Posted on 07/31/2007 9:52:42 AM PDT by SirLinksalot
Only Fred Thompson is allowed to change his mind.
Since he seems to be proposing the deduction not only on insurance but also on medical expenses, it seems like you wouldn’t have to be eligible under the stupid 7% rule in order to qualify.
It would be a help, but no, it wouldn’t solve your problem.
Kidd...beat me to it. It is “scoialism in a different package” giving a large tax break to buy insurance.
Smells more of the Mitt Romney “MittCare” plan that forces everyone to buy insurance.
Business Socialism...forcing people (in various ways) to buy health insurance...is no different than the People’s Socialism way that forces you to buy govt insurance.
You really want health reform...get rid of insurance. Let people and business form Medical Savings Accounts....tax-free with no limits on $$$ of accounts or interest accrued (as long as it is spent on healthcare). Let emplouers and employees set the market on healthcare...only limit on this plan would be what healthcare is denied.
Neither socialized medicine, or, our present US system will work. And RudyCare and MittCare are just as scary as HillaryCare and BreckGirl Care
OK, sounds like a plan, and I’d support if - Congress and every gubmint employee gives up their current gubmint paid healthcare plan and does the same damn thing.
Will never happen.
On the contrary, this plan finally gives employed people an option. They get a deduction for weaning off their employers' health care to buy their own instead.
I do not get any rebates from the IRS, period. I do not itemize deductions. BTW, do you know how much RG’s program will cost?
I do not get any rebates from the IRS, period. I do not itemize deductions. BTW, do you know how much RG’s program will cost?
Interesting idea, but I must ask this question, does this mean that government employees will no longer be provided paid health insurance too? Doesn’t rudy have gov’t provided health insurance for his time serving as mayor of NY and time and as a gov’t prosecutor? What about retirees? on the gov’t dole?
In many businesses, that does account for volume discounts. But the difference in Medical costs can be 4 times greater for an individual than an insurance company. Are we to believe that 4/5th's of medical costs are selling expenses?
What's really required to sell a medical customer? Location, and Reputation of care. Oh and being in the Insurance companies network, which is usually only found out AFTER the customer attempts to obtain care from a provider.
We have those already - they’re called HSA accounts.
I agree.
I think the cost of health-care will subside some when the pharmaceutical companies stop charging Americans double or triple the cost for medications sold to other countries and/or stop running prime-time commercials for their medications.
In one program sitting - you can easily be convinced you have E.D., RLS, Depression, overactive bladder, and a host of other diseases - all because of the non-stop advertising. Really makes you wonder how many people are really sick or are just made to think they are by power of suggestion....
Just my humble little opinion....
Okay, you don’t like Giuliani and I won’t try to change your mind because I know it’s futile. But Rudy is no liberal.
I'm sure they are included in those who will be given the option.
That is...they can buy their own insurance and take the deduction...or continue in their current employee-provided (in this case Gov't) plan.
Answer...turn the TV off. If you feel sick because of medical ads, it’s your own fault.
Cost ? Nothing - since taxes are taken from individuals, not the government.
He isn’t suggesting that the government pay for your insurance, you would, with pre-tax dollars. Unless you think paying less in taxes is a “cost” to the government, in which case you need to revisit your conservative credentials, this doesn’t cost the government anything except in lower tax collections.
Maybe you think tax cuts are costly government programs ?
This is probably the one thing I can agree with Guiliani about.
You think that my employer will give me a raise now for something that they no longer have to pay for? I don’t. So now his plan has just increased my cash outlay every year and its a deduction, not a credit so I may get back 0.30 cents on every dollar.
Are we talking about the same issue?
I am talking about the difference between buying a policy as an individual and buying it as part of a “recognized group” (usually a place of employment).
In both cases it involves buying from an insurance company.
But you said “greater for an individual than an insurance company”, so I’m not sure we’re talking about the same thing here.
You're not getting a raise. Your medical dollars are being transferred to your own control.
I work for a health insurance carrier. You are the one that does not get it. The high cost of health care today is not because of lack of choice but utilization. People are over using the health care system.
A #15 generic drug would work fine for most people but they see the latest drug comercial on TV and DEMAND their doctor put them on the $300 per month R/X because they are not paying for it.
MY local BC/BS has over 225 plans to pick from BTW
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