Are we stupid for being conservative and responsible?

[Aleta]

Something that I don't like about social insurance is that most of those people can go to the doctor and not reap any consequences of raised insurance premiums. My husband and I after paying $1,433 a month doesn't cover any tests or anything unless we put up a deductible first. We often are afraid to change insurance companies because of preconditions. As a result of us paying all prescriptions, doctors visits, test, and what ever else, we can't afford all of the tests and medical care that we need. That's why some proponents of a different national insurance plan knows there are many like us.

[jodi]

And yes while kids don't need a lot PP, I feel any parents who use state/government provided insurance, WIC should not have kids. They are using government fund as well. Why can't they afford to pay for healthcare for their children? Why do they need help and still have children?

We're getting off topic here, but that's a rather sweeping statement. What about parents who already have kids and lose their job? It happened to DH, and we probably could have qualified for WIC at the time - but luckily, we didn't need to thanks to savings and family. Or how about my brother, who makes $30k a year as a farmer, but would have to pay $10k/year for insurance for his family? They used a government health program for low-income families for their daughter until they were kicked off this year due to a rise in the price of milk. Remember, there are a lot of very hard-working people (like farmers) who are self-employed, do not make much money, and cannot get health care on their own. I'm against people living off the system, but there are always exceptions and temporary conditions - that's why the system is there. Have you checked out the price of health care lately? It's not available to everyone through their jobs.

[disneysteve]

Have you checked out the price of health care lately? It's not available to everyone through their jobs.

And even if it is available, it often isn't affordable. Many of the nation's uninsured have insurance available to them. They simply can't afford to purchase it. If you earn 30K/year, you can't afford to pay 1/4 to 1/3 of that for insurance.

[maat55]

Before I was able to get insurance through my wife's company a year ago, I was insured with a deductable of 7500 with a 5000 dollar accident rider. It was through a company that provides HSA policies. It was only 143 a month and the rider was 25.50. At that rate I could afford my own office visits tax deductable. It beats having no ins. This ins. is obviously for people in good health.

[jodi]

My (very healthy) brother did end up getting a HSA. Unfortunately, my niece has had reflux since she was an infant and has medications and tests regularly. My SIL has fibromyalgia and just had sinus surgery, as well as being on several different medications at any given time. HSAs were just not an option for them. Watching them try to get insurance has really opened my eyes to the health care situation in this country. DH and I have been very lucky to always have had affordable insurance through our jobs.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

How many kids is your brother having? 1 on a $30k salary? And a temporary thing I can understand. But I know people with 4-5 kids making $30k/year. And they keep having kids.

[jodi]

Yup, just the one. And I'm sure they never anticipated a child with a chronic medical condition, even one that's not terribly serious (although expensive at times, nonetheless). I'm sure we can all agree that there are many serious, chronic offenders. I'm just glad that there is a back-up for those who really need it.

[rob62521]

Well, here's a rundown on the bailout for homeowners courtesy of Suze Orman:

http://finance.yahoo.com/expert/article/moneymatters/63481

Very interesting that even certain insurance can be deductible!

[FrugalFish]

I have to step back in and say that I think entitlement programs are important. A lot of very good people need a little bit of help from time to time and there's nothing wrong with that. The problem, IMO, is that there are people who LIVE on entitlement programs and are raising a new generation of people who think that this is an appropriate lifestyle choice.

I have a section 8 house behind mine- this in a very nice neighborhood. They live in a house that is roughly twice the size of the one DH and I work so hard to afford. The house is a slum and is bringing property values down. They have 8 or 9 kids over there (I don't know, DH built a super fence last year so we could see less and less of them). I wonder how many of those kids actually think they can do something different? I bet most, if not all, will end up in the system just the same as they are now. I think the system is terribly unfair to everybody involved here- to us homeowners whose property values are being destroyed, and to that family who feels like have-nots sitting smack dab in the middle of people they perceive as "haves." There is nothing healthy or constructive about the situation.

I've often wondered what would happen if the gov't limited the lifetime benefit. What would happen to the lifers when their ultimate benefit ran out? Would they curl up in a ball and die? Would they actually get off their keisters and do something constructive? Would property crime sail out of control? I dunno, but I really wonder...

[rob62521]

I realize this sounds very cynical, but in answer to your question, Frugalfish, I think they would figure out a loophole to the system. When welfare payments were cut and a lady's tubes were tied, she made sure her oldest daughter had children and got in the system. You are right -- many do not want to find a different way out. And some of those who do get their benefits cut turn to theft and burglary since they feel they are entitled to what the rich man has.

[tagrims]

Thirty years from now, I don't envision a scenario where our government has stopped the bailout of fiscally irresponsible people.

SS will be hit first.

Then our Roths will be taxed.

We should probably be hedging with a traditional IRA, as well as invesments into ROTH.

[PrincessPerky]

While some folk do need legitimate aid for a short period of time...I see no reason to buy a fancy house for anyone....it doesn't make the poor person feel better to have lots of rooms..instead they feel they have to fill them with fancy things. The same can be said for many social programs...the are bandaids that often cause troubles when left on.

[BCHGRL]

I sleep at night not worrying about whether the Government will have to swoop in and save me and my family.