Higher Beer Taxes to Fund Health Ins.

[Corporate Death]

Ok, thats it. Now I'm really pissed. Not only are they going to completely trash the health insurance system, they are also going to tax my beer. That is the last straw. I should stay here in Okinawa where the Asahi and Orion beers are not excessively taxed, but I think I'm going to come home and just go on a spree in Washington DC and start dismembering everyone in a suit.

Anyone care to join me?

 

[somarco]

I posted about the "sin tax" at InsureBlog and got this comment from a reader.

This is a great lead in based on my reunion with a long time friend who is visiting from Italy! You see, my friend left his employer and took a new job 6 months ago. He took the job for a variety of reasons but most importantly was that the US division is based close to where he and his wife grew up.

Eighteen months before changing jobs he called me about his upcoming open enrollment period he was having with his company insurance plan. While I am not the consultant on this corporate account, he knew that if I reviewed his options it would be in the best interest of his family. First, he has two boys. The youngest was born with a small hole in his heart. Being that he is only three, there are tests and other "things" that the pediatric cardiologist must review on an annual basis. It provides my friend a piece of mind that all is well. Plus, in the past it had only cost him a $75 copay. Now he had the option of an HSA, a PPO, and an HMO. All of these carried different contribution levels.

There were two other catches. First, the plan renewed in June (in the middle of his son’s heart testing) and second, his wife was pregnant again. Based on the cost analysis as well as the benefit structure it made the most sense to enroll in the HMO, as long as they could get an exception for his son to see the Pediatric Cardiologist who would otherwise be out of network. Before finalizing his decision he took personal responsibility and was able to get the specialist for his kid to accept the reimbursement that his new insurance would pay. Then they had the baby.

Now, why would I tell this story based on the post you have written? Well, he now has lived in Italy for six months. He can buy a bottle of wine that costs $65 in the US for $12 in Italy (Bob, I have a connection for you). He also knows that if you are a citizen of Italy who makes $30,000 you pay roughly 40% in taxes and if you make over $100,000 you pay roughly 55% in taxes. He also knows there is no such thing as health insurance in Italy. Health care is free. The taxes you pay help offset this.

One last thing, we live near Toledo, Ohio where there is a retailer named The Anderson’s. Inside Anderson’s are meat markets called House of Meats. When you are there you “take a number”. My friend Ryan said last month they took their 1 year old for her immunizations. His exact quote was: “We walked in to a building in Milan just like you would walk in to Government Center in Toledo. There was a line with the same number dispensing machine they have at House of Meats. I pulled the number out and read 92. Then, over the loud speaker came a female voice…number 74. Now taking number 74. We waited four (explicative) hours to get shots that with our regular pediatrician would have taken ten minutes! I hope to God we don’t have any major health problems while we are here. People in the States have no (explicative) idea how great the health care system is at home. Anyone who has an issue with the health care/insurance system in the US…send them over to see what we deal with. Social medicine can only do two things; cost you more in taxes or take your life away.”

Please let me know of any takers.
Pat

 

[dgoldenz]

Interesting comment, and very well written.

 

[somarco]

Yes, it is.

Looking forward to stocking my cellar with $12 bottles of wine.

 

[moonlightandmargaritas]

Looking forward to stocking my cellar with $12 bottles of wine.

Golly, I just love a good Malbec. Very robust tannins, and the South American varieties are so inexpensive...

I don't always drink wine, but when I do, I prefer Malbec.

 

[bobson]

Drinking a few or a lot of cold brews, may cost a little more...soon. It's going to a good cause, so drink up. It'll help insure the uninsured.

Beer tax on tap for health care - Road Runner

Hmmm. What about us homebrewers that make many of the finest beers in the world. Will they tax the ingredients too or just the final product?

I have a Pete's Wicked Ale clone just about ready to be kegged. Should I send the feds a check for $20.00? They sure would spend it much more wisely than I could ever hope to imagine spending it.

Besides, Obama needs a little more cash to close Gitmo.


Hmmmmm.... fresh homebrew.

 

[somarco]

Malbec is good. Have you tried Felino? Picked up a bottle (2007) this week for $19.

Made by the same vintner that produces the Vina Cobos label where similar wines are $150 a bottle.

They also have a very good cab. Got half a dozen of those last week for $16 each.

If you let them breathe for 30 - 45 minutes the wines really come alive and pair well with almost anything. Had one last weekend with Fettucini Bolognese. Took me 5 hours to make the sauce but well worth the time.

 

[dgoldenz]

Malbec is good. Have you tried Felino? Picked up a bottle (2007) this week for $19.

Made by the same vintner that produces the Vina Cobos label where similar wines are $150 a bottle.

They also have a very good cab. Got half a dozen of those last week for $16 each.

If you let them breathe for 30 - 45 minutes the wines really come alive and pair well with almost anything. Had one last weekend with Fettucini Bolognese. Took me 5 hours to make the sauce but well worth the time.

Try the Venturi......it will decant the wine instantly when you pour it through instead of having to wait 30-45 minutes. Pretty amazing little device, and well worth the cost. It makes a very noticeable improvement in the wine, especially reds:

Amazon.com: Vinturi Essential Wine Aerator: Home & Garden

 

[STIBROKER]

Glad I am a scotch drinker.....

 

[Crabcake Johnny]

better be Glenlivet