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I really want to see health care reform.  I work in health care -- dentistry, to be exact.  I earn about $50,000 a year with a family of four.  I pay 20% of my gross income for health insurance and a modest IRS section 125 cafeteria plan that pays for copays.  My insurance has $3000 deductible per year.  it would be financially ruinous to go to the hospital. 

We're healthy.  We're trying to eat right and exercise.   Here are some of my questions:

1.  Will it cost me more than 20% of my income to reform healthcare (e.g., more taxes, etc.)? After the mortgage this is the biggest payment I make all month.

2.  Can't we incentivize people for living healthy lifestyles?

3.  What would be the actuarial effect of changing our national junk food lifestyle?

4. Who are the people who arguing against healthcare reform? I have trouble believing that the people saying, "Don't mess with my healthcare" are paying their own premiums.

Thank you public broadcasting for reigniting the debate.

posted 3 years, 8 months ago
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