Who will voters (that now pay more for medical treatment) vote for?

[mdmc]

I work for a human service agency. I help schizophrenics live in the community instead of in hospitals.
My health insurance is provided to me (and my partner) through my employer.
Recently my employer informed all staff that health insurance would cost between 15% and 35% more next year (2010 - 2011). My employer has offered incentives (lose weight, "bio-metrics" screening, stop smoking, track exercise) to reduce our health insurance cost. Each step we take reduces our increase by 5% - so if you do all 4 things you will get a 20% discount (or a 15% increase from last year). If you do nothing you will have a 35% increase.

Who do you think voters (voters that are paying more for medical treatment) will vote for this election cycle? I know most of my co-workers voted for Obama and supported health care reform. Sounds like many are pissed about paying more for medical care.

Will they stay the course and vote Dem? Or will they stay home? Surely they won't go teabag just because they have to pay more for medical care, will they? What do you think?

[Mass]

1. Well, if they stay home, they will help Republicans, by default.

They should remember they would have paid a lot more for medical treatment if McCain had been president.

[AndyA]

4. The "vote for us because we're not as bad as them" is getting to be a bit tired.

Democrats made promises that they haven't kept. We don't have health care reform, because reform would have controlled costs, one of the biggest issues going into the reform process. Yet cost control is not a part of the bill.

A public option would have controlled costs better than anything.

A lot of us feel like we've already done our part: We donated money, donated time, and many of us still haven't gotten the things we worked so hard for. Now they want us to do it all again, just because they aren't as awful as the Republicans.

We've done our part already. We're still waiting for the Dems to do theirs. We didn't do this for them to be bipartisan and throw out the baby with the bath water.

[uponit7771]

6. So because you're tired then go backwards? TIA

[AndyA]

42. That. Is. Not. The. Point. n/m

[Mass]

8. I dont disagree, but I doubt that Speaker Boehner will be an improvement.

If you think he will, please dont vote or vote for them (the result will be the same). I dont like the bill, but there are other things at play here than a single payer bill, and they matter too.

[AndyA]

44. I never said Boehner would be an improvement.

I just love how everyone always jumps off the dock into the "well you must like the GOP better than" bullshit.

Yes, there are many things at play: gay equality...still waiting, affordable health care...still waiting, accountability in government...still waiting, transparency in government...still waiting...

See a trend?

[mdmc]

13. thanks for the reply

peace and low stress..

[CTyankee]

33. I am tired of being proved right on this so called hcr.

A health care system that relies on a market based system instead of single payer, universal health care is doomed from the start. You cannot have a workable system based on the profit motive. It just cannot, logically, work.

I am getting tired of this routine of mine, as a liberal :banghead:

[mdmc]

39. thanks for the reply

peace and low stress..

[CTyankee]

41. Thanks...I need that, for sure!

[NYC_SKP]

2. So, because Democrats enacted historic HCR that didn't go far enough, they should perish?

That because costs for some are rising (and probably rising less than they would absent any action or under a Republican admin) Democrats should lose elections.

Is that the question?

My opinion is that people who associate Democrats with paying more for health care this year (than they would have) are ignorant of the facts and of the alternative.

And, there may be many of these folks, true, but that's our country.

:patriot:

[mdmc]

12. This year I pay $20.oo per week for insurance, next year I pay $40.oo

Who do you think a voter that pays more for medical treatment now will vote for?

I work for a very progressive company, and my company was very clear that health insurance costs will rise due to the "reform".

I thought the question was simple -
Who do you think a voter that pays more for medical treatment now will vote for?

Do you think that they will vote for the same party that they voted for previously? Or do you think that they will do something different?

[ScreamingMeemie]

35. It was historic only in the minds and words of those who want us to

believe it was.

[county worker]

3. What was the mechanism by which Obama raised medical costs?

Just about everyone is getting hit for higher insurance premiums. If Obama were not president we'd still get hit with higher health insurance premiums. My rates went up during both the Clinton and Bush administrations. I never heard anyone say stay home because of it then.

[mdmc]

14. My costs go up about 5% per year

This year the increase is 35% (unless ya jump through hoops, then it is only a 15% increase).

[TheKentuckian]

25. Good luck on getting voters to swallow that and more so as the cost shifting really gets going

Unless people have a major issue they are going to have big increases along with "wellness" schemes like was outlined in the OP, and an IRS enforced mandate that requires they keep their new garbage policies.

What would possibly make someone expect positive credit for what will be delivered to the average citizen?

[uponit7771]

5. It's democrats fault states are allowing HCIs to increase premiums? WOW

[Lydia Leftcoast]

7. No, it's the Democrats' fault for not even TRYING to get a public option or a

Medicare buy-in and for talking to the insurance companies behind closed doors but refusing to meet with single-payer advocates, and telling the single-payer advocates in Congress that they had to "give in in order to win one for Obama," while the corporatists got everything they wanted.

[T Wolf]

31. Lydia - you speak the plain, simple truth. But still, most do not get the depth of the betrayal. nt

[mdmc]

15. Who do you think voters will vote for?

Who do you think a voter that pays more for medical treatment now will vote for?
Do you think that they will vote how they always vote? Switch parties? Stay home?

[deaniac21]

9. Looks like the polls are beginning to trend Democratic.

[mdmc]

17. ?

I thought that the polls showed the GOP up 10% (a historic high, they were up 5% in 94)..

[deaniac21]

40. You have to ignore the one's you don't like.

[Historic NY]

10. And you thought it would go down? ...

thats why many local governments and companies are making employees pay more for health care. Making HC available for more people was fine but where is the funding coming from. Insurance companies are spreading the wealth by charging more. You really didn't think they would take it on the chin. Costs were rising well before this bill came about and remember many things don't kick in for a couple of years.

[mdmc]

18. all very true..

Who do you think a voter that pays more for medical treatment now will vote for?

[Name removed]

22. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[mdmc]

24. I'll be voting the straight WFP line in NYS.. Don't worry

Cuomo (Gov) will win in a landslide. Hinchey (my Congressperson) will win in a landslide.
I won't be big in the GOTV this year, but, whatever.

Who do you think a voter that pays more for medical treatment now will vote for?

We are talking about American voters, so not sure if the "even one ounce of brain" applies.

[mdmc]

27. perhaps your post is in violation of DU rules?

incivility toward another DU'er..
Lets see..

[Ozymanithrax]

11. Well, maybe they should write in the CEO's of their Health Insurance providers...

Vote for Republican, get what you deserve.

[kctim]

16. Depends what pisses them off more

Paying more for health insurance or a govt health care mandate.
I know Dems upset because they didn't get "free" health insurance, and I know Dems upset they lost free choice.
Who they vote for depends on what they value most.

[mdmc]

19. nice sig line..

[sinkingfeeling]

20. You know, voters have been paying more for medical treatment each year for the last 30. I remember

when my son broke his arm and the total bill for xrays, putting the cast on it, etc. was $85.

[mdmc]

21. yup my increases have been constant up to this year

every year cost went up 5%.
Now we are told they will rise 15 to 35% (depending on what each employee does to reduce cost)

[prolesunited]

23. Why do you think that premiums weren't increasing regardless?

When I had insurance -- I'm now forced to go without -- each year my premiums increase along with my co-pays and OOP costs. I NEVER had it stay the same or go down. At least with these increases, were are moving to a system that will cover millions more and provide subsidies for millions more. Progress.

And, even if there was a public option, what would have been the timetable for implementation? You can't just outlaw insurance companies one day and have a public infrastructure in place the next.

Single payer is an excellent goal, but it will take years to dismantle the existing system and phase in such a system. I would be interested in seeing the evolution of that process in other countries.

[mdmc]

26. Every year we have had increases of 5% - for the last 10 years

pretty much..
This is the first year that we will see double digit increases (between 15% and 35%). My employer was very clear that health insurance companies were increasing cost due to the reform bill..

[prolesunited]

28. Well, I guess I'm lucky

I don't have insurance so no worries for me.

[mdmc]

29. Hang in there my friend

I pay for health insurance but cannot afford to pay for the medical treatment that I require.

[Mimosa]

47. Same here.

But I think I may be forced to drop my 'access' coverage. Paying the mortgage is more important.

We were betrayed by HCR.

[Sheepshank]

30. I just met a Rep who will vote Dem BECAUSE of HCR

his wife diagnosed with diatbetes no longer has to worry and about preexisting conditions.

[mdmc]

36. I think ANYONE that buys insurance should be on our side

The pre-existing conditions thing should get us a couple votes..

[MiniMe]

32. Its costing the insurance companies a lot of money this eleciton cycle

since they can now spend unlimited money on the election, they have to raise premiums to cover that cost. :sarcasm:

[Lydia Leftcoast]

34. You may be onto something

They need more lobbying money. Or else they're like the Russian mafia just after the fall of Communism, grabbing their share of a shattered economy before it falls apart completely.

[Coyote_Bandit]

37. Meaningful health care reform

is my line in the sand. It is probably the single most important issue confronting me. There hasn't been anything that has positively impacted my own circumstances - or those of several others I know - with respect to health care. I find little difference between a Puke that fails to serve to advance and protect my needs and interests and a Dem who does likewise. I'm sick of feeling used and being manipulated to vote for the best of two bad candidates. I'd really prefer for a candidate to give me a reason to vote FOR him. Next time I have to make that best of two bad choices decision, I may vote for my dog. At least I know he's honest and loyal and interested in my well-being. And that's a whole lot more than I can say for the politicians.

[mdmc]

38. I never really thought about medical care

I have always been healthy, always fully insured.
Then I got sick.
Now I have full medical insurance, but cannot afford medical treatment that I require.
So, to me, the Dems will have to stand on their own while I fight to improve my health and pay for my medical care.
I can't donate time (cause I am too sick) or money ($ needed for co-payments) to the Dems.
So the Dems will win or lose. I will eventually get sick and die.

[Coyote_Bandit]

43. .

I'm sorry. I hope your health improves and that you can get the treatment you need.

:hug:

[mdmc]

48. thanks and God bless..

[sandnsea]

45. Your employer is getting bigger tax credits

Why aren't they assuming more of the cost increases?

And you better start screaming about the amount of the subsidy and make sure it's available to everybody.

[mdmc]

46. I would assume they want to keep their money?

Just like the for profit health insurance companies. Why not pass the price down to the individual?