Like Your Private Health Care? Here's Why You Can Actually Thank the Government for That

[one...two...tree 2,762]

So part of this new plan is a low cost government ran health insurance plan. Does anyone know if this plan is an option for large employers who already offer health coverage as a benefit to their employees? Are they going to be able to switch?

From what I've read, employers who don't provide insurance for their employees would pay a penalty tax.

No, that's not what I'm asking. My company now has several options. Are they going to be able to add Obamacare to their list of choices or, if it is financially beneficial will they be able to cut out the other options entirely and force all of us to choose Obamacare?

But right now, it would be financially beneficial for all companies to not offer health insurance to their employees, so what is the current incentive to provide health insurance and how would a public option be any different, if like any other current plan they offer you, they are paying for?

My employer offered us 4 choices last enrollment period. I can't imagine that each plan they have to pay the same for so why give employees a choice?

[dalegg 143]

So part of this new plan is a low cost government ran health insurance plan. Does anyone know if this plan is an option for large employers who already offer health coverage as a benefit to their employees? Are they going to be able to switch?

From what I've read, employers who don't provide insurance for their employees would pay a penalty tax.

No, that's not what I'm asking. My company now has several options. Are they going to be able to add Obamacare to their list of choices or, if it is financially beneficial will they be able to cut out the other options entirely and force all of us to choose Obamacare?

But right now, it would be financially beneficial for all companies to not offer health insurance to their employees, so what is the current incentive to provide health insurance and how would a public option be any different, if like any other current plan they offer you, they are paying for?

My employer offered us 4 choices last enrollment period. I can't imagine that each plan they have to pay the same for so why give employees a choice?

Our company has shed many different providers from our list and added many through the years as they have proven to be more or less costs affective. I'm wondering if they would choose to put the existing ones on notice if they cannot compete with the new Government plan. They cover the overwhelming bulk of the cost in my case so they would stand to save a ton of money if they are allowed to use the Government plan as a choice and say cover the entire premium instead of just the majority. I'm just curious is that in the bill? Do employers have to stay with private firms or can they go to the Government plan also?

[mawilson 2,133]

[mendeleev 68]

Well OK, who did the de-regulation? Unless you are saying it all happened from 1996 until 2004 and before that everything was peachy-keen then you would have to blame a dem congress for the problems. Remember, the president can't change regulations, only congress can do that. So are you saying the very people that gave us private health care are the same ones that screwed it up?

BTW, I would say bad regulation not deregulation screwed it up for everyone. Now we are asking the very people that made the mess in the first place to fix it? I would say they are incapable of it.

Now, Gary, you surprise me. Have you been getting enough sleep?

Of course, the President can change regulations. Regulations are in fact issued by the executive branch, which has pretty broad discretion often in how they are written, or rewritten, since Presidents of course can revise regulations promulgated by previous administrations, as long as they conform to the law. It is Congress that makes the law, providing it gets the President's signature or overrides his veto.

Enough Civics 101. Back to our current topic.

Edited August 2, 2009 by novotul

[Tahoma 2,292]

Thank you. Good article.

Agreed.

[HannahP 119]

My theory is that those "on top" ie. those with decent health insurance or those that don't need health insurance are so afraid of losing their benefits...or losing what they have because they might have to give some of the pie to the "lesser" folks...is a trend.