Will Health Reform Free Workers From 'Job-Lock'?

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I think Pharmacuetical cos are taking part in brainwashing. With small reaction drugs and making a big deal about it!! And other simple stuff.Example : mental health drugs.Some are 100s of dollars. Most deal with thinnig you blood. Which means low energy and a chance at diabetes. Wierd but some people need medical marijuana not blood thinning. I think that blood thining causines anxeity(also diabetes) attacks and maybe suicide. Hold up. I do not like being lazy and nonproductive.I just 100% dislike marijuanas for everyday use or weekly use. Marijuana is safer than alcohol. NOT SMOKED but eaten with foods.Outlaw any marijuana cigareetes. Just like some medications. Scientist know that if you take drug your bodys chemicals will become balanced or debalanced or overbalnced for a long period of time. Medical science is easy. Salmon(omega3) for two weeks and rest will help repair the heart. No salt or sugar. Thats basic. Also i just ran into 2 doctors i think that would not treat me and tell me that there is nothing wrong with me. I thought something is wrong with me. Wake up hospitals. But bully mobs theory or suspected. Common true christian politicians!!! Common true christian businessmen think whats needed-west IL!!!. Thank you for your time.Psal99:9-outside pray. Romans 3:23-God will work with us. Col 3:11. 1 corinth 14:26. Watchout for evilist communists! Choose righteousness not selfrighteousness. Lovers not sinners!

Andrew h. Tucker of IN 5:38PM August 13, 2009

It also harms the competitive economy when employers cannot get new talent, because someone feels the need to stay with a current employer, at least in part, based on the availability of benefits.
Having worked for a start-up in the past, benefits were not a problem, but all the same, many many start ups have concerns about affordable coverage for their employees. Newer businesses already work twice as hard at employee retention (not in recession, clearly, but certainly during good economic years). The issue of health coverage makes it even more difficult, and it is hindering the progress of new entrepreneurial ventures.

Angie Koutrotsios of IL 4:07PM August 07, 2009

This was John Mccains idea, actually not so bad now that we think about it. Portability of insurance, competition between state lines...why is none of that being discussed now? Obama's socialized health care plan, will have yet another impact on jobs...it will reduce them. In addition, your paycheck will suddenly shrink up because of added taxes to your employer and to you. After a few years,your only health option will be the government plan, which will become more and more expensive while offering less and less. Unfortunately you will not have the option to "Opt out" and the government will eventually take money that was supposed to go to health care and use it for other things, in the same way as they have done with medicare. Even though you pay more, you'll get less and you'll have no other options...oh, unless your a millionaire, like the president and members of congress, then you can travel anywhere to get the best of care. It would be better to fix our current system, with government regulation and something could be done there. But the guys at the top think they know whats best, when they actually know nothing at all. I guess its a little hard to realize that, when some people are calling you the messiah.

Cris of FL 1:02PM August 07, 2009

Show me an economist at a "town hall" meeting yelling in tandem with the tea baggers, the birthers and the single-issue abortion people, and I'll show you one who was hired or bribed by a corporation with profits at risk of diminishing under real health care reform.

Muser of NM 10:07AM August 06, 2009

Actually, Muser, no, I think the sensible economists are all at the Townhall meetings trying to stick a Big Pitchfork in it. The current reform as proposed is a giant disaster. Better to keep the current flawed system.

JoeSwiss 9:22AM August 06, 2009

Do strong health care reform with a public option and get:
1) More entrepreneurial startups?
2) Better recruitment at small firms?
3) Large firms suddenly trying to retain their older workers for their experience instead of trying to dump them before they have medical claims?
Mercy. Every sensible economist in the country ought to be rooting for reform.
But are they? Or are they off in some corner looking at arcane graphs?

Muser of NM 10:38PM August 05, 2009

This article is exactly right. We need to get OFF the current slave system that ties employees to their company's health care plan. Companies shouldn't be worrying about providing health care for their workers anyway - they have enough trouble taking care of their primary business. Let all companies, whether large or small, compete on a level playing field. Then let the best companies win.

DG of GA 8:21PM August 05, 2009

Both health care and retirement benefits have to be portable for employees to be safe from job immobility. Employers who have a stranglehold on their employees because employees feel changing jobs could mean loss of some or all of their benefits are definitely at an advantage in the market for employees. They're able to hold an ax over employees' necks AND they're at a competitive advantage with many employers.
Keeping health care and retirement benefits tied to employment has been and will be unfair to many employees across the country. Both should be portable--leave a job and the benefits go with you. College teachers have a retirement benefit in TIAA/CREF that could well serve as the model for both retirement benefits around the country AND health care.
Why is it that we pick around the edges of problems and inequalities in the U.S. instead of actually solving them? Look to who the major major campaign finance contributors are and you'll discover the answer quite easily.

Ron W. Smith of UT 5:17PM August 05, 2009