Reply #82: But how much is the *total* cost? And why can't we get that deal?

[jaybeat]

"Yes, I do work for an insurance company and no it's not as a broker or in claims.

No one is saying that's a crime.

"There are NO co-pays for office visits. Deductable is minimal.

Nice.

"Yes, pre-existing conditions are covered and I have MANY. I couldn't get insurance without the company I work for.

Nice, but what if you loose your job? Get hurt and can't work? Have to relocate and quit? Then you might want to join the unwashed masses, eh? (Sorry, that sounded mean.)

"My premiums for my husband and myself are $200.00 a month. When I tried to insure JUST myself, and this was 10 years ago BEFORE several health problems cropped up, my premiums would have been almost $800.00 a month and that was not covering my husband.

Ah, but how much does your employer contribute? What's the *total* cost of those premiums? And if your employer pays it to an insurance company (and gets a tax deduction for it), why couldn't they pay the same (or less) to the government, for a more-efficient plan that also has the societal benefit of covering everyone?

"Yes, I would opt out of the system and I'm already paying taxes.

But health-care costs are already a "tax" on *everything*. There is more health-care costs in a cup of coffee at Starbucks than there is coffee. Look at GM. Look at every other US company trying to compete with companies overseas that have educated, professional workforces, who are covered, by the government, from cradle to grave, no matter who they work for. Single-payer health care would actually be the equivalent of a huge tax cut for *everyone*.

"Are we done with the interrogation now? Does this satisfy the pseudo liberal brigade or must I swear fealty as well?"

Nobody likes feeling picked on. I don't think anyone should be attacking *you*. Your ideas/opinions/points of view, however (just like mine and everyone else's), are fair game, no?

Cheers,

Jay