Dear Everyone!
Looks like I solved most of the newsletter email problems via ConstantContact.com, but a few of you did not get previous issues, so welcome... if you get this one!
Since I started this newsletter I've gotten great response. Unlike most agents who buy content from newsletter bureaus, I write my on material. So the fact that people enjoy it and learn from it is gratifying. If you did not get the previous edition CLICK HERE.
When I talk to people about healthcare insurance the question I get asked the most is "Hey Al, what's gonna happen to healthcare." The second is "Are you against it?"
OK, let's talk about it!
-Al
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Will we get universal healthcare?
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Barnard Baruch, investor guru of his day, was once asked "Sir, will the stock market go up or down?"
The old man answered "Yes, but not right away."
We ARE going to get change to the system because it is not sustainable for much longer. However no one seems to agree how the new system will look... or work.
IF we had a leader with huge charisma, such as a JFK or FDR, who could be elected with a huge mandate, I think we'd see government run (and taxed) healthcare in a New York minute. But no one out there has that kind of respect among the electorate.
Well we get HillaryCare, ObamaHealth, or ArnoldAid? No one knows... and this is an indicator that whatever we do get will be incremental in nature and not a total over-haul.
We all know something will change in the next administration. However it will be several years before it can or will be implemented at the federal level.
There are a number of states that are experiementing with various programs. Massachusetts has started a new system this summer, and it will be interesting to see how or if it works.
Will California follow? Well, MA has about 5 million people and CA is almost 8 times that large. It's the old 'turning battleship' analogy. It's not done on 'a dime.'
What's the easiest solution? I call it the West Wing solution, as it was suggested on the TV show. Let's just put everyone on Medicare. Send everyone who filed a tax return last year a Medicare card. The system is already in place and it (sort of) works, and until we can tweak it, it would be a good system to employ. It covers most of the basics and those who want better coverage can buy supplemental coverage as is done now.
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| Do agents oppose changing the system?
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I think some agents fear for their jobs and income. But most agents do not oppose change, they oppose plans they don't think will work.
Agents are on intimate terms with how the system is now... as well as how systems work (or don't) in other countries (Canada, UK, France, etc.) We know there is no perfect system, no matter if it is run by the private sector or by government and we try to explain that to people.
As for myself, I'm an outcast in the agent community because I'm all in favor of change... any change. If I get 'legislated' out of 'a job' it's not a big deal to me. I'd love to see a system where everyone gets the care they need at an affordable price (or tax-rate).
While I (and most agents) make a good living on the commissions we earn, most of us see the handwriting on the wall. We know change is coming and as said in the old Star Trek program "resistance is futile."
Most agents already have another "line" of products they sell... be it in the senior market (Medicare supplements) or workplace benefits, or life.
Most of you know I write workplace supplements for Colonial Life and will continue with those products. I've been spending a lot of time training in annuities as I see those programs as a (the?) vehicle of choice for baby-boomers coming into retirement. The concept of a risk-free investment that will pay a set amount each month for life is very comforting to a generation that has gone through two huge market crashes ('87 and 2001).
Most healthcare agents see themselves not as salespeople but more as educators and 'mitigators.' We do the best we can to find the 'balance' between what the client can afford and the risk that they can tolerate. We do our best to decide on the best plan for the client's need... and what carrier we believe will 'take' them if they have some medical issues.
If we get HillaryCare, there probably won't be much need for our skills... but we will take our knowledge of the financial markets and personal service and move into another line.
Everything changes. Nothing stays the same.
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How to make healthcare cheaper
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Everyone thinks that if we make insurance cheaper we will get better care. Not true.
Insurance is expensive because healthcare is expensive! You lower the costs of care and you lower the costs of insurance. It's that simple, but everyone is more focused on raising the funds to pay for expensive insurance to 'cover' an expensive healthcare system. They should be focused on lowering the cost of care.
Here is my system for brining down the costs.
1. We take 5,000 college grads a year and offer those who 'qualify' a free 3-year scholarship to med school, with a tax-free living stipend of say $35,000.
2. We cut the 'fat' out of med school and get it down to three years, not four.
3. Upon graduation each new doctor has to serve seven years in public health. They will get a tax-free starting salary of $55,000 a year, with a $5,000 raise each year.
4. After seven years, they can go into private practice.
Can we do this? Do the math. It's not that expensive compared to what we're paying now. Yes, we will end up with two systems... one for the 'rich' and one for everyone else, but at least everyone will have free or low-cost, basic coverage and access to the system.
You want to lower the cost of insurance? Lower the cost of healthcare.
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Well, that's a wrap for this issue. I hope you've found some of the info above useful and interesting. If you have questions about life or health coverage, safe-money annuities, or employer group benefits just give me a call or send email.
Sincerely,
Alan N Canton
Adams-Blake Insurance Solutions
InsuranceSolutions123.com
916-962-9296
CA License # 0F31110
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Al Canton, Owner
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I'm Al Canton, owner of Adams-Blake Insurance Solutions.
Everyone promises the best service, etc. So I won't bore you with that message.
Bottom line, I know health insurance, work-supplements, medicare, life, and annuities.
Most importantly, I'm honest. I will not put you in a product just for the money. I've been here 25 years and I've built my business reputation on integrity and honor.
It's that simple.
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