March for health care!

[A//// Guy]

Im actually on Cobra this month because I changed jobs and my new work insurance kicks in Oct 1st. 300 bucks gives me good coverage per month. Its not cheap but it works.

[polishmafia]

Republicans are not even giving him a chance to suceed, AS WELL AS THE PEOPLE ON THIS BOARD, you know who you are. Give the man a break and let him at least try.

At least let HIM try? This is America, for the people, by the people - NOT what he wants.

Republicans are not giving him a chance to succeed because they know that the people out there that work hard and make an honest living (the majority of Americans, by the way) do not want this "socialized" (as you described it) healthcare.

[Kracka]

Hey Tom, why didn't you follow your own advice after the 2000 and 2004 elections?

[Captian James F. Awesome]

And COBRA is prohibitively expensive for an unemployed person. I just don't think most people realize what employers but up for premiums. I was told that for me (28 years old, single, healthy) that it's $700 some a month. That's all COBRA does. It allows you to keep what you had, but pay all the cost. I just look at it this way. You spend you whole life working and paying premiums. Why shouldn't you be covered for those (hopefully) few months you spend between jobs for a reasonable cost. Yes, I know you could go to another cheap plan, or state care or something until you get another job, but there's waiting involved. You can't plan when you'll get sick.

Here's another fun question. What if your employer gave you the $700-$2000 a month they spent on premiums and let you put it in you pocket instead. Would you pay for the same plan you're on, or would yo skimp to some crappy plan that no person in thier right mind brag about being the "best in the world"

[Captian James F. Awesome]

Im actually on Cobra this month because I changed jobs and my new work insurance kicks in Oct 1st. 300 bucks gives me good coverage per month. Its not cheap but it works.

Just saw this, which kind of proves my point. I you need to do COBRA, your stuck with whatever you had. Sometimes thats a $300 plan, and sometimes it's a $1000 plan, whichever you had when you're layed off. Which leads to another great point. People are pretty much stuck with whatever the employer offers. I don't know what it's like at a big company, but at my small one, we have the choice between really expensive/no deductible, or the new super high deductible plan. Nothing in between.

[polishmafia]

Just saw this, which kind of proves my point. I you need to do COBRA, your stuck with whatever you had. Sometimes thats a $300 plan, and sometimes it's a $1000 plan, whichever you had when you're layed off. Which leads to another great point. People are pretty much stuck with whatever the employer offers. I don't know what it's like at a big company, but at my small one, we have the choice between really expensive/no deductible, or the new super high deductible plan. Nothing in between.

Also, don't forget that if you have a $300/month or $1000/month plan, your employer can adjust the cost for you up to a 10% administrative fee. :P

Another great point? You're stuck with what your employer offers? Not true. You can go out and get individual insurance (for yourself only, or plus a spouse/children). Just because someone doesn't want to go research their options doesn't give them a right to bitch about having to choose from two "bad" plans. The employer is at fault, too. They should shop around and find an insurance company that would let them choose from more than two plans. A "good, better, best" option (depending on what your definition of "best" is) is offered by many, many companies.

[Captian James F. Awesome]

Also, don't forget that if you have a $300/month or $1000/month plan, your employer can adjust the cost for you up to a 10% administrative fee. :P

Another great point? You're stuck with what your employer offers? Not true. You can go out and get individual insurance (for yourself only, or plus a spouse/children). Just because someone doesn't want to go research their options doesn't give them a right to bitch about having to choose from two "bad" plans. The employer is at fault, too. They should shop around and find an insurance company that would let them choose from more than two plans. A "good, better, best" option (depending on what your definition of "best" is) is offered by many, many companies.

I guess I can't really speak from experience. Never been layed-off. But, how many people seriously do that? I want to see a hands up. You completely lose the benefit of not being in a pool with individual plans (which are a huge savings for large companies and states). And employer plans are so heavily subsidized by the employer you'd never compete with them for cost. I know it's possible to do, but really who does it?

[A//// Guy]

I wasnt laid off at my last job, I quit for this new job. I took the Cobra from my old job.

I was laid off last year though, and luckily the company gave me 3 months severance with full benefits. I was lucky to get my old job back before that ran out.

Maybe some of the shops around here, or even Steve can comment on insurance for self employed? I dont know how the rates go there, but I know there are alot of options.

[Captian James F. Awesome]

I guess I don't want to argue on thing reasonable people can disagree on. I just want to know why employers got stuck with this whole healthcare thing. Why can't we look at something where large amounts of individuals can pool up and make choices from more plans.

[s1ngletracker]

i have cobra, costs $108 a month, for the plan I have. There's a gov't subsidy for it right now that pays 66%.