You've got to wonder, when you ask a simple question and no one seems to want to answer it.
We're being asked to buy a vision of a better tomorrow when we go to the polls and vote on Tuesday. But truth be told, as usual, we really don't know what we're buying and we certainly don't know the price. We've got a vague promise.
We're being assured help is on the way. At long last, healthcare in the richest country on the planet will be guaranteed and AFFORDABLE. Americans will finally have what the rest of the civilized world takes for granted. But as far as I know, neither candidate has given us a simple definition of the word "affordable".
Clinton says she will "cap health insurance premiums".
Does that mean I should breathe a sigh of relief because I won't be paying much more than say $8000-$9000 a year?Sorry, Senator Clinton, this does me no good at all. None whatsoever!
Even worse, I'm making a calculated guess that health insurance premiums will sharply escalate, while the insurers get their final licks, before the Democratic president is able to take action and sign into law healthcare reform legislation.
You can take it to the bank, that the Murder By Spreadsheet industry will bludgeon us with sharp premium increases as they end game the handwriting on the wall.
Equally important, I gather both Senator Clinton and Senator Obama intend to open the FEHBP to all of us. Well this sounds okay. It's not what it should be--namely single-payer, but it's certainly affordable heavily taxpayer subsidized. Or is it? Are we going to receive the exact same subsidies as our (ahem), representatives?
HERE'S THE QUESTION: IF A CITIZEN ENROLLS IN THE FEHBP, WILL WE PAY THE SAME RATES AS FEDERAL EMPOYEES?
Senator Obama and Senator Clinton, should we all call our Congressperson and find out what he or she pays for their "Cadillac Healthcare", and make the assumption that we'll pay exactly the same monthly premiums they pay?
I'm urging you to look at this! It's an overview of the rates paid by federal employees for taxpayer subsidized healthcare. Once again, I am not for a nano second suggesting that the taxpayers should not heavily subsidize federal employees. This is fine. I'm asking whether we'll all receive these benefits and these prices?
You must understand, that these are the rates paid by the Congresspeople who deny us coverage.
I want to know, whether, with President Obama or President Clinton, will you and I pay these identical rates? Why won't anyone answer this question?
Senator Obama, I beg you, sir, please define affordable. This is what Obama said last night:
What they're struggling with is they can't afford the health care. And so I emphasize reducing costs. My belief is that if we make it affordable, if we provide subsidies to those who can't afford it, they will buy it.
http://www.cnn.com/...
I urge everyone who reads this dairy, to go to this state by state FEHBP link, and see what you would pay as a Federal employee. Since Obama proposes to open this program to all of us, would someone in authority from Team Obama, please let us know what we'll be paying?
Would someone in a position of authority from Team Clinton please explain how a "rate cap freeze" helps someone paying $8000 a year for individual health insurance or a family paying perhaps $2000 a month for family coverage?
This is what Senator Clinton said last night. It's wonderful that the Congressional health plan will be available to us. But notice that she doesn't say whether we'll pay exactly what they pay. As they say, the devil is in the details.
Just a number, Senator Clinton, how much? Capping my premium at $10,000 a year for junk insurance is worth nothing to me and millions of desperate Americans. Is this what you're proposing? Am I missing something?
So, if you are satisfied, you're not one of the people who will necessarily, at this time, take advantage of what I'm offering. But if you are uninsured or underinsured, we will open the congressional health plan to you.
Contrary to the description that Barack just gave, we actually will make it affordable for everyone, because my plan lowers costs aggressively, which is important for us all; improves quality for everyone, which is essential. And the way it covers all of those who wish to participate in the congressional plan is that it will provide subsidies, and it will also cap premiums, something that is really important, because we want to make sure that it is affordable for all.
So, when you draw the distinction that, "Well, it's not affordable, therefore people will have to be made to get it," well, the fact is, it has been designed to be affordable with health care tax credits.
http://www.cnn.com/...
Message to Camp Clinton and Camp Obama. I want numbers,not vague promises. I want those numbers before I vote on Tuesday.