The Growing Income-Expense Gap

[I'm Gone 60]

I didn't have one until yesterday. Daughter went for an evaluation for braces. $5,100 freaking dollars. With that I could have just about paid off our car and house.

Edited October 21, 2006 by mdyoung

[Reba 2]

Well, I spent 37 years in Canada with "socialized" health care and had few problems. My husband has spent pretty much his whole life here in the US and had to pay for it, and IMO, the care he's rec'd here is serverely sub-standard. When he had cancer, his oncologist even suggested that he go up to Toronto for treatment because they could better care for him at Princess Margaret.

The US government pays more per capita on health care than any "socialized" country does.

Spread the wealth baby. If I'm paying into Medicare (and we all are) then I should be gettin' a piece of the pie. I honestly do think that at our current tax levels here in the US they could manage to institute universal healthcare. But then the rich greedy doctors wouldn't be making a million a year anymore and couldn't afford their Beemers

But on top of the per paycheck money that goes to Medicare, which I'll never likely be eligible for, I also have to pay over $200 per month for health insurance. And that's at the group rate thru work. If I didn't have a job with benefits (and few companies in this area offer them anymore) then I'd have no insurance. Period. If I got seriously sick, I'd have to go back to Canada.

[mawilson 2,133]

I'm retiring home to Canada I tell ya! I'll never have enough money saved here to pay for medical care after I retire

Assuming there's a Canada to retire to...

[Carol&Marc 0]

I'm retiring home to Canada I tell ya! I'll never have enough money saved here to pay for medical care after I retire

Assuming there's a Canada to retire to...

LOL MA wilson,,, Oh those NASTY RICH PEOPLE are at it again!....................................I WANT MINE TOO!

GIMMMMMMEEEE! GIMMMMMMMEEEEE!

[Carol&Marc 0]

I just thought of something, democrats always want to help "WORKING AMERICANS" ####### I say to myself rich people dont work? I think the rich are just dems who have won a lawsuit!

There some FLAME!

[mawilson 2,133]

I just thought of something, democrats always want to help "WORKING AMERICANS" ####### I say to myself rich people dont work? I think the rich are just dems who have won a lawsuit!

Well....if you have 1-2 million dollars in the bank, you can just live off of interest /

capital gains (rather than wage income.)

[GaryC 7]

I just thought of something, democrats always want to help "WORKING AMERICANS" ####### I say to myself rich people dont work? I think the rich are just dems who have won a lawsuit!

There some FLAME!

Hey! I am a working American also! In fact I already have 2045 hours in this year with 2 1/2 months to go! But the dems see me as some sort of a piggy bank they can crack open any time they want money for some new pet project. I am by no means rich, I just work hard and have improved my lot in life by working to improve my skills for the last 30 years.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Well, I spent 37 years in Canada with "socialized" health care and had few problems. My husband has spent pretty much his whole life here in the US and had to pay for it, and IMO, the care he's rec'd here is serverely sub-standard. When he had cancer, his oncologist even suggested that he go up to Toronto for treatment because they could better care for him at Princess Margaret.

The US government pays more per capita on health care than any "socialized" country does.

Exactly. One of the major health care insurance carriers here in our area - the major one, in fact, just dropped the largest cancer care facility in the area from it's network. Tough on those that have cancer and need the treatment. Time for them to find a new employer that offers insurance through a different carrier. If that new carrier would cover anything at all seeing that the condition would be pre-existing.

Superior health care my patoot. The US health care system is the most ridiculous I have ever seen. It's rotten and good for insurance companies, the pharma industry and hospital chains only. It doesn't help the people. It's just not desigened to do so. It's only designed to enrich the stakeholders. As such, it costs a hell of a lot more than any citizen of any other industrialized nation would ever care to pay for health care.

No other nation pays as much in red tape for their government run systems as the US does for the "efficient" private system.

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

Well, I spent 37 years in Canada with "socialized" health care and had few problems. My husband has spent pretty much his whole life here in the US and had to pay for it, and IMO, the care he's rec'd here is serverely sub-standard. When he had cancer, his oncologist even suggested that he go up to Toronto for treatment because they could better care for him at Princess Margaret.

The US government pays more per capita on health care than any "socialized" country does.

Exactly. One of the major health care insurance carriers here in our area - the major one, in fact, just dropped the largest cancer care facility in the area from it's network. Tough on those that have cancer and need the treatment. Time for them to find a new employer that offers insurance through a different carrier. If that new carrier would cover anything at all seeing that the condition would be pre-existing.

Superior health care my patoot. The US health care system is the most ridiculous I have ever seen. It's rotten and good for insurance companies, the pharma industry and hospital chains only. It doesn't help the people. It's just not desigened to do so. It's only designed to enrich the stakeholders. As such, it costs a hell of a lot more than any citizen of any other industrialized nation would ever care to pay for health care.

No other nation pays as much in red tape for their government run systems as the US does for the "efficient" private system.

Amen!

[mawilson 2,133]

Superior health care my patoot. The US health care system is the most ridiculous I have ever seen. It's rotten and good for insurance companies, the pharma industry and hospital chains only. It doesn't help the people. It's just not desigened to do so. It's only designed to enrich the stakeholders. As such, it costs a hell of a lot more than any citizen of any other industrialized nation would ever care to pay for health care.

Well that's your opinion. I still think it's very good -- much much better than the NHS which SUCKS a big one.

[pedroh 21]

Well, I spent 37 years in Canada with "socialized" health care and had few problems. My husband has spent pretty much his whole life here in the US and had to pay for it, and IMO, the care he's rec'd here is serverely sub-standard. When he had cancer, his oncologist even suggested that he go up to Toronto for treatment because they could better care for him at Princess Margaret.

The US government pays more per capita on health care than any "socialized" country does.

Exactly. One of the major health care insurance carriers here in our area - the major one, in fact, just dropped the largest cancer care facility in the area from it's network. Tough on those that have cancer and need the treatment. Time for them to find a new employer that offers insurance through a different carrier. If that new carrier would cover anything at all seeing that the condition would be pre-existing.

Superior health care my patoot. The US health care system is the most ridiculous I have ever seen. It's rotten and good for insurance companies, the pharma industry and hospital chains only. It doesn't help the people. It's just not desigened to do so. It's only designed to enrich the stakeholders. As such, it costs a hell of a lot more than any citizen of any other industrialized nation would ever care to pay for health care.

No other nation pays as much in red tape for their government run systems as the US does for the "efficient" private system.

WTFPWNED!

i can't say is bad, but ITS RIDICULOUSY EXPENSIVE.. and stupid.. full of clauses, full of shite so only shareholders make money out of the insurance

[Carol&Marc 0]

Well, I spent 37 years in Canada with "socialized" health care and had few problems. My husband has spent pretty much his whole life here in the US and had to pay for it, and IMO, the care he's rec'd here is serverely sub-standard. When he had cancer, his oncologist even suggested that he go up to Toronto for treatment because they could better care for him at Princess Margaret.

The US government pays more per capita on health care than any "socialized" country does.

Exactly. One of the major health care insurance carriers here in our area - the major one, in fact, just dropped the largest cancer care facility in the area from it's network. Tough on those that have cancer and need the treatment. Time for them to find a new employer that offers insurance through a different carrier. If that new carrier would cover anything at all seeing that the condition would be pre-existing.

Superior health care my patoot. The US health care system is the most ridiculous I have ever seen. It's rotten and good for insurance companies, the pharma industry and hospital chains only. It doesn't help the people. It's just not desigened to do so. It's only designed to enrich the stakeholders. As such, it costs a hell of a lot more than any citizen of any other industrialized nation would ever care to pay for health care.

No other nation pays as much in red tape for their government run systems as the US does for the "efficient" private system.

Just go out of network, Its still covered just not as much! while your there tell them your situation and sometimes all the hospital as to do is request to join the insurance, also people who live in rural area's have to drive great distances to get special care it is impossible to have a cancer clinic on every corner in america!

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Well, I spent 37 years in Canada with "socialized" health care and had few problems. My husband has spent pretty much his whole life here in the US and had to pay for it, and IMO, the care he's rec'd here is serverely sub-standard. When he had cancer, his oncologist even suggested that he go up to Toronto for treatment because they could better care for him at Princess Margaret.

The US government pays more per capita on health care than any "socialized" country does.

Exactly. One of the major health care insurance carriers here in our area - the major one, in fact, just dropped the largest cancer care facility in the area from it's network. Tough on those that have cancer and need the treatment. Time for them to find a new employer that offers insurance through a different carrier. If that new carrier would cover anything at all seeing that the condition would be pre-existing.

Superior health care my patoot. The US health care system is the most ridiculous I have ever seen. It's rotten and good for insurance companies, the pharma industry and hospital chains only. It doesn't help the people. It's just not desigened to do so. It's only designed to enrich the stakeholders. As such, it costs a hell of a lot more than any citizen of any other industrialized nation would ever care to pay for health care.

No other nation pays as much in red tape for their government run systems as the US does for the "efficient" private system.

Just go out of network, Its still covered just not as much! while your there tell them your situation and sometimes all the hospital as to do is request to join the insurance, also people who live in rural area's have to drive great distances to get special care it is impossible to have a cancer clinic on every corner in america!

If I go out of network, I pay 100%. As do many others. Out of network is no precisely an option. Besides, paying the premiums that I pay, I think I ought to have coverage if I need it. Funny how those that oppose the government deciding what treatment you get where and when have no issue with private, profit oriented insurance bureaucrats making that decision.

A cancer clinic on every corner is not what I'd expect. A cancer clinic in a major metropolitan area accessible to it's residents, however, is something that one should reasonably be able to expect.

[ChristinaM 0]

I have no problem with saying that if you want something, you get off your butt and work for it. But it's easier in some places than in others.

For example, I live in Maine. We have the highest overall tax burden versus some of the lowest wages in the country, and the job market is going all to hell. My husband commutes to New Hampshire every day because there is not a job for him here in ME - we live in the major metropolitan area, it's not like we live in potato-pickin' country. The cost of housing has risen (as it has everywhere) at way, way beyond the rate of inflation, whilst wages have not even kept up with inflation.

Ok, so why don't we move? Because although the rents are high in Portland, they're a damn sight higher in NH. Southern NH has become a commuter zone to Boston, where people earning Boston salaries are pushing up the cost of housing there. Those of us with one ME and one NH salary just can't compete. So the next step is to move to Boston. We've come a long way from the lifestyle that living in Maine affords at that point and the rents get higher again. Nope, that's not viable either.

I think I've probably racked up a little over 2000 hours of work this calendar year to date, so it's not as if I've been slacking. But as much as those of you on the far right would like not to believe it, there comes a point when no matter how hard or how many hours you work, you've hit a ceiling. Add to that the $250 a month I pay for insurance (it's Anthem or Anthem up here, pretty much) and quite frankly, the money is gone before we ever get chance to see it! Come away from the big-city salaries and the economics look pretty different.

I don't believe that socialising everything is the answer - I really do think that if you want something, you work for it. But I do think that there needs to be some modicum of control imposed; particularly on the housing market. Look at the boom-and-bust economy of the UK back in the 80's - that's what an out of control housing market can do. There is already talk of a recession in the US, and if the bubble bursts a lot of people will be in a very large hole.

[xjennyinstereox 0]

I'm retiring home to Canada I tell ya! I'll never have enough money saved here to pay for medical care after I retire

Hehe that's a good idea!!! I'd love to retire home to Quebec Yay for Canadian retirement