OK whiz kids...help me...

On Mar 23, 1:39*am, "John B" wrote:
What would be the problem with limiting the profit a Health Insurer could
make?

john

Well, it may not be a direct comparison, but I'd like to talk a bit
about auto insurance in MA. Many years ago, the citizens complained
about auto insurance rates, so our benevolent legislature decided to
help us out by regulating the industry. In due time, insurers tired of
fighting the politicians every year, and they left in droves. With
only a few companies left, auto premiums skyrocketed, due to lack of
competition, until only New Jersey had higher auto premiums. Finally
pressure from the voters was heard on Beacon Hill, and most of the
restrictions were removed and insurance companies were free to
establish competitive rates. Many of the insurers that left, returned,
and as a result, my yearly insurance bill for two vehicle dropped from
$1380 to $778 in one year, for the same coverage.

Health insurance is the 86th most profitable industry in the country.
Why would profits need to be limited? Simply put, many companies would
simply fold, and the ones remaining would, at some point, need
government $$$ to stay afloat, so one more major industry would come
under government control.

On 2010-03-23 14:46:51 -0400, george9219 said:

Simply put, many companies would
simply fold, and the ones remaining would, at some point, need
government $$$ to stay afloat, so one more major industry would come
under government control.

Aha! You've hit upon their scheme, George. Let's see, you buy your
car from the gov, insure it with them, your kid gets his college loan
from them, your mortgage is with them, your health care is from them,
and it's all controlled by the IRS who has to hire thousands more
agents to keep us all in line. OBROFF: Seems like a fine kettle of
fish.

Dave

On Mar 23, 11:46*am, george9219 wrote:
On Mar 23, 1:39*am, "John B" wrote:

What would be the problem with limiting the profit a Health Insurer could
make?

john

Well, it may not be a direct comparison, but I'd like to talk a bit
about auto insurance in MA. Many years ago, the citizens complained
about auto insurance rates, so our benevolent legislature decided to
help us out by regulating the industry. In due time, insurers tired of
fighting the politicians every year, and they left in droves. With
only a few companies left, auto premiums skyrocketed, due to lack of
competition, until only New Jersey had higher auto premiums. Finally
pressure from the voters was heard on Beacon Hill, and most of the
restrictions were removed and insurance companies were free to
establish competitive rates. Many of the insurers that left, returned,
and as a result, my yearly insurance bill for two vehicle dropped from
$1380 to $778 in one year, for the same coverage.

Health insurance is the 86th most profitable industry in the country.
Why would profits need to be limited? Simply put, many companies would
simply fold, and the ones remaining would, at some point, need
government $$$ to stay afloat, so one more major industry would come
under government control.

Only one comment, more as a sidebar than a disagreement or criticism.

A question: Do you think anything might be special about how Mass
drivers drive? Park? etc.. Frankly I never could figure out if Mass
drivers differentiated between "parking" and what I remember as
"bumpercars" down the Jersey Shore. And being originally from Jersey
it took me some time to realize that Massa-volk spoke English because
they couldn't understand me, nor me them. I have also noted the
culture adjustment former Mass residents have too make in Washington.
First step is learning that in Washington at least, you do not
announce that one has just pulled up behind someone by sitting on the
horn. The second learning seems to be learning that it is frowned on
to roar down a one-lane- open street in the city at 60mph. The third
is that it is off putting to scream at . . . . Well we will leave
that one out for now. But to cut to the chase, I have found driving
norms in Mass far more different and strange to me than any in Great
Britain or Italy, or NJ or Florida or California, and all have some
quirks. This I am sure would have some influence on Mass car insurance
arrangements.

Dave

On Mar 23, 6:28*pm, DaveS wrote:
On Mar 23, 11:46*am, george9219 wrote:



On Mar 23, 1:39*am, "John B" wrote:

What would be the problem with limiting the profit a Health Insurer could
make?

john

Well, it may not be a direct comparison, but I'd like to talk a bit
about auto insurance in MA. Many years ago, the citizens complained
about auto insurance rates, so our benevolent legislature decided to
help us out by regulating the industry. In due time, insurers tired of
fighting the politicians every year, and they left in droves. With
only a few companies left, auto premiums skyrocketed, due to lack of
competition, until only New Jersey had higher auto premiums. Finally
pressure from the voters was heard on Beacon Hill, and most of the
restrictions were removed and insurance companies were free to
establish competitive rates. Many of the insurers that left, returned,
and as a result, my yearly insurance bill for two vehicle dropped from
$1380 to $778 in one year, for the same coverage.

Health insurance is the 86th most profitable industry in the country.
Why would profits need to be limited? Simply put, many companies would
simply fold, and the ones remaining would, at some point, need
government $$$ to stay afloat, so one more major industry would come
under government control.

Only one comment, more as a sidebar than a disagreement or criticism.

A question: Do you think anything might be special about how Mass
drivers drive? Park? etc.. Frankly I never could figure out if Mass
drivers differentiated between "parking" and what I remember as
"bumpercars" down the Jersey Shore. And being originally from Jersey
it took me some time to realize that Massa-volk spoke English because
they couldn't understand me, nor me them. I have also noted the
culture adjustment former Mass residents have too make in Washington.
First step is learning that in Washington at least, you do not
announce that one has just pulled up behind someone by sitting on the
horn. The second learning seems to be learning that it is frowned on
to roar down a one-lane- open street in the city at 60mph. The third
is that it is off putting to scream at . . . . *Well we will leave
that one out for now. But to cut to the chase, I have found driving
norms in Mass far more different and strange to me than any in Great
Britain or Italy, or NJ or Florida or California, and all have some
quirks. This I am sure would have some influence on Mass car insurance
arrangements.

Dave

Interesting take on my post. Following your logic, I guess that when
auto insurance was deregulated in MA, by some miracle, the drivers
suddenly became so much better that the rates dropped by 40%
overnight. BTW, if you liked driving in MA, you would LOVE CT, and
have a standing orgasm in RI.

On Tue, 23 Mar 2010 17:51:42 -0700 (PDT), george9219
wrote:

On Mar 23, 6:28*pm, DaveS wrote:
On Mar 23, 11:46*am, george9219 wrote:



On Mar 23, 1:39*am, "John B" wrote:

What would be the problem with limiting the profit a Health Insurer could
make?

john

Well, it may not be a direct comparison, but I'd like to talk a bit
about auto insurance in MA. Many years ago, the citizens complained
about auto insurance rates, so our benevolent legislature decided to
help us out by regulating the industry. In due time, insurers tired of
fighting the politicians every year, and they left in droves. With
only a few companies left, auto premiums skyrocketed, due to lack of
competition, until only New Jersey had higher auto premiums. Finally
pressure from the voters was heard on Beacon Hill, and most of the
restrictions were removed and insurance companies were free to
establish competitive rates. Many of the insurers that left, returned,
and as a result, my yearly insurance bill for two vehicle dropped from
$1380 to $778 in one year, for the same coverage.

Health insurance is the 86th most profitable industry in the country.
Why would profits need to be limited? Simply put, many companies would
simply fold, and the ones remaining would, at some point, need
government $$$ to stay afloat, so one more major industry would come
under government control.

Only one comment, more as a sidebar than a disagreement or criticism.

A question: Do you think anything might be special about how Mass
drivers drive? Park? etc.. Frankly I never could figure out if Mass
drivers differentiated between "parking" and what I remember as
"bumpercars" down the Jersey Shore. And being originally from Jersey
it took me some time to realize that Massa-volk spoke English because
they couldn't understand me, nor me them. I have also noted the
culture adjustment former Mass residents have too make in Washington.
First step is learning that in Washington at least, you do not
announce that one has just pulled up behind someone by sitting on the
horn. The second learning seems to be learning that it is frowned on
to roar down a one-lane- open street in the city at 60mph. The third
is that it is off putting to scream at . . . . *Well we will leave
that one out for now. But to cut to the chase, I have found driving
norms in Mass far more different and strange to me than any in Great
Britain or Italy, or NJ or Florida or California, and all have some
quirks. This I am sure would have some influence on Mass car insurance
arrangements.

Dave

Interesting take on my post.

Ah, a man who tends toward an understatement...now how rare is THAT these
days....?

Following your logic,

Uh-oh...

I guess that when
auto insurance was deregulated in MA, by some miracle, the drivers
suddenly became so much better that the rates dropped by 40%
overnight. BTW, if you liked driving in MA, you would LOVE CT, and
have a standing orgasm in RI.

Generally what I thinking...I think...OTOH, it's a pretty good argument for
total dereg'ing - get the government out of everything and there's a 40%
increase in the quality of life...

TC,
R
....and FWIW, I don't need to go to RI...if she's a cutie...

On Mar 23, 5:51*pm, george9219 wrote:
On Mar 23, 6:28*pm, DaveS wrote:





On Mar 23, 11:46*am, george9219 wrote:

On Mar 23, 1:39*am, "John B" wrote:

What would be the problem with limiting the profit a Health Insurer could
make?

john

Well, it may not be a direct comparison, but I'd like to talk a bit
about auto insurance in MA. Many years ago, the citizens complained
about auto insurance rates, so our benevolent legislature decided to
help us out by regulating the industry. In due time, insurers tired of
fighting the politicians every year, and they left in droves. With
only a few companies left, auto premiums skyrocketed, due to lack of
competition, until only New Jersey had higher auto premiums. Finally
pressure from the voters was heard on Beacon Hill, and most of the
restrictions were removed and insurance companies were free to
establish competitive rates. Many of the insurers that left, returned,
and as a result, my yearly insurance bill for two vehicle dropped from
$1380 to $778 in one year, for the same coverage.

Health insurance is the 86th most profitable industry in the country.
Why would profits need to be limited? Simply put, many companies would
simply fold, and the ones remaining would, at some point, need
government $$$ to stay afloat, so one more major industry would come
under government control.

Only one comment, more as a sidebar than a disagreement or criticism.

A question: Do you think anything might be special about how Mass
drivers drive? Park? etc.. Frankly I never could figure out if Mass
drivers differentiated between "parking" and what I remember as
"bumpercars" down the Jersey Shore. And being originally from Jersey
it took me some time to realize that Massa-volk spoke English because
they couldn't understand me, nor me them. I have also noted the
culture adjustment former Mass residents have too make in Washington.
First step is learning that in Washington at least, you do not
announce that one has just pulled up behind someone by sitting on the
horn. The second learning seems to be learning that it is frowned on
to roar down a one-lane- open street in the city at 60mph. The third
is that it is off putting to scream at . . . . *Well we will leave
that one out for now. But to cut to the chase, I have found driving
norms in Mass far more different and strange to me than any in Great
Britain or Italy, or NJ or Florida or California, and all have some
quirks. This I am sure would have some influence on Mass car insurance
arrangements.

Dave

Interesting take on my post. Following your logic, I guess that when
auto insurance was deregulated in MA, by some miracle, the drivers
suddenly became so much better that the rates dropped by 40%
overnight. BTW, if you liked driving in MA, you would LOVE CT, and
have a standing orgasm in RI.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

It could happen. ;*)
Wasn't there some kind of CAP put on auto related accident suits that
was part of the reforms? What were the reforms?

Dave

On Mar 24, 1:21*am, DaveS wrote:
On Mar 23, 5:51*pm, george9219 wrote:



On Mar 23, 6:28*pm, DaveS wrote:

On Mar 23, 11:46*am, george9219 wrote:

On Mar 23, 1:39*am, "John B" wrote:

What would be the problem with limiting the profit a Health Insurer could
make?

john

Well, it may not be a direct comparison, but I'd like to talk a bit
about auto insurance in MA. Many years ago, the citizens complained
about auto insurance rates, so our benevolent legislature decided to
help us out by regulating the industry. In due time, insurers tired of
fighting the politicians every year, and they left in droves. With
only a few companies left, auto premiums skyrocketed, due to lack of
competition, until only New Jersey had higher auto premiums. Finally
pressure from the voters was heard on Beacon Hill, and most of the
restrictions were removed and insurance companies were free to
establish competitive rates. Many of the insurers that left, returned,
and as a result, my yearly insurance bill for two vehicle dropped from
$1380 to $778 in one year, for the same coverage.

Health insurance is the 86th most profitable industry in the country.
Why would profits need to be limited? Simply put, many companies would
simply fold, and the ones remaining would, at some point, need
government $$$ to stay afloat, so one more major industry would come
under government control.

Only one comment, more as a sidebar than a disagreement or criticism.

A question: Do you think anything might be special about how Mass
drivers drive? Park? etc.. Frankly I never could figure out if Mass
drivers differentiated between "parking" and what I remember as
"bumpercars" down the Jersey Shore. And being originally from Jersey
it took me some time to realize that Massa-volk spoke English because
they couldn't understand me, nor me them. I have also noted the
culture adjustment former Mass residents have too make in Washington.
First step is learning that in Washington at least, you do not
announce that one has just pulled up behind someone by sitting on the
horn. The second learning seems to be learning that it is frowned on
to roar down a one-lane- open street in the city at 60mph. The third
is that it is off putting to scream at . . . . *Well we will leave
that one out for now. But to cut to the chase, I have found driving
norms in Mass far more different and strange to me than any in Great
Britain or Italy, or NJ or Florida or California, and all have some
quirks. This I am sure would have some influence on Mass car insurance
arrangements.

Dave

Interesting take on my post. Following your logic, I guess that when
auto insurance was deregulated in MA, by some miracle, the drivers
suddenly became so much better that the rates dropped by 40%
overnight. BTW, if you liked driving in MA, you would LOVE CT, and
have a standing orgasm in RI.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

It could happen. ;*)
Wasn't there some kind of CAP put on auto related accident suits that
was part of the reforms? What were the reforms?

Dave

Basically, the state simply stopped setting the rates for auto
insurers. When that happened, some major players like Geico and
Nationwide moved in, and several former companies came back, and the
competition caused rates to drop dramatically. How dramatically
depends on the individuals driving record and level of experience, but
rates did drop for everyone. The state still dictates the minimum
amount of personal injury and property damage insurance an individual
must carry, but other than that, they are pretty much out of it. I am
not aware of any caps on lawsuits, but the insurance liability is
limited by the policy purchased. In other words, if I buy a $300,000
per accident, $500,000 total policy, that is all the insurance will
pay.

On Mar 24, 10:24*am, george9219 wrote:
On Mar 24, 1:21*am, DaveS wrote:





On Mar 23, 5:51*pm, george9219 wrote:

On Mar 23, 6:28*pm, DaveS wrote:

On Mar 23, 11:46*am, george9219 wrote:

On Mar 23, 1:39*am, "John B" wrote:

What would be the problem with limiting the profit a Health Insurer could
make?

john

Well, it may not be a direct comparison, but I'd like to talk a bit
about auto insurance in MA. Many years ago, the citizens complained
about auto insurance rates, so our benevolent legislature decided to
help us out by regulating the industry. In due time, insurers tired of
fighting the politicians every year, and they left in droves. With
only a few companies left, auto premiums skyrocketed, due to lack of
competition, until only New Jersey had higher auto premiums. Finally
pressure from the voters was heard on Beacon Hill, and most of the
restrictions were removed and insurance companies were free to
establish competitive rates. Many of the insurers that left, returned,
and as a result, my yearly insurance bill for two vehicle dropped from
$1380 to $778 in one year, for the same coverage.

Health insurance is the 86th most profitable industry in the country.
Why would profits need to be limited? Simply put, many companies would
simply fold, and the ones remaining would, at some point, need
government $$$ to stay afloat, so one more major industry would come
under government control.

Only one comment, more as a sidebar than a disagreement or criticism.

A question: Do you think anything might be special about how Mass
drivers drive? Park? etc.. Frankly I never could figure out if Mass
drivers differentiated between "parking" and what I remember as
"bumpercars" down the Jersey Shore. And being originally from Jersey
it took me some time to realize that Massa-volk spoke English because
they couldn't understand me, nor me them. I have also noted the
culture adjustment former Mass residents have too make in Washington.

On 2010-03-23 19:28:19 -0400, DaveS said:

This I am sure would have some influence on Mass car insurance
arrangements.

I lived in DC more than a few times and always had my cars registered
there. I used GEICO, first known as Government Employees Insurance CO.
When I moved to Massachusetts, my premiums went down from what they
were in DC. In fact, I had the lowest premiums ever when I first moved
to Mass.

Traveled some more with the canoe club and finally got back to Mass.
GEICO no longer would sell there. and the insurance I finally got was
out of sight. There is no competition in Mass. It's just as George
has stated.

BTW, having driven all over this great land of ours: NY and CT tie for
worst drivers, PA the worst roads, CT the most stupid highway system
(left lane exits), four way stops on country roads and city streets,
while GA has the most careful (not counting Atlanta) drivers and the
roads are very good.

Dave