I hope you’re wrong but I fear you’re right.

My take is that Walmart is going to be more than happy to hand over $750 to Uncle Sam and let him cover their employees. I hope I’m wrong.

Details of the mandate matter. Would part-time Wal-Mart workers be required to buy into Wal-Mart’s current plan? Many don’t because it’s too expensive. Businesses shouldn’t be able to just foist employees off on the public plan unless they’re putting a lot more in to fund it.

I guess we’ll still wait to see the details. I think we’re finally seeing the outline of what a plan will look like. Like I said, I think there are significant flaws. I don’t think the flaws are fatal and as long as we keep improving the plan once we find the problems we’ll be making huge strides forward.

What seems to be missing is clarification of offered coverage! Would the employer be required to share in the cost or “offer coverage” at full cost to them?

Were I work we have some labor force employee making 12-15.00 an hour and employee shared health care cost for a family plan is $120.00 a week = $6,240.00 a year with a $3000.00 deductible per year. Example @ 15.00 an hour = $600.00 a week gross – $120.00 a week for taxes – another $120.00 for health care leaves $360.00 net pay. Also, let’s assume the employee only paid $1500.00 in deductibles in a given year. So that equates to $28.85 a week leaving average weekly take home pay at $331.15. His gross pay is $31,200.00 and adjusted net pay is $17,219.00 Factor in other taxation such as property taxes, school taxes, gasoline tax, beer tax, cigarette tax, utility taxes what’s left for the working stiff to enjoy the American dream?

The legislation will be as complex as my rant above. The working class needs to hear real numbers as to how much is it going to cost them out of pocket. Offering every one a “health care plan” doesn’t address the real concern of health care cost impact. Sad fact is many employees offer the health care plan in the example forgo it because they need to house and feed their family. I don’t see health care on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.

Aren’t most of their employees part time?

I think this plan has the best shot of getting through, getting the conservadems and perhaps Snowe and Collins.

I have no idea what a Republican plan would look like. Probably something like HSAs, but I don’t understand how that’s going to insure someone who doesn’t make much money without using any tax money. McCain’s plan was to tax employer-provided benefits.

As with UI, I agree with you that employer-based is a flawed approach. However, due to your R colleagues’ votes, this is the best that appears to have a chance of making it through the current Congress.

I haven’t heard any of the R Leaders proposing a non-employer-based health care reform plan. If I missed it, please provide the link. Thanks.

If you don’t like the way it’s paid for take it to Wal-Mart. It sounds like it’s based on an employment tax to me.

We need to move from an employee based system not solidify one. With innovation and entrepreneurs being the needed push we need for our economy you must move health care from the employment setting.

Roughly 30% of workers are in their jobs mostly for the benefits which strangles the economy. Most entrepreneurs will take a financial risk but they worry about a health risk.

http://delawarerepublican.wordpress.com/drtv/

Again, the Dems take a good policy and load it up with taxes and government.

Mike Protack