In my humble opinion, the first paragraphs set the tone with all-too-common Wall Street labor talking points and contradictory statements. But once the editorial staff got past the first few paragraphs they did a fair job on laying out their predictable opposition to the plan. Keep in mind, this is the Gazette.
JG Editorial Excerpt:This is the day and age we live in today. Employers have all the leverage when they can hold a health insurance benefit over the heads of their workers. You would think employers would welcome a change offering employees something more personally rewarding and fulfilling. I know that sounds poofy, but rest assured, top management and owners are not there for their health. The money businesses would save with Healthy Wisconsin could then be used to offer higher wages and attract the kind of worker who is not there just for their health.
Among the business organization's objections is that providing health care for all Wisconsinites younger than 65 would remove an incentive to work and create a large hole in Wisconsin's work force. We raised that concern the week the plan emerged.
But after worrying about the workforce hole they claim Healthy Wisconsin would open, the Gazette then says…...
JG Editorial Excerpt:…….the state would be a magnet for workers? Again giving back the leverage employers thought they lost. Of course I'm assuming as much as the editors are here.
Forward Janesville also notes that the plan would make Wisconsin a magnet for the uninsured. A person could walk across the border, show proof of even a part-time job, and get immediate coverage. After just one year of residency, new residents would get coverage regardless of whether they ever had or kept jobs.
American Prospect Excerpt:
The fight for Healthy Wisconsin is well underway. It is, predictably, being attacked by right-wing, industry-funded groups as a "tax hike."
JG Editorial Excerpt:For years, working-class people have viewed the mandatory costs of healthcare as "taxing" and in that context, Wisconsin is already affording more than what Healthy Wisconsin is projected to cost.
Yet when combined with the $3 billion in tax hikes already in the Senate budget, the nonpartisan Tax Foundation says the $15.2 billion Healthy Wisconsin plan would easily make this the highest-taxed state in the nation.
I just don’t understand the kind of people who rather pay more for their healthcare so long as it denies healthcare to those who can’t afford it, than to pay slightly less and guarantee healthcare for all. I guess paying out $5000 is more agreeable than $4000, so long as it’s not called a tax.
4 comments:
Saying that we as taxpayers in Wisconsin should flip the bill for every person in this state is just plan crazy. We will be having people come from different staes to have their medical procedures done. They can't be denied under the current plan for universal healthcare. The costs will be well over $5000.00 a person. I'm a big supporter of MSA's. Medical savings accounts I can use my own money for my medical bills as I see fit. If I take care of myself and don't have to see the doctor my money sits in an account and collects intrest most now are paying between 5% and 6% on the money. They are high deductible but, the money I use from the MSA for doctor bills is taken off of the deductible so say I have a $5000 deductible and I have a doctors visit which costs me $100.00 that check I write out of my HSA account pays for the visit and the cost comes off of my deductible. I shouldn't have to pay for a person that doesn't take care of themself with universal healthcare. When somebody sees that Wisconsin has free healthcare they will come in droves to have their babies here to have their abortions here and to have their liposuction done here at our expense. It's just a crazy thought to think this would be cost effectve, Sure it sounds good but, the cons out weigh the pros.
WhyBe,
Your argument that the state will fill up with people coming here for the free health care doesn't hold water. Given state propgrams that already exist--like BadgerCare--people who wanted to game the system could. Pregnant women, in particular (which you mention), can waddle across the border and if they earn less than 175% of the federal poverty level get all kinds of free care.
But they're not coming now. Why would you assume they'd come for the same benefit later if they're not coming now?
You cannot just show up and get Badgercare like you say Jay you actually need to prove that you have a job, unlike this Free Health care plan. Remember the 80's before w-2? We had a ton of Illinois immigrants that showed up had some kids and collected, that is what will exactly happen here.
I love the thought of the state becoming a magnet for workers, just what we need more uneducated, non-skilled workers (skilled workers have insurance). If I am wrong please explain how, my response will be why would someone that has health care in another state move to wisconsin to pay higher taxes?? I will love to see how we deal with unemployment 3 years after it's inception.
Jaqy bolluck your way of base pal. The badgercare system is based on Wisconsin residents hence the name "badgercare". The program is for Wisconsin RESIDENTS that are working and have a family. They are either working for an employer who doesn't offer healthcare or for an employer who offers healthcare but, at a cost that is much more than the individual can afford. It's not pregnant woman waddeling accros the border like you are saying. Badgercare isn't UNIVERSAL healthcare. That's what universal means. It means the State of Wisconsin can't turn away anybody medical coverage. Get your facts straight before you argue.
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