Senator Gillibrand Answers Your Questions!

I'm happy to read above that *someone* thinks that Tricare works because in my experience it's anything but working. I admin a board for those with pregnancy complications and find, on a very regular basis, that Tricare patients have to beg for appointments, to be taken seriously because they are but a number in a system, and most horribly, beg for the very tests that monitor both THEIR and their unborn baby's lives. Appointments with OB's ***are*** rationed - most 'normal' pregnancies only see a NP and/or a midwife. Don't go off on that last statement. There is nothing wrong with either ( a NP or a midwife) my issue is that there is nothing wrong with a midwife as long as it is your CHOICE and not your only OPTION.

As far as medicare/medicaid working - please that's a joke. Medicare and Medicaid are huge money sucks off the government. Keep in mind that in order to qualify for one you are forced to be destitute and for the other you have to be a certain age and still meet certain conditions. Most people also have medicare gap coverage that truly makes it so that, to some, this appears as a great thing. Most people don't realize that it's the medicare gap insurance that is keeping most seniors from bankruptcy.

For the record I am liberal - not a conservative - but this liberal is getting very sick and tired of having paying for the rest of the country when I can barely pay for myself and my family.

Mon, 2009-08-17 08:25

Non-Political Health Care Reform Option

First, I would like to say that I get free health care as a Soldier, but so many of my family and friends don’t and so I feel I have an obligation to add some constructive criticism that is above the political fray to help them and all Americans…

So, why is “Health Care Reform” a Democrat or Republican issue? Does political affiliation really matter? Why not look at it from an “American” point of view, since ALL of us are affected equally when it comes to health care, right? Well, except for the President and Members of Congress who have the best Health Care Plan our tax dollars can buy!

I propose the following option, which neither President Obama/Democrats or Republicans have even offered…A REAL “Pay-as-you-go” Health Care System:

1) A cost review that averages the last three years is conducted to determine Health Care cost during Tax Season and the money (based on standards listed below) will be deducted from Tax Returns or individuals will be billed at that time.

2) Those who make less than $20,000 gross income (individual)/$40,000 gross income (couple), pay $240 annually (that’s $20 per month).

3) Those how make $20,000-50,000 gross income (individual)/$40,000-100,000 gross income (couple), pay $600 annually (that’s $50 per month)

4) Those who make over $50,000 gross income (individual) /$100,000 gross income pay the average of the remaining average balance.

5) In addition, there should be a “Health Care Tax” of .05 cents added to items that are less than 60% healthy for consumption or use. Example, Tobacco Products, Alcohol (possibly minus Wine), foods and beverages, etc. Some foods/beverages are good and bad for you, like eggs, milk, bread, etc. The FDA could help establish taxable guidelines. This money could potentially make up the difference.

6) If we have a deficit after those taxes are collected, the federal government should be able to make up the difference, but if there is s surplus, the funds will go against the following year and we can pay a reduced amount (a tax break for everyone!)

I know my plan probably has some flaws and it can be honed by those who know more about the costs of Health Care, but I think my idea is far better than the political crap that Congress and the President are proposing.

GCP

Mon, 2009-08-17 14:52