I am employed and have employer-subsidized health insurance. I pulled out my pay stub, opened a spreadsheet and did a little analysis. Here is an analysis of the up-front cost, not including co-pays or deductibles.
Total federal tax deduction is $7,399.60 per year (Now, I use creative methods in TurboTax to dial that way down).
So, some insurance company gets more than $4,500 per year. How much would my taxes increase (Oh God! A tax increase Waaaaaa! W-w-waaaaaa!) if there were a single-payer system? Presumably, if the insurance were covered by a federal program, my employer could pay me that $3,328, and I could pocket the rest. And the total healthcare deduction is more than half of my maximum tax liability, so if the tax increase were to come to less than $4,541.16, I would come out ahead. I would also know more about what was covered, what plan I would have next year, and my coverage wouldn't have all kinds of riders for pre-existing conditions, etc.
Also, if the cost of insurance continues to increase at 10% per year, in five years my total payroll deduction and employer contribution will balloon to $7,313.58 per annum. This part is not speculation, but a likely scenario.
I know many people are totally freaked out about government run anything, but get real, kids, this sort of system does work, can work, and we are falling behind all those countries that we are goddamn better than. And, unfortunately, our current system is a cash cow that does not deliver better care than is provided to them thar for-ners.
Just a quick analysis that anyone can do using their pay stub. I guess anyone who has a full-time job with subsidized healthcare, that is.
Also note that I work for the federal government that has a huge plan, and most people probably pay more that I do, particularly small businesses (less than 500 employees), who get screwed big time.
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