[Winona Online Democracy] Wow! Paul and Terri have experiences at opposite ends of the spectrum. Are there others out there willing to share their perspectives? I know I have been in the position of having no health inurance or only catastrophic illness-type insurance ($1000 deductable) because my employer did not offer it. I worked at an agency too small to even be considered a "group" at the time.
I'm also aware from my husband's small business that the premiums have leapt some outrageous percentage over the past few years (?40%? maybe someone more knowledgable can confirm or give more accurate numbers). With the current economy, this is one of the areas that business owners can control. Passing the cost or a portion of the cost of premiums to employees gives them a choice and benefits families fortunate enough to have both spouses employed in jobs with access to health insurance. With the kind of increases in premiums that the insurance companies charge, it's either this or not even have the jobs--a 40% increase to this one item is a huge payroll expense for small businesses and agencies struggling to make ends meet (and school districts and counties, etc.) I think Paul's ideas about doing away with health insurance are great, but I don't know how to get a critical mass of people willing to risk that kind of change. I also am confused about the comment about getting the money in "one's pocket" vs. for insurance. Paul, didn't your plan include some sort of deduction to a health care fund? I know that over time, if you didn't need it for health care, you could cash out, but I don't know if that would seem like it's in "my pocket". Maybe it's just the way I think about my "designated" funds--my retirement fund doesn't feel like it's in my pocket either, but it's a lot more mine than the investment company's!!!! Kathy Seifert _______________________________________________ This message was posted to Winona Online Democracy All messages must be signed by the senders actual name. No commercial solicitations are allowed on this list. To manage your subscription or view the message archives, please visit http://mapnp.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/winona Any problems or suggestions can be directed to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] If you want help on how to contact elected officials, go to the Contact page at http://www.winonaonlinedemocracy.org
