Local Government steps into the healthcare void...

jim schmidt · 04-25-2008, 06:07 PM

Howard County, Maryland

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has developed the Healthy Howard Plan which provides access to comprehensive health services for uninsured Howard County residents. Please note that this plan is not insurance and services will not be covered if you receive them outside of the county. To be eligible for the program, you must be a resident with legal US status, a Howard County resident and be medically uninsured for at least 1 year (6 months at program start). In addition, if you make LESS than $20,420 (single adult), $27,380 (couple) or $41,300 (family of 4), you would pay $50/month. If you make BETWEEN $20,421-$30,620 (single adult), $27,381-$41,070 (couple) or $41,301-$61,950 (family of 4), you would pay $85/month. There will be a lottery drawn in the early summer by the county and only 2,000 enrollees will be accepted into the program to start. The program is expected to start in October 2008.

TailHook · 04-25-2008, 06:52 PM

Nice try Jim but the local government is not stepping into any void as the local taxpayers are flipping the bill.

jim schmidt · 04-25-2008, 07:34 PM

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Originally Posted by TailHook

Nice try Jim but the local government is not stepping into any void as the local taxpayers are flipping the bill.

Nice try yourself, but most everyone around here thinks its a great idea. We kinda like our tax money to go for good purposes. In fact, we kinda feel like that's what its for. And in this first phase, most of the care is donated by local health care organizations and Kaiser Permanente.

But this is also the third richest county in the country so I suppose we don't have to be greedy.

Now if the Feds would devise a national strategy, we could ensure everyone for less than we're paying now. But since they've dropped the ball, states are stepping up. This is the first county plan that I know of.

timd99 · 04-25-2008, 08:12 PM

"Please note that this plan is not insurance and services will not be covered if you receive them outside of the county."

Better not leave the county, or your screwed if you get hurt.

jim schmidt · 04-25-2008, 08:35 PM

Are you meaning to criticize? These are people that have no health coverage anywhere who will have it where they live but not elsewhere. You're saying they were better off with nothing?

timd99 · 04-25-2008, 08:38 PM

Damn Jim, you are crazy sensitive. I was just pointing out something that caught my attention.

Trust me, that is the first thing these people will think about when they have to go visit people or travel out of the county.

I wasnt criticizing.

F4sSprintST · 04-25-2008, 08:42 PM

Good luck LIVING in that county if you make that little..........

11 years there.....I fled

jim schmidt · 04-25-2008, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timd99

Damn Jim, you are crazy sensitive. I was just pointing out something that caught my attention.

Trust me, that is the first thing these people will think about when they have to go visit people or travel out of the county.

I wasnt criticizing.

Sensitive? I asked if you meant to criticize cause I couldn't understand your comment. Sensitive would be me calling you an asshole, not me asking a question.

The reason it is in county only is that the providers donating the care are in-county. Obviously its inferior to a national system, but its the best the county could do.

636blurr · 04-25-2008, 08:49 PM

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Originally Posted by TailHook

Nice try Jim but the local government is not stepping into any void as the local taxpayers are flipping the bill.

+1 as always.
The dead beats already get all kinds of benefits for being worthless why add to it?

TailHook · 04-25-2008, 09:50 PM

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Originally Posted by jim schmidt

But this is also the third richest county in the country so I suppose we don't have to be greedy.

Third richest but you have to be at the poverty level to get any benefit. Sounds like a government program.

636blurr · 04-25-2008, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TailHook

Third richest but you have to be at the poverty level to get any benefit. Sounds like a government program.

+1

icarus · 04-25-2008, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim schmidt

Nice try yourself, but most everyone around here thinks its a great idea. We kinda like our tax money to go for good purposes. In fact, we kinda feel like that's what its for. And in this first phase, most of the care is donated by local health care organizations and Kaiser Permanente.

But this is also the third richest county in the country so I suppose we don't have to be greedy.

Now if the Feds would devise a national strategy, we could ensure everyone for less than we're paying now. But since they've dropped the ball, states are stepping up. This is the first county plan that I know of.

Sounds good to me. People are dying, many unisured people who do work wait till they get so sick, that they must seek emergency medical aid and in some cases then its to late. Its incredible the horseshit our government is already spending our tax dollars on.

636blurr · 04-25-2008, 10:20 PM

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Originally Posted by icarus

Sounds good to me. People are dying, many unisured people who do work wait till they get so sick, that they must seek emergency medical aid and in some cases then its to late. Its incredible the horseshit our government is already spending our tax dollars on.

Rather than helping the healthcare industry out and giving them more money, how about some regulation on those prices?
Especialy clinics which currently are not regulated in very many forms at all.

timd99 · 04-25-2008, 11:10 PM

How big is the county? Just curious.

And an afterthough,how many low income citizens (and more importantly, NON CITIZENS) will flock to the county to claim residence and take advantage of what is basically low cost health care? I assume they dont need to live in the county, just have a residence.

I have a lot of questions about what seems to be a potentially good idea, with a ton of potential for abuse.

Preface, sincere questions, not criticism.

Truck · 04-26-2008, 12:03 AM

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Originally Posted by timd99

I have a lot of questions about what seems to be a potentially good idea, with a ton of potential for abuse.

Like any other government program (whether it be federal, state or municipal) it will get abused by some, legitimately used by others. I see a problem with it as it pretty much applies to those working either not at all or at a fast food restaurant. I guess I have a problem with handing shit out that I get for working part time at a major retailer (which does cost me money). I think helping people is good, but giving shit away is bad ($50 to $85 a month is giving it away). I think socialized healthcare is bad too, someone's gotta pay the bill. I'm 23 and found a lousy part time job with it, why can't someone else?