[Vision2020] Response to Mr. Budge's misfacts--Gritman/UI

[Donovan Arnold]

Mr. Budge, and others rushing to defend something you have no clue about,

"Have some of you been raised under heavy power transmission lines or grew 
up on a diet of lead based paint chips. I take what I can stands and I can't 
stands it no more."--DB

Well Popeye, any time you would like to compare IQs that is find with me. I 
know me WISC score, what bout u? I even got it be documated. God knows I 
have my social disabilities, but IQ is not one of them things I score low 
on.

“A)  Accrording to the online U of I Student Health Insurance Program 
brochure, the Idaho State Board of Education requires proof of health 
insurance for ALL publicly funded institutions of higher education in the 
state.  This is not solely a U of I policy.” --D. Budge

That law is there because UI and Gritman lobbied for it. Only 25% of public 
colleges mandate health insurance. UI automatically charges all students (4 
or more credits) $1000 for the Student Health Insurance Program (SHIP). 
Students must prove they already have $500,000 in coverage and meet other 
stipulations to wave out of SHIP. Since most 18-22 year-olds don’t know 
details about their insurance as dependents on their parent’s policy (ask 
one at randam if you doubt), they do not wave out. Many parents, who pay for 
their child’s education, do not analyze the fee breakdown to realize they 
are paying for double insurance (ask one if you doubt). Further, UI exceeds 
the state requirements for health insurance, in both amount, about $500,000, 
a student status, 4 credits instead of 8. Just read yourself.   
http://www.idahoboardofed.org/policies/health_insurance/index.asp

”B) The insurance program is underwritten and administered by the Mega Life 
and Health Insurance Company of America.  Ergo, the University makes not one 
damn dime form the insurance program.”-DB

Incorrect Mr. Budge. It is ONLY underwritten by Mega Life Insurance (MLA). 
It is administrated by (http://www.klais.com/services/students.htm) Klais & 
Company. You would know this if you had SHIP because it is printed on the 
insurance form. The services are also administered by Gritman.
	UI makes money in three ways. It still charges students for health 
insurance services it use to provide but is now outsourcing. This fee is $40 
per full time student. Second, And it makes another chunk of change because 
the amount of money it charges, $1000, is not the same amount it pays out to 
pay the insurance company. So times $40 by 8,000 students. Then times 6,500 
students by $50-100. Add together. Subtract cost they don't have to pay to 
provide sevices they are now outsourcing, That is how much they are making 
just from those three sources. Gritman is making money because UI is now 
outsourcing students to them instead of servicing them at the UI Health 
Center. Understand? Or is this too confusing for you to follow?

C) The cost of the insurance is about 25% less than the cost of comparable 
individual policies purchased through any other competitive program in the 
state.  Pretty good deal ask ANY insurance agent.

Bullhonky(I think this is a word) Mister!! Did you even LOOK before making 
such a fallacious statement? UI students pay $1000 a year. Boise State 
University Students pay $756 year. ISU and LCSC $660 or even less. Every 
public university and college in the state of Idaho pays less then UI 
students. And you know what else?-- They get the OPTION of having vision 
and/or dental.

”D) The $11 million charged off for indigent care cannot be written off on 
their taxes.  They don't pay income taxes for cripes sake.  They're a 
not-for-profit entity!!!!”

The doctors are the ones that provide the $11,000,000 in care and they are 
for profit companies, Doctors are not free agents. So YES, they can and do 
write that off. Don't confuse the contracted doctors and the hospitals. See 
how you even confuse yourself--HAHA! (sorry have to laugh at self induced 
confusion)

”E) Who, exactly should pay for indigent care?  What is happening right now 
is that everyone else is paying for those who can't through $20 bandaids.  
In fact, the people who get screwed the most are those who either have not 
the benefit of a collectively bargained health plan (like SHIP) or a 
government program (like Medicaid and Medicare) but I'll get to that in a 
moment. Write you strinkin' congressman!”

The state government PAYS Gritman through earmarked funds (VAT value added 
taxes on liquor which students pay into and their contribution exceeds what 
Gritman pays for indigent students) to take care of indigents. If the amount 
of indigent funds exceeds the government funds for indigent care then 
Gritman has to absorb those extra costs. If Gritman goes under that amount, 
it gets to KEEP the extra amount. Get how they make money now if there are 
no indigents? Confused or clear on this?

”Now, as I say, I don't have a dog in this fight (although I was born there 
and delivered by the legendary Dr. Wilson for all you townies who may care.) 
  The current health system in this country is a disaster, but that's little 
fault of the hospitals.  It's systemic.”--DB

Right it is. And it is a disaster because why? We all know corruption and 
greed is occurring in every state and city except ours? Is that what you 
think? No corruption in Moscow, no greed, nobody trying to get ahead or 
twist the system just a bit in their favor? Right, we all know Moscow is 
nothing but incorruptible saints. We also know that if someone where to come 
up with a way to make money off mandating health insurance, we would all 
know, those people would be mean, have no friends, have horns, a tail, and a 
have a specific line put on a bill statement that was clearly marked that 
read,

“Corruption and Fraud……………………….$200”

Right in there somewhere between capsules and crutches. Obviously clever 
people would not think to use an indirect approach that required a little 
bit of research and inside knowledge to get at any real understanding of 
what was going on. We are also fairly certain that since this health 
insurance program was established under the direct supervision of Dr. Hoover 
it is fiscally sound and in the long term best interests of the students, 
University, and community—no evidence to contradict this certain fact, 
right?

”I assume, but I don't know for sure, that Gritman makes its annual reports 
available, in one form or another,  to anyone who asks for it.   The 
accounting used is called Fund Balance Accounting where there is no equity 
per say as there is no ownership.

Right, like I said, look for the line that says, "Corruption and 
Fraud...................................$200". they document that stuff well 
in publically released budget statements, usually now found online. Be 
careful though, sometimes they hide it under "Fraud and Corruption (Hint: 
look under the F's)."

Anyone with a bone to pick with Gritman should get that statement before 
casting ad hominem attacks based on groundless assumptions and vacuous 
logic.  My guess is, being familiar with such things, that Gritaman has a 
minimal "free funds balance" and just about all resources are earmarked for 
specific programs.  If you're really so full of piss and vinegar on the 
issue get involved, donate your time to the hospital, and study the 
finacials, so no one has to subsidize you ignorance with spilled ink.”

Mr. Budge, I am very well versed in SHIP. I was an ASUI senator for two 
years and watched this whole SHIP get started from infancy to birth, ASUI 
was a part of it. I have a stack of the paper work of it being developed. I 
have lots and lots of documentation on this issue. And I didn’t happen upon 
my understanding of what Gritman and UI were doing by my own right. I had 
doctors, nurses, administrators, and students at UI that approached me 
because I was the only ASUI Senator that was openly and loudly opposed to 
the mandatory Health Insurance Policy and a 25% increase in costs that gave 
students less benefits. I didn’t figure it out on my own, I had about 6 
people (professionals, not students) tell me directly.

”Lastly, is it so wrong that anyone makes a profit on anything?  How 
ridiculously obtuse is this proposition?  We live in a market economy and, 
although it sometimes lacks in fairness, it seems the best current model in 
the egalitarian distribution of goods and services.  (hint to Mr. Arnold - 
you've got a University in Moscow - how 'bout econ 101.)”--DB

Well, Mr. Budge, first, show me where I said I opposed profit? I never did 
say that. It seems to me the only way you can win an argument is if you get 
everyone to agree on false statements as being fact or changing the argument 
to be something I did not make. I am all for profit. But I believe in honest 
profit. Not corruption. It is unfair and unethical to give some businesses 
tax free state supported business and tax exemptions  based on who are their 
friends. It should be based on merit ONLY.


“Then pathetic whiners that think everything in the country relative to 
commerce is out to get them will have the opportunity to take their pathetic 
paranoia and pound sand. You should be thanking him for doing otherwise 
thankless work. “

No Mr. Budge, I think it is corruption that PREVENTS honest and hard working 
men and women from getting a fair deal. It is people screwing other people 
out of a fair shake that is wrong. Not free enterprise. I think it is sick 
and twisted to make people buy $500,000 coverage health insurance, even 
people on Medicaid, or otherwise be disqualified from getting a college 
education. Is that Libertarian? That is wrong, and unfair to the poor. And I 
will not apologize. Thousands of students pay for SHIP and they don’t even 
know it because they are enrolled automatically. YOU DON”T THINK THAT IS 
WRONG?? It is just fine and dandy to screw poor students out the last few 
bucks they got left?? Those dollars should go to businesses that WORK for 
their money right here in Moscow,  not siphoned out to some insurance 
company in Ohio.

”You may have an argument for socialized medicine (regardless of how wrong 
heades it may be) but you're making assumptions here that are based on, from 
what I can tell ...nothing.”--DB

Just because everything they say that is wrong about Socialism is correct 
doesn't’t mean everything about Capitalism is perfect. Balance is the key. 
Get rid of corruption and health costs will drop dramatically. Take care of 
those that are poor and sick and cannot take care of themselves and they get 
well and contribute back when they are strong. Don't kick a man when he is 
down and weak and turn away and say it costs to much. In the long run, it is 
the cold shoulder that costs so much more than the warm hand.

Remember the lesson here kids. It is better to be politically correct and 
defend people doing wrong that are your friends, then to stand up to the 
ripping off of 12,000 college students. Oh, how I get so confused by this 
planet and the people on it. And God forbid, that you ever say anything 
contrary to popular public opinion.

Good Day,

Donovan J Arnold

BTW, Four generations of my family have been serviced by Gritman--And they 
died anyway :P Can anyone beat that?

PS.  Even people that don’t like me (about 95% of the world population) 
would have to agree that it was incompetence on part of Gritman not to put 
my ass back as soon as my head popped out in room ten. : P