Comments by jeshuaerickson
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Posted on November 6 at 8:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The director of the Congressional Budget Office says that health care legislation currently pending in the House, HR3962, would yield a net reduction in federal budget deficits of 109 billion over a ten year period. http://cboblog.cbo.gov/?p=421
Posted on November 6 at 12:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Of course, I don't know whether NoDFL is a he or a she. I don't mean to assume either way. NoDFL, do tell.
Posted on November 6 at 12:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
FYI, I didn't see NoDFL's post until I finished mine. He's posted a link to the same site. I'm not being intentionally redundant. (smile)
Posted on November 6 at 12:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
@MissIndependent
Excellent questions. Great to see someone actually wanting to have constructive dialog.
I think what I'd like to know are the actual numbers for what percentage of our medical bills go to private insurers and what percentage go to the actual health care providers.
My understanding is that there isn't anything keeping private insurers from charging whatever they want. After all, it is what the market will bear and we as consumers we don't have a lot of choices (especially if we get our health insurance through our employer).
The GOP has a plan which would allow folks to find cheaper plans across state lines, thus creating more competition and lowering prices. Maybe that would solve the problem; I cannot authoritatively say it would or it wouldn't.
http://www.gop.gov/solutions/healthcare
My understanding is that a public option would potentially motivate private insurers to do less price gouging. Folks assume that insurers simply increase their premiums when medical costs go up. Do we know that there is a direct relationship between how much we pay for our premiums and the cost of health care? Well, many of us assume as much, but who is holding private insurers accountable for their pricing?
One of the reasons why the writer of this column is against the public option is that he says many jobs will be lost as a result. I'm not in favor of anyone losing their job, but how many of these jobs are administrative jobs we provide the salaries for through our premiums?
We always assume that the private sector is far more efficient than the public sector, but I'd like to see some hard numbers before simply making that assumption. After all, United Health can afford to help Albert Lea by funding our AARP/Blue Zones Vitality Project. I thank them for their commitment to the health of Albert Leans, but I wonder where that extra sponsorship money comes from.
Like MissIndependent, I'm open to constructive dialog on this issue. What do other folks think? Do private insurers charge more than they should or is the real problem elsewhere?
Posted on November 6 at 8:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
A big thank-you to everyone who is contribution time and energy, either directly or indirectly toward getting this vitality center up and running.
On Open house to showcase Vitality Center, Jacobson building
Posted on October 29 at 9:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Go Tigers! (And thanks for another great article, Nick. Your coverage of cross country this year has been marvelous.)
Posted on October 28 at 9:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks for posting footage from the game. Wonderful highlights.
Posted on October 19 at 10:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Most folks think homeless is only about money or a lack thereof. From my experience working in homeless shelters in downtown Seattle, mental health is the real issue. In these cases, social services are far more valuable and effective than hand-outs. Hand-outs do not solve the problem, but key social services tend to alleviate many problems. In Freeborn County, it is important to support social service agencies like SEMCAC. They offer services to homeless folks that actually help get them back on their feet again.
Posted on October 18 at 9:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I applaud these folks as well. Raising awareness about homelessness is very, very important. It is more of a problem in Freeborn County than most people realize...and it is not going away any time soon.
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Posted on November 10 at 10:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
<strong>test</strong>
On Yields up for farmers in southern Minnesota