tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post113642320691086026..comments2020-04-11T03:30:02.282-05:00Gary R. Welshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15185079937305083438noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-1136556391268293382006-01-06T09:06:00.000-05:002006-01-06T09:06:00.000-05:00TRIB has <A HREF="http://www.htmlgoodies.com" REL="nofollow"> noted</A> this this post.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-1136497860214038262006-01-05T16:51:00.000-05:002006-01-05T16:51:00.000-05:00The uninsured problem as Howey notes makes this issue more relevant, but it is a totally separate issue.<BR/><BR/>All retirees qualify for Medicare benefits, which now will include prescription drug coverage. The problem I have with this proposal is that we are footing the bill for health care benefits not only when they reach retirement age, but after they leave the legislature after 6 years of service. Many of these former legislators take jobs where the employer furnishes them a health care plan--nonetheless, they can still take advantage of the more generous plan taxpayers are furnishing them. They will have no need for Medicare and Medicare supplemental insurance that the rest of us get when they do reach retirement age--again, because the taxpayers are picking up the tab for a more generous plan. <BR/><BR/>Remember, these are part-time positions they hold as legislators. Their annual salary is only about $14,000, not counting their per diem allowance. Taxpayers will pay out far more to them in health care benefits than they ever earned as legislators, not to mention the overly-generous pension benefits they receive.<BR/><BR/>When they leave their job as legislators, like everyone else in the workplace, they should turn to their new employer for their health insurance benefits or, if they are self-employed, their own self-financed plan. There is absolutely no justifiable public policy for providing this absurd benefit. It is an outrage in and of itself.Gary R. Welshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15185079937305083438noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-1136488569206098892006-01-05T14:16:00.000-05:002006-01-05T14:16:00.000-05:00I suspect that most folks without health insurance can't afford the luxury of outrage—something about it contributing to heart attacks, strokes, high blood pressure, addictions, road rage... <BR/><BR/>As for those that can afford the luxury, I truly hope that they're not just pissed because they're paying for their servants' health care; but ARE pissed because 40% of Hoosiers go without health benefits--that's the real outrage!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com