Bluestem readers may remember Senator John Carlson's last cameo appearance in this space, as author of the senate companion bill of the House legislation that would eliminate the Pay Equity Act, among other things. (Not surprisingly, sponsored by Steve Drazkowski).
Carlson pulled the senate version of the bill from consideration by committee, so it's effectively dead in the senate.
Now Carlson returns, following his brilliant statements on the floor of the senate today in defense of Mike Parry's bill that would replace current health care plans for state employees with a long-treasured Republican solution for health care cost: Health Savings Accounts, coupled with high-deductible health insurance.
The plans are great for single, young people without kids, health issues or any accident-prone tendencies, but for families and anyone with a chronic health condition--like asthma, diabetes, or what have you--not so much.
Carlson, an insurance agent, thinks they're great, though, especially since he doesn't go to a doctor himself. In fact, he suggests that public employees could end up ahead off the game if they adopt that strategy, and keep rolling HSA contributions in their accounts, year after year.
When the big one hits--and since the state workers haven't been to the doctor to check for high blood pressure or other conditions that signal the onset of more serious health dangers--they'll have a few thousand stored up to pay their deductible for the heart attack or stroke.
It's surprising that the Brain Trust at the Senate Majority Caucus comm shop think Carlson's a go-go guy for rebuting DFL arguments. (Wonkette has more, having been tipped off by the mysterius Vic T.).
Here's the video, courtesy of the Senate DFL Caucus, from YouTube:
Hey Sally, is Sen Carlson still pres of MN chapter of National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors?
Posted by: Linda Higgins | Mar 30, 2011 at 04:29 PM
Good question. Let me check.
Posted by: Sally Jo Sorensen | Mar 30, 2011 at 04:33 PM