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Cheese Headcases - Wisconsin reveals the cost of "universal" health care.
OpinionJournal.com ^ | July 24, 2007 | Editorial Staff

Posted on 07/23/2007 9:05:29 PM PDT by gpapa

When Louis Brandeis praised the 50 states as "laboratories of democracy," he didn't claim that every policy experiment would work. So we hope the eyes of America will turn to Wisconsin, and the effort by Madison Democrats to make that "progressive" state a Petri dish for government-run health care.

This exercise is especially instructive, because it reveals where the "single-payer," universal coverage folks end up. Democrats who run the Wisconsin Senate have dropped the Washington pretense of incremental health-care reform and moved directly to passing a plan to insure every resident under the age of 65 in the state. And, wow, is "free" health care expensive. The plan would cost an estimated $15.2 billion, or $3 billion more than the state currently collects in all income, sales and corporate income taxes. It represents an average of $510 a month in higher taxes for every Wisconsin worker.

(Excerpt) Read more at opinionjournal.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial; Government; US: Wisconsin
KEYWORDS: costs; healthcare; romneylegacy; socializedmedicine; wisconsin
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To: gpapa
The plan would cost an estimated $15.2 billion, or $3 billion more than the state currently collects in all income, sales and corporate income taxes.

How about if Wisconsin starts taxing the adjacent states, Michigan, Illinois, Iowa and Minnessotta? Sooner rather than later, as I can see half the population of those states heading for Wisconsin, anyway...

Just saying.

21 posted on 07/23/2007 11:04:40 PM PDT by Publius6961 (MSM: Israelis are killed by rockets; Lebanese are killed by Israelis.)
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To: durasell
This is a hideously bad idea. It puts states in competition with each other to attract businesses. Poor states will suffer a huge drain.

That's nothing compared to the competition to attract welfare and free-stuff types.
Wisconsin is not likely to get any competition in that area anytime soon...

22 posted on 07/23/2007 11:07:20 PM PDT by Publius6961 (MSM: Israelis are killed by rockets; Lebanese are killed by Israelis.)
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To: durasell
What part of $510 more a month for every worker in Wisconsin didn't you understand?
23 posted on 07/23/2007 11:09:44 PM PDT by Publius6961 (MSM: Israelis are killed by rockets; Lebanese are killed by Israelis.)
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To: Publius6961

Welfare recipients are already taken care of via medicaid and clinics, etc.


24 posted on 07/23/2007 11:37:03 PM PDT by durasell (!)
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To: Publius6961

So figure 5,000 bucks a year. Still cheaper than private insurance.


25 posted on 07/23/2007 11:37:57 PM PDT by durasell (!)
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To: gpapa
I'd love to know if this includes coverage for illegals. Still it begs the question: how will all this "free" health care be paid for? The total amount exceeds the entire Wisconsin state budget. Like that has deterred the Democrats.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

26 posted on 07/23/2007 11:41:43 PM PDT by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives In My Heart Forever)
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To: gpapa

That’s one reason I love Texas. Legislature meets only every 2 years - keeps em hogtied as best we can. No state income tax, even though the Dems drool over the thought.


27 posted on 07/24/2007 2:04:44 AM PDT by txzman (Jer 23:29)
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To: durasell
So figure 5,000 bucks a year. Still cheaper than private insurance.

To be more exact, it's $6120 a year. That is cheaper than private insurance for me but not for a younger person. The problem is that this value places the entire burden on workers and is determined upon their present population makeup. Such a policy would attract non-working outsiders to their state who would thus drive that cost up. Much like our present problems with the illegals.

28 posted on 07/24/2007 2:48:19 AM PDT by chopperman
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To: durasell
This is a hideously bad idea. It puts states in competition with each other to attract businesses. Poor states will suffer a huge drain.

States are ALWAYS competing for business. It means states that avoid this idea, and keep their taxes lower will profit. The REAL danger is a NATIONAL policy that does this to "prevent business from avoiding it".
29 posted on 07/24/2007 3:06:44 AM PDT by Kozak
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To: durasell
...and the vast majority of doctors know precious little about public health policy.

And from your previous comment about "poor states" losing out neither do you.
30 posted on 07/24/2007 3:08:30 AM PDT by Kozak
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To: Kozak

don’t come to nj.....wisconsin is a free state in comparison!!!


31 posted on 07/24/2007 3:30:25 AM PDT by nyyankeefan
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To: durasell

The cost will AVERAGE $510 per month per employee - but it is a TAX, not a premium. Earn twice the average income? Guess what? You’ll be paying for the health care refugees and illegal immigrants who don’t work, don’t work legally, or earn less.


32 posted on 07/24/2007 5:00:31 AM PDT by LouD
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To: rickdylan

Rosendale gives tickets 1 mile over the speed limit.


33 posted on 07/24/2007 5:02:14 AM PDT by afraid
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To: Publius6961
That's not correct; It's $510 for the average worker - but its a tax, not a premium. Earn more, pay more...
34 posted on 07/24/2007 5:02:41 AM PDT by LouD
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To: Kozak

And suppose I’m a person with major health issues, and no covergae, and minimal assets...where am I going to move to...?//Duh!!!


35 posted on 07/24/2007 5:09:00 AM PDT by ken5050
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To: txzman

BS. The cities in that state nickel and dime you for everything. State and local fees are outrageous. They tried to get me for 1200 dollars because if an expired inspection ticket. Some new law about owing the state the price your ticket was + the same amount FOR THREE YEARS. Texas WAS a good state.


36 posted on 07/24/2007 5:10:01 AM PDT by afraid
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To: durasell
So figure 5,000 bucks a year. Still cheaper than private insurance.

Does "every worker" include all the fast food workers and kids currently on dad's insurance?

37 posted on 07/24/2007 5:10:42 AM PDT by D Rider
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To: D Rider

Yes.

Myself i make around 28k a year and it would cripple me.


38 posted on 07/24/2007 5:15:07 AM PDT by afraid
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To: Diana in Wisconsin
PING!

Comments?

39 posted on 07/24/2007 5:22:20 AM PDT by AFreeBird (Will NOT vote for Rudy. <--- notice the period)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin
PING!

Comments?

40 posted on 07/24/2007 5:22:27 AM PDT by AFreeBird (Will NOT vote for Rudy. <--- notice the period)
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