Obamas health plan helping engineers?

[Dtuck]

I am looking for good news from your company related to engineering jobs being saved or created by the new health insurance plan. I think the rush is over of people lining up at doctors offices for their now "free" health care. Please post the "good" aspects that will help business and keep us employed. There must be at least one. I am off looking myself.

 

[TheTick]

It will likely make life easier for contract employees and self-employed.

It may actually help those starting new businesses, having one major HR expense fixed.

 

[msquared48]

Technically, although I have no work presently, I am self-employed. From what I can see, we will not be positively affected until 2014 with the pre-existing clause inclusion for everyone, if the law stays intact.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto: KISS
Motivation: Don't ask

 

[ewh]

That's a big if...
I think that they may have thrown a bone, with a string attached to pull it back.

"Good to know you got shoes to wear when you find the floor." - [small]Robert Hunter[/small]

 

[cranky108]

I don't think many of us have had time to read the Health Bill yet.
Personally I'm waiting for the Cliff notes.

 

[Dtuck]

"If you rent oxygen equipment, Medicare payments (and your coinsurance) for this equipment now stop after 36 months. But suppliers are required by Federal law to continue providing oxygen and oxygen equipment for up to 5 years as long as you medically need it, and to keep the equipment in good repair. The supplier can’t charge you anything for these services."

This is an example of how the government handles your health care. In a nursing home, they can either buy you new equipment or employ a nurse to take care of you. It's a good thing I don't smoke. Remeber, still looking for good reasons us engineers have to look forward to.

 

[cranky108]

What page is the oxygen stuff on?

 

[msquared48]

O2

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto: KISS
Motivation: Don't ask

 

[ivymike]

cliff's notes

http://www.jeremy-morgan.com/post/467257559/healthcarebill

 

[ornerynorsk]

Yet another example of taking the most industrious and productive people, who are willing to take calculated financial risks to enrich their own lives and the lives of their employees, being punished through yet more oppressive and fascist policy and taxation.

If America wasn't still the best thing going with its relative (emphasized) freedoms and incredible opportunity, I'd be seriously looking elsewhere. As you may have guessed, I am rabidly anti-socialist, I truly believe the risk taker deserves the result of his/her efforts, whether it is years digging out of a hole or reaping the rewards. No bailouts, no handouts. Welfare used to mean that your family, your neighbors, and your church all had your back if you were going through some tough times. Now, we all get to pay for the obscenely inflated and criminally inefficient system in the name of "helping" those less fortunate, which, of course, in the end will yet again fail to accomplish. Gotta love the government for trying though, eh?

That's it for my daily vitriolic diatribe.

 

[ornerynorsk]

Sorry Dtuck, just re-read your OP. You were looking for good news. Sorry, I do apologize, and no sarcasm intended.

 

[GTstartup]

Some good news?

Once the no refusal of preexistng conditions clause kicks in you can live without insurance, pay the small fine if you're caught and if you get sick just get insurance.

Too bad you can't do that with car insurance.

"is this Geico? I just had an accident yesterday"

 

[btrueblood]

I knew somebody would find a way to game the new system. I can't spot the flaw in that logic, GT...

 

[corus]

My understanding of the new laws in the USA is that if a company sells insurance, it will have to cover pre-existing conditions for children covered by the policy. But it does not have to sell to somebody with a pre-existing condition. And the insurer could increase premiums to cover the additional cost. So have no fears, the insurers profits won't suffer.
As far as the OPs question goes though, it's difficult to see how any health policy could directly save or increase the number of engineering jobs, albeit the nations health would improve meaning more people would live healthier lives and require more goods and hence require more people to produce them.

ex-corus (semi-detached)

 

[brandoncdg]

I thought a small business with 50+ now either has to offer insurance or get fined. Not sure how that helps out struggling businesses to create jobs.

To be honest I am already scared when it's time to hire our first employee as there is just too much red tape that makes hiring someone so much of a hassle. We may be getting to that point shortly.

Civil Development Group, LLC
Los Angeles Civil Engineering specializing in Hillside Grading

http://www.civildevelopmentgroup.com

http://www.civildevelopmentgroup.com/blog