XtremeJibber2001 wrote:madhatter wrote:..follow that up w the fact that obamacare has been nothingit was sold as and
It's working as intended. Increase cost to employers, employers are dropping plans or lowering employee hours to preclude the requirement to provide coverage, costs spiraling out of control ...
soon we'll be on Universal Healthcare. At this point, I'm not sure it's any worst than the current system. If it's anything like Belgium we'd pay 7.35 percent of our gross salary, of which 3.8 percent is covered by the employer (similar to how SS already works). I have pretty good health coverage as far as the private sector goes and I pay about 3.5% percent of gross for coverage. Add my deductible and I'm around 4% of gross. All thing equal, it's just moving the money around and saving me the headache of coverage plans, who covers what, employers with sh*t plans, etc. Of course in Belgium you can also get private coverage and use private hospitals if you wish and have the means. For what it's worth, Belgium is known for having one of the best, fastest, and most accessible systems in Europe. An acquaintance fighting cancer was treated in Belgium and the US ... hearing him compare and contrast the two systems ... wow.
very unlikely...they can;t even pass it in the bluest of blue states...take a look at medicare/medicaid reimbursement rates...
employers with sh*t plans
you can change employers, changing fedgov isn't so easy...plans s/b portable and not tied to employers...lots of changes can and should be made...universal isn't one of them...
and in fact belgian HC is NOT universal/single payer either....nor do they apparently achieve top tier results...
https://www.expatica.com/be/healthcare/ ... 00097.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
If you're living and working in Belgium, you will typically be covered by state Belgian healthcare if you carry out the compulsory registrations. The Belgian healthcare system is one of the best in Europe but you need to have state or private health insurance to access it and claim Belgian healthcare refunds.
Expat health insurer explains how to access healthcare in Belgium and register with a Belgian health insurance fund, plus information on visiting Belgian doctors, medical specialists, dentists, Belgian hospitals and Belgian pharmacies. You can also find details on what to do in a medical emergency in Belgium.
This guide covers all aspects of the healthcare system in Belgium:
The Belgian healthcare system
Health insurance in Belgium
Doctors, dentists and medical specialists in Belgium
Hospitals in Belgium
Pharmacies in Belgium
Pregnancy and birth
In an emergency in Belgium
The Belgian healthcare system
The Belgium healthcare system is divided into state and private sectors, with fees payable in both, funded by a combination of Belgian social security contributions and health insurance funds. With mandatory health insurance, patients are free to choose their own medical professionals and places of treatment. Patients generally pay costs upfront and are reimbursed a proportion of the charges for medical and dental fees,
As part of the social security enrolment process, all employees and self-employed must register and start making contributions to a health insurance fund in Belgium (mutuelle/ziekenfonds). Healthcare social contributions are 7.35 percent of your gross salary (3.55 percent deducted at source; 3.8 percent paid by your employer). Self-employed people pay the full 7.35 percent through social security payments. You and any dependents are covered. You can compare Belgian health insurance quotes to pick the provider of your choice.
European Health Insurance Card in Belgium
If you hold an EHIC in Belgium (European Health Insurance Card) you can use this until you take up permanent residence and/or employment; then you have to register with a mutuelle / ziekenfonds like everyone else.
Social security card
You will receive a social security card (known as Carte SIS, now eID) to take to the health insurance company of your choice. Healthcare charges are then partially or refunded by your health insurance fund.
The amount of reimbursement varies according to the treatment and your personal circumstances but, for example, most people can claim up to 75 percent of the cost for a normal doctor's consultation or minor treatment. For hospital stays, you must personally pay a fixed amount for accommodation, while medical fees are paid directly by your insurer. You can take out supplementary or private insurance to cover amounts not refunded. Check the details of your cover with your own mutuelle/ziekenfonds; for example if you’re self-employed you will only be insured for major health problems and may want to take out extra cover.
It's important to note, however, that you may not qualify for reimbursements for the first six months after joining a mutuelle/ziekenfonds, unless you are able to prove you have paid sufficient social security contributions in your home country.
Detailed explanations are provided in Expatica's guide to social security in Belgium and Belgian health insurance.
Stats about healthcare in Belgium
Belgium was ranked fourth on the Euro Health Consumer Index in 2016, putting it ahead of countries such as Denmark, Germany and Finland. The Belgium healthcare system was noted for having among the best accessibility and fastest access to healthcare services than anywhere in Europe, although not quite top-ranking for the best treatment results.
furthermore:
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/cal ... d-nations/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Belgium has the OECD’s highest average tax rate at nearly 56 percent, while Chile has the lowest, at 7 percent. Note: These numbers include employer contributions, but our calculator above only includes what an employee pays.
“Social security contributions, in Europe in particular, are very important, said Pierre LeBlanc of the OECD’s Center for Tax Policy and Administration. “In Belgium you’ll see a clear example of that. That’s how they finance all of their pensions, all of their health care, and more generous unemployment insurance, and that shows up in substantially higher tax rates.”
the grass isn't always greener...
http://www.ifitweremyhome.com/compare/US/BE" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
( click each bar to expand)
bottom line you will pay 56% of your 28% smaller salary and receive not quite top tier results in exchange...no thanks...