IMO, you probably wouldn't have to raise them that much, if at all.
I think it's worth pointing out something: mball and I both just did the math and found that we pay the same percentage of our incomes in taxes, however, my taxes cover my universal health insurance as well as all the normal services that we both receive.
There are savings to be had if your representatives are willing to look for them.
Yes ..and we are only talking about inusurance PREMIUMS for people here.Unlike Enchanted we have had to actually use our inusurance and we can not forget that there are deductables and co-pays that you have to average in what you actually spend on medical.For example right now the insurance we have is $550 a month for a family of 4..Doesnt sound outrageoues right for lets say somone making $60,000 a year thats about equal to what ya'll pay.The difference is we each have a $250 deductable for prescriptions..we have a 2,000 anual deductable for medical services..and then after that is met we still have a co-pay and for prescriptions depending on the medication for prescriptions it can be as high as 30% of the cost of the medication.My son currently takes a medication that "retails" at $500 for a 30 day supply.."Luckily" its covered under "only" the $60 (a month)copay.But if it wasnt that medication woudl be $150 a month and that is WITH "decent' insurance.And of course thats based on someone making 60,000...You would have to pay that same amount for that same insurance coverage even if you made a lot less that.
I can tell you without a doubt even though we didnt have any chronic or serious illnesses (up untill recently my husband diganosed with diabetes ..Oh and I have depression)..over the years we would have saved a LOT of money if we had paid a flat 10% tax of our income for COMPLETE medical coverage.
I would love to know that yes we are paying 10% to be able to go to the doctor,have a surgery ,get prescriptions...and not have to sit there and be worried if you need to go the the emergency room or whatever what kind of bill are you going to be slammed with even though you have done the responsible thing and kept insurance coverage even when as Enchanted pointed our you "didnt need it" or if you have to be put on a medication that you are supposed to take for the rest of your life suddenly you have you have to figure out where to come up with an extra 250..every single year and then a monthly "co-pay" on top of that of 140 or more a month.Which is what my husbands meds cost currently.So with insurance coverage just for now (we are still young) we have been hit with minimum of an additional 2,000 a year going out for medical care.OH wait excuse me ..thats not including the doctors copay..Without the medications my husbands life would be in danger.
Another example was with Blue Cross our last carrier..We had a $2500 deductable per person and the premiums were around $500..And low and behold that year my son injured his knee(had to have surgery)..BAM $2500...then my husband got a kidney stone BAMM $2500...So our medical expendatures that year doubled for two non life threatening but treatment required medical needs.
I would love to elimate the "unkowns" and just be able to count on a flat percentage and adjust our budget to that KNOWN expense.
I could go on with more stories but I think its pathetic and pitiful people have to be litterally frightened at the propsect of needing a surgery or to be put on medications as to how they can budget it in and thats WITH insurance.
BLAH!!!
Love
Dallas