Health care costs are tied to economic crisis

[BirminghamExaminer]

It seems obvious of course but the right wing is working hard to convince the masses that the economy is bad and therefore we should forget about health care reform so I'm just doing my bit to fight back. Read the whole article here. Excerpt:

The estimated cost for health care for a family of four with employer provided health care benefits for 2009 is $17,000, a 7.4% increase over 2008. The median family income in 2008 was approximately $67,000 and many families have seen a decrease in income over the last year. This means that an average family of four is expected to spend 25% of their income on health care this year.

Household income only rose for the first time in 2008 since 2000. If household income was rising at 7.4% or more per year, health care costs could be contained and there wouldn't be a crisis. Unfortunately, median income for families has remained stable (no increase) and in some cases has decreased.

When families are paying 25% or more for the cost of health care, the argument that economic concerns should be the government's first aim instead of health care reform is simply false.

[rurallib]

1. plus HC stymies small business startups

but one more great thing for the corporations is that when people fear losing their health care they are more likely to stay at their jobs no matter what you pay them.
this is a big old win-win-win-win for the health insurers and big corporations.

[BirminghamExaminer]

2. Good point, wish I'd thought of that. n/t

[Blue Meany]

3. Of course it is...

When you have non-productive industries, such as finance and insurance, sucking the lifeblood out of the productive economy, it's hard for producers to compete. The "FIRE" sector is essentially a leech on the economy that has drained more and more of the profit from those who produce and provide services, and it seems that they are willing to kill the host rather than control their greed.

[truedelphi]

4. Wow that is one great post.

Wish I had written it.

[truedelphi]

5. A big K & R. n/t

[Uncle Joe]

6. A nation's economy is tied to it's health care.

Just as any sports team full of sick or injured players would be less competitive at game time, a nation full of sick or injured citizens is less competitive on the world stage of economics.

The best health care requires the best coverage, the best coverage is non-profit coverage for everyone from the cradle to the grave, "health" insurance profits siphon precious resources away from both the medical establishment and the public paying for higher premiums.

Thanks for the thread, BirminghamExaminer.:thumbsup: