Can working people take much more of the Fabulous Bush Economy?

[Felix Mala]

My nephew just found out that his contribution to his employer's family health "benefit" will go up 47%, to $370 bi-weekly, starting this Friday. That's for a family of five.

[liberal N proud]

1. WTF: That is extortion

My guess is they employer is trying to price the employees out of the program.
They can say, we offer Health Care but we just don't understand why no one is signed up.

[Felix Mala]

8. At my company, they instructed all married people to leave our

program and join a spouse's program, if at all possible. I didn't think they could do something like that.

[MadMaddie]

2. That's insane...

wait it's going to get better...because companies are trying to figure out a way to eliminate paying for health benefits all together....

[Cobalt Violet]

3. Mine is $300. bi weekly for just me.

That's why I'm unisured.

[European Socialist]

4. If I were a young person, I wouldn't pay that--I'd take my chances.

[purji]

5. charged us almost 900 a month for really crappy insurance.

We have opted out.I cant afford more than half my pay for insurance.
It comes to 10,800 a year. We have been with out health insurance for a year and all the dr.visits we have been to and the two ER visits only comes to 7,000,and we can deduct part of that on our taxes.It just doesn't make sense for us right now.

[specimenfred1984]

6. It's Going to Happen to Everyone Soon

I keep telling people "You are going to lose your health insurance coverage at work", but most don't believe me.

It's what "privatization" is all about in our fascist country, stealing every last cent. Tens of 1000s of people will die as a result before squat is done about it.

[Felix Mala]

7. If I might vent further... My mother retired with a generous drug benefit

she earned from a lifetime (45 years) of HARD WORK. Her carrier has dumped her into the new drug program. It only covers 70% of her medications and she'll be paying 100% of the cost before Summer. She'll really be cutting pills in quarters and thirds by then. I don't think she'll have enough cash to make it to where the other part of the benefit kicks in.

[LSparkle]

9. I feel absolutely fatalistic ...

Like the "American Dream" no longer is within my grasp. I'm seriously doubting our society will be around (in any recognizable form) even 5 years from now ... Noam Chomsky ain't kidding, folks; we're headed down a very, very dark tunnel.

[area51]

10. I hear you.

Concerning healthcare, I fear that the only thing that will spark a wise use of our tax dollars on universal healthcare will be a pandemic.

I don't see much hope for this country regarding enough jobs to go around, unfortunately, considering offshoring/inshoring, and overpopulation.

[jschurchin]

11. Can we all say.....

Single Payer Health Care System!!!!!!!!!

[newscott]

12. I had to give up on dental coverage...

The plan we had where I work would only allow us to go to a dental farm/factory where they just want to take 4 x-rays of everthing and give you fillings.

I now pay my long time dentist cash only. It's cheaper than the plan. At least until my girls need braces anyway.

The medical plan is barely passable. My wife just a had a procedure and we're on the hook for over $800.00.

Yeah, this Bush economy is going great for me.

[greenbriar]

13. HELL NO

we can't

[BigYawn]

14. Which is because currently we have no alternative choices except to

sign up with the employers plan. I can shop for my
auto insurance, why can't I shop for health insurance?
I would much rather the employer paid my health benefit
amount in a Health Savings Account and then I can go shop
for the best deal.

[Stockholm]

15. I just went through the Conservatives "Contract with America"

And this seems like another example where Conservatives have breached that same contract. BTW,I wonder what happened to all those legislative proposals. After 6 years in power, have they really achieved anything?

"The Contract

As Republican Members of the House of Representatives and as citizens seeking to join that body we propose not just to change its policies, but even more important, to restore the bonds of trust between the people and their elected representatives. That is why, in this era of official evasion and posturing, we offer instead a detailed agenda for national renewal, a written commitment with no fine print. This year's election offers the chance, after four decades of one-party control, to bring to the House a new majority that will transform the way Congress works. That historic change would be the end of government that is too big, too intrusive, and too easy with the public's money. It can be the beginning of a Congress that respects the values and shares the faith of the American family. Like Lincoln, our first Republican president, we intend to act "with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right." To restore accountability to Congress. To end its cycle of scandal and disgrace. To make us all proud again of the way free people govern themselves."


http://www.digitas.harvard.edu/~salient/issues/941212/page4.html

:rofl: