Govt. retiree health benefits to cost big

[lovuian]

http://feeds.bignewsnetwork.com/?sid=364c4319129ea676
The future health benefits of retiring state and local government employees could slam taxpayers with a bill exceeding $1 trillion, reports USA Today.

The report says state and local governments have a $2.5 trillion fund to pay pensions to about 19 million civil servants and 7 million retirees, but no such provision has been made for retiree medical benefits.

Taxpayers will revolt when they realize the enormous cost of this, Minnesota State Auditor Pat Anderson told the newspaper. She warned these governments may be forced to put pressure on the federal government to nationalize healthcare.

Under new accounting rules, these governments must start costing retiree medical benefits beginning next year.

It's no exaggeration to say that elected officials are shocked, absolutely shocked, by the size of these liabilities, an insurance actuary told the newspaper.
more...
So it look like Everybody doesn't have the money to pay for healthcare...

Civil servants welcome to our world!!!

[Deja Q]

1. Maybe somebody should reform health care...

instead of reforming the people who have to afford it. Or can't.

[catmother]

3. we need universal health care. if the government doesn't know

how to go about it, they can ask other countries, i.e., canada, germany. i think we're the only civilized country that doesn't have it.

[left is right]

6. I think you are wrong

We are not a civilized country

[catmother]

7. i know what you mean. i think we're also the only so-called

"civilized" country that has the death penalty.

[saigon68]

8. They are the privileged people

Like PIGS

With their snouts in the public trough

[catmother]

2. i don't think many private companies even pay for health care

after retirement. we're trying to figure out if my husband's company does. i know that when he reaches full retirement age he has to apply for medicare. don't know if they pay for any supplemental policy. so many things have changed with their pensions that we can't keep up with it. :eyes:

[Tanuki]

4. Time to replace this Republican hack (Anderson)

with a Democrat! Here is what Anderson's labor-friendly opponent says:

"The Pawlenty Administration and the current State Auditor Pat Anderson have sold their souls and our state’s fiscal stability to a special interest group," Otto says.

"They have placed their pledges to the Taxpayer’s League ahead of their pledge to serve all the citizens of Minnesota.

"I’m here to tell you it is inappropriate for our state officials to be advocating for anyone’s interests except the citizens as a whole.

"It is unacceptable that the current auditor has taken what is supposed to be a non-partisan office and used it to advocate for policies that undermine the financial stability of the very units of local government whose financial stability she was elected to insure.

"I have spent the last five years of my life battling the minions of the Taxpayer’s League in a school levy race, school board races, and state house races, and I’m continuing the battle until we have restored balance and reason and fiscal responsibility to our state offices. I very much appreciate your support."


http://www.rebeccaotto.com/Personal/endorsements.html

[jedr]

5. Strange that they can't find the money for the programs that were;

Promised to workers but I'm sure they can find all the money they need for corporate welfare!!! As a civil service worker , let me tell you that the pay ain't that great...You stay at wages well below industry because of the retirement and benefits. So take those away and all you have is a lousy job with low pay. So then you'll get a Wal-Mart government inspecting your food and policing your streets. Not everybody working for the Govt. is a fat cat! ( flame away my friends)

[maddezmom]

9. locking

LBN rules state you must link to the original source.