Comments for Policy Wonk http://www.policy-wonk.org Let's talk about where we're headed... Fri, 11 Jun 2010 17:43:27 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 Comment on Local Development Corporations: Honest Graft? by Tweets that mention Local Development Corporations: Honest Graft? | Policy Wonk -- Topsy.com http://www.policy-wonk.org/kent-gardner/local-development-corporations-honest-graft/comment-page-1/#comment-2835 Tweets that mention Local Development Corporations: Honest Graft? | Policy Wonk -- Topsy.com Fri, 11 Jun 2010 17:43:27 +0000 http://www.policy-wonk.org/?p=399#comment-2835 [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by CGR, Kent Gardner. Kent Gardner said: More "honest graft?" Local Development Corporations remind us of Tammany Hall. See http://goo.gl/Kgxx. #fb [...] [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by CGR, Kent Gardner. Kent Gardner said: More "honest graft?" Local Development Corporations remind us of Tammany Hall. See http://goo.gl/Kgxx. #fb [...]

]]> Comment on Inform & Empower Voters to Decide the Future of Their Community by Ben http://www.policy-wonk.org/charles-zettek-jr/inform-and-empower-voters-to-decide-the-future-of-their-community/comment-page-1/#comment-2610 Ben Wed, 24 Mar 2010 17:07:02 +0000 http://www.policy-wonk.org/?p=378#comment-2610 I think this is a huge step in the right direction for New York. This state has so may layers of government that it makes it nearly impossible to operate efficiently. I'm glad to know that government consolidation is no longer taboo in NY. I think this is a huge step in the right direction for New York. This state has so may layers of government that it makes it nearly impossible to operate efficiently.

I’m glad to know that government consolidation is no longer taboo in NY.

]]> Comment on Citizens Have the Power to Reduce Fire District Costs by Sean Maguire http://www.policy-wonk.org/charles-zettek-jr/citizens-have-the-power-to-reduce-fire-district-costs/comment-page-1/#comment-2216 Sean Maguire Thu, 11 Feb 2010 23:33:04 +0000 http://www.policy-wonk.org/?p=356#comment-2216 There is a big problem with the coordination and financing of fire protection across NYS. There are great discrepancies in levels of service as well as resources. Understanding what is the cost of basic fire protection in a community is a benchmark that needs to be developed. Having that information in hand will allow communities to know if they are paying too much or too little. There is a big problem with the coordination and financing of fire protection across NYS. There are great discrepancies in levels of service as well as resources. Understanding what is the cost of basic fire protection in a community is a benchmark that needs to be developed. Having that information in hand will allow communities to know if they are paying too much or too little.

]]> Comment on Status Report: High Deductible Health Plan by Jordan http://www.policy-wonk.org/kent-gardner/status-report-high-deductible-health-plan/comment-page-1/#comment-1772 Jordan Tue, 29 Dec 2009 15:41:53 +0000 http://www.policy-wonk.org/?p=358#comment-1772 Ive been doing alot of reading about these <a href="http://www.highdeductiblehealthplanstoday.com/Items_47_Aggregate_Insurance.aspx" rel="nofollow">high deductible health plan</a> lately as Im about to obtain one through my job. I admit, at first it seems like alot to pay for, but there is a chance for some big savings as well. These plans are usually accomodated by a HSA, HRA, or FSA, into which you put a certain amout pretax, and said money can be used to pay for medical expenses, or go towards your deductible. It saves the company money, which in the long run, lets you keep your job, which is nice in this economy. And even though you have to pay everything up to your agreed deductible amount, everything after is covered, with perameters of your plan. Another bonus is that, if you use the Doctor infrequently, the money in HSA, is your money,and it accumulates. If you leave the job, that money is still yours. There are pros and cons to every situation. I have posted a couple links I found to be very useful. I hope they help in your search for info. http://highdeductiblehealthplan.blogspot.com/ Ive been doing alot of reading about these high deductible health plan lately as Im about to obtain one through my job. I admit, at first it seems like alot to pay for, but there is a chance for some big savings as well. These plans are usually accomodated by a HSA, HRA, or FSA, into which you put a certain amout pretax, and said money can be used to pay for medical expenses, or go towards your deductible. It saves the company money, which in the long run, lets you keep your job, which is nice in this economy. And even though you have to pay everything up to your agreed deductible amount, everything after is covered, with perameters of your plan. Another bonus is that, if you use the Doctor infrequently, the money in HSA, is your money,and it accumulates. If you leave the job, that money is still yours. There are pros and cons to every situation. I have posted a couple links I found to be very useful. I hope they help in your search for info.

http://highdeductiblehealthplan.blogspot.com/

]]> Comment on Making Sense of Health Savings Accounts by Jane Ahrens http://www.policy-wonk.org/kent-gardner/making-sense-of-health-savings-accounts-2/comment-page-1/#comment-1388 Jane Ahrens Tue, 20 Oct 2009 12:30:43 +0000 http://live.cgr.org/policy-wonk/?p=234#comment-1388 Kent, Thank you for taking the time to write an in-depth account of the problems facing our health insurance choices today and the complex problems within the heathcare system. It isn't any wonder that most people (and employers) are very confused and frustrated about what to do. For 2010, it is clear that both major carriers in the Rochester area will be steering people towards the HDHP with an HSA. (Most of the rest of the country already uses the HDHP with HSA's or HRA's). We can most likely expect that the traditional HMO plans will again spike a double digit dollar increase, and for most, this will put those plans out of reach. EPO's and PPO's will also see large increases in premium. In contrast, HDHP's will see an icrease in product offerings and premiums will stay more attractively priced. Regards, Jane Kent,

Thank you for taking the time to write an in-depth account of the problems facing our health insurance choices today and the complex problems within the heathcare system. It isn’t any wonder that most people (and employers) are very confused and frustrated about what to do.

For 2010, it is clear that both major carriers in the Rochester area will be steering people towards the HDHP with an HSA. (Most of the rest of the country already uses the HDHP with HSA’s or HRA’s).

We can most likely expect that the traditional HMO plans will again spike a double digit dollar increase, and for most, this will put those plans out of reach. EPO’s and PPO’s will also see large increases in premium.

In contrast, HDHP’s will see an icrease in product offerings and premiums will stay more attractively priced.

Regards,

Jane

]]> Comment on You, Too, Can Speak Health Care by When Will We Slow Health Care Cost Growth? | Policy Wonk http://www.policy-wonk.org/kent-gardner/you-too-can-speak-health-care/comment-page-1/#comment-1291 When Will We Slow Health Care Cost Growth? | Policy Wonk Tue, 13 Oct 2009 13:44:43 +0000 http://www.policy-wonk.org/?p=329#comment-1291 [...] to the second in our series on health care. (If you missed the first one, check it out at www.policy-wonk.org.) Today we discuss the growth in health care cost, both how much and how fast it has grown, and the [...] [...] to the second in our series on health care. (If you missed the first one, check it out at http://www.policy-wonk.org.) Today we discuss the growth in health care cost, both how much and how fast it has grown, and the [...]

]]> Comment on You, Too, Can Speak Health Care by Tweets that mention You, Too, Can Speak Health Care | Policy Wonk -- Topsy.com http://www.policy-wonk.org/kent-gardner/you-too-can-speak-health-care/comment-page-1/#comment-1248 Tweets that mention You, Too, Can Speak Health Care | Policy Wonk -- Topsy.com Sat, 03 Oct 2009 12:25:06 +0000 http://www.policy-wonk.org/?p=329#comment-1248 [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by CGR Ctr Govt Resch. CGR Ctr Govt Resch said: You, too, can speak health reform! Gardner & Fatula begin five part series in Roch Biz J. See http://bit.ly/TxvEr -Kent [...] [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by CGR Ctr Govt Resch. CGR Ctr Govt Resch said: You, too, can speak health reform! Gardner & Fatula begin five part series in Roch Biz J. See http://bit.ly/TxvEr -Kent [...]

]]> Comment on Consolidating Governments Is About More Than Just Saving Money by Rosalie Hanson http://www.policy-wonk.org/charles-zettek-jr/consolidating-governments-is-about-more-than-just-saving-money/comment-page-1/#comment-523 Rosalie Hanson Fri, 31 Jul 2009 17:27:45 +0000 http://www.policy-wonk.org/?p=308#comment-523 We, here in the Gordon Heights Fire District, Medford, Suffolk County, New York, are in the process of trying to dissolve our tiny fire district. www.ghfdtax.com Youtube video - go to youtube, research ghfdpetition thank you, sincerely, Rosalie Hanson 631-377-0524 We, here in the Gordon Heights Fire District, Medford, Suffolk County, New York,
are in the process of trying to dissolve our tiny fire district.

http://www.ghfdtax.com

Youtube video – go to youtube,
research ghfdpetition

thank you,
sincerely,
Rosalie Hanson
631-377-0524

]]> Comment on Cost & Coverage on a Collision Course? by Kent Gardner http://www.policy-wonk.org/kent-gardner/cost-coverage-on-a-collision-course/comment-page-1/#comment-301 Kent Gardner Tue, 23 Jun 2009 22:11:27 +0000 http://www.policy-wonk.org/?p=303#comment-301 Thanks for commenting. I agree with you--in part. But our bodies are going to continue to wear out. A heart valve here, a bit of cancer there, some macular degeneration, etc. As we find new ways to fix the stuff that breaks (which is a good thing!), that's going to drive new spending. Sure, we can prevent a lot of diabetes if we could reduce obesity, cut lung cancer by eliminating smoking, etc. But successful prevention allows us to live long enough to get something else. And, like my mom's back, I'll want to treat the stuff that goes bad! Thanks for commenting. I agree with you–in part. But our bodies are going to continue to wear out. A heart valve here, a bit of cancer there, some macular degeneration, etc. As we find new ways to fix the stuff that breaks (which is a good thing!), that’s going to drive new spending. Sure, we can prevent a lot of diabetes if we could reduce obesity, cut lung cancer by eliminating smoking, etc. But successful prevention allows us to live long enough to get something else. And, like my mom’s back, I’ll want to treat the stuff that goes bad!

]]> Comment on Cost & Coverage on a Collision Course? by CKChilds http://www.policy-wonk.org/kent-gardner/cost-coverage-on-a-collision-course/comment-page-1/#comment-300 CKChilds Tue, 23 Jun 2009 19:28:57 +0000 http://www.policy-wonk.org/?p=303#comment-300 Unless we, as a country, are willing to put more emphasis on PREVENTION rather than sick care, our medical costs will continue to rise. Unless we, as a country, are willing to put more emphasis on PREVENTION rather than sick care, our medical costs will continue to rise.

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