2016 Presidential Campaign

[Woof!]

I agree but their crazy low informed and ignorant voter base won't know the difference. Bush won the won and Obama/Hillary have lost the peace. In fact they have lost the peace over most of the globe and where they haven't they will soon. The world knows Obama can't be trusted and can't be depended upon.

Spoken like a true clown car candidate supporter!

[PawDawg]

He screwed up the state workers' health insurance beyond belief.

I hear this often. What did he do to it?

[PawDawg]

Oh, and I'm all about Donald Trump. He has the Dems and Republicans running scared. Un PC comments are so cool!

[dawg80]

I wouldn't vote for Jindal for dog catcher. He screwed up the state workers' health insurance beyond belief.

The state workers' insurance isn't screwed up, it's still good insurance. It's just a lot more expensive! An average of $3,000 more in premiums, and higher deductibles and co-pays. But, my understanding is this is a direct result of obummercare, not something Jindal did, or didn't do. In case you're not privy to it, everyone's costs has gone up, thanks to obummer, not just LA. state employees'.

But, I'd be interested in hearing what Jindal did. Because if he contributed to it, that means the next guv-nor can undo some of it.

So.....

[PawDawg]

The state workers' insurance isn't screwed up, it's still good insurance. It's just a lot more expensive! An average of $3,000 more in premiums, and higher deductibles and co-pays. But, my understanding is this is a direct result of obummercare, not something Jindal did, or didn't do. In case you're not privy to it, everyone's costs has gone up, thanks to obummer, not just LA. state employees'.

But, I'd be interested in hearing what Jindal did. Because if he contributed to it, that means the next guv-nor can undo some of it.

So.....

Yes, I still want to hear what Jindal did. We did see a small increase in premium on our state group plan, but nothing close to $3k. This $3k amount sounds like some of the other rumors I'm hearing about what Jindal did to the state group.

I can give many horror stories as to what Obamacare has done, but from what I've seen so far, it has not affected group health insurance...yet.

[dawg80]

That $3K is annual.

I will get you the exact amount my wife's state employee insurance has gone. She has that Magnolia Plan, or whatever it is called. Off the top of my head, hers has gone up at least $175/month, $2,100. But she has an individual plan, not the family plan. But, I will verify that. We keep copies of check stubs, and I can look back at the pre-obummercare days and compare to today.

[PawDawg]

That $3K is annual.

I will get you the exact amount my wife's state employee insurance has gone. She has that Magnolia Plan, or whatever it is called. Off the top of my head, hers has gone up at least $175/month, $2,100. But she has an individual plan, not the family plan. But, I will verify that. We keep copies of check stubs, and I can look back at the pre-obummercare days and compare to today.

Yeah, I knew you meant annual...We have the Magnolia family plan. It did not go up very much at all. Most state group plans pay a large (if not all) of the employee portion.

[Cal&Ken]

I hear this often. What did he do to it?

He took all the money the workers paid in for the state budget. Instead of the "self-insurance" type of plan, all the money was then gone and the rates were jacked up to cover the new cost. If he was going to go to a new plan, he should have allowed that money to pay the increase until it was gone. Instead he used it.

[PawDawg]

He took all the money the workers paid in for the state budget. Instead of the "self-insurance" type of plan, all the money was then gone and the rates were jacked up to cover the new cost. If he was going to go to a new plan, he should have allowed that money to pay the increase until it was gone. Instead he used it.

You know I respect your opinion greatly. Do you have a source for this?

The Group Benefits Plan's administration was taken over by Blue Cross as a cost saving measure. State worker's premiums were set to go up and would have gone up, but state employees asked for relief. Jindal (some say illegally) reduced the premiums by more than 9%. The premium reduction and rising health care costs are what actually ate up the once large surplus held by the Office of Group Benefits.

[Cal&Ken]

You know I respect your opinion greatly. Do you have a source for this?

The Group Benefits Plan's administration was taken over by Blue Cross as a cost saving measure. State worker's premiums were set to go up and would have gone up, but state employees asked for relief. Jindal (some say illegally) reduced the premiums by more than 9%. The premium reduction and rising health care costs are what actually ate up the once large surplus held by the Office of Group Benefits.

Here is an article that deals with the argument. http://www.nola.com/politics/index.s...s_planned.html I don't think anyone has "proof", just allegations. Here is one talking about the trust fund. http://www.statebudgetsolutions.org/...urance-program

[TechAlum05]

The Group Benefits Plan's administration was taken over by Blue Cross as a cost saving measure. State worker's premiums were set to go up and would have gone up, but state employees asked for relief. Jindal (some say illegally) reduced the premiums by more than 9%. The premium reduction and rising health care costs are what actually ate up the once large surplus held by the Office of Group Benefits.

IIRC, the premiums were reduced for a couple of years to help reduce the amount of money the state government would have to pay for their share of the state employee insurance premiums (and help balance the budget). Eventually, the surplus of the state employee insurance program ran low, and the premiums had to go back up.

I converted to the Pelican HSA 775 plan when the state employee insurance changes were made late last year. A lot of the money I saved from the reduced health insurance premiums are now being deposited into a Health Savings Account. For me, it works. I can build up my HSA instead of paying as much money as I was paying into the health insurance program without any major health expenses the last eight years.

[PawDawg]

IIRC, the premiums were reduced for a couple of years to help reduce the amount of money the state government would have to pay for their share of the state employee insurance premiums (and help balance the budget). Eventually, the surplus of the state employee insurance program ran low, and the premiums had to go back up.

I converted to the Pelican HSA 775 plan when the state employee insurance changes were made late last year. A lot of the money I saved from the reduced health insurance premiums are now being deposited into a Health Savings Account. For me, it works. I can build up my HSA instead of paying as much money as I was paying into the health insurance program without any major health expenses the last eight years.

Yes, HSAs should be encouraged. Hopefully Obama won't take a parting shot at them in some strange executive action.

[70TECHGRAD]

I hear this often. What did he do to it?

It was State operated and had millions of dollars in the fund. He sold it to Blue Cross/Blue Shield who has been taking one million dollars per year out for operating expenses. They now have much less money to pay claims. My deductible this year went from $300.00 to $600.00. My copay went from 10% to 20%!! The premium will soon be going up $20.00/month.

I saw Jindal's interview by Hanity. I kept an open mind. He said some things I liked. But, I just can't vote for someone who balances the State budget on the backs of the State workers and school students!

[PawDawg]

It was State operated and had millions of dollars in the fund. He sold it to Blue Cross/Blue Shield who has been taking one million dollars per year out for operating expenses. They now have much less money to pay claims. My deductible this year went from $300.00 to $600.00. My copay went from 10% to 20%!! The premium will soon be going up $20.00/month.

Yes, there was $500B in the fund. It was costing much more than $1m per year to operate the OGB. That $500M was not being used to play claims and is not now. Consider yourself blessed if your plan changed so little. I can assure you Jindal nor BCBS taking over OGB caused these small changes in your plan.

[Dowty]

Oh, and I'm all about Donald Trump. He has the Dems and Republicans running scared. Un PC comments are so cool!

I agree. It's very refreshing to hear the truth he's speaking. Don't hear that kind of straightforward talk from someone in his position anymore. He has no fear.

Also, while I hate that the crime happened because it never should have if the gov't was doing its job, I also like how his comment about the illegals came true (once again) right after all the libs slammed him for being racist.