Quote:
Originally Posted by cobra de capell
If millions 'need' health insurance, put them on Medicare until they get back on their feet - those that cannot afford it - put them on Medicaid.
As to private insurance - tweak it - by law - extend Cobra coverage until the covered person secures a new job or goes on Medicare, eliminate pre-existing conditions as a way to turn down coverage, assist self-employed persons to establish 'group coverage' for buying power and about 200 others tweaks that will not cost the government one dime.
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Most people cannot afford Cobra coverage. Extending it is not going to help. I was laid off last year and collected unemployment for 2 weeks before landing a new gig. I qualified for the max unemployment number (about $625 per week back then). Paying for Cobra coverage would have been about $1700 per month.
The unemployment benefit comes to $32500 per year - but that benefit still gets taxed.
The Cobra coverage cost would have been $20500 per year.
Under this scenario a family of 4 with a single income who gets laid off is screwed. Do you decide to pay for medical coverage, or food and a place to live?
Wanting to extend Cobra indicates a lack of understanding of the root cause of the problem; health care is too expensive.
I do not know how to fix this particular scenario without it costing something, but I would like to figure out a way to cover people in this situation until they can get back on their feet. Maybe something like a medical loan plan that works something like unemployment benefits.
A group coverage plan for small business is a good idea and will help reduce administrative costs.
Electronic records will also help reduce costs in the long term, but there will a spike in costs to implement it. HIPAA regs could also make it a bit of a thorny issue, but one that companies familiar with network security could take advantage of. I would not mind seeing some sort of incentive to encourage modernising. This could increase the need for educated people to do this sort of work, and also add jobs.
Steve