tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393996338560944889.post8778020420541788624..comments2024-03-02T02:26:00.928-05:00Comments on bleakonomy: Neener, neener, neenertetracontadigonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04604381739383227553noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393996338560944889.post-14887604108925995082010-01-08T11:26:15.835-05:002010-01-08T11:26:15.835-05:00UJ, I have several ideas for countering the insane...UJ, I have several ideas for countering the insane rate hikes. First, have the Feds give all citizens and permanent residents catastropic coverage, capping the risk for coverage. Second, eliminate the State limitations on coverage; we ought to be able to buy our coverage from anyone. Third, elimiate the tax deduction for employers (or, alternatively, extend them to individuals). Equalizing insurance costs for individuals and employers would enable more individuals to buy coverage and decouple the employer insurance link. Four, let's have serious tort reform and try to reduce the magnitude of defensive medicine.<br /><br />There are good things government can do, but the suckweasels and kleptocrats in power have no reason to try them. After all, what's in it for them if you get better, cheaper coverage?Gadfly Johnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393996338560944889.post-83741669452003198382010-01-08T08:45:31.359-05:002010-01-08T08:45:31.359-05:00Snidely derisive? Not at all. I was aiming for &...Snidely derisive? Not at all. I was aiming for "affectionate teasing."Danhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11213051268392108382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393996338560944889.post-3365811897206274972010-01-08T07:29:10.774-05:002010-01-08T07:29:10.774-05:00Do I detect a little bit of a snidely derisive rem...Do I detect a little bit of a snidely derisive remark; and from you? Heaven forbid.Uncle Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07992402926190259718noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393996338560944889.post-14864103036492197542010-01-07T16:21:13.281-05:002010-01-07T16:21:13.281-05:00I really hate to admit this but I think GJ is corr...<i> I really hate to admit this but I think GJ is correct </i><br /><br />Well, that was big of you.Danhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11213051268392108382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393996338560944889.post-32121199219261076062010-01-07T15:33:32.656-05:002010-01-07T15:33:32.656-05:00My only regret (at present) is I don't live in...My only regret (at present) is I don't live in CT so I could vote against him. I really hate to admit this but I think GJ is correct, they should throw it out. But go again for the public option. We just received notice that BCBS (Anthem) wants to raise rates again by 1/3. This is after a rate increase last year of 10% and an increase the year before that. The only way to counter these insane rate hikes is with a public option.Uncle Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07992402926190259718noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393996338560944889.post-64986196790384863832010-01-07T14:27:33.390-05:002010-01-07T14:27:33.390-05:00Yeah, flopping back and forth only gets both sides...Yeah, flopping back and forth only gets both sides angry; as the HuffPo article makes clear, his low popularity comes from *both* opposing the buy-in and then voting for the bill. It wasn't simply his opposition to the buy-in, since so few voters actually think that "Reform" is a good idea (Quinnipiac polls it 53 against, 37 for, for CT voters in Dec.). Joe would have done better to have torpedoed the whole crap sandwich. Maybe he'll learn.Gadfly Johnnoreply@blogger.com