Children insured by State

[Go Aweigh2452]

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - Flanked by children, Gov. Chris Gregoire signed a bill Tuesday to expand health-care coverage to thousands of Washington's youngest residents.

"This is one of the most exciting days, I believe, for the state of Washington," she told an audience in a packed room at the Capitol. "We are a leader among leaders in the entire United States."

The measure will provide health-care coverage to 38,000 more children in the next two years. Coverage is either free or on a sliding scale based on the family's annual income. The expansion will cost around $60 million in state and federal money.
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This state needs an accountant!!!

I'm all for taking care of kids that can not afford health care, but this bill is so bogus it is amazing someone has not challenged it...

$60 million for 38,000 kids over two years equates to $789,473.65 PER CHILD PER YEAR... What's wrong with this picture???? Who here spends that kind of loot on their own children???

Of course Gregoire's response is:

"It is more expensive for the state to have uninsured children than to provide them with coverage for preventive care, routine checkups and early medical services, Gregoire said. Children without insurance end up receiving most of their care in emergency rooms, where the cost is higher, she said."

Not sure about anyone else here but I don't recall spending that much for routine checkups or preventative care and who goes to the emergency room for that care anyway?

Oh yea, get this:

Some also argued that children already on private insurance would switch to the government program, raising prices in the private market for everyone.


ya think?

[dumluck53]

Good points, Doug. I had not heard this news. Thanks for bringing it to our attention.

[Go Aweigh2452]

I found the way that Gregoire intends to pay for the health care...

SB 5150 - 2007-08

"Providing fiscal reform"

In case anyone is wondering... SB 5150 is really "state income tax"...

[SomeSailor]

$60 million for 38,000 kids over two years equates to $789,473.65 PER CHILD PER YEAR... What's wrong with this picture???? Who here spends that kind of loot on their own children???

60,000,000 / 38,000 / 2 = $789.47 per child.

That amount would require nearly 60 Billion dollars.

[/quote]

[bradvo]

Thanks Doug, I will do my part next election time.
This state may get to expensive to retire in if this keeps going on.

[kirkster5]

Thanks for the Math correction. I hear they teach a little math in the USCGA courses that people can take to get thier State boaters card :lol: :lol: :lol:

[SomeSailor]

That's why Doug's giving up public education. He's moving into the high stakes game of Boater education.

[Go Aweigh2452]

Yea, got carried away with the calculator... what's a couple of zeros anyway? Just had them on the wrong side...

Guess I should look for a job in Seattle... Anyone want to buy a viaduct or a "big dig"? My math skills qualify me... well, maybe over qualify me... ;)

[SomeSailor]

Hey... for $10 you can get some credentials ;)

You seriously thinking of throwin in the towel Doug?

You're the best thing I've seen happen in a JROTC program in some time. Not getting the support from the schools anymore, or is it just wearin' on ya?

[Go Aweigh2452]

You seriously thinking of throwin in the towel Doug?


I'm a bit burned out currently and not sure if it is the weather or just me or this unit but I am seriously thinking/researching about retirement.

Found some nice places south of Tampa FL that are really affordable and on water. I could easily buy the homes available (no mortgage) and live off my retirement and investments plus have a nice boat to fish with... Tampa had their last major hurricane 40 years ago and 50 years before that was another one.

A friend of mine lives near Venice and paid $66,000 for his 1900 sq ft home on the canal (and he doesn't own a boat)... His monthly yard maintenace and garbage pick up bill is $16 and that includes mowing service... His HOA bill is around $240 per year. he complains about his taxes that went up to $3000 last year and his home owners insurance went up to $1400 from $750 the year before the hurricane. (Jeb is introducing legislation to drop the big jump in insurance for areas not in direct historical path of hurricanes).

Still contemplating... it is VERY Tempting... and they have WalMart so I could still do the Greeter thing... LOL

[pkrogh]

Wow. From your description, Doug, it sounds like we're living in the wrong part
of the country!!!
There must be some down side other than the humidity, snakes, bugs, hurricanes,
alligators and cockroaches! :shock:

Pete

[dumluck53]

Damn. Those numbers are impressive, Doug. You just about have me convinced. What is the downside?

[voyager]

I may be totally off base but I seem to remember reading on one of the other boards that Florida has more than its fair share of crime. I do not remember the details but I believe their laws enable offenders of several types to relocate to Florida without registering or being tracked. Once they are in the state they are outside of the jurisdication of the state they came from. They also mentioned taxes where going wild and insurance companies were cancelling policies left and right. Like I said one of the other forums had a big thread on it a while back. I'll see if I can find it again.

[dljdad]

[quote]$60 million for 38,000 kids over two years equates to $789,473.65 PER CHILD PER YEAR... What's wrong with this picture???? Who here spends that kind of loot on their own children???

60,000,000 / 38,000 / 2 = $789.47 per child.


#1...first thing I ask my kids when their answer seems kinda...out of line....does "789,473.65 PER CHILD PER YEAR" seem like a reasonable answer? Should check your math before putting something like this out there.

#2 $789.47 per child per year seems very reasonable. I know what monthly insurance costs are. This is a good deal and the right thing to do.

[sunnydude2]

I have to agree that the cost is way below what a family would have to pay by themselves in getting health care for kids. Not sure where the money will come from but if the kids don't get shots, checkups, etc when they are young they most likely will have problems later in life and we will be supporting them through unemployment and other funds.

[bradvo]

I don't have issues with helping kids and neither do most of us, it is the fuzzy math that bothers me.