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It's great in theory.

But, I feel that it is just a temporary fix to a more daunting problem.

As others have said, and I agree, that it will negatively affect the buying power of the dollars in that area.

One thing that would help fix the income problem would be a national healthcare plan.

The amount that people (especially middle and lower income) have to pay for medical coverage and associated costs is utterly insane. Medical is, from what I recall, the #1 reason for bankruptcies in the US.

If somehow we can create a system that covers everybody and is funded properly, we can put more $ back into the pockets of those who need it without having to mandate a huge increase in minimum wage.

Just for my wife and I, our portion is $660/month. Our income is such that the kids are qualified for Title 19. But to add them would be another $200/month (roughly).

Developing a proper tax code for corporations and individuals could easily fund healthcare for everybody at a basic level...

Just my 2 cents.

No argument there. To properly address the issues facing the majority of the American populace would require a ground-up rewrite of tax code, healthcare, housing costs... but that's never going to happen.

I mean, it could start with re-incentivizing(is that a word?) companies to stay in the US. Right now there's so little onus or them to do so.

 TheMeanDM wrote:

Medical is, from what I recall, the #1 reason for bankruptcies in the US.

Yep... 75% if all bankruptcies in the US are due to medical emergencies/diagnoses/treatment

60% of THAT population actually did have "major medical" insurance at the time of their issue.


It was one of the few "good things" I liked about my old insurance job... supplemental insurance (like AFLAC, and some others) is ridiculously awesome, once you realize what it is, how it really works, etc.

The problem though is that you can insurance coverage yourself to death...

 TheMeanDM wrote:
The problem though is that you can insurance coverage yourself to death...

most of the cost still resides in "major medical"

Last time I did a quote on myself... for around 100 bucks a month, I had cardiac/stroke coverage, cancer coverage, "accident" coverage (ie, falling from a roof, breaking my femur in rugby, becoming a para/quadriplegic)


Major medical, for a 28 year old.... 500 bucks, give or take (and that was on the bronze ACA plan, which many people think they need a silver or gold plan... so this was the cheap stuff)

Dont get me wrong...supplemental coverage can be a great benefit...if you have the discretionary income to get it after meeting your other obligations.

I too used to be in the insurance sales world :-)

 TheMeanDM wrote:
Dont get me wrong...supplemental coverage can be a great benefit...if you have the discretionary income to get it after meeting your other obligations.

I too used to be in the insurance sales world :-)

Lol, I partially got out of it due to some supervisory "suggestions".... and partially because i really suck at cold calls

I was not a pressuring kind of guy. I would work the numbers and present the savings and benefit...but I wouldn't pressure and hound people. Now, granted, I thought some people were ridiculous for not electing to go with me and save $1,100/year...but..it"s their $ :-)

I am FAR FAR happier and more successful as an RN now