Everything Is More Expensive

[pixiedustedme]

https://www.medicaid.gov/about-us/index.html

Many doctors will not take Medicaid, and only a small portion of the population qualifies for Medicaid. Many, many lower middle class people make too much for Medicaid, but also can't afford their prescriptions, copays, & balance payments. So they do not have full access to health care.

 

[TwoMisfits]

Many doctors will not take Medicaid, and only a small portion of the population qualifies for Medicaid. Many lower middle class people make too much for Medicaid, but also can't afford their prescriptions, copays, & balance payments. So they do not have full access to health care.

https://www.medicaid.gov/basic-health-program/index.html

If you are seeking the perfect, that is nowhere in the world...

 

[RamblingMad]

The problem is that employee bargaining power has plummeted since the 80s. We now have horrible 401ks to replace pensions. And we have really expensive healthcare.

Wages have been stagnant for the majority of the population.

Debt has become the way people manage through these issues. And this makes retirement difficult.

We also see a huge gaps between how long people live based on their economic standing.

 

[pixiedustedme]

https://www.medicaid.gov/basic-health-program/index.html

If you are seeking the perfect, that is nowhere in the world...

It is far from the best in the world, which is what you called it.

You said our health care system was the best, citing the example of rich foreigners like Mick Jagger who sometimes choose to come here for care. You then added that everyone has access to it despite their ability to pay. That last part was false even for many basic services. And top-notch providers and clinics that the rich prefer typically do not work with Medicare clients at all.

More and more Americans go overseas, to places we consider 3rd world countries, to have operations & other major treatments done, because they can't afford to have those treatments here.

 

[TwoMisfits]

It is far from the best in the world, which is what you called it.

You said our health care system was the best because rich foreigners like Mick Jagger sometimes choose to come here for care. You then added that everyone has access to it despite of ability to pay. That last part was false.

More and more Americans go overseas, to places we consider 3rd world countries, to have operations & other treatments done, because they can't afford to have those treatments here.

Right, the healthcare is the best - never did I say it was the cheapest, it's far from it. But care is the best. That's why the rich come here for it.

And everyone does have access. You cannot be prevented access if you need care. And we have programs in place to allow everyone care at their ability to pay. Are they perfect? Nope. But as folks on the board from nationalized healthcare countries have mentioned, they also pay for that care in taxes AND THEN extra insurance...so same problem, but even more cost...

Folks go overseas b/c they make choices with their dollars. They choose to carry insurance or not. The best is what the richest pay for. Those going overseas for care are seeking a bargain, not a best. Why do they seek the bargain? Maybe they went without insurance. Maybe they don't want to pay the large co-pay their insurance requires. Maybe they deem the healthcare surgery minor, so they are willing to settle. Maybe we need to ungold-plate some of our care to make it cheaper - but I doubt you'll find anyone who wants to go that route.

 

[pixiedustedme]

Right, the healthcare is the best - never did I say it was the cheapest, it's far from it. But care is the best. That's why the rich come here for it.

First of all, it is not all of the rich who come here for care, it is some. You haven't heard about Paul McCartney coming here for care because he gets his care at home in England.

Secondly, as I've already described in previous posts, everyone here does not have access to care. If you can't afford it, they won't give it to you. They absolutely will deny access to those who can't pay. I have health issues requiring multiple specialists, and none of my doctors' offices offer payment plans. They also don't take Medicare. I'm sure the one Mick Jagger is at doesn't, either.

 

[tvguy]

We now have horrible 401ks to replace pensions. And we have really expensive healthcare.

Wages have been stagnant for the majority of the population.

Debt has become the way people manage through these issues. And this makes retirement difficult.

We also see a huge gaps between how long people live based on their economic standing.

Well, I guess it depends on the 401k plan and the pension plan. My mom got a $400 a month pension for 30 years, so about $144,000 total over 30 years. . My employer match in my 401k is a couple times that, and THAT is money I can take with me now if I leave the job, I don't have to wait 30 years to collect it. 401k plans have gotten much much better since the Feds linked contributions for managers to those for the workers. If your boss now wants a better 401k plan, he has to give you one too.

I'm taking public sector jobs out of the comparison, because their pension plans are bankrupting many state agencies. Not unheard of for a public sector employee to retire with 30 years service at age 48, and get more in pension benefits than they got in salary when they were working.

 

[RamblingMad]

First of all, it is not all of the rich who come here for care, it is some. You haven't heard about Paul McCartney coming here for care because he gets his care at home in England.

Secondly, as I've already described, everyone does not have access to care. If you can't afford it, they won't give it to you. They absolutely will deny access to those who can't pay. I have health issues requiring multiple specialists, and none of my doctors' offices offer payment plans. I'm sure the one Mick Jagger is at doesn't, either.

And most people aren’t rich.

 

[RamblingMad]

Well, I guess it depends on the 401k plan and the pension plan. My mom got a $400 a month pension for 30 years, so about $144,000 total over 30 years. . My employer match in my 401k is a couple times that, and THAT is money I can take with me now if I leave the job, I don't have to wait 30 years to collect it. 401k plans have gotten much much better since the Feds linked contributions for managers to those for the workers. If your boss now wants a better 401k plan, he has to give you one too.

I'm taking public sector jobs out of the comparison, because their pension plans are bankrupting many state agencies. Not unheard of for a public sector employee to retire with 30 years service at age 48, and get more in pension benefits than they got in salary when they were working.

The public sector still has bargaining power. That’s why they have good benefits.

 

[tvguy]

The public sector still has bargaining power. That’s why they have good benefits.

And their bargaining power has nothing to do with the value of their labor, or what's fair. It has to do with politicians wanting to please a large special interest group and get their votes.

 

[kymom99]

The opioid problem is really concentrated in the northeast part of this country. Then we have the measles issue to. The news does do a good job of scaring people.

The problem with ACA is that the plans that are affordable are really expensive. The affordability part of ACA is missing. And the plans get worse each year.

What we really need is price controls.

The opioid crisis in my area is staggering. I'm in Kentucky. So many of the kids I taught are addicts now. And we have students whose parents OD on a regular basis.

 

[RamblingMad]

And their bargaining power has nothing to do with the value of their labor, or what's fair. It has to do with politicians wanting to please a large special interest group and get their votes.

What’s unfair about giving people a proper pension and healthcare?

 

[barkley]

And their bargaining power has nothing to do with the value of their labor, or what's fair

the bargaining power in the case of the sac city teachers is directly related to their value-sac city can't attract or retain quality teachers b/c their wages are substandard to surrounding districts. they lose 2 of 10 new hires on a regular basis and pay disparity is a point on which the teacher’s union and administrators can agree. the public is NOT PLEASED that the district had five times more non-credentialed teachers on staff last school year than five years ago due to the wage disparities, and are putting pressure on the district b/c they are sick to death of paying high taxes to fund sub par schools that waste resources. the district has ADMITTED to overpaying for employee health insurance with the district spokesman saying “We need to come to an agreement with SCTA that overpaying for health insurance plans needs to end. We know that we can save up to $16 million per year by simply shopping for more affordable health plans that offer the same or comparable benefits to the plans we offer now.”

constituents hear of this kind of waste and they put more pressure on the district which gives the teachers more bargaining power.

 

[pixiedustedme]

The public sector still has bargaining power. That’s why they have good benefits.

I work for the public sector (teacher) and have no bargaining power (Texas does not allow unions). We still get health insurance (average) and a pension (the saving grace of our low salary). I think if the legislature removed our pension plan, there would be a severe teacher shortage here, because our pay isn't high enough to compensate for a weak retirement plan. Ruining the state education system is a good way to get kicked out of office, so they don't mess with our pension.

 

[tvguy]

What’s unfair about giving people a proper pension and healthcare?

I want proper and FAIR.

 

[pixiedustedme]

I want proper and FAIR.

It is fair for all workers to get health insurance and a pension. What's unfair is how many workers don't have access to that. Those should be basics given to all workers, not perks reserved for a few.

 

[tvguy]

the bargaining power in the case of the sac city teachers is directly related to their value-sac city can't attract or retain quality teachers b/c their wages are substandard to surrounding districts. they lose 2 of 10 new hires on a regular basis and pay disparity is a point on which the teacher’s union and administrators can agree. the public is NOT PLEASED that the district had five times more non-credentialed teachers on staff last school year than five years ago due to the wage disparities, and are putting pressure on the district b/c they are sick to death of paying high taxes to fund sub par schools that waste resources. the district has ADMITTED to overpaying for employee health insurance with the district spokesman saying “We need to come to an agreement with SCTA that overpaying for health insurance plans needs to end. We know that we can save up to $16 million per year by simply shopping for more affordable health plans that offer the same or comparable benefits to the plans we offer now.”

constituents hear of this kind of waste and they put more pressure on the district which gives the teachers more bargaining power.

Well, we could drink many cases of beer while debating this. My kids went to private school where I learned that a credential has zero to do with how good a teacher is. As one of my daughter's teachers put it when she retired after 40 years, she was too busy educating kids to get a credential.

 

[tvguy]

It is fair for all workers to get health insurance and a pension. What's unfair is how many workers don't have access to that. Those should be basics given to all workers, not perks reserved for a few.

Well that is an issue here given that the benefit package costs the district $20,000 a year per teacher more than surrounding districts. So I think fair is still the word in play. But true, at age 61 (62 in June) I have never had a job that offered a pension or health benefits beyond your term of employment. So I have known for 44 years I would have to pay for those, and save money for that, on a salary almost exactly half what a teacher.......here.....makes. The world needs more personal responsibility.

 

[RamblingMad]

I want proper and FAIR.

Life isn’t fair.

Why would anyone go out of their way to make themselves worse off?

I shouldn’t ask that after seeing the Brexit Referendum.

 

[RamblingMad]

Well that is an issue here given that the benefit package costs the district $20,000 a year per teacher more than surrounding districts. So I think fair is still the word in play. But true, at age 61 (62 in June) I have never had a job that offered a pension or health benefits beyond your term of employment. So I have known for 44 years I would have to pay for those, and save money for that, on a salary almost exactly half what a teacher.......here.....makes. The world needs more personal responsibility.

Because you have no bargaining power, life is far tougher.

Employees need better bargaining power to get a bigger slice of the pie.