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    Save State $$


    Thursday, September 18, 2008
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    I had to purchase private health insurance last week because my company plan changed last year to cover almost nothing at all: maximum lifetime payout of $2,000, monthly premiums still $69.

    I am young, healthy, and have a great family medical history. Yet I was advised to buy a plan with high deductibles, lots of co-pays, and by the way, it doesn't cover the first several thousand dollars worth of accidents or critical illnesses, nor does it cover any therapy, or the cost of getting pregnant or having a baby if I should want to. So I had to buy more supplemental insurance for those things, which I did.

    I sat on my porch with a lovely insurance agent trying to get me the best coverage for a somewhat affordable price and filled out more than 20 pages of forms. At the same time, a bill sits on Governor Schwarzenegger's desk that would provide me with complete health care coverage regardless of what happens to me, my employment status, or pre-existing conditions for the rest of my life. And I might also mention that it would save the cash-poor state of California more than $1 billion in the first year on its own employees’ and retirees’ medical costs.

    The governor vetoed this bill the last time both houses passed it, but I would urge him to think more carefully this time. Isn't it time to put the people in his state before the health insurance and pharmaceutical companies' profits? — Shannon Miller

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    Private insurers waste vast amounts of money just on the enrollment process, as you experienced with your 20 pages. In single-payer you are enrolled once, and there's nothing to fill out except your name and proof of state residency (should the single-payer be state based). How many times has each of us been enrolled, even if we have been with the same employer for many years? I personally can count at least a dozen, and I'm sure the number is larger. Single-payer with a single risk pool is the best way to finance health care, although it will cause your lovely insurance agent to have to find a new job...

    Readers say: Thumbs Up: 0 of 0 • Thumbs Down: 0 of 0

    tegrat (anonymous profile)
    September 18, 2008 at 12:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

    The governor won't sign a bill giving health care to tax paying citizens, but yet, illegal immigrants continue to get AFDC for children at taxpayer expense.

    Readers say: Thumbs Up: 0 of 0 • Thumbs Down: 0 of 0

    faerydragon (anonymous profile)
    September 20, 2008 at 10:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

    Illegal immigrants actually pay taxes, the IRS is happy to give anyone a tax ID number, and as a group recover less in services than their public investment. the solution to immigration does not lie in demonizing people who otherwise make a very healthy contribution to our society and culture

    Readers say: Thumbs Up: 0 of 0 • Thumbs Down: 0 of 0

    tegrat (anonymous profile)
    September 26, 2008 at 10:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)

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