Some numbers on the Senate Health Care Bill

[scooterbug44]

I disagree, there may be some disparity over the short term, but over the long term the same market forces at work today that define your pay rate would kick in.

Here's the reality of "market forces" as employers struggle to survive and compete and premiums continue to increase. I used to get 100% reimbursed health insurance, then I got 50%, now I get zero.

 

[Lynnie]

Looking around at all of the fat people stuffing their faces with fast food, eschewing vegetables, and going out of their way to avoid exercise, I don't think that "heterogeneous population" or "open minded about immigration" is the biggest factor in our life expectancy being shorter. :roll:

And, with all that abuse, there is still only a six year spread.

 

[LuciferSam]

And, with all that abuse, there is still only a six year spread.

Only???

 

[Lynnie]

Only???

I guess I look at this from a positive perspective. With all of the abuse, we LAG only by 6 years. There are 48 countries between the USA and the country where the life expectancy is 84, which is China. There is a two year jump between China and #2 country. So, on average there is only a couple of months difference between each.

A large percentage of the top 49 have heart healthy diets. We are large manufacturers of junk food. So, six years doesn't seem like a great spread to me. I could be wrong, though.

 

[drivingtheview]

Total Cost of Wars Since 2001

$935,353,415,967


We could also start there?

Obama could start there in his "war of necessity"?? With all due respect-WE can't do anything.

from mccarthy to mccain it's been one boogeyman after another

Boogeyman McCain = Presidential looser and currently in the fillibuster-less minority party. What is Obama???

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/01/world/asia/01orders.html - Obama Issues Order for More Troops in Afghanistan

 

[LuciferSam]

I guess I look at this from a positive perspective. With all of the abuse, we LAG only by 6 years. There are 48 countries between the USA and the country where the life expectancy is 84, which is China. There is a two year jump between China and #2 country. So, on average there is only a couple of months difference between each.

A large percentage of the top 49 have heart healthy diets. We are large manufacturers of junk food. So, six years doesn't seem like a great spread to me. I could be wrong, though.

I believe 5 years is the standard by which a person is considered a survivor of serious medical procedures like cancer treatment.

 

[30ashopper]

Here is one site I visited, of course just like you I can't verify the accuracy of the contents.

The World Health Organization's ranking of the world's health systems

http://www.cato.org/pubs/bp/bp101.pdf

 

[sullygromo]

I'd suggest talking to your employer about switching insurers. I'm in a similar boat, I have blue cross from california. They link up with blue cross of florida so my network of preferred is pretty wide.

I think removing barriers that prevent insurers from competing across state lines (along with basic coverage regulation) will help address this. Both the house bill and the current senate draft support this. Some states are balking at this change however as it will undermine state level regulation. Tricky stuff.

Why should this fall to the employer? We don't have enough on our plate with the taxes we pay?

Seriously though, my company is HQ'd in Ohio, I have several employees in Maine and NJ, and I am here in FL. Our ins. plan is based in Ohio where the majority of the employees are. If I were to switch insurers to accommodate the Maine or NJ groups, the majority in Ohio would be SOL. That doesn't really seem fair either.....

 

[Lynnie]

I believe 5 years is the standard by which a person is considered a survivor of serious medical procedures like cancer treatment.

OK. I think I understand what you are saying. Life expectancies/mortality tables are based upon all data inclusive of disease, right? And, are also averages.

I just took this little test; my life expectancy is 105. I am not changing anything.....keeping all of my habits. Interesting!

Living To 100 Life Expectancy Calculator

 

[Lynnie]

Why should this fall to the employer? We don't have enough on our plate with the taxes we pay?

Seriously though, my company is HQ'd in Ohio, I have several employees in Maine and NJ, and I am here in FL. Our ins. plan is based in Ohio where the majority of the employees are. If I were to switch insurers to accommodate the Maine or NJ groups, the majority in Ohio would be SOL. That doesn't really seem fair either.....

Typically, The Blues won't cross state lines without member agreements.

Depending upon the size of your group (more than 20 and perhaps fewer than 100), you could get a better plan from a 'national' carrier like Aetna or Cigna and have preferred docs/facilities in more states.