Arlen Spector last night

[rwork]

On Jon Stewart last night. He wanted to talk about his book but was sidetracked when Jon asked him about what type of health care he had.
He was completely taken aside and tryed to change the subject.Jon pushed it and asked him what his deductible was.
The question seemed to make him nervous.Probably because US Senators have the best health care in the world and the Republicans endorse a health savings plan for everyone else.

[madokie]

1. Stewart and KO are on at the same time here so I miss Jon

but as something to do I will tune in to the daily show for a few days as ko seems to be hung up on anti'hillary, pro-Barack and its kind of getting tiring. For one thing I don't like hearing someone tearing someone down, just give me the facts and let me sort it out, good or bad I'm the one who has to live with my decisions.

[Name removed]

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[pacalo]

3. They probably have NO deductible. I'm so glad Jon asked him about it.

Too many questions to ask that would put any senator on the spot, but the health care issue is a good one.

[tridim]

8. Didn't he say something like, "I pay $100/month"

Obviously that's not a deductible.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

4. Unfortunately Jon didn't really pursue it. Hold on to your seat, of all people, Matt Lauer

asked Spector the same thing on The Today Show a few days ago, and instead of answering the question as it was meant to be responded to, Spector started to say how the Senate voted for money for cancer research. Of course Lauer didn't follow-up.

Not until someone takes away the health care of our representatives (that we pay for), will we ever possibly see Universal Health Care for our citizens. Spector has the best care possible. He is not limited to doctors and hospitals. He doesn't have an HMO where approval has to be given by heartless bureaucrats, and until they find out what it is like to either not be covered or have procedures rejected, they will continue be out of touch with the plight of those not insured, or those insured by the greedy HMOs.

[ThomWV]

5. I have exactly the same Health Care as Spector does

And in fact every Federal Employee has it. Its called the Federal Employee's Health Benefits Plan (FEHB). To be honest about it I could not guess how much our deductable is either, I doubt that one Fed out of 100 could give any sort of reasonable answer to that question.

As for it being the best health care program in the world, well, that's just pure horse shit. When I worked in private industry, before getting a job in Government, I had a lot better (more inclusive coverage) health care insurance and it cost me a lot less too.

[noamnety]

7. I have it as well.

I don't know what our deductible is.

There are a number of plans - including HMOs - in the booklet and you have to pick one of them. http://www.opm.gov/insure/health/08rates/index.asp

You have to have money withdrawn from your paycheck to pay for it, we have deductibles and copays. For us, we get a huge portion not reimbursed if we see a doctor who's not in the plan.

Once you select one of the options, the insurer treats you like any other person in the plan. The last medication my husband was prescribed, the insurer rejected and refused to pay for. He's had to fight that battle a number of times.

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I still support not giving congress health care until they provide it for everyone else, I'm not arguing that point. I'm just saying it's not some secret gold plated plan where angels sing every time a bill is sent in for reimbursement. It's just a bunch of existing plans that exist for other employers too, and you can pick one.

[Johonny]

6. 3 out 5 last night

There really wasn't much to the Spector interview. The big shame is 5 years into the war John didn't work much up on it (although that's usually because the show is 1 day behind the news cycle).

[OwnedByFerrets]

9. Jon let him off too easy though.....he should have asked

pointedly.....Doesnt EVERY american citizen deserve the same health care plan that you have?

[VP505]

11. Trouble is most of them would

agree as it makes them look good on TV but they still won't DO anything to make it happen.

[snappyturtle]

10. My parents had SAMBA, Special Agents Mutual Benefit Association

insurance. See for yourself: www.sambaplans.com I couldn't see any deductible information. I do know that it paid all but $120.00 for a double mastectomy for my mom....private room and all. It was excellent....she also had open heart surgery. Again, they had no worries over their insurance. I just looked at the site and for what I presume is the best coverage it's $567.00 per month for the insured and his/her family...total.There's a lower option too. Wish we could have the same. My mother is alive and I know she stayed with them for her prescription coverage. This program is sixty years old this year. Pretty sweet.