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[Professor H]

I pay my taxes, (LOTS).
I've never said that I didn't want to provide safety net services for those who need it, that after all is what governments are supposed to do.  However their track record for collecting $$ to perform a job is not looking so go (Social Security  trust funds), (Energy Department).   
So if you think I'm just supposed to sit back and believe  they will operate and provide efficient services through Obamacare...   I'm skeptical. 

Payers: What is a fair share to pay then?   

Recipients: What is a fair amount to "collect"?

Extreme answers on both sides won't help the discussion - and I was sure my comments would elicit such extreme answers as the poor wounded vets, or the homeless mother of 4 who works for minimum wage at walmarts... 

Billionaires will be rich no matter what you tax them - the issue to them is where they put their money...  invest to create capital and jobs (and heavens even more money)...  or hide it in shelters - depends on the climate which they deal with.   Obamacare is one of several issues that affects this climate.

Middle class is probably the largest payers of taxes (as percentage of earnings) - as they don't have the ability to pass them on as business and industry can in their products or services.   

I happen to be in this middle class, and would probably hate to know the total of all the extra taxes beyond property or income that we pay...  for instance  various surcharges and taxes for utlities (phone, internet, gas, electric, water), gasoline/fuel, and the effects those have on what we pay for items - (passing them on)... 

[Baby Hitler]

If you look at the overhead costs between Medicare, and those of major insurance companies, you will see that the overhead cost for medicare is around 2% while the overhead cost for the major insurance companies varies between 25 and 30%.

Which one is more efficient?

[Professor H]

If you look at the overhead costs between Medicare, and those of major insurance companies, you will see that the overhead cost for medicare is around 2% while the overhead cost for the major insurance companies varies between 25 and 30%.

Which one is more efficient?

Depends on if you are looking for a job - as insurance companies hire people and beside making money actually pay others to work.

Trust funds only have one purpose - collect and pay what they are told.

It's a catch 22 question

I was reading the april 2012 Trustee Reports for Medicare to see how well the funds are being managed:

Here's an excerpt that starts with a line on how they plan to save money under Obamacare next year and the overall status in the next paragraph:

Trustees assume an almost 31-percent reduction in Medicare payment rates for physician services will be implemented in 2013 as required by current law, which is also highly uncertain.
The drawdown of Social Security and HI trust fund reserves and the general revenue transfers into SMI will result in mounting pressure on the Federal budget. In fact, pressure is already evident. For the sixth consecutive year, the Social Security Act requires that the Trustees issue a "Medicare funding warning" because projected non-dedicated sources of revenues—primarily general revenues—are expected to continue to account for more than 45 percent of Medicare's outlays, a threshold breached for the first time in fiscal year 2010.

http://www.ssa.gov/oact/trsum/index.html

So another hidden gem in Obamacare comes to light...  pay cut to Doctors of 31% after the election of course 
 

[Baby Hitler]

Is that anything like my current Blue Cross and Blue Shield, where the doctor charges $200, the insurance says that the allowable amount is $50, and they pay $35, leaving me with $15 to pay?

[marilyn.monroe]

Is that anything like my current Blue Cross and Blue Shield, where the doctor charges $200, the insurance says that the allowable amount is $50, and they pay $35, leaving me with $15 to pay?

$200 bucks is highway robbery! Doctors should give free estimates.

[Professor H]

Is that anything like my current Blue Cross and Blue Shield, where the doctor charges $200, the insurance says that the allowable amount is $50, and they pay $35, leaving me with $15 to pay?

It could be if that's what the government intends to do.
BCBS and others with a large base, somehow are able to negotiate or set rates as to what they will pay.   Different topic and an interesting one, as it shows how come doctors don't like to take too many if any Medicaid patients...

I know the rates they pay for emergency services are even lower than what BCBS pays.
don't have the time to look it up - but will post it when I find it.

[eriemermaid]

$200 bucks is highway robbery! Doctors should give free estimates.

I think the estimates ARE free . . . but if you want to hear the results, that will cost you $200.   

[LetsGoWings]

If you look at the overhead costs between Medicare, and those of major insurance companies, you will see that the overhead cost for medicare is around 2% while the overhead cost for the major insurance companies varies between 25 and 30%.

Which one is more efficient?

Not to sound rude, but overhead does not indicate efficiency. Especially when dealing with publicly traded companies because they can defer expenses on the income statement with overhead costs.