Should surgery cost be standardized?

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Replies

  • whierd
    whierd Posts: 14,025 Member
    Details? I can give specifics that have happened in my state and the state beside me in the last month. :)

    What's your state have to do with the federal tax rate? I'm interested in finding out how much my federal taxes have increased over the past two decades

    Your federal income tax was actually very likely reduced over the past two decades. :smile:

    What??? Next you'll be telling me that the tax rates are the lowest they've been in 60 years! Or you'll try to trick me into believing that rich people used to pay rates of 50% or higher, yet still managed to open new businesses, invest in America, and profit. Certainly this cannot be the case!

    Are you ready for the kicker? Taxes for the rich, at one point, were 99%!! There were loopholes, so I am not sure what their effective tax rate on average was, but still!

    And I am an anti-tax Libertarian. But facts are facts.
  • whierd
    whierd Posts: 14,025 Member
    I will believe the tax is temporary when it is removed.

    The federal income tax cuts enacted under President Bush (and extended by President Obama) have expiration dates, making them temporary. The payroll tax holiday enacted under President Obama expired already.
  • SerenaFisher
    SerenaFisher Posts: 2,170 Member
    I am talking about the increase in medicaide and SS. This increase was said to be necessary by elected officials because of the cost of these programs.

    I am also am Libertarian. I have heard of these increases discussed on the news, local channel 6, perhaps they presented it wrong but it seemed clear cut with rising costs it had to go up.
  • whierd
    whierd Posts: 14,025 Member
    Medicaid wasn't increased. Social Security went up due to the payroll tax holiday expiration. Other than that, no change on the federal front.

    State taxes however...

    I live in CA, so there is almost always a couple tax increase initiatives on the ballot. One was recently passed. I think it was a sales tax increase.
  • SerenaFisher
    SerenaFisher Posts: 2,170 Member
    Locally our sales tax goes up on a city and state level in this area
    In example Vermont has a state tax, and the city I work in (Rutland) has a 1¢ sales tax added on to the state.

    Oh and better yet! I live in NY and work in VT so I pay state tax to both :) Along with any other taxes that are added at city and state level, meanwhile paying taxes for VT I m entitled to none of their programs, not even a discount on their colleges.
  • kcoftx
    kcoftx Posts: 765 Member
    Just as I read this thread, I came across this article.

    http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/05/08/one-hospital-charges-8000-another-38000/

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