Comments on: COBRA premium reduction

By: Mark Loercher

Mark Loercher — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 13:22:16 +0000

There are just some things that all humans, regardless of age, sex, race, or ethnicity should have. The ability to take care of ones body I believe is one of these things that humans should obtain collectively. What is supposed to be the greatest country in the world doesn't seem to care enough about its citizens to provide this with no questions asked. This doesn't sound or feel like the greatest country in the world to me, by any means.

By: tiffsharp

tiffsharp — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 01:07:13 +0000

Hello,
I stumbled along your blog after I googled “Cobra premiums are too high”. In Feb 2009 I lost my job. Luckily my previous employer sponsored my Cobra until August. During that time the ARRA act was passed so I also enjoyed a gov't subsidy making my premiums affordable. My monthly premium is $400 w/o subsidy. I am single, fairly healthy but do go to the chiropractor twice a month. Therefore I have a pre-existing condition. During this time of reprive, I want to open my own real estate firm (I'm a real estate broker).Given the $400 I may have to pay in December, its daunting the thought of giving up my insurance. Also, my lease is up in November and my rent was raised 110%. So now I have to choose between healthcare or rent. Alot of people see universal healthcare as socialism. I disagree (not to make it political) but I find this blog's view refreshing. Not having to work for healthcare would stimulate entrepreneurship and allow someone like myself to not have to choose between rent and healthcare. Thanks!

By: tiffsharp

tiffsharp — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 18:07:13 +0000

By: how America loves entrepreneurs | Favorite Home Remedies

how America loves entrepreneurs | Favorite Home Remedies — Wed, 13 May 2009 01:09:36 +0000

[...] This story is an anecdote, and I don’t have all of the facts. Nonetheless, it does demonstrate that there are challenges on top of challenges for someone who wants to strike out on their own: heavier tax burdens (self-employment tax), discrimination against “non-safe” or “non-stable” self-employment income and the difficulty of obtaining health insurance for a self-employed individual. As plonkee commented on a recent post here: I’m surprised anyone that’s single is self-employed in the States because of the healthcare / insurance issue. It’s notable that most or all of the Yank pro-bloggers are married, and the majority of them are married to people who work in the public sector (school teacher, crime lab scientist,military, etc). [link] [...]

By: when things go right… | Favorite Home Remedies

when things go right… | Favorite Home Remedies — Thu, 07 May 2009 02:07:28 +0000

[...] COBRA reduction came through. Because it was retroactive, I don’t owe anything for health insurance for the [...]

By: when things go right… | Fatty Americans

when things go right… | Fatty Americans — Wed, 06 May 2009 00:34:01 +0000

[...] COBRA reduction came through. Because it was retroactive, I don’t owe anything for health insurance for the [...]

By: Bill

Bill — Mon, 04 May 2009 17:33:49 +0000

I agree – our system is hosed. But it's not the fact that insurance costs are out of line – it's because our health industry is screwed up! (Not that I like insurance companies by the way.

It perplexes me that people talk about “insurance” as the issue. It's the cost of care that's the issue. My son was in the hospital for an infection. Nearly $100k. But with insurance, $0! Oh, by the way, the “negotiated cost” between the insurance company and the hospital (I say “hospital” when I really mean hospital+doctors+medications+procedures+godknowswhatotherbloodsuckingpigs) was less than $10k. How does that work?

If I didn't have insurance, I'm bankrupt. If I do have insurance, my costs are a fraction of what they are for a person who cannot afford insurance! Perverse?

On to the main point – the stimulus provision for the COBRA subsidy is a god-send for literally millions of “laid-off” workers. Without it, we would have to settle for working at a job that wasn't our first, fifth, or even tenth choice (I'm talking fast food for a lot of former bankers and accountant types).

By: Steve @ bripblap

Steve @ bripblap — Sat, 02 May 2009 10:23:50 +0000

@Laura: Companies have all the power in terms of deciding whether a termination was voluntary or involuntary. Companies can do exactly what was done to your husband, and his only real recourse is to go your state's department of labor and file a complaint. It's an underhanded and awful thing to do. I'd make sure I let everyone who does business with that company know how they treat their employees.

By: KellyB

KellyB — Fri, 01 May 2009 15:46:34 +0000

I too was laid off (in March) and initially declined COBRA due to the large payment amount. Now with the Stimulus Reduction, I am able to get my coverage (single) for $161 instead of $482 per month. And keep my doctors, prescription coverage, etc. WOW, big savings. This is a huge relief, as like many I am not sure when I will get my next position. So, thanks President Obama!!

By: plonkee

plonkee — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 14:41:56 +0000

@Four Pillars:
It was me, or at least I often say it.

I'm surprised anyone that's single is self-employed in the States because of the healthcare / insurance issue. It's notable that most or all of the Yank pro-bloggers are married, and the majority of them are married to people who work in the public sector (school teacher, crime lab scientist,military, etc).

Not really very pro-capitalism if no one can afford to be an entrepreneur.