GovernmentExecutive.com

Return to Article: House health care tax provisions are friendly to feds

• 91193
  

  When are we going to realize what congress is doing is only creating a pot of money to cover health treatment. They are not proposing anything that will stop the run away train of health care costs. Think about it. As soon as the bill is passed taxes are going to be collected to build a fund that will cover expenses that will occur not for several years. Do you really think congress will be able to let it accrue without "borrowing" from it to fund other things? If you don't think this will happen look at what happened to the social security fund over the years. I think you'll agree history does have a bad habit of repeating itself.

  Completely Floored Posted November 4, 2009 11:01 AM
• 91137
  

  The sky was falling and all the secret evil plans of the Democrats and Obama to hurt people and destroy America were shouted from the rooftops. Why? because two congressmen highlighted a problem in the bill that needed fixing. And what happened? They fixed the problem. None of this is etched in stone. This will be an ongoing process as problems arise and things adjust and shift. Have a little faith in America. I'm amazed that there are so many people who think America can't solve this problem. That we should just "settle" for being number "37". We're number "37", we're number "37". Yeahhh. I remember when America used to strive to be nothing less than number "1".

  LN Posted November 3, 2009 5:42 PM
• 91095
  

  Whoah, the Earth just tilted, I agree with Dan Ketter on something. But it's not JUST the Dems that the "trial lawyers" are flooding with money, Republicans get their share, too.

  Michelle Z Posted November 3, 2009 12:18 PM
• 90981
  

  I continue to be amazed that the dems in congress and most posters are unable to assign blame where it belongs. The dems have managed to demonize insurance companies and not going after the real problem trial lawyers. 25% of all medical tests and 15% of all hospital admissions are due to defensive medicine brought to you by trial lawyers and our Tort laws. Fix the tort problem and healthcare will have enough money to fix its self. The reason why this isn't being addressed is simple trial lawyers campaign contributions to dems

  dan m ketter Posted November 2, 2009 5:30 PM
• 90944
  

  It's really nice of Congress to propose to cut the FSA in half. At the rate at which our FEHB premiums are growing it won't be long before the premiums for family coverage will exceed $21,000 and we'll be taxed some more.

  Erich Darr Posted November 2, 2009 11:04 AM
• 90931
  

  Why is our leadership looking to take over healthcare for Americans using tax dollars. Yet they dont attack the very industry that has us in this trouble. I'll tell ya why! Its dirty clear to the top MONEY MONEY MONEY in an industry thats was designed to help people (shameful). To the political machine behind all this corruption get a grip on this before the PEOPLE do it for you. Most Americans know our political machine is corrupt I just dont think they know how bad. President Obama you'll go after private companies and tell them who will sit as CEO you dictate to industry what you want or else. Yet you do nothing to the drivers in the health industry except want all of us to pay so these companies can make more uncontested profits. Take a step back from this Pres. I think you are to close and cant see how bad this looks for all of you in Washington. Hammer the health industry they will back down or they stand to loss billions when they get railed out of this country its time for some tough talk about profits America. We have hit the threshhold of what we can stand finacially, profits are out of control and destroying the very fabric of our society. Nothing wrong with making money but not at the expense of our country.

  LC Posted November 2, 2009 10:14 AM
• 90917
  

  I think any bill passed must apply to all, including the House and Senate. If it applies to them, they will make sure it's fair and works.

  I'm an American Posted November 2, 2009 9:12 AM
• 90908
  

  I have Federal Blue Cross - standard (the high option) health insurance. It is the "cadilac" plan that was so good it may be going to be taxed 40%. Although I take a lot of meds, my wife and I have had no major health issues or hospitalizations this year. Why is it if the plan is so good, we have already exceeded our $5,000 FSA contribution? If they cut FSA in half next year as discussed, that will effectively raise my taxes about $800.

  Barry Posted November 2, 2009 8:10 AM
• 90841
  

  Thank you for the well-written article. Contrary to other comments, I appeciate the use of quotations by legislators and for the links to other information to inform on the progress of this most important legislation. Even if one does not like or agree with certain legislator's remarks one should realize that this dialogue going on in the Congress is the way the "people's business" is done in the democratic process. Keep up the good work!

  Public Servant Posted October 30, 2009 6:52 PM
• 90831
  

  The banking industry wrote the "bank" legislation for Bush (we got screwed), the pharmiceutical industry wrote the presciptions for seniors legislation for Bush (we got screwed), ask yourself who is REALLY writing this legislation? Who is screwing us this time?

  charles Posted October 30, 2009 3:21 PM
• 90825
  

  I am a retiree in the FEHB program with a major insurer. Since 2001 I've seen my costs increase tremendously. The premiums go up 5-10%, but the coverage has decreased tremendously. I discovered that my jaw bones have been moved from medical to dental. I started asking the receptionists and pharmacists what Medicare would cover. The answer was usually "All of it; we prefer Medicare because we don't have to collect from the patients." Compare your coverage to Medicare, premiums and coverage, and you'll find that the government outperforms private insurers. The Feds want to help you stay alive so you can pay your taxes. Private industry just wants to cut expenses and our health coverage.

  Anthony Weishar Posted October 30, 2009 1:14 PM
• 90822
  

  I see there are some teabaggers out there who find that facts have a Democratic bias. This was a straight news story about the House Bill and comparing it to the bill that came out the Baucus committee with the nothing but the facts. It is always curious to me about how "concern" certain people get about deficits as soon as Democrat gets into office and a semi-liberal proposal that will improve most people lives in this country (apparently the other posters don't have friends or relatives with serious health problems who either don't have, or no longer can obtain, or who are having problems with their private health insurance. Apparently, and this is how a partisan, you would prefer to let your fellow humans die rather than pay a few extra dollars a year in taxes. Very Galt of you.). However, running up huge permanent deficits for tax cuts for rich people and for carrying out indefinite wars that your children don't have to fight in, that's okay.

  Rickstersherpa Posted October 30, 2009 12:15 PM
• 90813
  

  Ray Albers, The profite margin for the healthcare insurance industry is 2.2%. Near the bottom of all industries. Try again please.

  Tom Posted October 30, 2009 10:58 AM
• 90811
  

  American is typical of a lot of Americans who have bought into the insurance company propaganga that gov't run health care is something to fear. The truth is that health care for sale by profit making insurance companies is the real evil. These companies get profit from denying health care to people and finding ways to exclude those who need it from coverage. Almost all civilized countries have full health care for all citizens paid by all through taxes. We have a patchwork of insurance companies and HMO's who bleed off resources for their own profit before letting a bit of care to trickle down to the few fortunate enough to have insurance. A single payer government run program would be cheaper in taxes than the outrageously high premiums charged by insurance companies. Let the government pay health care providers directly without these middlemen who are bleeding the system to make a profit. Wake up Americans and see through the lies being put out by insurance companies and the politicians they have bought.

  Vince Posted October 30, 2009 10:49 AM
• 90802
  

  If you believe they will not raise the taxes on the Federal employee after it passes - I have a bridge I will sell you.

  I wonder are we as dumb as they think we are OR are you as dumb as I think you are?

  annie Posted October 30, 2009 9:59 AM
• 90798
  

  It is still a government run health care/insurance program that will raise prices for most, ration health care for all, increase taxes, increase the federal deficit, and destroy free enterprise. Smoke and mirrors are being used to disguise the true cost and pitfalls of what is being proposed. Enough with the Democrats' deceit and secretive maneuvering behind closed doors. Congress and the administration should stick to governing and stay out of what should remain a private sector function. Congress should target tort reform and the resulting unnecessary tests/procedures ordered to avoid malpractice lawsuits.

  I have written to my Senators and Representative to inform them that I am going to "opt out" of voting for, and actively and aggressively campaign against anyone that supports these absurd proposals. I highly recommend everyone do the same.

  American Posted October 30, 2009 9:42 AM
• 90797
  

  Does anyone believe this smoke and mirror show will work and not add any money to the deficit. The President and Congress must think we all are idiots. This is not a left or right issue and I can not believe grown men and women can not sit down together to get something passed to improve health care not just insurance reform. 30 years of federal experience has proven that the government can not operate and manage any program efficiently. Glad the House plan came out during Trick or Treat season. Does anyone really want the plan that has been proposed this week? Oh by the way if you haven't read the 1990 pages give or take you sure can't get the facts from FOX, MNBC or for that matter CNN.

  discussed federal employee Posted October 30, 2009 9:38 AM
• 90796
  

  The taxiation should be on the insurance companies because of their profit margins. Additionally, and since the federal worker's are not receiving a COLA that will help offset the increases in premiums for FY 2010 - they should pay for the increase in premiums. The insurance companies drive up the cost of care by their demands on paperwork and wanting to interseed for the doctors on prescribing. Enough, is enough -get into their pocketbooks and stay out of mine.

  Ray M. Ables Posted October 30, 2009 9:26 AM
• 90794
  

  The provision to limit FSA's to $2,500 is also going to be a killer for many Federal employees, especially with the ever increasing aging of the Federal workforce. Copays, coinsurance and deductibles are rising fast because many insurers don't want to jack up the premiums enough to cover their costs. For many insurers, raising the premiums enough would price their plans completely out of the Federal market.

  Anyone with maintenance medications, virtually any dental work, one "cheap" procedure of some sort, one "cheap" orthopedic injury or one quick trip to the ER can use up their FSA in an instant. I know my wife and I blew through $7,500 with ease this year and plan to put $10,000 in the FSA pot this year. It will easily be gone before the end of next year too. In fact, the Section 125 tax-free status of FEHB plans for active employees, combined with the $5,000 FSA makes continued employment much more attractive to Federal employees, even those that are eligible for retirement. Chopping the FSA yields a completely different set of numbers when calculating the effects of retirement.

  The health care reform isn't looking that "Federal friendly" to me, although it could be much worse.

  It really looks bad for small business. I know my premiums ran about $25,000 per year for some fairly average coverage (definitely NOT gold-plated) back in 2000. Those premiums have to have escalated to $35,000 or more by now.

  Master of Business Administration Posted October 30, 2009 9:18 AM
• 90785
  

  They need to ensure that those in the House, Senate, Congress & all those officials in Washington are under the same rules as the remainder of the federal workforce are. It is my understanding that they have a much better insurance and much,much cheaper that we do. I am paying over $350.00 a month for my insurance and we also pay medicare premiums on my spouse. Two dedutables and copay. I am sure there has to be a better system for those seniors that this. Don't put more tax on us, provide us with better benefits and cheeper premiums and copays.

  Thanks Use location only.

  Anonymous Posted October 30, 2009 8:09 AM
• 90782
  

  So GOVEXEC is now a partisan rag. This article has no balance and no opinion from the other side of the debate. I could have just gone to the DNC web site and found the same information. I will be cancelling my subscription.

  Charles Mcdaniel Posted October 30, 2009 7:48 AM