Shouldn't big corporations be asking for gov't healthcare

[msgadget]

if employee benefits are, as they claim, what's making them non-competitive in the global market? Hey, why do we even have to worry about begging for it? Their chance of getting corporate welfare is far greater than any individual's. They compete with countries who provide healthcare for its workers and to have a more level playing field...it just makes sense.

Otherwise it's just these gigantic employers paying less, providing less and still cutting, cutting, cutting costs down to the bone for prettier financial statements, better share price and fatter bonuses. Nah, that's too cynical, I'm sure. Surely American consumers, workers and voters matter...

[RagingInMiami]

1. They should

But national health care has such a negative stigma in this country that even the people who need it are against it.

[msgadget]

4. If corporations asked for it, lobbied for it and

wanted to sell it, I'm sure they'd find a way to make it the most lust-worthy thing around. Instead some pay so little their employees qualify for assistance so either way - straightforward or back-door -it's the same danged thing but without the degradation.

You raise a good point - how does that stigma get wiped off the issue? Maybe if more politicians with real, workable plans would talk about it more...would that help?

[RagingInMiami]

5. I think we're long overdue for a national healthcare plan

I think the next dem candidate should make that the most important part of his/her campaign. They need to come up with a workable plan, but just rhetoric, but more importantly, they need big business on their side to get rid of the stigma.

But 2008 will be the perfect time to do it because the republicans are going to be at a very low in approval ratings(unless they work out some miracle). By then, their empty rhetoric about family values and morals should be falling flat.

But the dems need to be strong to make this happen. Like Dean was against Wolfie.

[msgadget]

6. Yep

Like Dean was against Wolfie.

Gee, why do I grin every time I think of that exchange? You're right, of course. Seems like such a long way away though...

[mcctatas]

2. That would make sense...

In my state, a disproportionate percentage of the people on badgercare/medical assistance are employed (30+ hours per week) by....(drum roll please)

WAL-MART. I guess it is cheaper to just make their employees the states problem...I would be willing to wager that another reason they do not support federal health care would be the possibility of corporate taxes going up, :spray: ...never mind I can't even type that with a straight face;)

[OKthatsIT]

3. If they lay off their older employees...they can save a lot of money

(hmmmm)

[wiley]

7. Yes, there should be national healthcare

and everyone would benefit, especially corporations. the problem will always be trusting Congress with huge amounts of money. Look what the CORRUPT REPUBLICANS did to Medicare. Funny how the feds can run the IRS and not want to run a national healthcare system.

[msgadget]

8. Oh, you're so right

and now that you mention it, if corporations and the uni-party started advocating it, wouldn't we all be a little suspicious? I mean, when was the last time they did something merely for our benefit??

Medicaid and Medicare have abysmal records regarding fraud (more from providers than recipients) and with insurance companies relegated to charging for claims processing alone, by what schemes will their CEOs still prosper? It'll be a long, long slog to get it right but absence of healthcare and healthcare premiums may well be the straws that break the backs of the working poor and middle class.

[terryg11]

9. do it without raising corporate taxes too much

and they might get behind it.

Really need to talk to seniors about their health care they are recieving right now, I've talked to a few grandparents that don't like the new plan at all. The baby boomers will be next in line to suffer under this plan if it actually lasts that long

[Chemical Bill]

10. Especially since they don't pay any taxes.

Sorry, I couldn't resist. I think national health care is long overdue. I just agree with Lily Tomlin: "No matter how cynical I get, I can't keep up."

Bill

[donkeyotay]

11. Yes, business should be shoulder to shoulder with citizens in this

But some of *'s biggest donors are pharmaceutical interests, and they don't want cut out. Private hospital services like Frist's don't want limitations on their ability to milk suffering.

I can imagine a democratic good seal of approval for corporations who actually believe government belongs to the people. You know, a business agrees with a set of principles and agrees to not buy legislation and such and in return gets a seal of approval that lets citizens know they are a good company to support as consumers.

[ieoeja]

12. Wal-Mart already does this.

Wal-Mart discovered that if they didn't provide their employees with health care, Medicare/Medicaid would pick up the slack.

Business leaders usually do favor universal health care. Actually, isn't universal health care supported by about 90% of the population? Everyone wants it, but nobody seems to vote based on this criteria. We're too busy with guns, abortions, terrorism, war and religion (at least one of which shouldn't even be a political issue).