If anyone's been trying to follow the details of Obama's plan - good luck. I don't even think Obama knows the details of his plan.
From what I put together both from his site, speeches and debates this is his plan:
1) Group stays intact
2) Individual stays intact
3) Uninsurables can buy into a gov't GI plan
4) Fines for parents who don't insure their kids
5) Fines for "large" businesses that don't offer coverage
Survey says? Yeah...right. Another 4 years of job protection. Obama wants to pool the sickest people in America together? Ok.
Fines for corporations? Fines for parents? Not a shot in hell.
------------------------------------ Health Insurance Agents: Training, Support, Discounts, E&O for $440 www.ihiaa.com
If anyone's been trying to follow the details of Obama's plan - good luck. I don't even think Obama knows the details of his plan.
From what I put together both from his site, speeches and debates this is his plan:
1) Group stays intact
2) Individual stays intact
3) Uninsurables can buy into a gov't GI plan
4) Fines for parents who don't insure their kids
5) Fines for "large" businesses that don't offer coverage
Survey says? Yeah...right. Another 4 years of job protection. Obama wants to pool the sickest people in America together? Ok.
Fines for corporations? Fines for parents? Not a shot in hell.
Although there are several non-partisan studies from consumer watch groups, the info I will be using comes from the Lewin Group:
McCain's Healthcare program will result in a decrease of 5.4m people from government roles, while increasing private insurance by 26.5m. His program emphasizes consumer-driven health plans (CDHP), so this would be good for IFP agents.
Obama's program will increase government insurance by 48.3m, while decreasing private insurance by 21.6m people. This would be good for Medicare-style sales agents since the FEHBP model is Obama's core concept.
McCain's program is estimated to reduce the uninsured by 21.1m, while Obama's by 26.6m. Basically, Obama's plan will virtually eliminate state hi-risk pools, since his program demands carriers to ignore pre-ex. (Heaven help the people... the only recourse for carriers will be to raise premiums!) On the other hand, McCain's program will provide incentives for employer's to implement IFP that are not currently offered. Either way, both candidate's programs will result in increased insurance sales.
The list goes on, but the bottom line for us agents, is business will be good. The bottom line for the US economy is bleak and getting bleaker. How will we pay for these programs? Both candidates are ignoring the basic fact that we, as a nation, are drowning in a sea of red ink.
The only way to turn around our economy is to reduce spending... and that means entitlements must go, along with other measures. If, after November is gone and reality begins to sink in, then this picture may change for us agents. If you are optomistic... the glass is half full. If you are pessimistic... the glass is half empty.
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To be truly independent, an agent should not be dependent on a government bureaucrat for contracts or commissions.
The only way to turn around our economy is to reduce spending... and that means entitlements must go, along with other measures. If, after November is gone and reality begins to sink in, then this picture may change for us agents. If you are optomistic... the glass is half full. If you are pessimistic... the glass is half empty.
Thanks for the info. I always see the glass half full, eventhough the Medicare Style Agency is not appealing to me, Health Insuance sales were not appealing to me 5 years ago, and now I couldn't do with out it.
I don't know why the politicians couldn't focus on something more meaninful to families such as ticket prices at the movies and caps on how much they can charge at the concession stands.
A thing like that wouldn't cost the taxpayers as much and all the kids could have fun. It sounds ridiculous, but the burden of all of those extra health care dollars, much of which will go to waste on government oversight and plans for people that probably wouldn't need them, could put smiles on the faces of children and adults all over the US. Adding this healthcare entitlement program spells big $$ and little will change. Tell people that can't afford $15+ per head for movies and popcorn that its free up to X income and then the subsidy ends at say household income of $100k based on number of children etc. well anyway, you get the idea.
As far as fines for employers, it's for larger employers. The biggest Abuser of state health programs has been WALMART. That language is directed at that type of organization.
What was found in many states was the cost of caring for walmart's employees was eliminating revenues from walmart taxes.
I'm all for it for that type of employer. Sorry, but I have been subsidizing walmart employees in my state for a while now. When five of the richest 10 americans won't insure their employees ...
And yes, I know they've recently introduced health plans for their employees... cause they're such kind hearted folks...
As far as fines for employers, it's for larger employers. The biggest Abuser of state health programs has been WALMART. That language is directed at that type of organization.
What was found in many states was the cost of caring for walmart's employees was eliminating revenues from walmart taxes.
I'm all for it for that type of employer. Sorry, but I have been subsidizing walmart employees in my state for a while now. When five of the richest 10 americans won't insure their employees ...
And yes, I know they've recently introduced health plans for their employees... cause they're such kind hearted folks...
I just checked and I can't find any clause in the Constitution requiring a business to provide health insurance.
Rick
------------------------------------ ILIAA
Training, Community, Support, and Success Independent Life Insurance Agents Assn rick@iliaa.org
The list goes on, but the bottom line for us agents, is business will be good.
I think the bottom line is that there will be many, many more people enrolled into insurance plans where the margins are being squeezed harder and harder. More insurance activity does not equate to more business for agents. As discussed many times, many of believe that nationwide guaranteed issue is coming very soon. With guaranteed issue agents are practically not needed and even if they are the commissions are based on a very minimal role for them. Many carriers will get out of the business if they have to participate in guaranteed issue, and those that stay will be highly adept at just getting people to respond to their advertising and then go to their website to enroll.
Don't count on a goldrush for agents or even life as usual.
This is not four years away. It is two or less. The larger health care reform will not be implemented due to cost and size of the effort but guaranteed issue will be something that congress can just require and give the appearance of doing something. The fact that it will be a disaster is irrelevant.
------------------------------------ Spending Our Way to Prosperity
Whatever happens will happen. If one door gets closed, another will open. In spite of the dire economic news, the past 45 days I have written more business than in the past 15 years
Deregulation sure as heck worked for the phone company. Anyone remember paying a quarter a minute for long distance? Anyone remember going nuts when it went down to 10 cents a minute?
Yeah...now I have unlimited long distance for $33 a month. Let competition roll.
As far as fines for employers, it's for larger employers. The biggest Abuser of state health programs has been WALMART. That language is directed at that type of organization.
What was found in many states was the cost of caring for walmart's employees was eliminating revenues from walmart taxes.
I'm all for it for that type of employer. Sorry, but I have been subsidizing walmart employees in my state for a while now. When five of the richest 10 americans won't insure their employees ...
And yes, I know they've recently introduced health plans for their employees... cause they're such kind hearted folks...
Well fining walmart will only cause them to pay the fines and downsize their workforce. (They are the largest employer in America and could do without 25% of their employees including the greeters)
Well fining walmart will only cause them to pay the fines and downsize their workforce. (They are the largest employer in America and could do without 25% of their employees including the greeters)
They can't fire the greeters. Frank Stastny has applied for a job there.
The reality (obvious to anyone) is that corporations don't pay for anything. The cost of taxes, insurance, payoll (incl. minimum wage), theft, etc. is passed on to the retail buyer.
We're safe for another 4
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