Who's Next In Line?
TAKE A NUMBER and have a seat!
One after another, states, lawmakers, union officials, anyone who has an ax to grind, steps up to the negotiation table and gets what they want in exchange for their support and the vote of their respective democratic representative or senator. The latest, union Cadillac sweetheart healthcare coverage. Other than the fact that you have to ask, "Just what kind of coverage do you get for $24,000 a year, there are several other small obstacles that should be addressed before everyone tips a glass of Champaign over a successful rush to pass some hint of healthcare reform. Those obstacles would include, disproportionate healthcare premiums from state to state and region to region, and a small annoying matter called ERISA; yes I know the unions have a sweetheart deal regarding that issue as well. Rather, here is the point; our friends in the labor unions are not receiving Cadillac "individual" policies, or for that matter, small group health plans - which all of this is supposed be fixing - but VERY large self funded health plans. Yes, self funded.
A $24,000 family premium in Tennessee would be considered a lot of premium, in fact, I am not sure you can spend that much on a plan in Tennessee even with zero deductible and no copay, especially on just medical coverage. However, in New Jersey, $24,000 might buy a Kia. So why a fixed dollars amount? Is that because most unions are located in the distressed northern reaches of the United States? Or is it because they don't know what they are doing. Where do these numbers come from any way? They are thrown around like geeks making up passwords.
If union plans, or for that matter any plan, is spending $24,000 for a family health plan they need a good consultant not a tax break. This whole thing is ludicrous. None of this has anything to do with lowering the cost of health care. They have no proof that it will lower health care costs in a country like ours, moving from the private sector to a government run system. It is all flawed predictive modeling and based on the wrong set of data. As for dental and vision, why not throw in plastic surgery? All three will be virtually unaffected by anything that is going on in Washington. These coverages have always withstood changes because they are self limiting in coverage, high profit products and are generally paid mostly by the consumer. Offering to exclude these is like agreeing to a back rub for punishment.
We all have one assignment - vote these negotiators off our federal land.
Posted on 01/15/2010 10:21 AM by Bob G. Shupe
