Obama Criticizes Scare Tactics

[UNTflyer]

Barack Obama on Tuesday accused opponents of trying to scare the public about healthcare reform.

...

Mr Obama told NBC on Tuesday: “Doing nothing means that you’re going to lose what you have . . . Because on the current trajectory, your premiums are going to double again over the next five to 10 years.”

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/67b99268-7633-11...?nclick_check=1

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I'm OK with my premiums doubling, Barry. My premiums are $0.

[oldguystudent]

Mr Obama told NBC on Tuesday: “Doing nothing means that you’re going to lose what you have . . . Because on the current trajectory, your premiums are going to double again over the next five to 10 years.”

That actually is true though. My premiums have risen on average 11% annually since 2000. According to the rule of 72, that doubles every 6 1/2 years or so. I seem to be the only person in the world who sees that an 11% annual increase in premiums vs a 3-4% annual increase in pay is a long term losing proposition. I suppose the argument is to better yourself and get promotions and whatnot, which is what I'm doing for myself, but I don't see a huge portion of society doing so.

Now maybe past performance is not an indication of continued future trend, but I fail to see where the scare tactics are in this particular statement. It's probably the most factual thing he's said.

Disclaimer: I didn't watch his speech tonight, so I don't know what preceded or followed this statement. I'm taking it at face value with no other context.

[FirefightnRick]

What is an insurance premium?

An insurance premium is the actual amount of money charged by insurance companies for active coverage. An insurance premium for the same service can vary widely among insurance providers, which is why experts strongly recommend getting several quotes before committing to an insurance policy. Insurance agents or brokers will take your basic information and calculate an insurance premium estimate based on your answers and other factors. The lowest quoted price on an insurance premium may be the better bargain, but the level of coverage may also be lower.

The cost of an insurance premium is largely based on statistics, not necessarily on individual habits or history. A 22 year old male seeking car insurance for a sports car can often anticipate a higher insurance premium than a 45 year old woman driving a mid-size sedan. Both may have excellent driving records, but the insurance company considers a younger driver in a faster car to be more at risk for accidents. Therefore, the insurance premium quotes will be noticeably different. In general, a more expensive or faster car will cost more to insure, simply because owners of those vehicles TEND to drive faster.

The same philosophy holds true for medical insurance premium costs. Non-smokers statistically live healthier lives than smokers, for example. Construction workers may have more serious on-the-job accidents than accountants. A 55 year old lumberjack who smokes may be charged a higher health insurance premium than a 30 year old non-smoker working in an office.

Yeah, my medical insurance premiums has gone up also, in fact I would say it's quadrupled in price the past 14 years. You know why? After a couple of pay raises I uped my plan's coverage, therefore my premium increased. Then I got married, put my wife on my policy and it increased again. Then we had a little boy, put him on my policy and it went up a third time. Then we had a little girl, put her on my insurance policy as well and guess what? It went up AGAIN for a fourth time!

Rick

Edited July 23, 2009 by FirefightnRick

[UNTFan23]

I'm kinda curious how we're gonna keep health care costs down with Boomers entering retirement, whose health will cumulatively decline over time, thus increasing medical expenditures. Generally, increases in medical expenditures cause increases in premiums.

Edited July 23, 2009 by UNTFan23

[UNTflyer]

Now maybe past performance is not an indication of continued future trend, but I fail to see where the scare tactics are in this particular statement. It's probably the most factual thing he's said.

"Doing nothing means that you’re going to lose what you have."

This is not a factual statement.

There are many factors for rising health care costs:

http://finance.yahoo.com/expert/article/economist/2760

Not one of them is that government is not spending enough on health care.

[hickoryhouse]

My thought is why don't we fix the medicare / Medicaid mess that we are in. Then once we have fingured out how to manage what we already have then we can go about using that knowlege to fix what else is wrong.

I am all for health care reform I just want us to do it intelligently and not out of fear, scare tactics, and other dirty politics. Trying to rush something like this through is just frightening...

By the way Myth vs. Fact from www.gethealthreformright.org

[oldguystudent]

"Doing nothing means that you’re going to lose what you have."

This is not a factual statement.

There are many factors for rising health care costs:

http://finance.yahoo.com/expert/article/economist/2760

Not one of them is that government is not spending enough on health care.

I love #9 on that list. There's Keynes defined right there!

[Censored by Laurie]

I'm kinda curious how we're gonna keep health care costs down with Boomers entering retirement, whose health will cumulatively decline over time, thus increasing medical expenditures. Generally, increases in medical expenditures cause increases in premiums.

Genocide? It does solve a lot of problems.

[UNTFan23]

Genocide? It does solve a lot of problems.

Genocide is such a harsh word. I would rather call it euthanasia.

[Censored by Laurie]

Genocide is such a harsh word. I would rather call it euthanasia.

But you can give yourselves cool titles like "Colonel" and "General" in a genocide. With euthenasia all you can really call yourself is "doctor" and then things become really confusing considering where doing all this killing b/c of the poor health care.

[FirefightnRick]

My thought is why don't we fix the medicare / Medicaid mess that we are in.

Exactly!

Rick

[Guest GrayEagleOne]

"Doing nothing means that you’re going to lose what you have."

This is not a factual statement.

There are many factors for rising health care costs:

http://finance.yahoo.com/expert/article/economist/2760

Not one of them is that government is not spending enough on health care.

Wow! He had a list of ten causes and didn't even menttion illegal aliens. A major contributor to your old home state's financial mess ogs.

[Shuke-D]

Genocide is such a harsh word. I would rather call it euthanasia.

Surgeon General Kevorkian?