Why is it the rich have the best medical plans?

[TwixVoy]

I remember browsing the corporate intranet site at Target one day and coming across some PDF files for the executive health insurance plans. (the special health insurance the company offered for the CEO, CFO, etc)

One of the PDF files was an introduction letter new executives received. I don't remember the exact words, but it started off saying something along the lines of "Because you manage the operations of a major corporation, and thus your life is much more valuable than that of a regular employee, you qualify for a special executive health plan". Yes, it actually stated the executives life was of higher value in the letter. I don't remember what the exact plan details were, but I remember thinking at the time that it was the best health care plan I had ever seen.

I was just thinking about health care today and remembered that. I kind of find it pretty sad that the ones who could actually afford to pay for health care out of pocket (the ones pulling in hundreds of millions a year) also get the best health insurance while their employees have partial coverage plans that have a deductible that equals half a years income.

Just about says it all.

[Captain Hilts]

1. So do fed employees. Feds actually can choose from 5+ plans, unlike most people who have no choice.

[MercutioATC]

10. Bullshit. Federal employees have decent plans, hardly "the best".

I know. I have one.

[Captain Hilts]

11. Unlike most people, they have a choice of several plans to choose from. My Fed

friends are very pleased with their options and how they work.

Few people get to choose.

[MercutioATC]

12. Yes, but it's a choice between "decent" plans, not "great" plans.

It allows me to choose a plan that fits my needs, but the plans are neither great nor inexpensive.

[Ozymanithrax]

2. Money...

and power...

[Hello_Kitty]

3. Those are the plans an excise tax should target

Unfortunately the tax in the Senate bill is poorly structured and would hit a lot of middle class workers.

[jpak]

4. LOL!!!! Becasue they can pay for it

Is a turnip truck missing a passenger?

:rofl:

[OHdem10]

5. He--he-hee- he --he

[laughingliberal]

13. I believe the OP indicated these 'valuable' humans have this insurance provided by the company

on top of their lucrative salaries.

[anigbrowl]

6. OK, but how much were the premiums?

You make a good point, but if this gold-plated executive health plan costs (say) $50,000 a year then you'd expect it to cover just about anything. The syrupy marketing is just ego massage to justify the higher price. Here's an example of one - look at the size of the monthly premiums: http://www.docstoc.com/docs/9653751/Executive-Health-Plan

[tonysam]

7. The truly rich don't need health insurance

They can pay health care out of pocket.

[Iggo]

8. Because they have the most money.

Or was it a trick question?

[daa]

9. Back when America was good and fair

at AT%T, not this whatever it is, everybody had the same. If an exec wanted new PC for home he called a manufacturer and got a corporate discount for everybody. If a VP had to get braces and found out what it cost that was added to the benefit package for everybody. Before Chrysler became insolvent their health care premium was by how much you made and the CEO paid the highest premium since he made the most.

But now companies like IBM have the special deals for the execs. They don't pay copays or anything. A lot of them even get reimbursed for the income tax they pay.

Fairness and puling together is long gone from this country.

[KharmaTrain]

14. Here's A Hint...They Always Will...

Even with a single payer system, there are going to be procedures or treatment that won't be covered. It may be considered superfluous or extravagant. Or that there will be a limit on how much a person can use for certain types of care. It's why many on Medicare have supplemental policies. Those with the money will get what they want, and probably move to the head of the line.

As we've seen with the Wall Street fiasco, competition for those who can make money will always be great and with it those who make the money will want something extra to sign up with a specific company. It's like a free agent football player who is given a "signing bonus". This usually includes a company paid cadillac plan. And so be it. It's the stockholder's money (or should be...but that's another issue)

The healthcare problem right now is its overall cost...the amount that's been added on thanks to malpractice insurance and for medicines and equipment. None of this was addressed during the health insurance debate...thus even with a public system, the costs would still remain high and keep going higher. Without adequate funding of such a program, it will run into financial problems that will mean limiting what people can claim. Bottom line is those with the resources will always want something better and if they can pay for it, so be it. However, that doesn't or shouldn't be confused with providing a basic system for all.

[TheKentuckian]

15. Already know you all that you need.