Comments on: Taxes To Pay For Health Care Reform

By: Jim Sugden

Jim Sugden — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 18:42:47 +0000

It’s possible to rearrange the tax code to fairly tax recipients of high end health plans. Here’s how:
1. Make the premium dollar value all employer-paid health benefits reportable as income.
2. Give everyone a standard health insurance deduction or credit based on their geographic location (zip code)
3. Any amount of dollar value froman employer plan or any excess individual premium will wind up as part of the individaul’s taxable income.
Of course, this can only be accomplised fairly after reform passes and individuals can change coverage to less expensive options if they wish.

jls

By: Tom Ellison

Tom Ellison — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 16:06:51 +0000

I think people should be required to fill out an advance healthcare directive when applying for Medicare. If 65-year-olds had to stop for a minute and choose whether or not they wanted end-of-life heroics– which accounts for a huge portion of our overall healthcare expenses and is no fun for the patient either (think feeding tubes)– I’m sure the vast majority would choose less aggressive/less expensive options like hospice. Most older folks would gladly forego that extra 3 weeks of life in the ICU and save themselves and our national healthcare budget a great deal of pain.

Is this idea so simple it hasn’t even been considered?

By: Jay

Jay — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 23:57:02 +0000

Almost everybody I talk to anymore is requesting at least a $3,000 deductible, and a lot of people immediately request a $5,000 deductible. This is a HUGE difference from even just two years ago when people were afraid of how much they would have to pay if something happened. Now, with the higher premiums, it's not just the smart shoppers that know the only reason they're getting it is to keep from going bankrupt. Anybody with the idea that they wanted "top shelf coverage" have a change of heart when they first get quotes and see the prices. Even the lousy plans at the top are too expensive, and that's pretty sobering. They say they thought they could pick out the best plan like it was any other product they shop for online or at the store. But then the phone rings... "how does it work that it doesn't cost to have a broker? .......... okay then, I'd like to only pay this much and I'm willing to have a higher deductible - what can I get?" (those who like to share their views on the politics of the whole health care situation, please don't hesitate to write a guest blog post.