In Healthcare, Yet Another Hidden Tax in a Long Line of Hidden Taxes...

The was a hidden tax in NY, aka the NYS secret hospital charity care pool, that's not so hidden anymore, it started showing up on hospital remittances as one of the line items between the hospital and our insurer's this past year (at least that is when I started seeing them), and like many government programs it doesn't really work (link below).

There's another Hidden Tax in Health Care on it's way, but will the old one that doesn't work go away when this one that is seemingly supposed to do the same thing starts? Doubtful. The sad part of this is that the first hidden fee found it's way into our rates already (IMHO, this too could be considered a tax) and it seems reasonable to believe that this new tax that's designed to increase annually will affect our rates each year as well. So it seems like our rates have a built in powered multiplier, even without medical costs themselves going up which they do.  I am sure the answer can be found in the new Obamacare exchanges, but unfortunately there are no options there for small business employees that had quality physician networks and an HSA design, becuase there are no such plans there. Anyone on a plan like this must down grade to the president's version of platinum care instead - and I'm not sure those plans won't be subject to these fees and the effects of them on rates as well.  

Remember, as designed, this is all a good thing.

(1) HOW NEW YORK STATE’S SECRET HOSPITAL CHARITY CARE POOL FUNDS FAIL TO HELP UNINSURED AND UNDERINSURED NEW YORKERS