John Metz, Denny's Franchisee And Hurricane Grill & Wings Owner, Imposes Surcharge Fo

[marano]

Most people can not afford to buy a home outright, therefore they must finance the home and make payments with interest until it is paid off. Nobody will lend you money to finance a home without first obtaining homeowners insurance...therefore while your in the process of buying your home, private enterprise mandates that you buy homeowners insurance...not the government, private enterprise mandates it. Same with buying a car, motorcycle etc.

Now what I want to know is why so many people believe that health care should be free market. Peoples health should not be about making profit for anyone. My niece tore up her knee and she had to get a brace post surgery to wear when she walks until it is healed. The brace cost $2,000.00 It is some steel,plastic and straps. My refrigerator cost $1200.00 It has moving parts, electronics, copper tubing etc. Using the common sense I was born with I smell a rat. The medical "industry" because they know people care about their health and the health of their families and that the things and services they are "selling" are sometimes a necessity to live have the ultimate leverage in this free market system to sell those things at whatever they can get for them. At this point people complain about taxes. Well insurance premiums are taxes just instead of going to the good of the nation they are going directly in to the pockets of billionaires in the health industry. God Bless America.

[chiefst2000]

Originally Posted by kennyo7

No thats not what I propose.
I propose that there is a tax payer funded public insurance option that will provide basic medical coverage for all of its citizens. Coverage will be for what the medical community determines makes medical sense. (ie- we wont start dialysis on a 88 year old demented person with an incurable advanced cancer). Private insurances will also be available for purchase if one choses.

How would the taxpayer fund such a project?

Personally, my proposal would be for government to provide a "catastrofic care" plan or "major hospitilization plan" which would be financed by an income tax similar to medicaid. It would cover major medical procedures only. My theory is that while only 5% of the population would actually have need for this if they were uninsured the government is on the hook regardless. Then allow people to much cheaper purchase private insurance plans to cover day to day doctors visits and such. As an add on since medicaid is generally used to finance trips to emergency rooms for people with minor illnesses, I would allow states to use medicaid funds from the FED to open free medical clinics in areas where they determing that they are necessary/ can save money. In a perfect world these clinics would be run privately but funded by medicaid dollars. Now we have the poor covered for major medical as well as through local clinics. The rest can purchase cheaper private insurance to cover their incidentals.

I'm curious to your thoughts.

[FF2®]

"If I leave the prices the same, but say on the menu that there is a 5 percent surcharge for Obamacare, customers have two choices. They can either pay it and tip 15 or 20 percent, or if they really feel so inclined, they can reduce the amount of tip they give to the server, who is the primary beneficiary of Obamacare," Metz told The Huffington Post.

No Mr. Metz, there is a 3rd choice, to eat elsewhere.

What a putz. How did this doosh become a CEO. Way to pit customers against employees as if you are an impotent go between.

Costs shift constantly in business. Companies find ways of adjusting to compete without whining publicly.

[marano]

Originally Posted by kennyo7

No thats not what I propose.
I propose that there is a tax payer funded public insurance option that will provide basic medical coverage for all of its citizens. Coverage will be for what the medical community determines makes medical sense. (ie- we wont start dialysis on a 88 year old demented person with an incurable advanced cancer). Private insurances will also be available for purchase if one choses.

Well said.

[Warfish]

Originally Posted by kennyo7

No thats not what I propose.

I propose that there is a tax payer funded public insurance option that will provide basic medical coverage for all of its citizens

Those are the same thing Ken.

A Taxpayer Funded Public Option IS a wholesale change from our current system for the majority of people.

A Taxpayer funded system is inherantly a Government controlled system, not a privately controlled system.

I'm sure things so common in liberalism, like affirmative action, social engineering (no state coverage if you drink soda!) and the like would NEVER creep into such a taxpayer funded, Government controlled sytem, right?

And when it inevitably does, like illegal immigrants and affirmative action and soda bans, it will be described as "for the greater good", anyone against it will be called a racist/sexist, and it will be defended as social justice for past sins. Same as it ever was.

Sorry, I simply prefer not to keep my healthcare options at the discretion of a Government with a track record like ours. I should not have to pay both for my own private insurance, and the state insurance for other able-bodied people who could pay for it themselves privately.

[AlbanyJet]

Obamacare = The Springfield Monorail

Barney Gumble: "What about us brain dead slobs."

Lyle Lanley: "You'll be given cushy jobs."

[southparkcpa]

Originally Posted by kennyo7

No thats not what I propose.
I propose that there is a tax payer funded public insurance option that will provide basic medical coverage for all of its citizens. Coverage will be for what the medical community determines makes medical sense. (ie- we wont start dialysis on a 88 year old demented person with an incurable advanced cancer). Private insurances will also be available for purchase if one choses.

I as a conservative, NOT A Republican, a conservative, agree with this. ALL Americans should have basic healthcare.

Then again...all Americans should pay income tax.

[Jetworks]

Originally Posted by kennyo7

No thats not what I propose.
I propose that there is a tax payer funded public insurance option that will provide basic medical coverage for all of its citizens. Coverage will be for what the medical community determines makes medical sense. (ie- we wont start dialysis on a 88 year old demented person with an incurable advanced cancer). Private insurances will also be available for purchase if one choses.

I get where you are coming from, but do I need to point out the amount of doctors that turn down necessary medical care for my daughter because they don't accept my insurance or Medicaid? Cuts both ways.

[palmetto defender]

Originally Posted by southparkcpa

I as a conservative, NOT A Republican, a conservative, agree with this. ALL Americans should have basic healthcare.

Then again...all Americans should pay income tax.

Sorry cpa, too simple here.
Health care should be available to all. BUT, payment for coverage is required. How? There's the rub. If I can't pay or won't pay, why should I have coverage?
Also, I, in particular, want a very good plan which covers a wide variety of care. I am in fact willing (and do) pay for that extra.
I also pay a lot for a long term care plan for when I become even more demented. Everyone IS NOT equal. Pay for what you expect to get.
Exceptions as I have itemized in the past: children born with significant birth defects and military disabled.

[intelligentjetsfan]

quality health care should be accessible to everyone. It is absolutely a human right. It should not a perk for people society deems as successful.

Owning a lexus, summer house, the finest clothes, etc should be an incentive to many to strive for better in a capitalist society.

A child born into a poor family who gets sick and needs long term care should not be **** out of luck.

A system that offers people the option of private and public plans and allows choice is fine with me. And I have no problem paying $100 more a year so that decent health care is given to citizens.

[Axil]

Originally Posted by marano

<snip>
Now what I want to know is why so many people believe that health care should be free market.
<snip>
My niece tore up her knee and she had to get a brace post surgery to wear when she walks until it is healed.

The brace cost $2,000.00 It is some steel,plastic and straps.

My refrigerator cost $1200.00 It has moving parts, electronics, copper tubing etc. Using the common sense I was born with I smell a rat.

Your refrigerator isn't subject to FDA regulations. The current governmental involvement in healthcare is the primary driver of healthcare cost. More governmental involvement will not lower health care cost.

*edit*

And to the original topic... Why are people suprised. Do you realize most of your San Francisco resturants charge a "Healthy Surcharge" to offset city mandated healthcare cost? This should have been expected.

[palmetto defender]

Originally Posted by intelligentjetsfan

quality health care should be accessible to everyone. It is absolutely a human right. It should not a perk for people society deems as successful.

Owning a lexus, summer house, the finest clothes, etc should be an incentive to many to strive for better in a capitalist society.

A child born into a poor family who gets sick and needs long term care should not be **** out of luck.

A system that offers people the option of private and public plans and allows choice is fine with me. And I have no problem paying $100 more a year so that decent health care is given to citizens.

Funny, when I was a kid my family was poor. I was able to go to the doctor. My parents did not have health insurance at first. They found the money. Later, they did have health insurance- for which they paid a lot.
Health care clinics are available for the very poor with no insurance. I wonder if our resident physician donates HIS time to help the poor.
I wonder if our resident educators donate THEIR time in their neighborhoods (or ghetto neighbiorhoods) to assist the less fortunate.
I was an executive and for over 15 years worked with children outside of work. Imagine, a conservative helping kids.

[doggin94it]

Originally Posted by marano

Most people can not afford to buy a home outright, therefore they must finance the home and make payments with interest until it is paid off. Nobody will lend you money to finance a home without first obtaining homeowners insurance...therefore while your in the process of buying your home, private enterprise mandates that you buy homeowners insurance...not the government, private enterprise mandates it. Same with buying a car, motorcycle etc.

Now what I want to know is why so many people believe that health care should be free market. Peoples health should not be about making profit for anyone. My niece tore up her knee and she had to get a brace post surgery to wear when she walks until it is healed. The brace cost $2,000.00 It is some steel,plastic and straps. My refrigerator cost $1200.00 It has moving parts, electronics, copper tubing etc. Using the common sense I was born with I smell a rat. The medical "industry" because they know people care about their health and the health of their families and that the things and services they are "selling" are sometimes a necessity to live have the ultimate leverage in this free market system to sell those things at whatever they can get for them. At this point people complain about taxes. Well insurance premiums are taxes just instead of going to the good of the nation they are going directly in to the pockets of billionaires in the health industry. God Bless America.

I see the problem - you don't understand what "free market" means

[Buster]

Originally Posted by quantum

No comments on this, Busterbot? Just spamming away as usual?

He's passing costs on to his customers. Accepted business practice. Who doesn't do this?

I wouldn't have a problem with this if he put a surcharge on his menu when the government required that he put in fire alarms or require that his staff wash their hands.

Raise prices. I have no problem with that. It is to be expected. It is the surcharge thing is obnoxious.

Also, I don't think this guy realizes his customers have a third option. And that kind of screams "imbecile"

"If I leave the prices the same, but say on the menu that there is a 5 percent surcharge for Obamacare, customers have two choices. They can either pay it and tip 15 or 20 percent, or if they really feel so inclined, they can reduce the amount of tip they give to the server, who is the primary beneficiary of Obamacare," Metz told The Huffington Post. "Although it may sound terrible that I'm doing this, it's the only alternative. I've got to pass the cost on to the consumer."

[Jungle Shift Jet]

Originally Posted by Buster

I wouldn't have a problem with this if he put a surcharge on his menu when the government required that he put in fire alarms or require that his staff wash their hands.

Raise prices. I have no problem with that. It is to be expected. It is the surcharge thing is obnoxious.

Also, I don't think this guy realizes his customers have a third option. And that kind of screams "imbecile"

Restaurants in San Fransicko charge a Healthy Surcharge to pay for healthcare they are supposed to provide, what's the dif?

[Winstonbiggs]

Originally Posted by intelligentjetsfan

quality health care should be accessible to everyone. It is absolutely a human right. It should not a perk for people society deems as successful.

Owning a lexus, summer house, the finest clothes, etc should be an incentive to many to strive for better in a capitalist society.

A child born into a poor family who gets sick and needs long term care should not be **** out of luck.

A system that offers people the option of private and public plans and allows choice is fine with me. And I have no problem paying $100 more a year so that decent health care is given to citizens.

That's big of you Inteligent. Would you pay 1000 or 10,000 or 100,000 dollars a year more? At what point would it be a problem for you?

We can only get what we can afford not what we think we can afford. Good health care for everyone is not the same for everyone and it takes armies of doctors, hospitals, nurses, aids, physical therapists, specialists, primary care doctors, equitment, etc., etc., etc. to provide quality care for everyone. One size does not fit all even though we could give less health care for all and have a reasonably sound statistical outcome for society while many people who now get the care they need to survice would naturally be dead.

[Warfish]

Originally Posted by intelligentjetsfan

quality health care should be accessible to everyone. It is absolutely a human right.

Not in the United States it isn't. As I've said, if you want it to be, the follow the proper process and amend the Constitution.

Then it would be a human right, like free speech, free practice of religion, and gun ownership.

Owning a lexus, summer house, the finest clothes, etc should be an incentive to many to strive for better in a capitalist society.

So we agree that an individual should, then, choose to buy health insurance before they buy a car, a home, non-base-level clothing and the like? And that if one chooses to buy those things before they buy insurence, it's their own fault?

A child born into a poor family who gets sick and needs long term care should not be **** out of luck.

If the family is poor, and the child disabled, they are not "out of luck". They'd be covered by Medicare/Medicaid.

And I have no problem paying $100 more a year so that decent health care is given to citizens.

So whats stopping you?

[southparkcpa]

Originally Posted by doggin94it

I see the problem - you don't understand what "free market" means

From what he tells us...he has never worked in a free market so please forgive him.

[quantum]

Originally Posted by southparkcpa

Then again...all Americans should pay income tax.

whoa! whoa! what's with the crazy talk?!