CapitolFax.com - Latest Comments in Overtime and Dick Kay

Re: Overtime and Dick Kay

Disgusted — Sat, 21 Apr 2007 00:03:32 -0000

The governor is so schizophrenic on his healthcare proposals that it boggles the mind and raids state agency funds also. If he was so interested in healthcare for all, why wasn't it proposed 5 years ago? Instead we got the following: KidCare became All Kids, with all the costs of changeover; then we got Moms & Babies, Senior Care, Vet Care, Healthy Women - all of which had huge start-up and ongoing costs for production, and staff. Now, does pushing Illinois Covered mean that, yet again, it will cost millions in start-up costs, staff, reprinting all forms, flyers and brochures associated with all these programs, finding office space, new furniture, yadda, yadda, yadda? The governor raided agency budgets to get all these separate health coverage programs up and running, some of them just in time, coincidentally, to plaster his name all over it in time for his re-election campaign, and now agencies will be expected to do all this change over again AND pay for it again! And you call this governing???

Re: Overtime and Dick Kay

steve schnorf — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 18:26:45 -0000

Sorry for back to back posts, but I was sitting here idly thinking, "I believe in expanded health care coverage, but that doesn't necessarily mean I support the Governor's plan, and I believe the State needs more revenue, but that doesn't necessarily mean I support the Governor's GRT." That led me to the logical next thought; "Then what do I support?"

And it hit me like a ton of bricks. Where are the competing proposals? Do the opponents of these two measures believe they address non-existent problems? The State doesn't need any more revenue? There is no real problem in Illinois for the uninsured? I suppose you could believe that; to paraphrase the Queen, if you try hard you can believe unbelieveable things before breakfast.

But the opponents don't seem to be arguing that. One important business group has endorsed additional revenue for the State. I remember my past arguments with my R friends over 750. They would say it's not a good bill. I would say "it's the best one out there. I'm sure I wiould like the Republican proposal better, BUT THERE ISN'T ONE."

Why are we letting these opponents off the hook. I would completely disregard their opposition until they either tell me that there is no problem needing to be solved, or here is our alternative proposal. What is the Chamber's proposal on these issues? What is the Manufacturer's, what is the Retail Merchants? We're letting them get away with something most of us detest; the intellectual dishonesty of not offering better ideas if they don't like the the ones on the table.

Re: Overtime and Dick Kay

steve schnorf — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 18:05:57 -0000

Dick, if I read your post correctly, you are saying 11 million Illinoisans (approximately 90% of the population) either don't have health care coverage or can't afford to go to the doctor? Is that what you meant? It's a brand new number to me.

BTW, good for you for paying taxes.

Re: Overtime and Dick Kay

Papa Legba — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 18:01:37 -0000

investinginfamilies.com? What? Are we supposed to believe the drivel that Blago's hacks put on a web site? Haven't we learned yet the man is full of it?

Re: Overtime and Dick Kay

steven — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 17:29:52 -0000

Actually - all medicaid is already being moved over to Primary Care Case Management:

http://www.hfs.illinois.gov...

I am just the master of links today!

Re: Overtime and Dick Kay

Slice & Dice — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 17:07:36 -0000

One more tidbit, if the State would move all medicade recipients to "mananged care" as most everyone on any insurance plan is and nearly every other state hase done, it's estimated they could save $1 billion annually starting now. Let's see, how far could that go is meeting the Gov's Illinois Covered plan.....halfway maybe?

Re: Overtime and Dick Kay

Gene Parmesan — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 17:05:01 -0000

I wonder if Ron Santo will be visiting the blog next.

Re: Overtime and Dick Kay

Tea Leaves — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 17:04:18 -0000

Finally

Thanks Steve

Re: Overtime and Dick Kay

Slice & Dice — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 17:02:05 -0000

Elegius,

There are a number of pieces legislation that heve been introduced over the last several years to create inexpensive, accessible health care products for the Illinois market. Only to defeated by legislative leadership controlled by the interest groups that insist every mandate (including things such as invitro-fertilization)must be a part of every health plan.

They are not the sole culprits of course....the insurance lobby is strong as are the medical folks. No one wants their ox to get gored.

But that said, the Gov's $8 billion tax hike ain't the answer. And my point way earlier was that he needed to bring togther all the parties who have a stake and broker a solution. But Nooo, his ego and greed got in the way.

Re: Overtime and Dick Kay

Dick Kay — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 16:55:43 -0000

I suggest those who are interested go to the website: Illinoiscovered.com What a great debate on this blog and most of you are talking about finding ways for Illinosians to get access to affordable health care. Gee...I wonder if this debate would be happening if I had "kept my trap shut." For information purposes Illinois Covered is not about the poor, disabled, or seniors. And 1.4-million is just the number of uninsured; most of those folks are hard working individuals or families. There are 9.6 million whose premiums or deductibles are so high doctor visits are out of the question. Medical bills are the 6th leading cause of personal bankruptcy. And those of us who have health insurance pay a hidden tax of more than 1-thousand dollars in premium costs to compensate for those who have no coverage. As for my salary..I have a contract for 6 months not a year...and I PAY INCOME TAXES ON IT.

Re: Overtime and Dick Kay

Pat Hickey — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 16:45:39 -0000

Pat Hickey - Friday, Apr 20, 07 @ 1:19 pm:

Dick Kay NEEDS to keep his trap shut. That is one of the biggest needs in Illinois.

Pat Hickey - Friday, Apr 20, 07 @ 1:19 pm:

Dick Kay NEEDS to keep his trap shut. That is one of the biggest needs in Illinois.
- Pat Hickey - Friday, Apr 20, 07 @ 1:19 pm:

Dick Kay NEEDS to keep his trap shut. That is one of the biggest needs in Illinois.

That is not my post -

Re: Overtime and Dick Kay

steven — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 16:08:08 -0000

Tea Leaves -

Looks like nobody pointed you to the Web site that actually has all the info: www.investinginfamilies.com

It has all the info on the Tax, healthcare, and education pieces.

Re: Overtime and Dick Kay

Tea Leaves — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 15:56:43 -0000

That's right Papa

Nothing is as it seems....

Re: Overtime and Dick Kay

Cassandra — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 15:56:02 -0000

Those who keep talking about the poor and the elderly lacking health insurance need to remember that the poor and the elderly already have Medicaid and Medicare---that is, they already have insurance, and it is free if they are poor. They can't be denied coverage for pre-existing conditions, etc. These groups are taken care of.

The goal is to insure at affordable rates working and middle class adults under 65. Kids are already covered through Allkids.

Talking about Illinois Covered being for the poor and elderly is incorrect and prevents citizens from understanding precisely what they are being asked to fund here. It's not affordable health insurance for children, the poor, or the elderly.
We've taken care of that...decades ago, for most.

Re: Overtime and Dick Kay

Papa Legba — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 15:13:30 -0000

Why all the whining and hollering? By the time the legislature gets done "tweaking" SB5, it will have been changed so much it won't even look or propose the same things as it does now.

Re: Overtime and Dick Kay

Porky — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 15:05:53 -0000

Have the hospitals, doctors, insurance companies weighed in on this GRT. Haven't seen one story about their take.

Re: Overtime and Dick Kay

Team Sleep — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 15:04:26 -0000

Ability to pay is subjective, Bill. If an agency is ordered to dole out coverage, caseworkers and ultimately the agency heads can take marching orders from above to wave such fees. Requiring premiums for people other than the disabled and elderly should be mandatory. I don't think that is heartless, either. Of course, provisions could be made for people who are laid off, injured on the job or elsewhere and/or experienced problems with family (such as the loss of a home or medical emergencies for children). But it is tough to support a basically free system that would be for now support by a massive tax increase. I also don't get the shill for big corporations stereotype. I'm worried more so about the taxpayers who continue to see less and less of their tax dollars go towards programs and agencies that can help them.

I think Pat Quinn's original idea to increase the income tax for persons who make over $250,000 would be a good idea. Indiana did that under a Republican governor and it increased revenue without creating the big stink of the GRT.

Re: Overtime and Dick Kay

Elegius — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 15:01:05 -0000

Can Slice & Dice (or anyone else) please be a little more specific as to what would constitute an acceptable solution to the health care crisis? I hear "we need to do something, but Illinois Covered isn't it" all the time. Fine, but I haven't seen a viable alternative offered by anyone else.

If you one in mind, please stop hiding your light under a bushel and let us know about it!

Re: Overtime and Dick Kay

Slice & Dice — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 14:52:54 -0000

Back for a moment to the original point - coverage of the tax plan. Would you agree that the press responds to what's newsworthy at any given time? The Governor and his bus tour got coverage but the press looked for the other side of the story and it was there. The tax plan has generated more outrage from average tax payers than anything else in recent memory. Why would the press not cover it thoroughly?

Re: Overtime and Dick Kay

Doodles — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 14:52:28 -0000

One infrequently discussed aspect of the healthcare debate is uncontrolled, increasing greater than inflation healthcare costs. By subsidizing health insurance, will the State simply be buying into a spiraling out-of-control entitlement, like Medicare and Medicaid, that will grow from $2 billion next year to $3 billion the following year, then $4 billion, and so on? Universal converage is a nice idea, but there's more to it than covering everyone. There's also bringing healthcare costs under control.

Re: Overtime and Dick Kay

Tea Leaves — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 14:44:29 -0000

What about the people who don't have computers, or internet access. Those will be the people affected the most. I'm pretty sure the individuals or couples who are very low-income can't even afford a computer.

Re: Overtime and Dick Kay

Rich Miller — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 14:39:25 -0000

"Tea Leaves," that argument is bogus. It's on the Internet and freely available, for crying out loud.

Re: Overtime and Dick Kay

Tea Leaves — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 14:29:37 -0000

Bill & Pat
Then just print the(entire)152 page bill in the Chicago Tribune, Sun-Times or any other newspapers who would care to carry it. Let's get it out there in plain sight for all to read and decide what's best. Let's make real easy for a change.

Re: Overtime and Dick Kay

where are the details — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 14:20:59 -0000

Bill,
Admin rules usually allow department's to specify how they will adminisister programs, it shouldn't give bureaucrats discretion to override stautes. Do I think Rod would pull a fast one? I'll assume that's sarcasm.

Re: Overtime and Dick Kay

Pat Hickey — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 14:14:19 -0000

I thought Bill did just that about ten whines up, Bruno.

How's this?

Illinois Covered Choice: Creates a new, affordable comprehensive insurance plan that anyone without employer-sponsored health insurance in Illinois can purchase. This statewide pool of coverage will offer Illinoisans lower and stable rates. Business groups will be able to connect many of their members with this new affordable insurance, and small business owners can also purchase this product on behalf of their employees.
* Illinois Covered Rebate: Lowers premiums for moderate to middle-income Illinoisans ($20,000-$80,000 for a family of four) to help them afford their health insurance. The rebate will vary based on income, and those with lower incomes would get a larger rebate.
* Illinois Covered Assist: Similar to FamilyCare and Medicaid, individuals or couples who are very low-income will now have access to full coverage through the state (individuals currently making less than $10,210 annually, and couples making less than $13,690).
Sorry for taking up all this space ,Rich, but how can people be against something that they havenÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t even read.

What's to squeak about/ Makes sense to this NHS reject.