Mitt Romney To End Individual Health Insurance?

TXINSURANCE · 08-25-2007, 09:23 PM

I am sitting here tonight reading the HOUSTON CHRONICLE and the article reads like this...

"Mitt Romney Believes in a free market solution to Health Insurance..."

OK sounds good so far... and then...

"Mitt's plan would require ALL business to either provide benefits or pay a FEE to FUND a GOVERNMENT plan(s) that the employee could choose.."

So in other words Mitt wants to end Individual Health Insurance? I'll leave this to YOU to make YOUR own decision.

I am of the opinion the reason we are having Health Insurance issues is because it is employer sponsored, over regulation and not very portable - I believe less regulation and INDIVIDUAL plans are the solution - again just my opinion.

It should also be noted that Mitt comes from one of five "guaranteed issue" states which is the most backwards approach to health care in the country - in my opinion. A plan that costs $800/mo in Mitt's state costs about $150/mo (or less) in most other states including my home state of Texas.

I am not anti-Mitt, I haven't made up my mind yet for '08 - not really liking my choices overall - I just feel INDIVIDUAL Insurance is the solution not the problem and when I hear a candidate state "all employers must provide coverage" OR "pick a government plan" I translate that to

"Eliminate the broker and Eliminate Individual Insurance..."

I also know talk is cheap and he is not likely to get elected...

Anyone care to chime in?

GreenSky · 08-25-2007, 09:42 PM

I agree. It's government regulation and the unfair tax break only available to business that is responsible for much of the problem. Of course, if we get rid of much of our tax burden caused by big government (see Ron Paul) people could afford to pay for health insurance.

I have a gut feeling that a dark horse will wind up with the Republican nomination. Rudy is an liar, Romney has proven his incompetency and frankly his religious beliefs are a turn-off, and McCain is pretty much history.

The "moral majority" will get behind a likeable guy like Huckabee. He really doesn't offend too many people and might pull away from the pack.

The Democrats better back Edwards or they will likely lose another election.

Then again, I can hope that sanity prevails and Ron Paul is elected.

Rick

TXINSURANCE · 08-25-2007, 09:50 PM

Then again, I can hope that sanity prevails and Ron Paul is elected.

Keep dreaming... I like Ron as well - remember I am from Texas, but he has a ZERO and I mean 0% chance of election... Once he starts screaming to eliminate the dept. of education, and cut off the checks to the dedbeats he will NEVER get elected.

I just hope I am not going to be forced to sell Auto Insurance in the future...lol.... It is not my destiny!!!

James · 08-26-2007, 01:56 AM

Mitt Romney is a liar, he started this campaign of his saying he had nothing to do with the Mass Health State Takeover. Well you know I'm not as stupid as he may think I am, I also have a memory, he was one of the biggest supporter of the Mass Plan no more then a year ago.

Ps, it is no way will he win the Republican Nominations.

Expat · 08-26-2007, 01:22 PM

Originally Posted by James

Mitt Romney is a liar, he started this campaign of his saying he had nothing to do with the Mass Health State Takeover. Well you know I'm not as stupid as he may think I am, I also have a memory, he was one of the biggest supporter of the Mass Plan no more then a year ago.

What the hell do you expect. After all he is a politician.

James · 08-27-2007, 07:31 AM

Originally Posted by Expat

What the hell do you expect. After all he is a politician.

More of a liar than the average, but I do see your point.

JMO Fan · 08-27-2007, 02:13 PM

Houston Chronicle's version doesn't sound like the Romney plan he's proposing.

the goal would be for people to be able to opt out of employer plans if they do not like them and go out on the individual market to buy health insurance on their own.

Romney to Pitch a State-by-State Health Insurance Plan - New York Times

The Massachusetts model was less individual-plan focused to get Teddy Kennedy's support.

healthagent · 08-27-2007, 02:29 PM

I think it's far too soon to count Romney out. Giuliani is leading the GOP now but his personal life is an absolute train wreck and I think the Dems are laying low on him. They are biding their time, hoping he gets the nod and then they'll terrorize him. It might not be a good game plan for the GOP to put all their weight behind Giuliani. Mitt could easily become a front runner.

08-30-2007, 06:54 AM

Originally Posted by GreenSky

The "moral majority" will get behind a likeable guy like Huckabee. He really doesn't offend too many people and might pull away from the pack.
Rick

The day this country starts electing a leader because he is likeable and the least likely to upset their opponent is the day we become a weak nation.

As Martin Luther King said,

"A genuine leader is not a searcher
for consensus
but a molder of consensus."

healthagent · 08-30-2007, 06:56 AM

If you're not offending anyone then you don't have any beliefs.

08-30-2007, 07:08 AM

But I do believe there is a huge difference in someone being offended because of your beliefs and being offensive with your beliefs. Most political correctness is born out of the former.

healthagent · 08-30-2007, 07:11 AM

My point is if you simply stand firm in your beliefs you will offend people.

salpro22 · 08-30-2007, 07:41 AM

Originally Posted by Kyle Henson

But I do believe there is a huge difference in someone being offended because of your beliefs and being offensive with your beliefs. Most political correctness is born out of the former.

Valid points there my friend. There is a fine line between offending somebody and being offensive. Case in point, one of my previous mentors back in college was a strong advocate of helping lower-income African Americans and she taught me a lot about that culture that was quite interesting from a psychological standpoint. We saw eye to eye on many subjects, but one topic that I still think about is thus.......

The N word in reference to black people historically was used in a derogatory manner until most recently rappers starting incorporating variations of the word into their music and sub-culture., movies, etc. The African American title was also the PC way of saying black people around the same time. Future variations manifested into Asian American, Hispanic American, etc. Were getting to the point where you need a doctorate in communication just to keep track of what is "in" and what isn't.....

Being the curious guy I am, I talked with some black friends of mine about the use of the N word and it's implications in music and the media because I didn't understand it that well. The consensus I got from talking with my friend other data that was backed up by my own empirical research, concluded, "By using the N word black people are able to take the power away from the word and its associations by using it themselves and variation's there of." Hmmm, Ok I can understand that perspective, but I do think there are more positive ways to go about change. If a woman is raped, you would be insensitive and quite ignorant to constantly bring that up and call her a victim. People don't get over issues........they learn how to work through issues.........

Vicktor Frankl's time spent at Auschwitzresulted in what is now known existential therapy. Essentially, it is a type of therapy that helps people find meaning in their present life and their future. You can see the importance of such a perspective given the environment it was born from.

My point in the debate is that there is positive and negative energy and what you associate with largely determine the direction you go. The energy can be external or internal. The use of any sorts of words or images on a subconscious level manifests either negative or positive energy in the eyes of the beholder. As a young kid, I was brought up to believe that any use of the N word was bad because it is derogatory. There are only two words in this world I do not tolerate. The N word, and even more so, the derogatory term for Jewish people that begins with a K. My face used to get immediately turns red upon hearing that one if it is meant in a derogatory manner. Times have changed since then..... Now don't get me wrong, I'm all for making jokes because laughter reduces calories and is great for the mind and body. Rent the movie The Hebrew Hammer and you will cry from laughing so hard.

I think we need to find more ways to remain more unified as a country, while showing respect for the sub-cultures........ There has to be some give and take.

healthagent · 08-30-2007, 07:43 AM

You can mean not to offend, but offend none-the-less. If you say you're pro-abortion I guarantee you've offended pro-lifers. If you wear fur you've absolutely offended PETA. If you're at a party and talking about women and work and say "I'm simply believe women with kids should stay home and not work" you've offended working women.

salpro22 · 08-30-2007, 07:48 AM

Originally Posted by healthagent

You can mean not to offend, but offend none-the-less. If you say you're pro-abortion I guarantee you've offended pro-lifers. If you wear fur you've absolutely offended PETA. If you're at a party and talking about women and work and say "I'm simply believe women with kids should stay home and not work" you've offended working women.

Quite true, but if somebody apologizes then all is forgiven in my book. I offend people all the time it seems like when I tell them the Copay Saver is predominately for people who cannot afford a more comprehensive plan or don't have a lot of money. But if it is brought to my attention I take action and apply the AEC method Apologize, Explain and Clarify.......