Before and After – Charting Government Regulation of Health Plans

by Brad Peck

Below is a chart showing the current regulation of health plans. Roll over it to see what government regulation looks like in House healthcare reform bill.  Then roll out, then over, then out, then over…makes you kind of nauseous doesn't it?  Actually just sitting on the second one makes me queasy. Click on the image or here to read both charts.

// Welcome uschamber.com Weekly readers. There appears to be some confusion about the Chamber's position. We strongly support health reform -- achieved in a responsible way. See this Commentary for details.

Comments

[dsads]

spend to concoct this ridiculous chart? Or did you just pocket your share of the take? The only thing confusing about the proposed healthcare plan is why we have to endure resistance from the Chamber, when it's your job to look out for our interests, and help us provide affordable healthcare to our families and our employees. My taxes have not gone up, but my healthcare costs went up 15% this year alone. Your stupid chart doesn't mention that.

[Ed Dieringer]

Healthcare reform or not... healthcare and healthcare insurance, based on the very nature of their function in our society are already very highly regulated. Brad Peck's article is balderdash; he is either simply uneducated or spreading negative propoganda for some other intent. The issue is not about government regulation. The issue is about leveling the playing field for all while decreasing costs. These issues are best addressed through the current healthcare insurers, first, being held accountable for their contribution to rising healthcare costs, then actually providing a system of payment that promotes quality over lowest payment per visit, universalizes and simplifies billing/payment methodologies, and stops its systematic or bufooneric nonpayment and delay of payment of claims. As a provider, I see these things add a significant cost to healthcare (that are the low hanging fruit) that could easily be fixed to start our reduction in cost and added regs. But, again, insurers would have to admit to their responsibility for their contribution to the ever rising cost of healthcare.

[Tracy Miller]

There are no scare tactics. The bill lays it all out. A new system of rationed health care, increased bureacracy and more taxes.

Does that sound like a solution to you? Do you really trust the government will not ration and will not decide who gets treated based on pre-existing conditions.

Does anyone believe the "public option" is going away? Even if they take it out, it will be brought in a back door. They are still regulating a great deal of the medical industry. We are broke and cannot afford it. If the liberals cared about the little people so much, why didn't they prop this up instead of bailouts?

[Steve]

Here's my plan - let's have a Beta test before we roll this out to the whole country. Let's pick a state like say... the speaker of the house's home state of California. We'll let them try it out for a couple of years, if it works we will all be demanding that our Congressman give us the same privilege - if it fails then the doctors will practice in other states, Californians will seek treatment elsewhere, and Californians will be demanding that get another option.

[rk]

I have been listening to some of the Congress-people trying to face down their constituents with obviously crafty talking points.

Despite the clear anger and the people actually coming out to their townhalls they seem committed to passing a big bill. Sure, they'll tweak it with just enough tweaks to make it look "different", and in five years we'll all be in a government plan.

And yes, Medicare will be cut, and Drs. will be harder to find. The Left is going to give us this weather we want it or not....because they can.

[Lynne N]

There is hope! Thankfully here is a powerful group taking on Obama's sneaky tactics to choke the life out of this country. There are better answers to Obama's health "reform" garbage plans. Maybe there is a chance the authoritarian president will not shove his insane ideas down the throats of congress before they have a chance to chew on them. Pretty strange coming from a "community organizer" who worked for years to get people to dialogue.

[JK]

We already have a "public option" health insurance program. It's call Medicaid -- and it's breaking the states as well as the federal goverment.

Congress: Stop playing Robin Hood with other people's money. Offer incentives for Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and allow small businesses to pool together to lower premiums.

Liberals: Quit whining and defend the free-market system if you love the country you call home.

[Taj]

Please keep scaring the bajesus out of the people. The private sector brought us the current system, which is a shame. Now my insurance company tells me what medicine to take and not to take. I am not afraid if my insurance company decision maker is replaced by a government decision maker.

You can keep scaring people, I see through your scare tactics.

[David C]

I am a "refugee" from England with many relatives there and I can assure you it is not the answer. People wait months and months for surgery that would be done within weeks here and many don't make it through that long a wait. You don't see Americans streaming to England or Canada for medical work as you see them coming here for the best medical care in the world. It may need some remodelling, but it doesn't need demolition.

[Bill]

Once again the chamber's position is big business. Big insurance, big pharma. I bet that the chamber employees have health care paid for by my membership fees. I on the other hand pay over 12 thousand dollars a year for 2 healthy people. To insure 4 employees we pay slightly less than 3 thousand a month. The insurance companies are greedy, rewarding employees that are able to deny claims. If a government plan is not available in some form, the insurance companies will continue to price fix and screw even more people when all are required to have insurance.

If a government run program is going to be so bad, the private insurance will get all of the business. Why should they worry?

[Bill Willis - Edinburgh, Indiana 46124]

The thought of a government takeover of anything, especially the private sector is "scary" and will result in economic and social disaster for this country and exploit every aspect of our personal lives. As a small business owner I agree we need to identify and reform the present heathcare system but ONLY thorough the private sector such as tort reform, a partial self funded options, being able to seek health coverages across state borders (creating competition) and maintaining existing health coverage even with job loss or change. The public beurocracy will only drive up costs, be less efficient, ration coverage and eliminate the private option (monopolize) which is consistent with their track record and seeming asperations. Thanks for launching the "Defending Free Enterprise" campaign in your August issue! You have my full support.

[Bill Newton]

I am a Chamber member, board member and small business, you are not being an honest broker on our behalf in the Healthcare reform discussion. I am also a Blue Cross health insurance insured, I can not get reimbursed for basic care! I all doctors quit filing insurance forms and made us all pay cash and have us deal with insurers, we would have a new plan in a month. If all of our Federal Employees and Congress have insurance plans, why can't we get that plan?

[Matt]

If you look carefully, all this "regulation" is the result of trying to set up a relatively free and fair market. If you want a simple system, let's have a single payer system like Canada! Since that's "politically impossible" this is what we're left with. But it's better than the current system by far. The health care we have in America now is like what our education system would be without public education: only for the wealthy! Complain about the failures of the public education system all you want; try to imagine this country without it! "Free" public education is a pillar of democracy - a basic human right. Similarly, some basic provision must be made for all Americans' health care needs.

[Jon Olson]

I really am disappointed and frankly annoyed with with your biased and dishonest commentary. How can you defend the current system as one that is good for small business. Big insurance companies yes - small business people - you've got to be kidding.

[Winsome]

We need health care reform and anything the Government is trying to do cannot be worst than what we have now.

[Adele Sutherland]

It is beyond belief that our government refuses to accept what they are attempting to force on the citizens of the United States. It appears that we have no say in our lives. If our elected officials including the president refuse to accept this government controlled healthcare then why would I. It appears that from previous statements by Obama he wants to eventually faze out all private insurers. Does this mean that he too will eventually be on this disasterous plan? Why not take the money and fix the VA, Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security? Obama is an arrogant liar and it's really a shame that so many are still not on to him. Main stream media better wake up because their lives will also be greatly affected.
Everyone references ailing parents, well how about spouses that have devastating strokes in their early years. You lose everything you worked for and qualify for nothing. Charity is reserved for illegals and welfare cheats, not for simple folks that worked for years, saved and planned for the future. You just get wiped out financially and consider yourself fortunate if you can continue to work and support your household. If you haven't lived it you just don't know.
This is probably the most frightening thing that our government has done and I for one am sick and tired of not being heard.
I don't care how many years of Harvard this president has under his belt; he has no common sense! and he's going to destroy the country I know.

[Greg Brainerd]

This is simple. The Federal Employees have an insurance plan where they get to pick their plan from a multitude of options from different companies. The risk pool is huge, so the insurers can accurately predict the exposure. Everybody is eligible and there are no pre-existing condition exclusions. There are dozens of plans from varying companies so the consumer can pick the desired coverage. The competition is fierce so the pricing is attractive.
The government doesn't run the program, so the bureauracracy is minimal. The procedures are proven and the infrastructure is mostly in place. Open that plan to everyone in the country and we'll have free market, affordable insurance. Some will choose to be uninsured, but that will be the case no matter what.

You've got to have competition from the private sector. If the government takes responsibility, the costs will explode.

Private insurance has failed to meet the needs of the people because of over regulation. Regulations tend to benefit the biggest players. They use that benefit to squeeze the competition and the insured. Let the insurance companies be at each others throats instead of at the throats of the consumers. That's competition!

[Harold HB Brown]

I am deeply concerned when our leaders advocate doing everything "Quickly" without even reading the bill.

There are some Solid Fundamental rules of wise decision making that are being Violated:

1. NEVER SIGN anything without reading it first.

2. If the answer has to be "Now or Never", then the answer is NEVER.

[Michael]

I am so angry that many people can blindly put faith in an organization that has an approval rating less than 20%; has an inherit conflict of interests; has no or minimal expertise; and has failed repeatedly. Is it hope, desperation, ignorance? The point is you are free to make your choices and trade your freedom for perceived security. Thank you, but I would prefer that you wouldn’t blindly give my freedoms and liberties away; or take my hard earned money to sponsor programs that may provide temporary psychological relief but are destine for failure (do the math… the expenses exceed the revenue). And yes, we should do something. Washington is hoping that they scare us enough to panic us and to divide us, so they can take more control. The only thing Congress does well is get re-elected (they make the rules). We need to change our political system before we can effectively change healthcare. At this juncture, Washington is distracting us. Thus, there is no political will to change for the better… just change for votes and control.

[scott carlson]

Help! I am losing employees to Canada. They all want to move there away from the pollution and to get better health care. They talk about Vancover as having a higher standard of living, cleaner air and a longer life expectancy.

[Perry Korse]

Health care coverage for everybody is absolutely great. Healthy American are more productive Americans than sickly Americans.It's good for the GDP and don't you forget it.

Of course, some (TBD%) will feel that it will benefit self destructive life styles of a few others(TBD%). Please help me with this percentage. Just the facts, please, no political spin.

Thanks you,
Business Owner

[Jon Hoyt]

I am simply amazed at the number of business owners that believe that the government could run anything better than a private competitive company. If there is no competition now, it is because of the current regulation in place. Tell me how there could otherwise be a market where the excessive profits many of you describe would not attract new competitors. I don't know how or why you are in business in the first place if you believe the government can do it better!

[bill]

"business owner" what the hell do you mean? Business is largely responsible for this situation by cloaking higher healthcare costs from their actual consumer until such time that they can no longer afford it. Just as it is with income and employment taxes, we deduct them from our employees paychecks before they ever get a chance to miss it and then live under the governments threat to collect it. Your employee's healthcare is their responsibility. You going to buy them a house and a car next? How about put their kids through college too. You're not their daddy and you shouldn't try to be. If individuals were out shopping for their own insurance instead of relying on us to "take care of them" maybe this would have stopped a long time ago. Just like the way governmnet has been allowed to grow, by carrot and mostly stick, forcing employers to deduct these taxes. Do you think they could collect anywhere near as much money if they had to go and shake down every person in this country. I think not.

[seakay4]

If you took out all the health insurance companies you could arguably save 15% of health care costs on a one time basis. But with it you would lose the features that health care insurance brings to the table with reference to cost control.

Such costs are generated by the suppliers of health care which includes providers (both professional and institutional), pharmaceutical companies, medical device makers, durable medical equipment suppliers etc.

The expenses of the service plus a reasonable profit is what should be the cost of the service. What is a reasonable profit? The government imposing price controls will not work, as will not wage controls. Market forces in an unrestrained economy is what delivers the true cost- even in health care. What is necessary, is for the consumer (the patient) to have full view of the costs of health care. How many times has the doctor told you what the visit costs before you left the doctor's office. If you knew that the 5 minute consult just cost your insurance company $150 which was then reduced to maybe about $100. If you, as the patient, knew that is what you were buying and there was someone else who could do as good a job at half the cost, would you go there? Sure you would! And maybe there isn't that other doctor because the supply of doctors is restricted by a number of factors including that big irrelevant organization - the American Medical Association.

The pharmaceutical companies are famous for being sued by personal injury attorneys. Doctors have stopped practicing in some areas because of high malpractice insurance premiums. Why aren't the personal injury attorneys at the table with everybody else ready to take a cut in pay. Their share is about 3 to 4% of health care costs - enough to administer Medicare on an ongoing basis! Could it be because they bankrolled the current slew of politicians on the promise that they would leave them untouched.

Why do joint replacement surgeries cost so much? The surgeon wants $100,000 to insert a piece of metal that costs $3500 into the patients knee. Would $30,000 for the surgery and $1000 for the joint be the actual "value" of the operation. Even some orthopedic surgeons think so.

Oh yes, the surgeon wants that kind of money because of all the years s/he spent in training and costs of medical college. Don't say you're a surgeon to help people if your true intent is to get rich in the first three years of your practice. If that is the case, be as honest as the car dealer down the street who says he's in the business of making money as fast as he can. And why is the surgeon's fee such a big secret - oh yes it's because your insurance, not you, will pay most of it.

Yes we need health care reform but real cost reduction will not occur until there is transparency in the system and the final consumer pays for perceived value. The government is patently bad at paying for value. For the 3% administration expense on Medicare, what we get is the untrammeled fraud that occurs in the program especially in Florida.

[Business Owner]

where are the enlightened business owners who believe that it is their responsibility to provide health care insurance to their employees? As a small business owner who struggles to do this, I PRAY that the reform will force the private insurers to lower their rates, pool smaller groups to spread risk, etc. Right now, I pay Blue Cross (Anthem) $2,300 for two HEALTHY employees under a PPO group plan. Tell me how that is justified? The chart is the same misleading nonsense that has been served up on Fox for the past month. I fear that the US Chamber has drunk the Kool-Aid. This is kneejerk negativism, not thoughtful dialog. Reform is needed. Stop focusing on helping employers avoid paying for staff coverage and ask why the costs are so high and the benefits so often marginal. Or has the US Chamber been paid off by the health care industry? If so, why am I a member??????

[bill]

Sure, people love Medicare and other government plans, just like they love getting $4500 credit towards a new car or $8000 credit towards a new house, or anything else that is “free” from our government. But these are all being paid for by some one else if they are being paid for at all. Where is there any proof that a government run plan will save any real money without reducing the benefits? The government’s own accountants can’t see it. Sure, insurance sucks, but for the same reason as a government run system will suck worse! They all attempt to collect money to avoid a risk that has remained unchangeable (we will all die eventually) and use fear to sell it. People are living longer than ever, yet remained convinced that we are living a healthcare disaster. We see proof of medical miracles every day yet believe the system is unjust. Just think how bad public perception would be if we could take the average mortality rate to 100. Fee for service is the only answer with the elimination of the middleman. The middlemen, whether it be insurance or government, are what ultimately drive the costs up. Just as we see in the speculative oil markets that drive up costs, supposedly based on demand, they offer no real added value to the product and only intercede to find ways to manipulate the markets to maximize their income. Instead of us constantly trying to find ways to soak the rich in order to get what we want for free or at a reduced cost, we should encourage the creation of wealth (as that is where almost all of our technological development has come from) and seek to make it difficult for crooks to get rich, even those in government. That is why we are a nation of laws, not of welfare. Drive insurance and government out of healthcare. We will all be healthier for it.

[LORETTA]

I say ditto to Frank's comments. That goes for abortions too. Government has no business paying for careless and irresponsible peoples actions with taxpayers money. If they want to play around carelessly and get pregnant, then make them sterile. Everyone who takes part in this mischief will stand before God one day and give account of this.
I agree that something is wrong with our system, but why do we have to pay for all the illegals or legal foreigners who come to this country just for the FREE RIDE. That's a lot of what our medical problem is. If they want to come here, then let them do it right and pull their share of the load.That would help much.
The 1000 plus pages of the H.R.3200 contains information on having someone guide people in how to end their own lives. Isnt that what Dr.Korvorkin went to prison for?
We dont need government controlled health insurance.

[Nick Watson]

Just because there might be more regulation and I am not putting it past congress to manage to create a great deal more, Health Insurance doesn't work for the average person now and something has got to be done. You know the strange thing is that for most people National Health in England works really well and you know the rich folks do just fine because they just buy up and have private insurance. Coverage for everyone has to happen. It is lunacy to have people going to the emergency room for a bad cold. Let's get some real competition into the game with a government plan and see what happens to the cost of health care all round.

[Jason]

How many of those against the current plan being considered have ever been in need of health care and NOT had insurance?

How many of those against the current plan being considered have a constructive plan to submit for consideration?

How many of those against the current plan being considered think it is better to have a private company, for which high salary, corporate profit and high stock prices, make decisions about their health?

[bill]

I will support any government run healthcare system that is legally bound to use only the funds it derives from its policy holders and forces no one to belong to it through coersion or other back door attempts. If these idiots think that the government plan is the way to go, they should be well allowed. Just don’t make me pay for it, because that is what you want and are asking for. I will have none of it and will resist in any way possible. I refuse to be held hostage to your ill-defined concept of eternal life at another’s expense. Is this Vampirism rather than socialism? I strongly support charity for those less fortunate, but taking my wallet with a gun to my head just doesn’t seem to be in the same spirit.

[Bob]

They seem to be doing okay with Social Security. Hmmm. One provider plan, pays most of the medical costs. Comaratively little out of pocket.

Congress doesn't seem to like the present progam either. They have their own system, and will continue to have it under the propsed law.

Ohio Bob

[Fred]

The charts merely demonstrates the mess that Congress will make of the health care system in America. This is the Congress that brought you Cash for Clunkers---$1 billion which is enough to buy 222,222 cars at $4,500 each. Less than 1 tenth of 1% of the cars in America and Congress was shocked it ran out of money so fast. Congress has no idea how much their Health care proposal will cost but you can rest assured that you the individual taxpayer will foot the bill. Why? Because there isn't anyone else but you to pay it---either higher taxes or higher costs of products. Nobody but we taxpayers have the money.

[Nancy]

I am a member of my local chamber of commerce, which supports small business. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, as evidenced by this "objective" piece of propaganda by Tom Donohue, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of big business, which hates the idea of affordable health care for all. Even though it would lower costs for them, too. I wonder if a local chamber can secede from the U.S Chamber.

[Joel W]

This chart is a scare tactic and doesn't address reality. I am a small business owner and would be happy to pay additional taxes for a national health plan. I know it would be far cheaper than the nearly $10K per year I pay just for myself and my wife for a minimal health plan. And we are both healthy. I can only imagine what it must be like for those with "pre-existing" conditions. I have done a lot of research about national health care. I've talked to numerous people from Great Britain, Canada, Switzerland, France, Italy and other modern countries with national health care. Overwhelmingly people like it. Switzerland's would probably work the best here. But as we all know these issues are not driven by practicality or what people need, it is driven by $3 million a week paid to lobbyists looking out for special interests.

[Dudley]

Healthcare is not a birthright. It is a commodity, that belongs in the free interprize system. Turn it over to government and watch it go to hell.

[Gloria Hunt]

This is so disappointing from a professional organization to which I just paid dues that I couldn't really afford. I am embarassed to be a member if this is the intellect being used to promote small business.

Shouldn't our energy be directed toward relieving the burden of supplying healthcare from the back of small business? And how many would-be entrepreneurs are chained to a job in a big company just so they can keep insurance for their families?

Looks like it's time for this group to do some soul searching to determine whether it is organized to support idealogues or to promote small business. Your silly chart does nothing for the latter and, besides that, everyone has already seen it 24/7 on Fox.

[Martin Lenich]

Can someone tell me why health insurance is largely linked to employment? When I was with "corporate america" I had "great coverage"...now I am a small business owner with a wife that has a pre existing condition (something she was born with, not a lifestyle choice)...anyone want to tell me the current system is fair?

[Brian Snodgrass]

See the 20/20 report on YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdx_2cuPgQQ&eurl=

[Walt]

The cost of medical treatments, medical technology, medical equipment, medical care provider fees, etc is all tied to the capitalistic way of making money. Socialism is not bad; it was made bad by power/control seeking people. The same is true with capitalism. Until there is a moral mind set about standards of living (how many hundreds of thousands of dollars does one need to be comfortable) there will be no sanity to medical coverage.
As a business owner, I set my markup price for retail sale to what I buy wholesale at 35%. So if an item is purchased wholesale for $1.00, the item retails for $1.35. Out of that mark up I pay for all aspects of running the business and what is left is the money to run my household. What is the mark-up for the medical industry. Can anybody out there tell me?
Also, there are too many irresponsible legal Americans who do not live healthy lives. Make them pay and they'll live heatlthy lives. No free rides! Massachusetts has the right idea.
No free medical care for illegals. If they are making money here, paying rent, buying cigarettes, gas for their cars, beer, whatever, then you pay out of pocket. Set a fee $40.00; that's what an illegal would pay for a tank of gas at today's prices.
I had malpractice insurance. I did not charge my patients more for it; it came out of my 35% mark up costs. To insure I didn't have to use it I practiced good care.
That's enough.

[Pamela]

Everyone is tired of the high cost of health care but no one is trying to fix the problem. #1. All the frivulous lawsuits that are out there everyday driving up the cost.
#2. If you get the chance to sit on a jury for one of these, stand your ground and stop it. Don't award for ignorance on the plaintiff.
#3. When does common sense play a role for people to be responsible for their actions instead of blaming it on someone else.
#4. If we don't work together as a team, we are all going to be speaking another language sooner than we think.
#5. Slow down congress and the white house and let's do it right this time.
#6. Entice small business to cover their employees. The Oklahoma plan to payback employers who cover healthcare on their employees is a good start, but to much paperwork and to many restrictions.
We paid 100% of major medical for all our employees until last year, due to the high cost we pay 90%. On some of our employees about 20% that qualify we get reimbursed 65%. If the government would reimburse 75% without restrictions to pay then companies could afford insurance big or small.
#7. I heard on a Christian channel a gentleman who is dealing with the VA hospital say that the government should fix the VA system first and show us they can make it work. I agree with him. If they would take better care of our veterans in a timely manner then a health care plan might work.
#8. Competition in every field is good for business, as a business owner don't forget why you have your own business. To do good and make money. So do doctors. I wouldn't want to pay their insurance bill against medical malpractice would you?
#9. Don't let our government tax us to death either, we have to put a stop to all the frivilous spending.
#10. If they want a government health care plan, then start with everyone and I mean everyone even the President who works for the government to be on it with us.
#11. One other thing that has nothing to do with health care. But as a business owner do you allow your employees to give themselves a raise? I don't think so. We need to vote that our government employees all of them should not be able to vote themselves a raise. We voted them into office and we should vote on a pay increase or decrease by the job they are doing.
But that is another issue.
On the State Chamber they have always done a good job for us in representing our issues and we are a small business. So they are there for you if you ask them to be.

[Mark Ellis]

My insurance company is great. We get the service we want. We pay a competitive rate. I know the kind of service I get from the government and it is not great and the rates are not low. Government is not then answer to any problem except minting money, military protection and refereeing interstate commerce. Otherwise, the government pretty much falls flat. Keep them out of private enterprise. Those of you with bad experiences with insurance, change your company. That is infinitely easier than changing your government when you find it is once again incompetent to serve commercial/personal needs.

[Rhonda Norton]

I am a health insurance broker. We do need to fix and remodel health insurance.
My perfect world wish:
1. Guaranteed Issue for those who are declined in the individual market. Make it work. Fund it with taxes and fees. NO State can touch the funds. Make Tobacco dollars go into the fund.
The insurance fee should be affordable and fair as the marketed plans. Each state already has this in place but most are unfunded and too expensive for the individual when funded.
2. Small group legislation like AB 1672 for every small company. Each State should mimic the California AB1672. Some states have similar plans but allow for extreme mark up for small or sick groups. It should only go up to 110% of published premium.
3. More Community Clinics funded by private donations and federal grants. Doctors, nurses and technicians are able to pay back government scholarships by working in these clinics. Clinics would charge according to someone's financial ability.
4. Control the borders.
5. Standardized claims forms for all insurance companies to use. Could be State by State. All insurance companies would need to standardize their claims processing for healthcare entities

[Richard Maggio]

Everyone of those boxes on the chart will require more government staff to administer a portion of the program. More forms, procedures, and cost that will result in less health care for our citizens. Better to limit the role of the federal and state governments in health care or keep them out altogether.

[Janet Rudd]

Private insurance has failed to meet the needs of the people. The healthcare bill is 1017 pages. I support state regulations and a government alternative.
http://www.thomas.gov/

[Mike Borsos]

Do you really think the bureaucracy at any of the current insurance companies are any better than the nightmare you predict with government run insurance? I don't think so! It can take hours on the phone trying to get a referal or a procedure approved. With no real oversite insurance companies make rules that allow them to rape their customers, and if you have a pre-existing condition you are stuck with that company. It is to bad that the US Chamber of Commerce doesn't have some positive input to help solve this problem, maybe your health insurance company members pay more than all the small business owners,so they get your voice.

[Scott]

I am a business owner and I definately don't want the Feds involved in healthcare. They've plundered Social Security, the VA hospitals are a train wreck (been in one lately, I have, wouldn't take my dog there for treatment), they overpay for everything from toilet seats to hammers and corruption seems to be the rule of the day in government.

Government agencies are not designed to be efficient, so why would we believe for an instant that they can run healthcare better than medical professionals? When was the last time you heard the expression "Moving at the speed of government" and equated that to a good thing?

The Feds already have unfettered access to our finances (the IRS), now we want to give them control of our health, I don't think so. I have been fighting with the meat heads at the IRS for two years over ONE piece of paper, that they have repeatedly lost and despite my submitting it to them FOUR times have now decided I should send them a big pile of money as a penalty. You really want to fight with some medical civil servant for two years when your kid needs a kidney? Then sign right up for that goverment healthcare.

As far as you wing nuts that keep demanding that the disenters have to come up with a better plan, I have news for you. WE DON'T HAVE TO COME UP WITH A BETTER PLAN! Thats why we sent these clowns to congress, it's there job to come up with a plan that serves the people and doesn't bankrupt the nation. That preserves the rights of small business people and provides protection from gouging by business. If you want to pass a law saying you can't exclude for pre-existing conditions, then do it, if you want a law capping the maximum a premium can go up, then do that. We don't need a goverment take over of the best health system in the world to achieve those goals.

[thomas]

Yes to universal health care.
I own two small businesses and can't even afford health care for myself or my family at the moment. Lost it back in December. I'm fighting to stay in business, keep my staff employed and stay healthy. We'd be better off if we took care of our own the way every other industrialized nation in the world is able to - only, let's do it better...
Are you telling me that the rest of the world is wrong or stupid to offer health care for their citizens and we're smart for not doing so. All while putting billions in the pockets of insurance companies and execs while tens of millions suffer? This would be a huge step forward. HUGE!

[Manning]

My question is where is the government getting all the money to fund these new health care plans? The plans the govnernment are proposing are very similar to that of Canada...has anyone asked a Canadian what they think of their health care plan? Well, they should because they will find out it is not very well liked and in fact Many Canadians come down to the US to get their needed surgeries. IT is always great to have a dream to have medical for all people, but the biggest question is how will it be funded...most likely tax dollars, and where will those come from but our hard earned money. Many of these questions have not been answered by the people running our government today.

Also, what about retirement for individuals...why does the government (senate and congress) get to vote on thier own plans which entitles them to full pay after only serving a few years and not have to pay into Social Security. This costs the Americans several million dollars for their retirement plan but yet we get nothing near to what they are alloted. Bottom line, why were they able to vote on their own retirement plan, why didn't we as the citizens who will pay for it or even vote on it. I mean really if you could vote on your own retirement plan and give yourself?

Many are asking for things to be fair and equitable but that is only for those that are not sitting in the decision making seats i.e. congress and the senate. They are looking at making it fair for the American people for Medical and Retirement but they are not including themselves in these decisions as again they have different plans. They get fully paid retirement and medical after a few years of service along with Cost of Living increases....Why? I think they should be held accountable to the very plans they are trying to instill on us.

[Tom]

Gosh. I spoke too soon. I see that Frank has all the answers. Illegal aliens, lawsuits and welfare moms.

Boy, nothing like hauling out your favorite stereotyped whipping boys when discussing a serious problem.

Thanks Frank.

[Warren]

As an independent small business person, I had to pay $36k in premiums alone last year. Only major health care reform with a public option or better yet single payer would change the current situation.

To those who say we have the best health care system in the world:

I had an asthma attack three years ago and spent 3 days in the emergency ward since there were no beds available.

The senators and congressmen have great health care coverage for half of what I pay. That is government health care!

The Chamber needs to get its focus right to support the small businesses which make up over half of the new job growth in the United States.