Latest News on UI extensions

[BobMango]

bob, that is an excellent point and i absolutely respect everything you have pointed out........however, once again i ask where are the jobs for us???????........

we changed our life style prior to even filing bk......we don't eat dinner.....only lunch ...dinner is too expensive...we never charged any luxury on our charge cards...but did in fact charge over 200k on my medical bills when our insurance capped out that year and it was either charge or die. we never charged a dinner or a dress or purse, or drill, or vacation....we got ill and we both lost our jobs and apparently no one wants us between the ages of 50-70 years old.

i don't want a hand out.....we don't have cell phones...nor cable......nor a 30k car...i can tell you that.


we LOST our house after 33 years.....GONE in a blink.......we went from over 4k sq ft to less than half...we have done everything short of living on the street, which we were close to...a tent maybe should be next for people like us....


perfect example attempting to do a house chore in bad health.......i just ripped my meniscus in three different places attempting to ADJUST and overcome.....and while hopping around i stepped on a piece of glass with MY GOOD foot and have now stitches in the OTHER.......so i'm adapting.....the BEST i can.....we need help physically and keep PUSHING until there is nothing left to PUSH...what more can anyone ask of us???...(WHAT A WEEK it's been).....and i don't mind hopping over to walmart again to apply for a job........which we looked into this week...and the office told us they have over 1k applications on file and will shortly be destroying them....too many to keep.
upper and mid management level people with masters degrees and above....who have attempted to get employed from burger king to walmart??? i was told I WAS TOO OLD???

once again, i do not want any government hand outs...i just want what WE paid into our own unemployment insurance accounts...... WE are not the 99ers'....we paid in for 50 plus years and are just asking to have the balance of our accounts paid to us.

I have to admit tobee, that I don't have the answers. I just know that we can't keep doing what we're doing- borrowing money we don't have to give to people that can't find work is not getting us anywhere.

Getting government to back off and provide some stability and confidence in the economy will make a big difference. Continuing to try and prop up failing companies and industries will simply delay the inevitable and cause more pain in the future.

If our government continues to flail about looking for the magic bullet it only signals that they don't know what to do. Quantitative easing, Wall Street bailouts, lack of sound tax policy --- it all points to the fact that our illustrious leaders haven't a clue.

[AngelinaCatHub]

Sadly, based on the Democrats performance to date they will trade pennies on the dollar i.e. the Republicans will give them an extension of unemployment for a few months if they get an extension of the tax cuts for years -- if not permanent. The Republicans may have "driven" us in this ditch, but the Dems are in the drivers seat on this issue. Don't negotiate with terrorists, let the Republicans block everything it is time for our own French Revolution.

I have to admit tobee, that I don't have the answers. I just know that we can't keep doing what we're doing- borrowing money we don't have to give to people that can't find work is not getting us anywhere.

Getting government to back off and provide some stability and confidence in the economy will make a big difference. Continuing to try and prop up failing companies and industries will simply delay the inevitable and cause more pain in the future.

If our government continues to flail about looking for the magic bullet it only signals that they don't know what to do. Quantitative easing, Wall Street bailouts, lack of sound tax policy --- it all points to the fact that our illustrious leaders haven't a clue.

I've been observing as when I read, I get too angry to post. This is my best opinion just to say: Here, Here, for these two ideas.

We as a Country have jumped off a 12 story building.....we are down to the second floor saying "SO FAR, SO GOOD". It won't be long now before the Piper must be paid to clean up our bloody mess. 'Hub and PROUD OF IT! So there!

[tobee43]

I have to admit tobee, that I don't have the answers. I just know that we can't keep doing what we're doing- borrowing money we don't have to give to people that can't find work is not getting us anywhere.

Getting government to back off and provide some stability and confidence in the economy will make a big difference. Continuing to try and prop up failing companies and industries will simply delay the inevitable and cause more pain in the future.

If our government continues to flail about looking for the magic bullet it only signals that they don't know what to do. Quantitative easing, Wall Street bailouts, lack of sound tax policy --- it all points to the fact that our illustrious leaders haven't a clue.

be either bob....i don't have the answer either....i just hate being in the middle of the politician volley ball game and being the "ball".

actually, i really don't think there are any answers to be had, most are just rhetorical palaverous rants, to release the macabre of this situation which effects so many . if there was one simple thing that could be done to undone what so many complex and variables have lead us to, i'm certain we'd all be happy. but it just isn't going to happen...not yet, anyway.

[AngelinaCatHub]

This was posted on one of our local news outlets:

Unemployment Numbers Down In October

November 19, 2010 3:11 PM

Florida's unadjusted unemployment rate dropped from 12.1% in the month of September to 11.6% in the month of October.

The state's Agency for Workforce Innovation posted no change in the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate. Those numbers don't reflect seasonal hiring.

In Duval County there was a drop from 12% to 11.3%.

Clay County dropped from 11% to 10.6%.

Nassau County unemployment rate dropped from 11.2% to 10.4%

St. Johns County had numbers drop into single digits for the first time this year, they went from 10.1% to 9.6%.

Florida still has a higher unemployment rate compared to the national average. Nationally the rate is at 9% down from 9.5%.

The state unemployment report also cited an increase in online job ads. Candace Moody with WorkSource says ads in the region spiked up 20-45% depending on the industry.

http://wokv.com/localnews/2010/11/unemployment-numbers-down-in-o-1.html

[justbroke]

The state's Agency for Workforce Innovation posted no change in the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate. Those numbers don't reflect seasonal hiring.

I was going to ask you a question, Hub, but those two sentences tell me everything I need to know.

The slight dip is due to "seasonal" holiday employment. Employment will be back down after the Christmas break. Also, traditionally, many factories close in December or at least the last 2 weeks of December where the unemployment numbers will increase as these folks collect temporarily.

I wish they'd stop publishing these "feel good" numbers. I think it would be more helpful if we published the unblemished, "seasonally adjusted" actual unemployment and under-employment numbers. What we do today, is just count jobless claims. There are many people, who earn over $100K, that don't make jobless claims since most unemployment is around $300/week (compared to making over $2,000 a week), and a good number of them have resources that don't necessitate a jobless "claim". This doesn't even include the number of $100K(+) employees who are now working for $9/hr ($18K a year), and are technically "under-employed".

I wish all the politicians would stop playing the numbers games... and just do something positive to help the economy. My medical goes up over $100/month starting January 2011. At this rate of increase (18% in my case), I think I'll just drop my insurance and pay the "fine" for not having insurance. And, before anyone jumps on me for being naive or argumentative... I've done the math and research.

It is cheaper for me, under the new Healthcare Reform, to deny coverage and pay the fine. So, let's break down the fine. Starting in 2011, the fine is minimal... nothing to even speak about. However, in 2016 when the "reform" is "fully" implemented (I put those in quotes because neither will work under the current conditions) the fines are as follows: $695 for each uninsured family member, up to a maximum of $2,085; or 2.5 percent of household income, whichever is more. There are 4 of us and, using round numbers, we'd pay $700/ea or $2,085 (since the max is $2,085), or 2.5% of my income. Based on my income, that's $4,500 for the "fine". So long as we don't use care, we get to not pay anything.

As of January 1, 2011, I will be paying just over $700/month for healthcare for my family and I. That's over $8,400 a year. That $4,500 fine is looking REAL nice now. That's a 50% savings on my current healthcare. Additionally, my plan may be considered "Cadillac" and subject to additional taxation. Let's say the Democrats decide to tax it at 10%, so that's $8,400 + $840 a year for medical or $9,240 a year. That $4,500 "fine" looks better and better.

Additionally, over the last year, I think we had "billed" (to the insurer) expenses of $2,500. So, I would just pay the $2,500 in cash and not be hit by the $4,500 "fine" until something catastrophic happens.

And that folks, is what's wrong with the so-called healthcare "reform". If more people in my income bracket start doing the math, and making this a business decision... well... you can see what will happen.

(Note: I could also claim a religious exception that I don't believe in healthcare, and not pay the fine. Then when a catastrophic event occurred... the States would pay. Yes, each individual State has to implement this, although it's a federal mandate. This is why several States are fighting the legislation as it reads now.)

Okay, so I went a little off topic, but these shenanigans in the Congress... are irritating me to no end.

[tobee43]

justbroke(Note: I could also claim a religious exception that I don't believe in healthcare, and not pay the fine. Then when a catastrophic event occurred... the States would pay. Yes, each individual State has to implement this, although it's a federal mandate. This is why several States are fighting the legislation as it reads now.)

Okay, so I went a little off topic, but these shenanigans in the Congress... are irritating me to no end.

religious exception..........i'll VOTE for that.....ahhhhh creative, i must admit.

you really made me laugh...we rec'd a notice from ss yesterday that our payment was going up a whopping $9.82 monthly.........

and we also, in the same group of mail rec'd from our medical coverage we receive from our pension, that it will be decreasing in their types of services effective jan 2011...gotta love it.

congress will have a wondrous holiday i'm certain...but for us, well, we will just count our blessings.

[justbroke]

congress will have a wondrous holiday i'm certain...but for us, well, we will just count our blessings.

More (money) for less (service). It's the American way!

[msm859]

I have to admit tobee, that I don't have the answers. I just know that we can't keep doing what we're doing- borrowing money we don't have to give to people that can't find work is not getting us anywhere.

Getting government to back off and provide some stability and confidence in the economy will make a big difference. Continuing to try and prop up failing companies and industries will simply delay the inevitable and cause more pain in the future.

If our government continues to flail about looking for the magic bullet it only signals that they don't know what to do. Quantitative easing, Wall Street bailouts, lack of sound tax policy --- it all points to the fact that our illustrious leaders haven't a clue.

I have the answer. Declare war on energy dependence. Cut the military and get out of Afghanistan. Let all of the Bush tax cuts expire.

[tobee43]

I have the answer. Declare war on energy dependence. Cut the military and get out of Afghanistan. Let all of the Bush tax cuts expire.

well that could get us a few bucks back in the pot i would say.

[msm859]

well that could get us a few bucks back in the pot i would say.

Declaring war on energy dependence would actually address a lot of problems. It would help us really get out of this recession. (They say it took WWII to get us out of the depression) It would keep hundreds of billions of dollars here instead of sending it to the Middle East were they will use it against us. It will lessen are involvement in the Middle East so that terrorist won't hate us so much and make are country more secure. It will address global warming. Unfortunately, a few powerful corporations are against it -- so the country gets screwed.

[Peeps]

Justbroke,

That's some fine number crunchin' and your logic is definitely clear. I'm wondering, though, about the practical reality of your plan.

Have you checked around to see if any doctors will be available to your family if you're not insured? You'd always be able to fall back on the local ER for emergencies (though plan to wait for a long time in the lobby with everyone else that's already there for guaranteed treatment) and I believe many urgent care centers also take people on a cash basis. But what if something really big comes along? Finding a specialist or long term treatment facility could be really challenging.

In my own experience, which is what makes me ask the question in the first place, I just switched from an ungodly expensive insurance plan to Medicare. Finding a doctor that takes new medicare patients is like pulling teeth. So I can only guess that finding a doctor without any insurance whatsoever would be even more challenging. No doubt, they're out there, but it might take some hard work to find them. The system is overloaded - there's a shortage of doctors and when demand exceeds supply they can set their own rules for non-emergency care... whether intended or not, it may be those who opt-out who ultimately end up falling through the cracks. Just be careful. Y'know we all love ya and want only the best for you and your family.

[keepinitreal]

Finding a doctor that takes new medicare patients is like pulling teeth. So I can only guess that finding a doctor without any insurance whatsoever would be even more challenging. No doubt, they're out there, but it might take some hard work to find them.

I imagine if you pay cash, the doctors will be tripping all over themselves to accept you as a patient. With Medicare, the doctors have to do a ton of paperwork AND wait to be paid by the government, so it's very different from no paperwork and getting cash on delivery.

[LadyInTheRed]

I have the answer. Declare war on energy dependence. Cut the military and get out of Afghanistan. Let all of the Bush tax cuts expire.

Try playing with the New York Times Budget Puzzle http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2...s-graphic.html It allows you to choose from a list of spending cuts and tax increases that have been proposed to eliminate the deficit.

If you choose all military cuts and expiration of the bush tax cuts, plus a carbon tax which is the only energy related option, you eliminate the deficit in 2015, but not 2030. But, you can choose other things to get to a zero deficit in 2030. If you cap medicare growth to GDP growth plus 1% starting in 2013, you will be in the black in 2030.

Of course this doesn't address unemployment and since the tool is based on projections and assumptions, you really can't tell how accurate it is. But, it is an interesting exercise that helps you see the relative effectiveness of various proposed solutions.

[Peeps]

I imagine if you pay cash, the doctors will be tripping all over themselves to accept you as a patient. With Medicare, the doctors have to do a ton of paperwork AND wait to be paid by the government, so it's very different from no paperwork and getting cash on delivery.

Not really... at least not from what I found. I spent most of last month trying to find primary care physicians that would take cash as payment and they're a rare breed.

Many offices don't even do billing in-house anymore. When I asked about cash payments, I was given flat-out "NOs" from every direction. Kind of surprising.

Few doctors are taking straight-medicare patients, which is from what I understand, the program that the uninsured will be folded into. The providers that DO take straight-medicare as full payment are usually in some very colorful areas of town. Some doctors still take new Medicare patients as long as you have a supplemental insurance policy, which ain't free. On top of it, Medicare itself isn't free. There are deductibles and copays just like everything else. I'm not sure if those get waived just because people elect to pay the opt-out fee. It's just something to factor into cost calculations if nothing else. But from what I saw the biggest issue is finding a provider. That's not going to get any easier as millions are added to a program that already has ongoing resource issues. The medicare system is geared toward senior care and if you're younger or have children, well, it's just hard to find anything for non-emergency care.

I'm not trying to rain on anyone's parade. It's just that the system is changing dramatically. Y'know all those folks who were angry and said the new healthcare legislation didn't go far enough? I'm starting to think they may have had a point.

[justbroke]

That's some fine number crunchin' and your logic is definitely clear. I'm wondering, though, about the practical reality of your plan.

Yes. As I stated, I'd pay cash for routine services. I'm okay with paying $8,500 a year. I can keep the money in an interest bearing account, saving $8,500-$10,000 a year (I figure I'll be paying over $15,000 a year for medical by the time 2016 settles in, with no expectation that it will DECREASE). I can self-insure. My Doctor is perfectly fine with taking cash for services. As a matter of fact, you could ask any doctor if they preferred cash or "insurance". Guess which one they like better? (So much so, that many doctors sell their accounts receivables for less than dollar for dollar in order to get cash NOW. The percent is based on a net realized value and there's some funky math there. But imaging selling your receivables for 20% less than value.)

You're right though that "some" don't like cash, because they sell their "insurance" receivables. It's harder to sell a receivable when you already have cash in pocket. My doctor is fine with cash and prefers it. He's a larger practice with probably 8 (large) offices in Florida. They even own 4-5 therapeutic spas that handle injuries that require physical therapy. And, he's not the only one.

Then, if I get ill... I just BUY MEDICAL from the exchange. That's what it's there for. This is the EXACT scenario that the "smart" people in Congress were worried about.

In my own experience, which is what makes me ask the question in the first place, I just switched from an ungodly expensive insurance plan to Medicare. Finding a doctor that takes new medicare patients is like pulling teeth.

Not in Florida! We are the king of medicare! (Noting that 43,000,000 are on medicare with 3,387,500 in Florida (The largest is California with 4,341,100, but percentage wise... NOBODY beats Florida.)***

So I can only guess that finding a doctor without any insurance whatsoever would be even more challenging.

No Challenge since I'll stay pay for regular check-ups and maintain a regular doctor with cash. Even if I devoted $2,500 a year to that... I'm saving almost $7,000 a year!

Y'know we all love ya and want only the best for you and your family.

It's my theory and I'm sticky to it. If everyone just accepts the status quo, then the status quo remains. The moment I get taxed for carrying insurance for my family is the day I stop carrying it. As I stated, we use about $2,500 in actual services a year (non-discounted). I pay over $8,400 a year for medical. I'm willing to pay cash and not carry "insurance" and to become self-insured. If I actually save $12,500 of the $15,000 a year I'll probably be expected to pay by 2016, then I can save almost $60-70K in my "medical savings"... but I'd put it in my 401(k) in money market (relative safety) or TIPS.

I know an extremely wealthy woman who once said this when asked why she doesn't have insurance... "it's too expensive." (And she was a billionaire.)

*** Source: State Health Facts