down premium costs. In some places, Mac, insurance companies think $900/couple/per month premium is LOW. *roll of eyes*

By: Howard

Howard — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 23:25:36 +0000

TALK IS CHEAP … CHECK OBAMA’S RECORD !!!
A candidate’s track record, and associations are always a legitimate issue when running for President. Let’s take a look at the qualifications, judgement, and experience of Obama, who is running for President. Obama had 25 years to fulfill the potential he displayed as a rising start at Harvard Law School … and, how did he live up to that potential? … He chose to align himself with anti-American racist, Jeremiah Wright for TWENTY YEARS … along with Ferrahkan, Rezko, Ayers, and others. As a community organizer, he registered thousands of voters in Chicago … then, when he ran for the state legislature, he took away their votes, by disqualifying his opponent (a black woman) on a technicality. As a U.S. Senator, he voted present 160 times … he never called a meeting on the Afghanistan committee he chaired (although he NOW says we must shift all our military from Iraq to Afghanistan). He claimed Foreign Policy experience from a 9 day whirlwind photo op to 6 countries. And, he spent almost half of his tenure neglecting his responsibilities as a U.S. Senator, so he could run for President. Senator McCain served America honorably for 22 years in the military. He proved his love for America, as well as his honor, integrity and character, by refusing early release as a P.O.W., even while being tortured. He served America as a ‘contributing’ U.S. Senator, working across the aisle, for 20 years. If Obama’s Twentyfive year track record shows he lacks judgement, and can’t be trusted, who cares what he says about Health Care and the Economy! What Obama never learned is Character. He simply can’t be trusted … ask Jeremiah Wright, a friend of 20 years, who Obama betrayed for personal ambition … and, you Obama supporters really think he won’t betray you If he gets elected??? If he gets elected, you Obama supporters will be facing a HUGE disillusionment !!!

By: mcconnell

mcconnell — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 13:43:20 +0000

Which is why I am seriously considering a medical savings account type of approach through Golden Rule Insurance Co. There is no single solution that solves every health issues in America which is why a govt approach or single payer system will simply not work nor give us the many options we need based on a variety of factors. I’d rather have control of my medical expense account and prefer to pay out of my own pocket the lower medical costs but keep the insurance for the more serious and catastrophic events. Why pay $6000 a year when we only attend, as a family, our doctors several times a year? I’d rather pay the lower premium and a higher deductible than the other way around.

http://www.goldenrule.com/health/health-savings.shtml

http://www.hsacenter.com/

By: Ann_C

Ann_C — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 06:15:00 +0000

If you’re self-employed and lucky enough to get individual health insurance thru a PPO and live in a major city, you’d be looking at a $2500 deductible per adult, extra if there are children under 18, plus over $900/mo. premium for a couple in their 40′s, NOT including kids.

Add it up for a DINK couple in their 40′s: $5,000 has to be in a separate bank account to cover the full deductible for both persons should such a scenario arise, in case no medical expenses are drawn before an emergency, then $10,800/yr for health insurance premiums. This just health insurance costs, aside from any medical costs or co-pays. To the tune of $15,800/yr.

Outrageous, you bet.

I know this scenario and it’s outrageous, because the insurance companies keep hiking up the premiums and the deductibles.

And mind you, I’m about as middle class as you can get. The middle class is getting squeezed out of health care choices like a tourniquet squeezing blood out of a turnip.

By: Candy

Candy — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 03:38:03 +0000

Cool read….

Well the French health system doesn’t seem too bad. The commenters at that site are positive too. Apparently one of them doesn’t think the tax is a lot, compared to the USA.

I’m outta here…Watching the loveable losers…..hoping for a miracle….

By: mcconnell

mcconnell — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 02:35:22 +0000

Candy, Clinton tried that during his 8 years in office. If we tried to socialize health care to each and every one of us, we'd be bankrupt right now. Or see very high taxes like in Europe. Which why people in Canada go across the border to get needed and immediate health care in the United States. You literally have to pick a number and wait your turn. Healthcare and Medicaid constitute almost 25% of the entire Federal budget. Click here. PPO is a Preferred Provider Organization, similar to HMO. I have PPO. There are some choices in the PPO but limiting and does not address so much on preventive care which is key on preventing more expensive health care cost down the road. France? Read here. There's a caveat. It may sound good, but....it eventually catchs up to you and the govt. "So far France has been able to hold down the burden on patients through a combination of price controls and increased government spending, but the latter effort has led to higher taxes for both employers and workers. In 1990, 7% of health-care expenditures were financed out of general revenue taxes, and the rest came from mandatory payroll taxes. By 2003, the general revenue figure had grown to 40%, and it's still not enough. The French national insurance system has been running constant deficits since 1985 and has ballooned to $13.5 billion."

By: Candy

Candy — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 01:52:58 +0000

Ok..I’m reading up on Socialist health care horrors. Wow.

I don’t know what to think other than, there has to be something in place that will work and ensures every American can afford it.

By: Candy

Candy — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 01:27:20 +0000

Pretty much so.

I agree, about HMO, Medicaid and Medicare…

But, what’s wrong with PPO?

I dunno, I mean it sounds like Germany has one of the coolest health care system. They say France has the best in the world. So…how is it a socialist nightmare? What’s wrong with Canada’s?

By: Paotie

Paotie — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 01:27:16 +0000

McConnell ..

That is exactly my fear: the national health care system eventually evolving into a socialist state. I do not want more governmental interference with our lives, and there is already LOTS.

And you like Palin because you are a hard-core! Republican!

Hard-core!

I’m just messin’ with ya.

Paotie

By: mcconnell

mcconnell — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 01:18:26 +0000

But are you the only wage earner in the family?

Again, it all boils down to affordable choices which is why we need health care reform and not total govt control of health care. Imagine the cost alone. Fraud and waste are rampant in the Medicare and Medicaid field. My mother was in the health insurance industry before she retired a few years back and she tells me of these stories about HMO, PPO, Medicare, and Medicaid stories that most of us don’t see happening. Govt in health care is simply just not an efficient thing to do. Look at Canada and Europe. It’s a socialism nightmare.