Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : A US National Health Care System? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Lane3 who wrote (19972)	11/11/2010 5:36:17 PM
From: i-node	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 42652

I have long been in favor of getting the employer out of the health care business and have so argued on this thread. There are lots of arguments for that. Given a choice I'd rather see the government out first. But the reality is that employer sponsored policies do have some positive consequences. For example, they cause the competition amongst insurers to be fierce in many situations. And they also contribute to improved efficiency (as a result of that competition). You could have employers provide vouchers to employees, but that would take some of those positives away. Other than that, the only way you'd ever get rid of employer sponsored policies is to replace them with government sponsored ones, which would undoubtedly be the wrong direction to move.

To: Lane3 who wrote (19972)	11/12/2010 2:18:08 PM
From: gg cox	Respond to of 42652

<<I have long been in favor of getting the employer out of the health care business and have so argued on this thread. There are lots of arguments for that. >> The major argument against that, is employee health care benefits are tax exempt to the employee. The self employed, or employed without health care plan, must pay for their health care plan ..after tax... not a fair playing field. That is why many employment, or leaving company decisions, revolve around.. Who is paying for, or will be paying for health care. It is in American conversations all the time. For employees of company provided health care, they should be thankful that your government hasn't """meddled""<g> and start charging the tax on this benefit.This is probably being looked at presently, along with mortgage deductibility...but fear not, your government is in gridlock and unable to deliver strong medicine, when needed... until the eventual train wreck.