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Does anyone know why there are apparently only two possible solutions to the bus strike - paying more taxes, or giving workers less money? It seems like in everything I have read, people generally accept without question that the price of health insurance needs to increase each year. Whether the employer is a large company or a government agency, workers are being told "We can't afford to increase your wages because we are paying so much more for your health benefits." But I have yet to read anyone saying to the health insurance companies, "We can't afford to give you 18 percent more money to do the same thing you did for us last year." Can't the Met Council negotiate lower premiums? Why shouldn't Alina, Blue Cross Blue Shield and Health Partners "share the pain" of the state's budget problems? They don't have any 'fat' to trim? As far as I can tell, a lot of health care costs are more or less fixed: buildings, equipment, supplies, salaries, etc. So what difference does it make if some people go to the doctor a lot more often than necessary? That would only increase health care costs if there are a lot more people who do that this year compared to last, which I find hard to believe. If I make an appointment, I spend a few minutes talking to a receptionist, a few more minutes talking to the nurse and a few minutes talking to a doctor. If I wasn't there that day, wouldn't all of those health care workers be doing something else? If I and 50 other people start going in once a month instead of once a year, are they going to hire more staff? If we all go somewhere else are they going to lay people off? I really doubt it. But when the health insurance companies say they are increasing their prices, everyone just shrugs and says "I guess they need it, so we better give it to them." I would love to see some attempt to negotiate lower premiums as a possible resolution to this strike. Jon Fure, St. Paul _____________________________________________ SPPS Budget Reduction Forum - Feb. 23-27 Co-Sponsored By NEAT: http://www.stpaulneat.org/ _____________________________________________ NEW ADDRESS FOR LIST: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul Archive Address: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/
