kholt: I think that's where we were talking past each other. You're from Government background, and I'm from private industry. You come from a background where the Government pays much of the freight. I don't...
I've always said that because TAXPAYERS are all part of the same US Taxpayer Company that pays the taxes, and therefore, the cost of every single penny that the Government pays out to someone else is borne by the taxpayers, that the TAXPAYERS should have access to the same medical insurance programs the Government employees have access too. (And therefore access to the larger Government risk pool.)
So this stands: My idea has never been for the employees to pay the government, but for those employees and/or companies to pay whatever insurance company they choose.
I was, but in the context above: I could have sworn you were advocating participation in the federal employees' program. If not, you and I sure had some surreal discussions on the subject.
KLP: yes, this would work: except there would be a much greater variety of programs available and at cheaper costs.
The Government would allow the present Insurance companies that already have government contracts to open them to ALL taxpayers.....The taxpayers would receive the same benefits as government workers, from whatever program they signed up to, and the taxpayers would pay the premiums to the insurance companies, as they do now. So, how would that come about without the government managing the process of signing up insurers and negotiating contracts like they do now for the federal program?
There is one big problem with this however....What about the people who don't pay any Federal Taxes....?
These people need insurance, but I sure as heck don't think they should have free insurance in addition to paying zero Federal taxes. The premiums should come from their welfare checks, BEFORE they get those welfare checks. Then they will be covered too. |
