Penalizing the uninsured in Oklahoma
OFFICIAL PROPOSES curbING driver’s LICENSES, football TICKETS OF THOSE WITHOUT HEALTH PLANS

cannot screen drugs before they are introduced to the public AND our food is tainted by the producers and is douced with radiation when it comes from other countries. We are now in the worst financial status in history and she wants to penalize those who do not have health insurance. What next! Are you going to punish those who lose their jobs, home and WHOW! Are we going to have to beg for the food, gas and water. I do not know what country this woman comes from, surly it is not the U.S.A!

This woman looks like she needs brain surgery! I am sure that since she is employed by the taxpayers of this state she does not have to pay the outragious cost of health insurance. If she wants to take anything away from anyone start with the insurance companies, or find an insurance company that will give full state coverage for everybody and lower the cost straight aboard. Her comments, whether joking or not is a communistic attitude and this country will not stand for it! She needs to be fired and replaced with someone who has better thinking. Shame on you madam for suggesting that everyone wants to do without health insurance in this country, especially when FDA

And what in the heck is that thing growing off that womans' face? If you all are lucky, maybe it will grow and eat her and you won't have to worry about her tyrant ways! LOL LOL LOL

Wow! You all must be a liberal state! It truly stinks that we have a government that has become such a bully! Americans have placed themselves in the position of being totally overrun by their own government, and I think that is a travesty, but laziness and fear never brought any society to the point of self-sufficiency. I think it is horrible and cruel to ever threaten a person with taking away their license...oh I forgot its a privilege. No! a privilege is taking taxes from poor people and using it to make sure rich fatcats gets to live high on the hog and take nice luxury vacations! Get a clue folks and decide what is most important!

The reason Oklahoma ranks so very low in it's percentage of insured residents is because Oklahoma is known for having some of the lowest paid workers in the nation.

Requiring people who can barely pay their utilities each month to buy health insurance with copays so high they can never afford to use it anyway is the most draconian and sadistic bit of legislation for corporate profit ever devised.

My health insurance is almost useless requiring a $1500 minimum before it even goes into effect.

I can't imagine how a "paycheck to paycheck" laborer could afford $400 per month for insurance and then another $1500 to even use it while making $1800-$2200 per month after taxes.

This hag has no concept of reality and the burden on Oklahoma Hospitals is a direct result of her stingy corporate buddies freezing wages for laborers for 20 years.Every poor person I know wishes they could afford insurance but if they make less than $14 per hour(like 1/2 of Oklahoma's workers) they are dreaming.

Sounds like Kim Holland is the Massah of the Oklahoma Plantation.

You'd better work hard for her. If she has to get up from her lobster and caviar dinner party, and come down to the slave quarters, some of you might be sorry.

Work hard and she might let you suck on the shells.

Thank you Floyd. You are so sweet. But I've already taken care of the vehicle issue. I managed to find a used Explorer I could afford that's in excellent condition and has wheel chair brackets in the back. All I need to get now is a portable ramp and my daughter will be set. I should be able to get that next month. I've never played the lottery either; well, unless you want to call waking up every day these days a form of lottery.

T.A. You don't owe me any apology. As I said once before,"If I win the lottery (which I don't play) I will buy a van with a wheelchair lift for you."

Floyd, I guess I should apologize to you. It's not you I'm so upset with. It's the people that seem to think Kim Holland's idea is good. It's not a good idea, it's a horrible idea.

T.A. See, we are 100% in agreement!

Floyd, it's just so frustrating. The government just keeps feeding this garbage to people and they just keep eating it up. They don't even seem to care how many honest, hard working people could be destroyed by enacting this punishment for not having what they can't get.

I have a few questions for those folks that are so convinced that only the lazy, and irresponsible don’t have health insurance.

Do you work for a company that hires people through pimp (temp) agencies because they don't want to have to provide benefits to new or temporary employees?

Does it matter to you that almost none of those pimp (temp) agencies offer health care insurance to their new and temporary employees?

How many of you work for a company that intentionally hires part time employees to start out and tells them they’ll be eligible for benefits once they're working full time, but then never give them more than 35 hours a week so they can avoid providing the elusive benefits?

Now, try to imagine yourselves in this situation. Suppose your 21 year old daughter had an accident that required multiple surgeries, including heart, lung and brain surgery followed up with a few years of therapy to recover. Then suppose after the first surgery your employer suddenly decided to lay you off and since your particular employer is exempt from the Family Medical Leave Act, he can do it? Are you even aware of how many businesses and government agencies don’t have to honor the Family and Medical Leave Act?

Finally, suppose while in the process of dealing with all this other trauma, some ignorant bureaucrat with a Socialist agenda and control issues decides she might just refuse to let you renew your driver’s license because you are now without insurance and it doesn’t matter that you’ve always paid your medical bills. Now, you have a disabled daughter to take care of for at least another year before you can go back to work but if she has her way you’ll have no way to get a job because you won’t have a driver’s license either. This is my situation but the others that I mentioned are a LOT more common than most of you could imagine. I know people in every one of those situations and they do not spend their hard earned money on wasteful things like season football or lottery tickets.

T.A. If BERT has read your comments as long as I have I believe he would have the same respect for you that I have I know a lot of people jump on you but I think you fit in with BERT, Sallie, Jack, others, and myself. "Don't hate us(that includes YOU) because we try to be beautiful inside."

Floyd, the problem is that people like Bert seem to think my situation is the exception to the rule and therefore this sort of government intrusion is a good thing; and that is simply not true. There are far more people in my position than people like Bert could possibly lower themselves to realize.

T.A. I've read enough of your writing to feel you and BERT are close in agreement. You do NOT fit in the profile of the irresponsible people he describes who buy lottery tickets or go to the casinos as soon as they get a few bucks, nor are you the type who would buy a season ticket to anything but a church

Bert, you have no clue what you're talking about. You just go on believing the tripe that the Marxist/Socialists in our government feed to the press and it feeds to you. They mention OU/OSU tickets or lottery tickets and you automatically assume that everyone who doesn't have health care coverage is wasting their money on this frivolous crap. Well, excuse me but that is a patent lie intended to make silly people believe there is justification for punishing certain segments of our society. I’m more inclined to believe that a large portion of that $1 billion may well be the result of a combination of late or incorrect billing by health care providers and incorrect processing of claims by insurance companies. And I have no doubt that if the health care system is in danger of collapse it’s more the result of wastefully spending by the bureaucrats inside the industry, not because a small percentage of a population couldn’t afford to pay the ridiculous bill they were handed so one more specialist could buy himself a car that cost more than their home.

Kim Holland looks like she stepped right out of the Liberal Arts building at OU. She can keep dreaming about about Communism, because it isn't happening here.

What right do these people have to punish the public who can't afford or do not want health insurance? It is unbelievable. There are plenty of people out there who don't get sick, due to good diet and regular exercise. Don't those people have the right to live without paying a continual check out for a service that they do not need? This country is supposed to be free - not run by corporations, or the government.

Steven i said that those that truely need help shhould be helped, But basically I stand behind what I said. Times are hard? The cafes are full . Health care? Give me my cars, cell phones. boats,computers with e mail accounts and eating out all the time or having the meal delivered in from some pizza maker. Prorities . Who cares? Give me my OU tickets that are very costly. The taxpayers will pay for my health care. And Steven I am beyond 40. And most of mmy generation felt we should have some self responsibility and self respect. We did not think we were owed anything by the taxpayers. We felt our families were our responsibility not some one elses. And No Steven this will not die when I do as I have 2 kids and several grandsons that feel as I do and care for themselves. They do not feel they must be cared for by some branch of the government.

Rob, OKC...I advocate involvement almost daily on postings, but as Stephen, Ada told me once, that most readers use these sites as a hobby. While our postings may look good in print they accomplish nothing, but arm chair politics are much easier than involvement.

Quite often I copy and paste postings and forward them to local, state and federal government. Sometimes I get a response, sometimes I don't but that does not stop me from protesting or thanking them when they do something beneficial (this is rare).

Holland and Morrissete are not simply idiots. They are dangerous as they actually believe this is what we need regardless of violations to our civil rights. God and heaven save us from those who say "I am doing this for your own good".

Yes, I fully intend to forward this to all those who say they "represent" me. ppppfffftttt

To everybody who does not like what thuis lady is saying:

Don't just comment about it - call, write or email your state legislator RIGHT NOW and tell them you don't want the government penalizing anyone for not buying health insurance.

Making your own decisions about your life is a RIGHT not an excuse!

Hey Troy I was being facetious. In school they teach you to read the entire question before you answer. Give it a shot next time. Oh Bert from Henryetta. Its nice to know that you are in your 40s and your way of thinking will be gone with your generation. I’ve worked in a hospital for 7 years now and never have I seen an uninsured person come in that was in a boat accident. Do you really believe that a lot of uninsured are living the life style of the rich and famous? No, they are poor and are making decisions like should we have heat this month or food. Go listen to Michael Savage Bert because soon that way of thinking will be gone.

She is still and Idiot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh Please, don't take my beloved Sooner tickets!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jonbonjovy - you need to get your fact straight - she is a Democrat.

Holland Goes To Max For Democrats
State Insurance Commissioner Kim Holland has gone to the max to help build a strong state Democratic Party, becoming only the second statewide Democratic office holder to donate $5,000.00 to party coffers.

Holland, who was appointed by Gov. Brad Henry less than a year ago, joins long-time Democratic Party supporter Attorney General Drew Edmondson as the only two statewide elected Democrats to make a maximum donation this year.

"I am proud to be a Democrat and I want our party to be a strong, viable force in changing Oklahoma for the better," Holland said. "If I don’t do all that I can to help the party and other Democrats, how can I ask others to do it?"

Holland has also started promoting the party’s "1 In A Million" campaign to boost small donor contributions by encouraging people to take part in the effort at each of her events, speeches and other political gatherings.

PJ -- OKC

Someone please tell her that her airbrush is bad.

Great, now only rich republicans will get tickets once again, what a scam, they want to rip off dead kids caused by their immoral business practices through their bogus tort reform scam, like the republican housing ripoffs.

I am a native of Oklahoma and left for multiple reasons and have lived in Colorado, California and now in Dallas, Texas. While my heart will always belong in many ways to Oklahoma I long ago gave up on the sanith of the Sooner state and their wisdom of any business, economic or health choices. Your health commissioner clearly once again takes a pre-K simplistic no brains punitive path to a complex issue, as I often read is the case of most Oklahoma social and political matters. I know that is true again with the election now as Oklahoma is the ONLY state to have every support the losing GOP ticket. Even here in Texas we figured that out under Bush. Here in Dallas we just passed a package to support in part a 1 billion dollar expansion of Parkland Hospital which Dallas citizens and FW citizens know does much (until the health system changes) to care for the indigent, the uninsured, the unemployed, the underemployed and franklly those just down on their luck. Good luck Oklahoma with your carrot and a stick. No matter few want to cross your borders to live there permanently given the cultural, job and health climate approach you take towards citizens.
Richard in Texas

If she wants to run her office like a communist state that's fine,
I'm not going to buy expensive insurance, So with no licence I guess I
won't be going to work, so I don't have to pay taxes anymore.
The state of oklahoma can support me and give me insurance..
I'm tired of the state of my birth ripping everybody off all the time in the name of their own sicking greed..
I guess I'll sell my house and move to another state, because i'm not going to put up with it!!!!
Remeber holland what you seid come election time, see you in the unemployment line...

"We can't expect the American People to jump from Capitalism to Communism,
but we can assist their elected leaders in giving them small doses of Socialism,
until they awaken one day to find that they have Communism."
Nikita Khrushchev (1894-1971) Premier of the Soviet Union

It's no wonder people like this speak so freely of imposing mandatory regulations and requirements on we freedom and liberty loving Americans, when after all, the institutes of education have been hi-jacked by those who lean towards Marxism and have taught (endoctrinated) generations now that have no reference of history unless it is skewed or revised.
There are reasons our Founding Fathers put checks and balances in place and warned us of tyranny and big government. It is total disgrace that our people no longer study or understand our country's founders or founding principles or the battles we have fought to keep America the greatest nation there ever was.
All this is said to illuminate the underlying mindset that is so prevalent and therefore allows people, even elected representatives to feed us these "small doses" without fear of reproach. I believe the "frog in the pot" is now beginning to boil and it still is unaware.

I truly hope those posting to this site do not believe they are incurring the cost of unpaid medical bills generated by the middle class; ie those with the much touted sporting tix, flats screens and cell phones. It is the middle class that has the assets or the credit score or the nest egg or the fear of garnishment or a combination of all these items that must be protected...and that doesnt happen when you dont pay your medical bills. We all know a family that is uninsured, that is making installment payments on an old medical bill or trying to pay off medical expenses covered with a credit card...anything to settle the debt.
Do not let the Commissioner use a misplaced sense of fairness to sway you. The absurd cost of healthcare, the hospitals that bill you for a $25 bandaid, the increasing rise in your insurance premiums and the reduction of your benefits are all direct effects of an industry left unchecked. Kim Hollands statement is really no different than the banks and loan companies blaming their borrowers for their multi-billion dollar debt.
Is it possible that Commissioner Holland might better serve Oklahomans by actually doing the job that she was elected to do (the job that YOU are paying her 6 figures to do) and leave the development of health care reform to those who DO NOT have such a vested interest in the financial success of the insurance companies?

The flippant remarks by our insurance comm. made me see red,as a small business owner in this state for 30 yrs. I have made every attempt to get health insurance imaginable , only to be duped by the ole bait and switch, get sold on a policy only to find that they take premiums and pay for nothing. My solution was to pay for my own health care with cash or a Citicorp credit card in emergency. Now I feel safe because the gov. is gonna bail us all out, Ron Hurst

From the blog of FIRM - Freedom and Individual Rights in Medicine
http://www.westandfirm.org/blog

The health insurance industry said Wednesday it will support a national health care overhaul that requires them to accept all customers, regardless of pre-existing medical conditions—but in return it wants lawmakers to mandate that everyone buy coverage.
Of course, these companies would stand to make money in the short term if everyone were required to buy their policies. But once the costs leap out of control, the government will start imposing rationing, clamping down on payments to insurers as well as services covered.

As Grace-Marie Turner of the Galen Institute predicts, this will then destroy private insurance and leave us with no alternative except a "single-payer" (i.e., government-run) medical system.

Jennifer If I call her office I will tell her I am in basic agreement with her

I miss Carroll Fisher !

Hey Steven, you are an Oklahoman if you live here.

I am one of the elderly that someone spoke of earlier and I have insurance

I agree with her to a point. Families have a car for every member in the family with a licence and the costs for these are high, tags, insurance. repaiir bills and gas. they have a cell phone for every member in the family that can speak with texting and all the other bells and whistes. a lot have boats, More insurance and repsai costs. They buy tickets to college games which are not cheap. But they cannot afford health insurance? Some truly cannot afford it. but they are not the ones with the flat screen tvs and many cares. Those we need to help. But those I spoke of in the first sentences should not expect the tax payer to pay their bills while they play. STEVEN Stop whining

Wow - that has to be the stupidest thing I have ever heard of! Everyone needs to call her office and voice their opinion of her idiotic ideas.

Just shows how out of touch she is with the public. Why not attack the people charging ridiculos prices for sports tickets, people allowing Millions to go for building sports arenas, etc. Let that money go toward health insurance for the public. The hospital administrations, doctors, billing departments failures would be another place to start working on. Not to mentiong her job in the first place... regulating the insurance companies operating in the state. Prosicute politicians taking money from them to create laws to allow them to run the state healthcare industry. What a waste of my time to even be reading this crap anyway, we have a new president to worry about.

You Oklahomans are nothing but a bunch of lazy freeloaders that would rather watch football than support your families. NO I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT, BUT SHE DOES! A driver’s license is not just so we can go out on Friday nights. Its so we can drive to work, support our families, and try to work towards a better life. We are not 16 anymore. Taking away our rights will not help; it will just cause more problems. You can start with welfare, if we cant drive to work, somebody will have to feed us, well at least I hope somebody would. If you were in charge I’m sure we would starve, because poor people do not deserve to live. What’s it feel like to know you just ruined your career in Oklahoma? We know who you are and we now know what you stand for. We know you will come out and apologize, but we wont listen. The idea of taking away football games could have come off the top of your head, but taking away instate tuition, that was a planned out thought. So come on and say you are sorry, but we know better. I bet your family and friends are so proud of you right now. GOOD JOB!

Insurance companies are in cahoots with the caregivers too. I had an MRI at Mercy Hospital and Blue Cross was my insurer. My deductible was $5,000. I also incurred other bills last year. Mercy discounted the MRI and all my bills which totalled $10,000 by 50%. The result was that I never reached my deductible and Blue Cross never had to pay a dime of my medical bills. I thought Kim Holland was the people's watchdog. She's obviously got her chain hooked to the insurance companies and has no clue how the insurance company and caregivers (hospitals, doctors, etc.) work so that the common folks get screwed.

I have to wonder how much of that $1 billion uncompensated medical coverage was the result of faulty billing too. My daughter has excellent insurance and she's had numerous bills come back to her a year or two years after a visit because the medical facility didn't file it on time or didn't file it properly and then they wanted her to pay the bill when insurance refused. I don't know anyone that hasn't had that happen.

woman in okc, If you are still at your computer. I checked out the Dept of Energy site and the federal tax per gallon on gasoline is 18.4 cents per gallon and the states average 21.4 cents per gallon. It doesn't change if the price per gallon is $1 per gallon or $5 per gallon. So the guy on NBC Nightly News didn't know what he was talking about, just trying to make a scare story as usual.

Absolutely rediculous!!

Maybe if the insurance companies did't go out of their way to stick it to people, more people would have insurance. Take it from someone who knows. My husband is self-employed and that makes insurance for a family of four VERY expensive. To add insult to injury, after they have tacked on the huge deductible, they don't cover squat! Of course our elected officials want to force people to get insurance...many of them would financially benefit! Why don't you try to find a way to offset the outrageous cost of insurance and help Oklahomans instead of helping the insurance companies make more money. All I have to say to them is...remember that you are ELECTED! WE decide if you keep your job or not.

This is why Oklahoma is so backwards, people that want to push laws like this. If she wants to do something productive then push laws that force insurance companies to offer actual affordable coverage and laws that require hospitals and doctors to stop charging outrages prices! I went 3 years without insurance, not because I didn't WANT it, because I couldn't afford it. When you have to decide between feeding your child and having electricity on and having insurance that I may or may not need... that's a no brainer. Also, I went to school and had a very good job, that doesn't mean you can't be laid off! Educated people loose their jobs also. Healthcare costs are raising every year yet wages aren't. This country is running on a debtors society, everyone wants your money and to put you in debt. Also, just because you have insurance doesn't mean a thing. I have insurance now also, but with a family our deductible is so high, I couldn't afford that either. Insurance companies will deny claims, medications and push more costs onto you. There is such thing as under-insured!!! That's why other countries have a longer life expectancy than we do, keep us sick and broke. We are easier to govern then.

Yes. Recall this idiot. Start a petition to the governor or your local legislation. I will sign the darn thing immediately.

More alarming than Commissioner Hollands views of mandatory healthcare is the posting asking if she is an elected official. Yes, she was elected.... probably by some of the same people blogging today. People who didnt vote or maybe didnt do their homework in researching the candidate. I hope the lesson has been learned.
Please do not underestimate Kim Holland, she is not an idiot and she is not a novice to the game. Coverage for the uninsured, aka mandatory healthcare, is her platform and she is a politician. It is my opinion that like many politicians she believes intricate issues, like healthcare, are simply too important and too complicated to be left in the hands of the common man. If left unchecked Commissioner Holland will, mark my words, introduce a method of providing health coverage to the masses, regardless of your want for coverage, that many of you bloggers have posted strong feelings against.
Of course she cannot take your OU/OSU tickets and I find it doubtful that any type of license will be affected. However-taxes, forfeitures, loss of deductions, the "leveraging of wealth", these are real threats. Please do not lose sight of that during the ensuing period of damage control. Retractions, clarifications, explanations...the appeal to your emotions, to your pocketbook and to your state loyalty. Be prepared, be educated, be aware.
Commissioner Holland can change her words, as she did during the evening news, but she cannot change her message. She is a proponent of mandatory health coverage. She is a politician posing as a state regulator. She is using your tax dollars **the money you pay the state to protect you from certain unethical members of the insurance industry** to finance the development of a state sponsored health system. This is not a slanderous statement, this is a fact. The evidence can be found on the insurance departments website, look for CHAT (choosing healthcare all together) and the state healthcare initative. The evidence can be found within openbooks online-www.ok.gov/okaa. Study the trend of salaries paying special attention to the decline of employees responsible for regulating verses the ever increasing salary and population of employees hired by Kim Holland to support her platform. Read between the lines and listen for the unspoken. The article above reflects the first, and possibly the last, time the Commissioner has slipped and allowed the public to witness her real agenda.
The citizens of this state deserve better. We deserve choice and free will. We deserve the right to save our money and pay for medical care directly, rather than "invest" our money in inflated premiums for coverage we may rarely use. We deserve acknowledgement for our concern for the uninsured and our willingness to help support assistance plans that make sense. Oklahomans do not need the "firm and loving hand" of government, of Kim Holland, to mandate our civic and financial responsibilities - we get it.

People without health insurance long-term don't buy OU season tickets. I'm sure what this state really needs is to charge the children of people who can't afford insurance more money so that they can't afford to go to college.

How about a recall on this moron?

Anyone who has served in the military has earned their VA health care. They placed their life on the line for our country and health care is what we owe them.
Anyone who feels like the world owes them health care as an entitlement is most likely on the receiving end of the health care funds. The people paying for others to get free health care have a different point of view. My life and my health care is My responsibility. Your life and Your health care is your responsibility. Government sponcered health care will try to take away the responsibility for you living your life by your own choices. Need examples? Canada and the UK. Are you too fat? no health care till you loose as much weight as the government wants you to loose. Do you drink alcohal? no health care till the government says you cut down your drinking enough to make the health care worth while. Do you Smoke? good god dont even ask for health care the answer is NO! Are you too old? no health care till all the young people are taken care of first. Is your problem not immediatly life threatening? be prepared to wait 6 months or longer for any test you may need to find out what your real medical problems are. Do you need care NOW? be prepared to wait for hours in an ambulance for a bed in the emergency room to open up. The US health care system is not perfect but its better than the socialist systems where its easier to get a heart transplant for your dog than it is to get a kidney for your father.

Mike...the most important thing is that you are now able to make things better for yourself. Thank you for your service to our country.

Sallie, Del City I'm sorry for your son's condition, but you made my case for me, I am not disabled, or ill, and any medical problems I have had since my departure from service can not be attributed to my service.

Correction....20% qualifies any service related injury to at least partial coverage.

IDIOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mike...then something went wrong in the VA system. My son served 8 years in the Army and is now classified "totally disabled". He is in his mid 30's and his working career is over.

20 years is not the minimum. All illness, injuries that can be attributed to military service do qualify for care. Maybe not 100% in all cases, but 20% is all that is needed.

Again, something must have been overlooked in your case, and I am glad that you have made lemonade out of lemons.

woman in okc, I understood the tax on fuel was based on the number of gallons rather than a percentage. Thanks for clarifying. Like I thought if the price was either $4 or $2 per gallon, the tax would remain at the same level of around 70 cents per gallon.

PAUL YUKON - I am a vet, 6 years USN, been in combat. I DO NOT have health care coverage through the VA., you have to serve 20 years minimum for that, and I don't want a putz like holland deciding for me. Fortunately I have very good coverage through my employer, and I pay to cover my wife. The few times in my life I wasn't ensured I PAID MY MEDICAL BILLS, and it was a hell of a lot cheeper than the 800+ a month I would have had to pay. If I have the ability to pay all my medical expenses, why should I have to pay MORE for insurance I don't need?

Public funded insurance is not and will not be the answer to the system. Regulation of insurance companies, pharmaceuticals, and fees charged by the medical fields are needed.

People who make $6.50 per hour can't possibly afford to pay into a public fund as someone who makes $30.00 ph. If a fixed rate for all income strata is not set then any program requires more dollars from the populace as opposed to the major profits now in place. Profit is necessary for any industry, but the excess amounts acceptable in our economy is vile. Bill Gates was sued by those who claimed he made to much money and had to cough up major dollars to the government. Insurance companies should not be above the excess profits laws.

Kim Holland, you are an idiot and embarrassment to the State. The people walking around without insurance are not going to football games. How would they pay for them. You are without a doubt a fine example of liberal fools trying to change society with more rules. Are these people not punished enough? If you want to try and control costs do not pass laws for litigation lawsuits that are proposed by plaintiff lawyers. Hey Kim, who exactly funded your election to office, Trial Lawyers???? Get rid of the illegals in the state that is milking the costs that all citizens pay for. What a joke.

She's a republican trying to screw the Oklahoma people agin isnt she. Closet Jesus hater.

How about no sex for the uninsured? thats as good of an idea.

Umm, no food for the uninsured.

No wallmart for the uninsured.

No dessert for the uninsured.

Tax the Indian casinos that run ads about themselves.

floyd, if prices are down, that means tax revenues from fuel are down. that is why it would mean less money for road and bridge repair.

The fuel tax is dependent on how many gallons of fuel are sold. When drivers drive fewer miles (because of the higher price of gasoline) or consumer fewer gallons of gas (think more fuel-efficient cars or hybrids), then the fuel tax receipts go down. When that happens, less money is available to build and rebuild highways, mass transit, rails-to-trails, etc.

HOw about a tax on too much makeup, that would pay for half of the uninsured.

Stupid is not a good way to go through life. Wake up, how about lets eliminate your job and save money for the American people, . Eliminate the Bush Debacle Years.

I was just watching the NBC nightly news and they were discussing how the price of gasoline is helping people out. Maybe some of the money saved on fuel can go to health care. But I need some help with what the reporter said then; "The lower price of fuel means the government will have less money for road and bridge repair." How much did the government cut the taxes on fuel? I had not heard about any tax receipts except for sales tax dropping and not much of that since prices haven't dropped, only what people spend being cut back to help catch up on what they already owe. Dec.sales are supposed to be way down.

I hope you lose your job and your insurance. Most of us who don't have insurance don't because we can not get it. I was working at a nursing home in Edmond, promised health insurance if I worked full time, however they kept me classified as part time, and I could not have the insurance I was promised. I had to keep working there until I found another job, to pay the bills. Prior to that, I had insurance through my job, then spent nearly everything I had to pay the COBRA bills, then when that ran out, the cost of continuing coverage was more money than I earned, due to having medical problems. I recieved very serious injuries (life threatening) from an assault at another job, had to take the company to worker's comp court, was left with huge medical bills and was unable to work, for awhile, the court did order the company to pay the bills from that, but they didn't do it. These insurance companies are out of control, taking people's money, then leaving them out in the cold. Also, many employers discharge employees solely because of age or medical problems that cause their insurance rates to go up. Those people in your socio-economic group, can not possibly understand the plight of those of us who work hard, and have our tax money taken from us to pay for good insurance for the likes of you, and for the career welfare people, and can not afford to have insurance. (also no football tickets either by the way) We need national health insurance like most of the countries in Western Europe have, so that everyone can afford medical care. We also need to put a stop to lawyers getting rich off unwarrented medical lawsuits that drives the cost of medical care up where no one can afford it. It is a shame and disgrace that the USA has so many working people that have less access to medical care than those in third world countries. You should be ashamed of yourself. The football tickets are one thing, but taking away drivers' liscences, in a place where public transportation is so poor? You want to make life even harder for people to have jobs and work to support your luxury lifestyle and your good insurance at our expense, while many of us have to do without? Your job should be terminated right now, you do not understand the reality most of us live with.

there is no real healthcare fix that will work until we realize that the healthcare industry should not be for profit in the first place. we the people need to come together and set up a single-payer healthcare system and do away with the greedy insurance companies. having one insurer funded by all citizens that pays all healthcare claims is the most efficient way to provide quality healthcare to everyone.

with everyone paying in, including millions of healthy people who don't have to use much of the resources, the costs will be spread out and make it affordable to everyone. also, doctors would still maintain private practices and be able to work in whatever field or whatever city they please. they just wouldn't be forced to maintain extra staff just to deal with the multiple insurance companies and multiple rules of what gets paid and what doesn't. instead, they'll be able to just focus on treating people. also, there needs to be much more emphasis on preventive care, which would be easier to do if people were not uninsured in the first place. being uninsured causes many people to wait for things to become huge problems before they seek treatment, and oftentimes are first seen in ER's, which are overworked.

Kim Holland and all her socialist friends can go pound salt. I've been without health insurance for five years and I haven't cost her or any tax payer one red cent. I've paid ALL my medical bills out of my own pocket and it was a darn sight less expensive than any insurance plan to some greedy company to send their CEO's on yearly paid vacations and that I will probably be required to help bail out. I am so fed up with these people that have control issues so they go get a job in the government.

I think this is an example of what happens when people who are of the upper middle class to wealthy try to decide whats best for working class to poor. They just haven't a clue as to what its like to live at a lower socioeconomic strata, and base their mandates upon their own life experience and income levels.

Tommi...Tommy, OKC because we sat and still sit on our apathetic butts and allow them to do so.

This is rediculus. I am sure the vast majority of Oklahomans who do not have health insurance also do not have season tickets to OU or OSU sports of any kind. The majority of ALL Oklahomans do not have season tickets. For you to imply that people are not buying health insurance just so they can have expensive hobbies is crazy. During the past, my children and I were without insurance because I was laid off - more than once - and each time I could not afford the COBRA payments because I was the only income in the household. Has your insurance always fully been paid for you so that you've become immune to how outrageously expensive it is when you pay it all yourself??? Quite slandering those whose financial situation will not permit them to have insurance. Oklahomans and anyone from other states, who do not have health insurance ARE NOT CRIMINALS. You don't punish people who are already being punished by lifes circumstances. You look at the real problem which is that insurance companies have been allowed to get too powerful and basically are now Dictators over our health-care system. It isn't good for the individual, businesses or health-care providers. Why are earth were they ever given such power?
Tommy, OKC

Seriously,Kim Holland can get a stick and I can tell her where to shove it! What about those who self-pay and can afford it? What about those who just can't make ends meet and make too much money to quailfy for government subsided healthcare benefits like medicaid, medicare and sooner care? By trying to enforce this is a violation of our rights and our privacy!

Congrats Kim Holland, you just took the title of Stupidest Political Figure in OK from Brent Rinehart.

Is this still America?

Grey Goose, I really enjoyed your story. One thing though; When Canadian geese come to Okla. County, aren't they supposed to be called Oklahoma geese?

She also wants to take away driver's licenses. But we can get her on HIPPA violations. HIPPA prevents the passing and distribution of medical records without the permission of the patient. What health coverage I may or may not have is a private medical matter between my doctor, hospital, and insurance company. I will be happy to file a HIPPA violation against the commissioner of public safety if he delves into my private medical records.

I think this is absolute nonsense. Why is Obama trying to get a workable health insurance plan? Becuase people cannot afford what is out there right now. Your health is a right not a priveledge!

No one goes uninsured because they feel like it! I am uninsured because there is no way I could AFFORD the $400+ a month it would cost to insure my family. And on top of that, they want to revoke in-state tuition to my kids that way I can't pay for them to go to college either??? How is that helping me get insured, If I can't even get any tax breaks, how on earth am I EVER going to afford insurance. This woman is absolutely stuck in some parallel universe of idiocity.

Carson, you are almost as stupid, and I emphasize the word 'stupid' as Ms. Holland. Now, go back to providing affection in the sheep barn.

Ms. Holland can kiss her future in Oklahoma politics goodby,though
she probably has a good future working in the Health and/or Insurance industry( if she isn't already on the payroll).
Unbelievable! Someting I would expect from an official in some state back east or something. I am at times frustrated when people who might be able to afford insurance don't get it,but you can't fix the problem this way. Why no mention of forcing businesses to provide insurance with a mandatory contribution deducted from the employees check? The businesses can't afford it but the low wage employee can? Sigh.......more great publicity for our state's political image.

Interesting that insurance premiums for working stiffs is too high for many to afford, though doctors also regularly complain about THEIR insurance being too high. Think maybe the insurance company needs a little look-see, as they seem to be raking it in from both sides? Oh, and(In Beavis and Butthead voice) Gray Goose said 'beat him off.'

Carson, I seriously doubt a law that took away season football tickets from those without health insurance would make any dent in attendance at either OU or OSU football games. Most of the poeple, at least at OU, who have season tickets have either health insurance provider through their employer or can afford the premiums. That's the idiocy of Holland's comments. She thinks that people are living high on the hog by not buying health insurance. Anyone with a family knows that's just bunk.
Michael, Norman - Nov 21, 2008 1:28 PM


So us people at the OSU games are uninsured? What a pompous statement.

You know what folks, a medical catastrophe can happen to ANYONE at anytime. 16 years ago, I worked in an OKC hospital. One of the big ones on the NW side of town. I became gravely ill. I was hospitalized for 2 months. They found midway through my stay a rare lung disease. At the time so unusual that 9 out of 10 cases were diagnosed during autopsy. I was 32 and a new mother. I had health insurance through my employer. At the end of it even with my insurance and employee discount, I ended up out of pocket about $20,000! I was able to go back to work and was gainfully employed until almost 5 years ago when I had to go back on oxygen fulltime. I didn't want to quit but my doctor told me in the long run it would be for the best. So after 2 months of arguing, I went on LTD through my company. After 6 months I was approved for SSDI. I still have my insurance through my company ONLY because they still consider me an employee off on LTD. (Not the same hospital I worked at when I was sick either) I have Medicare now too...WORTHLESS!!! It pays for nothing! NOt only that I have a monthly premium I pay them too + a deductible. The point is everyone is one castrophe away from financial ruin.

This woman has absolutely no business telling people how to live their lives and how to buy insurance. Some people cannot afford the premiums. I know my premiums together are over $500/month but that is for my entire family and covers dental and vision as well. If you work for an employer that doesnt have insurance available, there has to be a reasonable priced replacement. I do agree though that the problem needs to be fixed but certainly not by cutting people off. Aside from that, I don't know too many physicians that I have worked with that would turn their back on anyone that needed help. If so, they are in the wrong profession. For you people thinking that is the answer. I hope you are never laying on the side of the road and get passed by because you may not have insurance. Also, how inhumane would that be to pull up to an accident site and be asked to provide proof of insurance? You don't have any...sorry we can't help you. And the ambulance fades off into the distance. Right! (rollseyes sarcasm)

I have to disagree with Ms. Holland. My husband and I are season ticket holders at OU. I have health insurance through my employer but we also own a business and my husband doesn't have health insurance. The good thing is that he is never sick and when he does have to go to the doctor we pay the expense because the premiums for health insurance for a year far outway the expense of his once in a blue moon doctor visits. If she is wanting to cut down on the unpaid medical expenses in Oklahoma, how about she try to track down the people that aren't paying instead of penalizing everyone across the state? There's food for thought!

Okay, this story has just been rendered moot because I'm listening to Kim Holland on TV right now in the background and she's making it clear she was just thinking out loud, tossing around ideas, and that anything like what was discussed would have to come from the legislature anyway.

I was unaware of that, Angela. Though I'm unfamiliar with the program, I can understand your frustration when you hear something like this. I'm watching Kim Holland on News 9 right now trying to explain her comments away.

Did we vote on this lady or was she appointed by the Gov?

Jason, Soonercare is the states "free health insurance". it is also called medicaid. this article just frustrates me!!!! i cannot imagine what would happen if this were to become a reality!!

Gee, Dorothy, looking back I see the first post I made on this issue and, in fact, anywhere on this forum today was at 2:09 pm - that's hardly "posting blogs" (whatever that means) "all day." Some of us have already been up all day putting in a full days work, and my weekend usually starts around noon on Friday anyway (not that it's a speck of your business). It's kinda creepy, this fascination with my personal life some of you anonymous strangers seem obsessed with, to be honest.

Angela, I've never heard of "soonercare," and was not aware of the income limits/cutoffs. My primary concern is largely one of personal inconvenience: I have private healthcare, and feel it is none of Kim Holland's or any other branch of the state of Oklahoma's business WHAT kind of program I am under. Because, you see, this never ends with just checking insurance cards at the DMV or when you walk into the stadium down in Norman - it turns into FEES, and HASSLES, and just overall more government intrusion in private lives that is not needed. See what I mean?

Some are missing the point. You go to the hospital you might expect to pay $1000 a night just for the room. Order an aspirin and that's $50. Order a soda that's $90. Order a drug - any drug - and that's another $1,000. The same drug in Canada costs at least 1/2 as much. They are overcharging so they can get the most from the insurance companies - which jack up our insurance premiums, and make it impossible for the average person to pay for a typical hospital stay. the doctors aren't doing this. It's the insurance companies and the way they operate. You want to mandate a broken system on the public? That shouldn't be the way things are done. They need to fix it first, make insurance affordable again, then hold-back their silly football tickets if people refuse to be part of the plan.

So, what does Jason do that allows him to spend all day on the computer posting blogs?Is he supported by a rich wife or a trust fund?

Jason Heck, even if you CAN afford it but prefer the government's "free" program,

Jason you are aware that most people people make to much money to get on soonercare right? a family of 3 has to make under 30,000(roughly, i am not sure of the exact number) a year to get on soonercare. and that is gross, not take home. could you live on that?? i know i couldn't. I am not trying to argue, i just found that statement odd. i have not "lived" off of the system ever. i used it when i needed it, while i was working and paying taxes. i am lucky that i can now afford health insurance but alot of people cannot. i cant imagine $600.00 of my paycheck gone every month. that is our grocery bill a month. that would be making a decision between health insurance or food. i have been there......and am lucky enough to be where i am now.

Gray Goose, I love your vodka. Not sure about your Duck story though - I LOVE roasted Duck with pineapple sauce.

Here's an idea to the crying hicks out there. Go to college and don't get (someone) pregnant out of wedlock when you're 19. Boom, you can afford insurance, you can "dun put roof over your baby's head", and "dun put food in your baby's belly".

If I may Swift-ly make a "Modest Proposal," perhaps the kind Mistress Holland should review and then substitute the following.

FOR PREVENTING THE CHILDREN OF POOR PEOPLE IN IRELAND FROM BEING A BURDEN TO THEIR PARENTS OR COUNTRY, AND FOR MAKING THEM BENEFICIAL TO THE PUBLIC


FOR PREVENTING THE (Uninsured) and the CHILDREN OF (The Uninsured) IN (Oklahoma) FROM BEING A BURDEN TO Kim Holland, AND FOR MAKING THEM BENEFICIAL TO THE PUBLIC (The Rich)

*You get the idea and with a plentitude of apologies to Mr. Jonathan Swift whom originated the idea of Irish consuming their young.*

Dang it, I called for wine break. ::: grins :::
.

Yep, can't answer coherently and suddenly everyone's "gotta go." LOL, you couldn't make this kind of silliness up.

Poor, poor widdle Jacob - keep crying us a river, sport. I'll keep laughing.

Gotta go, Kids. Time to get back to my Jason from Edmond daily blog. I wish he would quit giving me so much material. Of course, my readers love it. Most of them can't believe I'm quoting an actual person. I only wish I had pictures...

To get back on track here, the proposal is this: if you're someone who can't afford healthcare, the taxpayers will provide it for you. Heck, even if you CAN afford it but prefer the government's "free" program, have at it. But if you don't qualify to pay the AMT under those circumstances, you don't get to vote. How about it?

Love the duck story. Very cool.

Yes Jason, tell Susan to grow up. She is the one being ignorant and immature, not you. Right? You are my new favorite person. I am out of here, have fun trying to justify your pitiful life. What a loser.

Tell me has anyone been to Mercy Hospital? Who pays for the Marble Floors Marble tables and the like. JUst another observation

Ah, the folks who lost the debate now tag-team to hurl a little joint invective - it's a compliment of a kind that one rarely is the beneficiary of. This has followed a predictable path: three moronic savants get bested in a debate, and suddenly they want to talk about everything else but the question under discussion. This is par for the course for those frustrated at their own lack of ability to think logically, or summon facts to their cause. Good stuff.

Off Topic ~ Take a time out. I'm taking my wine my gardens.

Sunday morning, Mrs. Goose and I saw Fred and Ginger, our pet (wild) Canadian Mallards joyously splashing and playing in the creek.

Fred and Ginger have wintered in our back-yard creek for each of the last six years. Their return each year gives us a feeling of peace; a sense that all is well with, at least, Mother Nature. They stay about seven months, raise a family, then fly off to … Canada(?).

Last spring I was planting golden monywort in my azalea bed, contentedly watching and listening to the various wildlife that have found sanctuary in our creeks, gardens and forest. Fred and Ginger took a break from their nine ducklings and were playing by themselves in the creek about twenty feet away.

Hearing a god-awful ruckus, I saw that Ginger was fighting for her life; her head was trapped under water while Fred was frantically darting in, out and under water. Believing it was either a snake or turtle trying to drown her, I grabbed a stick and waded into the fray.

Myrtle, a massive 30(?) year old turtle, was locked onto her head. After I beat him off, Ginger came up for air. Not ten feet away from me, the grateful couple comforted each other for several minutes. She flew back to her ducklings and Fred, astonishingly, did what I can only interpret as a couple “thank you” fly-bys around me.

For the next couple of weeks, Fred continued to say thank you with his uncharacteristic behavior. Each morning, he swam in the pool until I appeared. Then, standing on the pool’s disappearing edge, he repeatedly squawked at me before flying back to the creek.

You must know this: These ducks MATE FOR LIFE.

Technically, I interfered with nature’s plan. Ginger was on the menu that day. Emotionally however, I am overwhelmed by the profound effect that I had on their lives.

Welcome home Fred & Ginger!
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Susan, not "everyone" - just people like you. (In reference to this: "Like everyone who doesn't agree with you is stupid"). And while we're on the subject: I have NEVER stated one thing about my personal life or finances, or anything related to it. Your assumptions one way or another are not my problem. Grow up.

Yes Jason...tell me more. Give me more big words so you feel more important and special...Come on...

Jacob, apparently they didn't teach Jason about sarcasm as he seems incapable of recognizing the true meaning behind your post. It's par for the course with him. It's like that Brad Paisley song..."So Much Cooler Online."

LOL, John.

Damn nice weather today for this many shut-ins to be posting.

Surely no one voted this woman in office. Must have been a political payoff. She obviously is not qualified for her position. Seems like every politician thinks because they were voted or appointed in a position they have a mandate from god to run the poor dumb public's lives. Get over yourselves. You are not all-knowing.

Jacob, your concession is duly noted, while your pitiful ad hominems actually bring a smile to my face. It's like when a particularly bratty little kid is miffed when called on their behavior, and runs off screaming "you're a poopy-head!!!"

Yes Jason, you are correct. I am clearly not educated and do not have a good job because I called you out on your reasons for posting on here. Keep up the your own "feeble intellect". You crack me up. Hey everyone, Jason is better then you!

Jason, when you start feeling threatened on here, you call people names. I find that odd for someone who has so much money and such a great life. Why the hostility? Like everyone who doesn't agree with you is stupid. That's the best you can come up with in all of these posts - some variation of the same theme. How about "I know you are, but what am I?" It's sad.

Dorothy, non-responsive and irrelevant. Your inability to answer is noted, and dismissed with the contempt it is due. BTW, 140 IQ, eh? Too bad you can't employ all that mental firepower to keep yourself from living "paycheck to paycheck"....(*rolls eyes*)....

To Susan, in Oklahoma City, you said it so much better than I did!
These people forget that it is our Tax Dollars that pay for their Health insurance, while in government offices. They need to come down and live in the real world! Ours!

Ah, the sure sign on the internet that someone doesn't have a cogent argument is when the special pleading starts, as in "why are you posting about this if it doesn't affect you?" Which is, of course, a logical fallacy and a sure sign of a feeble intellect.

My IQ is 140 what's yours?

Dorothy, I think that's a fair way to do it: if you qualify to pay the AMT, you get to vote. If you don't, you get all the "free" healthcare you want. Plus all the other humongous welfare freebies they give away now. If you take none of those things, look out for yourself, and don't pay the AMT, you still get to vote because you're a responsible citizen. But if you take the handouts and don't pay the AMT, no franchise. Sound like an equitable trade-off; how about it?

People who have that "it can never happen to me because I'm doing everything right" mentality are the ones who don't handle it so well when their "secure employment" suddenly isn't. There have been a lot of employees over the years who have worked for companies up until the point of retirement, only to have their 401K's obliterated by someone else's choice. It happens. Those people who aren't prepared to do without because they don't ever see that happening are the ones who can say it isn't their problem. And those people won't have anyone left to help them. And Jacob, I agree with you about it being strange that someone who is so not affected by any of this would take so much energy to post on it at all.

I think a better qualification for voting would be intelligence. That would keep Jason out.

Poor, poor widdle Jacob's having a temper tantrum in public, and can't get a hold of himself. Jacob: use a brown a paper bag and get that hyperventilating under control. ....(*snicker*)....

Dorothy, I promise you wouldn't have to worry about Jason in Edmond in any kind of economic "depression" - I'd be alright. But here's what I propose: all the "free" healthcare for anyone who wants it from the government, HOWEVER, if you don't qualify to pay the AMT you give up your right to vote. That sounds like a fair trade-off to me; how about it?

I am not in your affairs, buddy. I know none of this has anything to do with you, that is why you need to stop posting on here. Selfish people like yourself will never understand the real world. Let me tell you something, whenever a person like yourself says the national economy is "not my problem", it just shows how little you care about everyone and everything but yourself. If only your daddy didn't pay for everything you had growing up, maybe you would think differently. But, this clearly isn't the case. Stay in your own little bubble with your family. They are the only people who actually like you, I am sure.

Really Jason, Do you know how to repair your car,or stove or anything else that gives you the creature comforts that you tke for granted?What if you went into your favorite restaurant and they told you that they couldn't complete your order because they had equipment that didn't work properly? Would you know what to do? Are you at all mechanically inclined? I am sure that I can survive an economc deppression better than you can since I don't need others to do the manual labor for me.

This is what makes people distrust our government! There are people who cannot afford the prices the insurance companies are asking, let alone if you have an pre condition, they do not want to insure you at all and if they do you really cannot afford it! Paople still have to feed and house their family. Now you want to take their drivers lic, so they cant hold a job and feed their family, and so you will be forceing them to break the law! I believe their are people who dont want to pay their share, and their are those that dont get the advantage of the state paying for their medical care, and just making ends meet and cant afford it. Please give them a break! While these things need addressed, find a better way.
PF oklahoma City

Jacob, none of any of that jazz about people who don't have insurance has NOTHING TO DO WITH ME. I have insurance, so does my family; my job is secure and the national economy is not my problem. So you and your buddy Kim Holland need to stay out of my affairs, and leave me be. If you want to take care of the deadbeats who are too irresponsible to fend for themselves, be my guest. But keep your bureaucracy off of my front lawn.

Talking amongst ourselves is therapeutical however, don’t forget to take it outside this thread. Pick up the phone. Cut and paste these links.

Kim Holland’s political website: http://www.hollandforoklahoma.com/
Kim Holland’s political e-mail: info@hollandforoklahoma.com
Kim Holland’s State website: http://www.ok.gov/oid/
Kim Holland’s phone: (405) 521-2828

Governor Brad Henry’s website: http://www.ok.gov/oid/contact.html
Message to the Governor: http://www.governor.state.ok.us/message.php
Governor’s phone: (405) 521-2342

Ignorance from a public policy-maker as exhibited by Kim Holland cannot continue unchecked. She is an embarrassment to our great State.
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Susan, that's not where things get done: Kim Holland is just a bureaucrat, and talking to them is an exercise in tolerating arrogance of power. I WILL be contacting my state Senator and Rep., which is where anything Holland proposes would have to be passed into law.

Jason, you are a moron. End of story. How about we do nothing and let the people like you just keep on living your lives. Who cares about how much money we waste as a state and country? Who cares that we have a slumping economy and the highest jobless rate in years? I can see that you clearly do not care. I happen to have a wonderful health care plan, and this issue doesn't affect my life when it comes to football tickets. But, you and I both have to pay for taxes on those immigrants and others who chose not to buy insurance. Period. Like I said, it probably doesn't bother you because you make well over the six figure mark. Who cares, right?

Dorothy, I obviously have more of a clue than you do: I'm not living "paycheck to paycheck," am quite comfortable in the neighborhood I live in, and my entire family is covered with good health insurance that my wife and I have been able to provide. Sounds like I live in a BETTER world, if not quite as "real" a one as you, huh?

Yeah, penalize the poor even more, Ms. Moneybags.

Oh and Jason I work in a local hospital, guess who is at the counter making good on their bill with cash every day. I see more Hispanics making payment/paying off their medical bills than the self righteous tax paying Americans.

Ms. Holland's proposal is preposterous. I am one of the people she wants to target because I don't have insurance. I will admit that I CHOOSE to not have insurance. The reason is because I am never sick. I have not been to the doctor more than once a year in over 8 years. The last time I went to the doctor more than once in a year was when I actually had insurance. Did I need to go all those times? Nope not at all but when I had insurance I went needlessly to the doctor every time I had minor sniffle or muscle ache. Now that I pay for every visit out of my pocket I am more frugal with my doctor visits. Basically I have quit abusing the system like most people with insurance do and only go when its absolutely necessary. Why should I be forced to spend thousands on insurance when right now I spend less than $200/year on my medical expenses?

If you walk into a restaurant and not pay you go to jail. If you walk out of a store and not pay for your merchandise you go to jail. However, if you walk into a hosipital and not pay for services and merchandise nothing happens to you. Oklahoma hospitals need a method to seek compensation from those who choose not to pay. Only a small percentage are homeless or in hardship. Giving the hospitals the opportunity to go after tax refunds or stimulus checks would be a good start. Not to mention we need reach out to young people and sell them on the idea not to have kids until they are married and somewhat established. Second, people need to learn basic first aid. Many patients check into ER's with symptoms that could be fised with basic first aid and a trip to the Drug Store. I once saw someone come in with a fever blister. Do the math $2 at Wal-Mart is much better than a $200 dollar ER bill. Educating the public on lifestyle decisions and first aid would save America's healthcare industry billions.

Let me guess Jason, you have a six figure salary, all the benefits you can handle and no clue how the real world works.

So, Jason, have you called Kim's office yet to complain?

All I know is I really get a little ticked when I have to pay out the wazoo for insurance and the people who don't have it get the same care as I do. Think I will just let all of you take care of me. I have about had it also with people who have children and won't get married because the state (you and me) pays for it. I am with who ever said the solution to the problem is no medical help for the uninsured. If you have a family and can't afford insurance you have no business having a family. That is all part of the deal.

I'll bet if you took a poll the same folks who posted in this forum screeching about HB 1804 are some of the same ones pimping for this "something needs to be done" pom-pom cheer. A mighty chunk of the unrecovered healthcare costs hospitals incur is from illegals who use the emergency room as their doctor's office - do something about THAT first, then get back to me with your communist plan, Kim.

Dorothy, what does where Charlotte live have to do with her commentary on this forum? I'm starting to hear the Edmond Envy Train roll into the station....

Jacob in Kansas is another one of these moronic savants who keeps burbling "something needs to be done" as if in some kind of trance. Earth to Jacob: worry about your own healtcare plan and let me worry about mine. It gets tiresome having to explain what "this is a free country" means to idiots who couldn't buy a clue if they had change.

Jacob, I think it we were all given a list of the things this state wastes money on, we would find out there there are lots of places that could manage a cut or two. I would love to be tasked with a line-item budget cut for this state. I can squeeze blood out of a turnip so I'm sure I could find some cash flow. Right now, I'm far more offended by the billions of dollars wasted on killing people outside of my country than I am on a billion dollars in this state to care for people who don't have insurance. The truth is, the government wastes our tax dollars and we seem to ignore it. Maybe we feel like our vote doesn't count. But the more main streeters who start making phone calls and calling for an end to the wasteful spending, the more action we will see taken. No one likes bad press - least of all the politicians.

Cindy, Oklahoma City: I'm with you. Yours is the best comment I've seen so far on this ridiculous story.

Guess what, Charlotte, not everyone fits in your narrow perception of "poor people". Some of us struggle from paycheck to paycheck even though we don't smoke or drink. I haven't eaten fast food in so long that I can't remember.I cook everything from scratch. I even make my own bread.Living in Edmond has obviously given you rose colored glasses. Maybe you should get off your pedastal and see how the majority actually live. It might suprise you.

Charlotte, it's not that I don't believe that there are people out there who are just blowing their funds on trash. However, it sounds like you are trying to lump everyone into that group to justify why someone wouldn't be able to pay for health insurance. My premiums are not based on weight, height, or eating habits. We haven't moved to that in this state yet. But if we didn't have the cheaper option of my husband's premiums, we could not afford (without buying junk food for dinner because it's a lot cheaper than the healthy stuff) my premiums. We live well within our means and both of us exercise and don't smoke or drink. We also have college educations and good jobs. However, insurance for the family at my job would be over $600 a month and that doesn't include vision or dental. We don't have health problems, but our children have to do the "well baby" thing and they get the occasional ear infection, etc... People who can't afford insurance aren't all saying they can't afford it because they are in bad health or have "pre-existing" conditions. They are saying they can't afford it because it's too expensive. It almost sounds like you are suggesting they did this to themselves somehow and that way, it isn't a problem that needs to be dealt with. I don't think that's fair.

Susan and Joliet, there are MANY problems with our health insurance policies in this country. Something needs to be done in order to provide cheap insurance for those who cannot, or just don't want to pay for, insurance. However, with over a billion dollars incured, by the taxpayers of this state, don't you think something needs to be done to get that money back to those who don't deserve to be paying for those who chose not to buy health insurance? What is the better alternative? Another billion dollars for us to pay for? That sounds like a terrible idea to me.

Here's the deal - if a person doesn't have insurance and they have a hospital stay, then the hospital automatically knocks off 60% of the bill. If a person does have insurance then they usually have a 20% deductible. So it's not a pay 100% without insurance and pay 0% with, it's 40% without and 20% with - a 20% difference. Where does this 60% go to that is knocked off - that's pure insurance company profit. They are the wealthiest entity in the world. They gather the funds - because you HAVE to pay it! then, when someone needs to file a claim, their response is deny, deny, deny. You have to have a mandate from heaven to get your bill paid for with your insurance. And they say the system isn't flawed. It is. It's very flawed. And this solution about not allowing them to buy tickets if they don't have health insurance borders on a Dali-like surrelism, with melting clocks and camels with super-long legs! or it's like a painting with the gigantic inflated body of the insurance company, and they only have a very small, little mouth, and just can't eat fast or enough to satisfy their elephantine body. I hate the health insurance agencies, and I hope Tom Daschel addresses these concerns and fixes them. Everyone is hating the Big 3 auto makers (and they do deserve it), but the health insurance agencies need to be shown a little loathe too.

What a stupid recommendation Kim Holland. I don't even have season tickets to anything or buy lottery tickets & disagree with your idea. Health insurance should not & does not need to be mandatory.

I would almost be willing to bet that lots of folks who claim they cannot afford insurance premiums, mysteriously find a way to afford cigarettes, beer, fast food, junk food, etc. which simultaneously cause their health to go in the toilet. Amazing true story - I was at the post office about a month ago and a guy came up and asked if I could spare a dollar so he could get something to eat, and you guessed it - he was SMOKING while begging for money. I simply told him that if he had money to burn, he was better off than I. If folks would exercise, eat right, and maintain a healthy weight, they would be surprised at how many less health problems they would have, and perhaps their insurance premiums would be affordable.

What I really think is not printable. This is ridiculous. She needs to go...........

Can you imagine the look on David Boren's face if no one bought tickets to the OU games because they didn't have proof of insurance? How would he keep paying Bob Stoops those millions? No offense, Bob.

Here's how this will work in practice: it will be one more layer of paperwork and "fees" to prove you have Health Insurance. You'll have to haul out all your cards for every family member, and then you'll be told something, somewhere in the system just "isn't right." You'll be told to come back next week, after you've contacted your health provider for the right scrap of paper. It is about once again expanding the role of government in our lives, and any decent citizen should be firmly against it.

I find it funny that two people who have insurance want to "punish" those people who don't. Insurance companies are private industry. So...the people who can't afford to pay the private industry who then pays another private industry are going to be punished? Russell doesn't have insurance because he chooses not to. While his belief system doesn't seem to be religious in nature (sorry if I'm assuming, Russell) there are those people who do not believe in doctors (or human intervention) and wouldn't need insurance either. Are they going to be forced to buy this to avoid losing their ability to drive and maintain auto insurance? I'm sure THAT would bring about a big lawsuit. Right now, we pay for social security and we may never see that money. So no matter how much we pay in, that money may not be available when we retire. Insurance works IN CASE there is a big issue. My office charges over $90 a month for dental insurance. That's over $1000 per year. Regular cleanings cost $100. In doing the math...someone is making quite a profit. The sales pitch is that you have insurance IN CASE something happens. For a lot of people, paying for the once a season office visit is much cheaper and all they need. But in addition to co-pays, they are saddled with ridiculous premiums in some cases (unless their job covers a large part). It makes perfect sense that people would choose to fund the things they KNOW they need (food, shelter, transportation to work, etc...) than to shell out tons of cash for something that only matters IN CASE. Doctors are private business and so are hospitals. Consumers should be able to choose to pay for care or not without some idiot threatening to punish them. Perhaps when the legislators have to pay for all of their insurance and work the whole year like the rest of us...they might see things differently.

Bob, Signal Hill, I'm not interested in any of your babbling that "something needs to be done" - worry about your own healthcare and I'll worry about mine. I don't need the state of Oklahoma any more in my life than it is already.

This is pretty Crazy. God bless those with no insurance.

Why not just contact the Russian embassy, ask them to break out all those old folded away Hammer & Sickle flags from the old Soviet Union and send them to us? Then we could replace the Oklahoma state flag with the communist one, and be done with it? I swear, it sometimes seems as if we LOST the Cold War, when I see scummy little commissars like Kim Holland open their mouths and start talking about getting big government into our lives once again.

A lot of you are really over the top on this issue. IMO, Ms. Holland was probably just "stirring the pot", to bring the situation to public attention. Much like many of you posters do, from time to time! But the whole concept is not to be thrown out summarily, although the license for fishing, hunting, and football are obviously attention getters. In many states, though, you must show "financial responsibility" in order to register your car or renew your driver's license. That means you must have car insurance. That makes more sense than health insurance, but it's in the same vein as this kind of proposal. It's a "dis-incentive" to drive uninsured. Drop the insurance and you lose your license to drive. Something needs to be done about the cost of health care, and something like this at least stimulates the debate. As others have noted, however, this idea "ain't goin' nowhere"!

My Goodness, it just tickles me to see this many read the online newspaper.

Walker, I've read all these comments and everyone is complaning about paying for the uninsured. So my plan is the next logical step. It fast and simple and easy to implement. No insurance, no care. I figured everyone that is insured would appreciate this plan, as it would lower the rates for everyone. Do not get me wrong Walker, I am uninsured. But I have the common sense not to ever go to a doctor or hospital for any reason. Everyone needs to start realizing that doctors do not care about you or your health. They only care about what they can pocket for themselves. Another thing that most people like to deny is this: When it is your time to go, it is your time. Stop fighting death. It's a natural part of life.

I don't have insurance. My husband has insurance through his employer and our children are currently on Soonercare. The reason for this is because he doesn't get paid enough monthly for us to be able to afford for our family to be on his insurance through his employer. Every year his insurance renews and we take financial stock to see if we can make it work to put the family on his insurance and every year it is the same story. We have to choose to pay our utility bills and grocery shop or to insure our family. We don't go to football games, we don't have hunting or fishing licenses, we do have driver's licenses. So per this article I'm going to loose my driver's license because we can't afford the $800 a month insurance premium through his employer. Yes you can say that BCBS and other insurers offer individual plans but I don't qualify because of pre-existing conditions, so what else am I going to penalized for? What else are you going to take away from my family so that it is hard for us to survive?

I am just so amazed that these options were even brought up. There are so many more answers than penalizing the very people that have the problem to begin with.

I guess I left Oklahoma just in time. I didn't know the communist had taken over the government there. I guess it is the next logical step since the "do nothing" governor endorsed Osama for president.

Don't call her office, if you have a complaint- call her boss. The Governor's office # is 531-2342.

Lets get the NON US Citizens off of FREE Medical and Education before we worry about punishing the Citizens for not having Medical Insurance.
Everett, Elk City

Looks like someone has their head up their tail end and can't see past her own paycheck and can't see that there are alot of Oklahomans, including my mom who is on social security, that CANNOT afford the high insurance premiums and no she doesn't have a college education BECAUSE way back when it wasn't as important as it is now and actually being a college grad makes you no better than me, you just spent more money to get a job that I can do as well oh but the college grad will get more money to do the same job. Anyways, when our government puts a cap on what doctors can charge, what hospitals can charge and what insurance companies can charge, until then no one that makes a middle class wage or lower can even think about buying their own insurance. How ignorant does all this make Ms. Holland and Mr steele look. Put yourself in a lower middle class wage with children and the basics and see if you can afford it until then I really think you need to pull these stupid stunts with a fish. Oh and Ms Holland, get some sun. You look a little pale or are you sick and can't afford to go to the dr. Lets get real and face reality, too many free visited to doctors and hospitals by maybe illegal immigrants. My life is my choice. Yes, I have a job that pays for my insurance and it is darn good insurance and my husband has a job with insurance but there are jobs out there that don't. Some jobs won't even give you insurance until you are there for a year, what happens in the mean time if you get sick or hurt?
And Philip, your an idiot for any saying something so stupid.
Rob, very good point but those in congress and any of our legislators and people like Ms Holland make too much money to see facts and reality.

Carson, I seriously doubt a law that took away season football tickets from those without health insurance would make any dent in attendance at either OU or OSU football games. Most of the poeple, at least at OU, who have season tickets have either health insurance provider through their employer or can afford the premiums. That's the idiocy of Holland's comments. She thinks that people are living high on the hog by not buying health insurance. Anyone with a family knows that's just bunk.

james, you also are a good argument for retroactive abortion.

Hmmm, novel idea - lets penalize the poor for not being able to afford health insurance by taking away their right to drive, etc. That is a stupid idea, if anything she should have been proposing an affordable insurance plan that everyone could afford. Are you sure Commissioner Holland is not from Alaska? Obviously she has developed dementia and it can only get worse. We know who has been paying her salary - the insurance companies.

One of the purposes of government is to protect the interests of its citizens. Presumably we elect people to offices that will do just that. When, instead, government protects the interests of business and it is they who drive government decisionmaking, then that government is derelict in its duty. It is amazing that dimwitted politicians believe that most people without health insurance CHOOSE to be so. Maybe there are some who rationalize such in some way but it is preposterous to think that one can provide "incentives" to induce people to buy insurance. As someone suggested, why doesn't the insurance commissioner realize it is her duty to find "incentives" for insurance companies to reduce their rates so it is affordable for at least a portion of the uninsured population and find other means to get insurance for those who are truly indigent or simply unable to set aside enough money from their incomes to buy insurance in an economy that continues to feature increasing prices on necessary consumer goods.

Yes Kevin, "I wish you had been aborted as a child" is a perfect rejoinder to an argument. Can you call him Hiltler now? or maby the Anti-Christ?

If healthcare, and health insurance were affordable in the first place, then this crazy idea would have never been raised. But we seem to have a Commissioner, and friends in the Legislature, who get a lot of money from Big Health Care and Big Insurance.

Why not reduce the price of health care services instead?

I shall not vote to re-elect Commissioner Holland.

My first thought was to scream and demand this idiot be taken out of office .
But then someone mentioned the infrastructure that would have to be created to enforce all these laws , and so im thinking maybe i could get a job at this enforcement place and get my insurance paid for like ms holland !!!

seriously though , we arent poor , but we live paycheck to paycheck , and our company offers health insurance , we have tried to figure a way to cut costs to add it and it just isnt going to happen anytime soon , and if it did we wouldnt be able to afford the deductible to use the insurance anyways .
BUT no one pays our bills , we just dont go to the doctor unless we have to , and then we try to use a clinic that offers the service we need .
We have no use for season tickets , we watch our games at home but drivers license ? My husband is a truck driver , so go ahead and take his license and we will head on down to DHS and sign up for some free health care .

Good idea. No insurance...no tickets. Love it.

Kevin - Shouldn't have had a child if you couldn't afford one.

Yeah Russell... that would be great for public health interests. Communicable disease could spread like wildfire and even kill off the poor. It would be like having a third world country in our own backyards!! Great plan!!

Its easy for some one to make laws when they are well off in monetary. I would like to know if the tax payers of Ok. pay her health insurance. Health Insurance is a problem nation wide. It needs to start at Congress level.

Insurance companies are scams anyways. Ex: Dental patient
One of my friends had insurance to pull a tooth. $600.00
Another friend of mine had same procedure done. $400.00 No Insurance.

Where is the median at.

There's a simple fix to all of this. Drop the law requiring hospitals to accept patients who cannot pay. Basically, allow hospitals to turn away the uninsured. The insured are happy, the uninsured get what they deserve for believing in the medical community, and all is well for everyone.

We had an Insurance Commissionor that was tough on insurance co's and would have fought to the ground for the rights of the people of Oklahoma. His name was Carroll Fisher. You listened to the Daily Oklahoman and believed he was an evil man. Not so, and by the way what you haven't seen in the Oklahoman is that he was released and all charges dropped. Of course his life and reputation are ruined. This little witch hunt cause the state tax payers over $3 million dollars.

JJ -

Judging by the tone of your post, I must assume that this is the same JJ that is always provoking OSU fans on the sports articles. I am laughing because as an alum of OSU, this is the first thing that I have read from you that I actually agree with.

However, that being said, I must take a little shot at OU. If this law passes, I am estimating that the OU season ticket sales will fall below 10,000.00. OSU season ticket sales, no effect.

Excellent point Rob. The real "criminals" are Doctors and Insurance companies. If only the American people had as many lobbyists representing our interests instead of corporate interests. Welcome to the "Corporatocracy." Give us your money... all of it... and we will consider considering your needs after our CEO pays off his 7 properties and 3 yachts.

We need to take these comments from Ms.Holland with a grain of salt. She's so frustrated with the dismal ranking and does not have a clue how to solve it so she just throws out ignorant remarks.

More amazing is what Rep. Steel says "I believe the place to start is to create a situation within our state that people are without excuse for not having health insurance".

WoW!!! That's so profound!!! Let me se...

To solve the homeless problem "I believe the place to start is to create a situation within our state that people are without excuse for not having a home".

To solve the jobless problem "I believe the place to start is to create a situation within our state that people are without excuse for not having health insurance"

Somehow, this comment reminds me the answer of Miss Teen South Carolina "I personally believe that U.S. Americans are unable to do so because, um, some people out there in our nation don't have maps........"

FYI to who ever said Ms. Holland had a college education. To my knowledge only a high school education. I might be wrong but, am pretty sure that is it.

I hope her words were taken out of context. If not she is uninformed and an idiot. Start the petition.

I had great insurance from the time I was 50 until I turned 55. The premium was under $1,000 per year and my younger brother, also on the same plan, had medical expenses of $107,000 until he died, most paid for. When I turned 55 the company was sold to a company in Sweden and when I turned 60, my premium had gone up tp $10,000 per year with a $10,000 deductable. It didn't matter because the company dropped everyone over 60. I was trying to get on High Risk of Oklahoma which would cost $4,000 per year but had to be turned down by two private companies first. One turned me down right away so I applied to Blue Cross but they approved me with a bunch of riders even for problems I never had but which were expected to come on with age. Until I turned 65 and was on Medicare, not only did I have to pay the premium, but ALL my medical expenses including prescriptions. No wonder people don't have insurance.

If minimum wage had gone up at the same rate as health care in the last 40 years, it would be about 52.00 dollars per hour. HOw about the cost of health care? In 1967, a private room was 27.00 a night. Today, it is how much? 2000.00, 2700.00. What made it go up so much? Other business haven't increased their price like that. It's not because of what they are paying the nurses. Doctors use to charge 600.00 for surgery, now it's 15000.00. Don't blame it on lawsuits, they like to hide behind that dog.

Apparently Ms Howard doesnt realize that most UNINSURED people cant afford INSURANCE also cannot afford football tickets. Why not try to come up with incentives for the insurance companies to offer a sliding scale premiums based on your income, or make them shorten pre-existing clauses. give discounts for spouse coverage. charge one price for dependents instead of per dependent. There is not one fix for this problem but there are options that are better than all or none. Require or give incentives to physician groups to take a certain percentage of medicaid eligible people. You can be seen easier with no insurance than if on medicaid. I WOULD ALSO GLADLY SIGN A PETITION TO TAKE THIS PERSON OUT OF OFFICE.

The bottom line is when 1/3 of the state does not have insurance then of course the insurance is going to be high. Where do you think the hospitals and doctors get their money? From the insurance that suckers like us pay premiums on. We are a state of fat, underactive smokers. Bottom line our health stinks. Donna, we own a business and we do not pay that kind of price for our employees. We pay half, they pay the other. They have the option of a $500 deductable or $2500 deductable. You don't need to run to the doctor for every little hang nail. The difference in the total permium is $301 dollars a month. That is a savings of $3612 per year for a higher deductable. We have 9 employees and only one has taken advantage of the $2500 deductable. Most of them are griping because they now pay a $15 co-pay. Geeze, insureance was never ment to pay for every tiny thing. It is to save yuo from catastropic debt.

My insurance company negotiates with network providers for discounts. In order for a health care provider to qualify as a network provider, he/she must agree to cap charges at the negotiated rate. My insurance pays only a small fraction of the billable amount because of this agreement. Someone without insurance pays the entire amount because there is no one to deny the claim amount or enforce maximum allowable billing charges.

Eliminate all lawsuits and insurance companies from medical care and the cost will go down 95%. Most of Health care coverage lines the pockets of lawyers of insurance companies, not health professionals.

Let me understand this correctly: those who don't have medical insurance--most likely due to the cost of same and the inability to pay for coverage--should be additionally penalized?

I would guess that most people who can't afford to provide health care coverage for themselves and their loved ones can't afford tickets to the college games. Do you really think people want to be without health coverage?

She should probably step outside every once in awhile. Its called the sun. I am lucky to have a job that offers health benefits but insurance is effin expensive. It goes up every year.

A huge portion of the $1 billion debt because of the uninsured is ER visits. What bugs the crap out of me is how sooooo many unisured use the ER for NON EMERGENCIES. I have never known a runny nose to be an emergency. Or a fever. I mean come on.....you're sick. Stay home and eat some soup because it's a lot cheaper than that ER visit that I, as a taxpayer (and someone INSURED) have to pay.

The issue of health CARE should not be clouded with the word insurance. I don't need insurance for police and fire protection. The real issue should be on the health care end not on keeping insurance companies profitable. yeah i know taxes have to go up, but the trade off is lower costs overall as the presently insured would not be paying for the uninsured. Not to mention the savings in elimination of countless insurance company bureucrats.

Sorry Kelly but I do know what I am talking about. I had an MRI that was supposed to cost $2000. Luyckily, I had insurance to cover it. The insurance company was only billed for $200.00 of which they paid $150.00 dollars. This is occuring all across the country. You should pay attention. They have even done stories about this on Dateline and 20/20.Should I believe you or my lying eyes when I see it in black and white on my bills?

We need to do something about the UNDERinsured as well. I think penalizing the individual is not the way to go. I think asking hospitals to charge a reasonable fee for the service is a better way. For example a test that wholesale costs the hospital $7-10 is billed at $300-700 to the patient. That kind of WRECKLESS mark-up to overcome losses from the uninsured is not the way to make up profit margins. What hospitals need to do is negotiate more with patients and offer discounts for quickly paying portions of bills and to offer discounts of the outrageous mark-ups for hospital equipment, tests, drugs, and services. The fact that there are so many uninsured and underinsured persons is from the outrageous and uncontrolled inflation between the hospital industry and the insurance industry!

As Gary said in his 9:28 post, why get upset about it? Obama will take care of it. I remember about 50 years ago when my health insurance cost me $68.34 per YEAR and I dropped it when it went to about $134 per year. At that time I went to a clinic with a husband and wife Drs. and one secretary. Now that clinis has one Dr. who is overloaded and a room full of secretaries and a nurse. Regulations were put in place calling for 2nd opinions and costs started to go up. I broke my hand on Labor day 1964. The Dr. missed the bone with a pin and had to do it over. I was in the hospital 9 days. Total cost was $900.

Sorry Dorothy - you do not know what you are talking about. My daughter asked what her bill would be for having a child without having insurance and was quoted a price. She did have insurance and after a "routine" delivery and the insurance paying approx. $4000.00 her part was still more than what it would have been without insurance. So yes Dorothy, those of us with insurance are paying higher costs so that those who do not have insurance can pay less.

Big Brother rears his ugly head even higher!! If I can't afford health insurance, I'm sure it's because I buy OU and OSU season tickets, and then a $600 to $1000 rifle and/or shotgut to go out "sport hunting", not to fill an already enormous hole in my food bill! C'mon, Kim, I'm 60+ and am currently insured, but the premiums are horriffic and the co-pay is deadly, go after the insurance companies, isn't that your job?
Dave, Wellston

I think of my 27 year old son who just changed jobs. His take home pay is $989.00 a month, which is Abut $340 more than he was getting at his previous place of employment. He has to wait 6 months before any health benefits kick in. He pays his car insurance ('85 GM car) by the month- so is penalized because he can't pay in advance! He pays the same amount for food, fuel, and utilities as Ms. Holland does. He is in that vague in-between place where so many Oklahomans find themselves living-- right on the edge of poverty.

For years, I've respected Ms. Holland, and I realize that this is most likely taken out of context, but still...

I have a degree, and work full time. But the cost of insuring my young, healthy family of 3 is more than our mortgage payment. I am blessed to have recently taken a job that pays 100% of our insurance, but not all Oklahomans are that fortunate.

Maybe instead of penalizing those who don't have insurance, start looking at what is causing insurance to be so astronomically high.

I called her office and they are giving some spill that it was all out of context and that she was making a point. I told her office maybe the uninsured people of oklahoma should make a point and ask for her to resign.

Technically, this would be facist bordering upon plutocratic rather than socialistic, though we have learned to refer to everything hated as socialistic...

Kevin, Oklahoma City said, "people like Kim Holland are proof that a college education does not mean you are educated."

Last I heard, Kim Holland had no college degrees.

If Ms. Holland wants to revoke the driving priveleges of those who cannot afford insurance she will have to learn how to make her own home repairs, mow her own lawn, prepare her own meals, repair her own cars, carry her own groceries, order,stock, and ring up her own groceries, etc,etc. because the people who do these things are the ones who can't afford health insurance.

Great plan Ms Holland. Take the unisured's drivers lic so they can drive without a lic get in a wreck, go to jail, then their families can go get on welfare and have medical coverage while dad incurs a child support debt for their Medicaid. How about creating policies that help all people, not just the ones you live next door to.

The elderly suffer the most with this proposal, they can barely afford what that have. and now that they can have a fishing license
for life you would take that, how rude

This ALMOST makes me wish we had Carroll Fisher back. ALMOST.

This is Socialism at its best! Ms. Holland, don't you have anything better to do in your job?

Actually Gary... Massachusettes has already passed similar legislation. It is not so far fetched that Oklahoma may do the same.

When my son was born, I bought him a lifetime Oklahoma fishing license. Would Holland revoke that because his parents can't afford to buy him insurance?

Well if that is true, then once again this paper has taken a story and turned it into a circus.

Relax people....What Mrs. Holland proposes and what becomes law are two entirely different things. How far do you really thing any of these proposals will go in the legislature? It would be political suicide for a legislator to vote for such things as withholding football tickets to fans or keeping hunting and fishing licenses from those without health insurance. Relax - it isn't going to happen.

I was at the summit and its unfair to characterize the discussion by Commissioner Holland as her proposal. She was merely discussing possibilities that various people have brought up.

And who would pay in my case as a parent of a 22 yr old who is currently unemployed and worked through a temp service whose insurance premium was unrealistic for anyone. When it comes to surviving in todays economy health insurance is a luxury MANY CANNOT AFFORD. Punishing them is not going to solve the problem. More time should be spent coming up with a solution to the insurance crisis than a punishment for those who can't afford it.

Oklahoma... as well... is one of the nation's poorest states. Mississippi is the only poorer state. This lack of money and lack of decent jobs with reasonable income leads to people sacrificing health insurance in order to simply make ends meet. To penalize people for not having health coverage is essentially creating punishment for being poor. I say... let it pass... start more and more punishments for the working poor. When those working poor are fed up, this "free-economy" will fail again. It is time for people to wake up and realize we are required by simple ethics to take care of each other. Funny that a so-called "Christian" state like Oklahoma doesn't make sure all their neighbors are cared for. Another example of the sad hipocrisy of "Christian" America. We've become a nation of selfish and inhumane fools.

If you have health insurance you are not paying higher bills than the uninsured. You are actually paying lower bills. Doctors offices and medical facilities give insurance companies discounts that can be as much as 80% of the bill. If you don't have insurance you pay full price. The uninsured are already being punished.

Paul, why do you even care. I thought you hated oklahoma so much that you would have moved by now. Oh, wait do you stay because it is cheaper to live here then anywhere else, but still people can not afford health insurance in this state. Even with our lower standards we still can not afford the outrageous premiums. It is all about greed by the companies.

Something I don't quite understand...why are insurance premiums even vaguely related to indigent care? Obviously, insurance companies don't pay the tab for indigent care. Is it because doctors and hospitals get to dictate what kind of profits they think they should have, and the insurance companies are in on the deal on our nickel? As I understand it, in order to qualify for federal funding, hospitals have to agree to also treat people without insurance, though I don't think private physicians have any such obligation. If medical costs are high, it would seem this is because hospitals have forced up their profit margins, and all others in the health care business have gone along for the ride.

What many of you people don't seem to realize is that Oklahomas percentage of uninsured is the highest in the country.

Why is that anyway?

Why is every other state in better shape than this one?

Are rates for medical care higher here than any other state? No way !

When you people figure this one out, I'll be here awaiting an answer.......

Very True Joyce, that was my point. One way or another the bills have to get paid. If my taxes are paying for health coverage for the uninsured the money is still coming out of my pocket. The uninsured somehow have a right to my money to pay for their health care? All the options i have seen still suck money out of my pocket. State funded health care? = higher taxes and money out of my pocket. The way things are now my premiums are still funding health care for people who cant pay for it themselves. Hospitals just take the unpaid bills and spread the expenses to the health insurace companies and the state. More money out of my pocket for people who could not learn how to take care of themselves.

"What about veterans? Some of us don't have insurance for a reason! So, now I have to forfeit my tickets?
t, moore - Nov 21, 2008 10:42 AM"

Name me any veteran that is not entitled to the VA.

I have a friend of mine who was in the Corps, did not serve during any military conflict and he's covered...

Hmmm. A matter of priority. Should I eat or have insuance? Should I have electricity or health insurance? Should I have car insurance or health insurance? Should i have a roof over my head or health insurance? Whether or not you believe it these are the choices that have to be made by a LOT of hard working people. We aren't deciding between luxuries and health insurance. For a lot of us, health insurance is a luxury.

Michael, we already have healthcare for all. You either have insurance that you pay for or you go to the ER and have someone else pay for it. It's as simple as that.

Ms. Holland, It is apparent you have forgotten that the Insurance Commissioner is supposed to regulate the insurance industry for the benefit of Oklahoma citizens not to support the industry to the detriment of said citizens.

people like Kim Holland are proof that a college education does not mean you are educated.

When she can make insurance affordable to all Oklahomans, then maybe she could think of making it manditory to have. I'm sure she has no idea what it is like to try and afford insurance since she has a "cushy" job (for now)and state benefits, which are excellent. Even people who have insurance have a hard time paying medical bills because of high deductables for anything other than a routine visit which can be outragous if they are not flat out regected because of some loophole in the policy. I say boot her and find someone who is not looking out for the intrest of the insurance companies. I agree with Dorthy, get a petition to get her out of office and don't vote for any representative who supports her! What is it with Oklahoma and crooked Insurance Commissioners?

Andrew, do you think that everyone is ENTITLED to health insurance?
Why should I have to pay to help someone who cant be bothered to help themselves?

What about veterans? Some of us don't have insurance for a reason! So, now I have to forfeit my tickets?

True James, but neither should the government be forced to pay for your health care if you choose not to carry insurance and are unable to pay the bill for yourself.

First, full disclosure: I'm a liberal Democrat. I think health care should be provided to all. It's a right. That said, Kim Holland's idea of punishing citizens for not buying health care is outright lunacy. We are required to pay for Medicare and Medicaid, which doesn't cover half the costs for medical services to those recipients. Meanwhile, health care costs (I'm not talking about insurance - yet) have risen twice as fast as inflation. Why doesn't Holland address the fact that hospitals, medical equipment manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies are reaping enormous profits at the expense of the public? Sure, there are too many uninsured in Oklahoma and elsewhere and sure this places the financial burden on others; but, seriously, does she really think Oklahoman's do not buy health insurance because it is a luxory item, and they'd rather go hunting, fishing or to football games? They don't buy health insurance because it costs too much. The reason small businesses are lowering employer-paid health benefits is because it costs too much. The reason we have a health care crisis in this country is because it costs too much, and that's not principally because poor people are running up the bill -- it's because profiteers are calling the shots. Why Holland doesn't get this just demonstrates how out of touch she is. I though the insurance commissioner was supposed to be looking out for the public? She seems to be looking out for insurance companies who will love to sell more inflated-premium policies that pay little true benefit because the public would be forced by the government to purchase them.

This article makes me so mad!! A few years ago i was a single mom, not recieving child support making $6.50 an hour. The state would not help because i made too much money!(my daughter was covered under medicade, but i did not receive food stamps, or health care for myself) I did not have health insurance. for the first few months i went hungry (not starving, but hungry) just to make sure that she was taken care of. i didn't want to live off the state which is why i got a full time job when she was 3 weeks old. if someone agrees w/kim holland that can explain to me how to make sure i was covered by health insurance as well as take care of my child making $6.50 an hour w/no help from the state i would love to hear it. it is now several years later and i do have a job now that offers health insurance and i am covered, but to take away from people who barely make ends meat is crazy.

Health insurance is a freedom not an entitlement.
Health insurance should stay a personal choice everyone makes for themselves. No one should be forced to buy health insurance and no one should be forced to buy health insurance for someone else.

So why not find a way to have a state-funded plan that helps all Oklahomans? Better yet, write Inhofe, Coburn, Boren, Lucas, Falling, Sullivan, and Cole to--GASP--have a plan that covers all Americans! Wow! Ingenious concept, right?

I think Commissioner Holland is on the right track to imply that it's a matter of priority.

Each time an incurace company pays $300 for a doctors visit most of the money is used to pay for the expences of people who do not have insurance ( in some cases ) a job or even citcenship. By law hospitals can not refuse services to anyone, even if they can not pay for it. Doctors do get paid alot of money but they also pay very high inurance premiums and hundreds of thousands of dollars of college tuition.

james, what do think about requiring health care coverage?

If she could pull it off Holland would be for a law REQUIRING health insurance. The only thing stopping her is the fact that she does not think it will pass.

Lahoma, well in a way, I took my son to a dermatologist and he saw that we did not have insurance so he took $50 off because of it. If an insurance company can afford to pay $300 for one doctors visit to me there is something wrong with that. I know these doctors have to go to medical school and their profession is in high demand, but come on, they went to medical school to help people who need it, not bleed them dry so that they can pay for 3 mortgages and 4 or 5 cars. The people who do have insurance pay a co-pay to the doctor, so yes people without insurance should get a break, but let me tell you if that $300 doctor visit was cut in half I still would not go back.

Someone please tell how much further can you stretch 8.00 an hour. Food, clothing, shelter. The top three.

She might consider foregoing her paycheck to help with premiums. How about regulation of the insurance company charges.
In 2007 the top health care insurance companies posted profits of 10 billion dollars. This is after costs and payouts to shareholders. Again, how many of our legislators and commissioners have a financial interest/gain in the insurance/medical industry?

Does anyone know if a recall petition could be used to remove this person from office? I would gladly sign one.

"Are you out of your mind?" As law enforcement officers we deal with an enormous number of drivers who either have no drivers license or have a suspended drivers license. Your proposal would no doubt increase these numbers and compound the problem of unlicensed drivers on our roads. We contact them following a violation/collision and are the bad guys who are faced with issuing a citation and/or impounding a vehicle from a citizen who may be trying as hard as he can to make ends meet. Thus sending him deeper into debt and further away from providing your mandated insurance for his family. Additionally, the State requires that its fishermen possess a valid license to participate in this sport and this proposal would deny them this. Have you compared the price of a fishing license compared to a month's health insurance premium? Mr. Steel, the next time you take the pulpit and look over the congregation, ask yourself how many of those worshipers are without health insurance but still managed to put what they could into that offering plate?

• No personal exemption on state income tax.
The rich get richer and dumber. The poor get screwed.


• No OU, OSU season football tickets.
Raise tuition and the cost of tickets and refreshments that will "learn'em".


• No hunting or fishing license.
Aside from the fact that many Okies depend on fishing and hunting to feed their families what does this prove? I'm Native American, how dare you take away a HUGE part of my culture.


• No driver’s license.
This one is just too funny. Take away a person's license and then what? That person won't be able to purchase a car or auto insurance, cash a check, etc, etc. Oh! And they won't have transportation to work, store, school. Great idea! Imagine the trickle down on this one!


• No homestead exemption.
Major loss? Not if you live in an apartment or under a bridge.


• No in-state tuition discount.
What about the out-of-state students? I guess they don't get sick or injured?

Looks like the insurance commission needs a quick trip to the ER. Her head appears to be firmly stuck into her posterior orifice.

connie, are you saying don't charge that much to people without insurance but charge the ones with insurance more? I'm not ragging on you, just want you to clarify.

How can she think to penalize people without insursance, I work for a state University, and every no matter what type of health insurance plan is looked at to save the employees of this University money to insure their families, there are many on that campus who CANNOT afford to use the a family plan insurance - I carry one dependent as long as they are in school, contemplating surgery - I am still going to have to pay $500+ out pocket, because my insurance plan does not cover the out patient surgery 100% - so give me a break - does it matter who pays for football tickets - I think not - maybe she needs to talk to the Athletic Directors before proposing such an action - people have to enjoy some kind of pleasure during their lifetime!

Phil in Yukon @ 8:22:
You are absolutely RIGHT ON!! Sounds like you remember history & what it was like to be FREE.

info@hollandforoklahoma.com

http://www.ok.gov/oid/contact.html

Oklahoma Insurance Department
2401 N.W. 23rd Street, Suite 28
Oklahoma City, OK 73107

Mailing Address:
Oklahoma Insurance Department
P.O. Box 53408
Oklahoma City, OK 73152-3408

Local: (405) 521-2828

Toll Free: (800) 522-0071

Fax: (405) 521-6635
.

Maybe that 1 billion dollar figure would not be so high if doctors did not charge $300 for a office visit. My regular doctor charges me $75 for his office visit, lets pray that he does not want to draw blood because that is $20 more. So I had to go to a specialist and that office visit was $300 dollars, and I am glad that at that time I did have insurance so all I paid was $25. When the company that I had worked for, for 8 yrs decided to something illegal and went belly up, I lost my insurance, so now I do not have insurance. When I found out that the specialist was getting $300 for the same thing that my regular doctor did I told them to cancel that appointment. Now I did pay attention in school and got a really good job with benefits and because of what my employer did I lost my health insurance. Now for me to get insurance just on me is just insane. So JJ am I one of the ones who were to stupid to get a job that paid me well and had benefits, I think not. I think that the doctors and hospitals need to come to an understanding with the people in Oklahoma who do not have insurance. Dont charge $400 for an ER visit. $200 just for the doctor, $5 dollars for an asprin and then all the extra blood work, tests, x-rays, etc. For me to get insurance, just on me, would cost be about $600 for a month, I cant afford that.

Amen Percy, my cold dead hands are right there beside you. Lawmakers need to contact Canada and see how it is that the government pays for the healthcare for the people living there.

Thoughtful, just to let you know, I did not drop out of school, I am married and we have a 17 yr old son. When I began in the work force my hourly salary was $3.25. You tell me how to have a family, bills, cars, live on that amount of money. I am just like a lot of people out there, we are trying to have our part of the American dream. Raising children is not cheap and that is the reason why we only have one. Our money problmes are with the medical field it's self. They over charge everything to get an extra buck or two in their pockets. If the prices were reasonable then more people could afford to have insurance. My husband is insured with his company and they acutally pay him to have insurance, insurance that they pay for. For us to be added it would cost between 2 to 3 hundered more a pay day taken out of his check. If you can afford that bill then I would like to have your address so I can tell his employer that you will be making those payments for him.

Judith you hit the nail on the head, and Thank you Donna.

The cost of health care and health insurance are the problems.My husband works hard every week. I can't work because of my health. We are between insurance right now because he changed employment so that we could afford to pay bills and eat. He had health insurance but I couldn't afford to go to the doctor because there was enough money . When the insurance starts with his new job, I still probably wont be able to afford to go.We do not live above our means. No eating out. No new cars. Our vehicles are both over 15 years old and yes they are insured. No credit card bills. We are buying our mobile home because it is what we can afford. I don't even buy convienence food at the store. I make my own mixes. I can stretch a pound of hamburger into a weeks worth of meals. My husband has a college degree. He has a BS in computer science. We are not a burden on society. We are a part of the backbone. The working class who actually get their hands dirty doing the real work. The manual labor without which everything else would grind to a halt. To insinuate that we are lazy or somehow lower beings because we are not rich is unbelievable. Health insurance is expesieve because they can get away with it. You don't think the insurance companies get rich by writing checks. They have powerful lobbies to keep them in power. We have a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. Unfortunatly, they are three different groups of people. We don't need elected officials deciding we need to be punished for being poor.

Many good points made on the board, and I agree to some extent with the point Ms. Holland is making. I agree with her based on the fact that many uninsured receive treatment that the public later pays for. But health care is a choice. If someone doesn't want it, they shouldn't have to buy it. They just need to pay their bills. If they can't pay, then place a lien on their property, garnish wages or something similar to collect. With that said, I think the overall problem -- especially in these touch economic times -- is that while the costs of consumer goods actually have decreased, the prices for visiting a doctor or hospital stay the same or increase. When I have to pay $85 just to be seen (not including further treatment or meds), that's too much whether insurance will pay for it or not. If the doctors and hospitals could somehow lower their rates, then maybe insurance coverage also could decrease and become somewhat more affordable for those who wish to buy it. My wife is a nurse and I routinely see and hear of too many doctors living in a dreamworld because of the fact they don't pay high enough wages to staff and they have exorbitant rates for office visits.

Another push toward socialism. The government knows what you need more than you do.

Another insurance rip off is business liability. In many fields business liability is based on annual income.

If a business pays $7 an hour the premium is significantly less than if the same business paid the same employee $10 an hour to perform the same job. Just another hidden way to keep working Oklahomans poor and feed the "fat piggy" insurance companies.

Restricting the purchase of sports tickets and licenses will directly impact the schools and other state commissions. How smart is that? Oh, I forgot, the state will just raise the fees and appropriate more money. I'm tired of Oklahoma and it's stupidity. I'll be casting my vote elsewhere the next time around.

This is just another situation where the rich just can not grasp the fact that they are not the only ones on this planet. Their ignorence is only second to their arrogance.

In other words, only the rich republicans get football tickets.... again.

What an idiot.

This woman is absolutely out of her mind and yet another reason that I will be leaving this state once I am finished with school. I totally agree with Rep. Steele, once you create insurance that is affordable and provides adequate benefits, THEN you can penalize people for it. The insurance offered in this state is laughable at best. How on earth can you possibly force someone to buy insurance when the insurance companies offer horrible rates and penalizes you themselves? My daughter had ONE febrile seizure and Blue Cross-Blue Shield forced us to sign a rider acknowledging that they would NOT cover her at all. We all have allergies and they wouldn't cover us for that. So, I get completely screwed over on coverage and yet still have to pay well over $400 a month, yet I still have to carry it because if I don't the state will screw me too? Right. I'll tell you one thing, if this woman starts taking away season football tickets, there will be a witchhunt like no other after her.

I have 2 kids and me and my husband both work full time jobs, we dont have nayhting fancy and certainly dont live out of our means, and we cant afford 800.00 a month for health insurance.. thats the same that we pay for daycare in a month,, so Philip get your facts straight before you comment

Janet, great comment. Couldn't have said it better myself. LOL!!!!

I'm sure the athletic ticket managers at OU and OSU are shaking their heads over this one. Imagine, having to require thousands and thousands of fans to include proof of health insurance with their ticket requests. I don't know which one takes the cake more - Holland's statement about withholding OU and OSU football tickets or Morrissette's wanting schools to weigh all their students for obesity. I guess the liberal "big brother syndrome" is starting to effect some of our Okie democrats.

I hope everyone calls Ms. Holland to let her know what we think of her plan. 405-521-2828

If you want everyone to have insurance, make it more affordable. I'm young with a family of 4 and pay $600/month. I had to pass on the football tickets.......

Holland should utilize her own taxpayer funded health care plan to have her head examined for even suggesting this publicly. I know who I will NOT be voting 'for' the next time I see her name on a ballot...

I find it interesting that auto insurance premiums are largely based on a person's credit rating. Just how fair is that? Not very! Has the insurance commission addressed that issue? Maybe the "poor" of the state could afford health insurance if they weren't being robbed by their auto insurance company.

I don't know what all the fuss is about. Everyone will have health insurance when obama becomes president.

To all of the people who say we shouldn't be forced to have insurance, you realize that we pay for the uninsured anyway, right? It would be less expensive to pay to keep people healthy rather than pay after they are sick. For the first time we have crossed the 50% mark of uninsured women giving birth. The mother and child are signed up for coverage and taxpayers pay the bill. We have lower prenatal care than the national average and higher prematurity rates which equals higher NICU bills and long term health issues. The system is broken and with this kind of "leadership" we are doomed. I am a nurse in a NICU and I see this every single day. And to thoughtful, it is not just "non-english" speakers. I see every demographic. Also, my husband is a small business owner and health insurance for employees is a thing of the past. At this point all of our employes are covered under their spouses plan but if we had to pay to cover them we would simply have a smaller workforce, since morally we could not have uninsured workers. Some people have mentioned the Mass. plan. While not perfect it is addressing the problem. My daughter lives there and they are proud of their commitment to affordable health care.

How can you tell that Kim Holland is a nut-case?

When she opens her mouth.

40 years of watching dim-witted if not outright mentally handicapped, many times crooked politicians seeking personal power while picking the pockets of their constituents…

… I cannot recall ever hearing anything this stupid coming from a politician’s mouth. This appallingly incompetent policy wonk should be muzzled until we can determine whether she is as dangerous as she sounds or determine the extent of her mental disease.
.

I am one of those people who cannot possibly afford health insurance. The last bare bones quote was $851 a month. I've never been fortunate enough to find a job with benefits. Walmart and many other companies "offer" insurance but never offer enough hours or pay to actually purchase insurance.

To penalize someone for not being able to afford insurance is beyond belief. Fishing is my only enjoyment, hobby, release, whatever you want to call it. Fishing is what keeps me going. I get fresh air, sunshine and a bit of exercise. It also stretches my food budget when I catch a fish or two.

I ask you, Kim Holland, do you think the cost of my fishing license is going to pay even one month's insurance coverage?

People that have football tickets have insurance. It's the poor and jobless and those losing their homes that don't have insurance. Take away their driver's license, take away their job. MMMMM, let's see, do I eat or do I pay my insurance premium. Your one of the State employees that has no accountability and thinks everybody is like you. Federal and State employees have more perks than GM workers. So get a life and a new job.

I've got an idea. Let's help the insurance companies out even MORE and put caps on damages by enacting tort reform. That way the insurance companies can make even MORE profit and maybe, just maybe they'll pay for our healthcare!

Also, I am sorry to admit I voted for Kim in the last election. I will campaign for whoever runs against her in the next one. Yea, lets take peoples driver's licenses away for not having health ins. CAN YOU SAY OUT OF TOUCH. People are struggling to make ends meet. So, lets take their ability to use their car to get to work away. Yeah thats a winning situation. Kim, you better start looking for another job.

She's part of the change we got in the last election. If you're not one of the elite then you will be whipped at the post for not being able to achieve!!!!!!!!!!!

You know people, instead of beating the horse for not being able to pull the loaded wagon up the hill, why doesn't our own Kim Holland help unload the wagon, so this old work horse can pull easier. Insurance is unaffordable in this state because the insurance industry is a powerful lobby in the state capital. If the state lawmakers want a clean healthy state, then outlaw all fastfood, cigarettes, carbonated beverages, and subsidize all the healty foods, such as vegetables, meat, milk, breads, I think everyone gets the drift.
And according to the Bill of Rights, where is the line which states that everyone has the right to health care? Somehow I can not find it.

This is a horrible idea. We need to fire this worthless Kim Holland & the smarmy Kris Steele. People don't have health insurance because we need a free plan to offer this. That is the stupidest idea I have ever heard to not let people have hunting & fishing licenses if they don't have insurance. I know it is hard to believe, but some people live on what they catch and shoot. This is a punishing idea & the only people who will go along with are cruel people out of touch with reality.

My first comment is THANK GOD I LIVE IN TEXAS!!!!!!!!!!!! This story and the one the other day about making it mandatory for the state to weigh all children and force them to do what the state wants or be turned into DHS just proves that these people are just plain iggnorant and assanign. most people in okla live in small rural towns and so many people barely make it by week to week. Insurance is so high!!! Gee lets think about that one. Do I feed my kids and barely make the bills every month, or pay for insurance? We finally have insurance that costs us $600 a month! Funny thing is I still can't afford to go to the Dr. or buy medicine. Government interferring in your personel life. You all need to vote these idiots out of office.

you know... another reason not being said and I think is more of an issue in high costs is that there are people like my brother's family who have great insurance and they go to the doctor for everything. If one of the kids gets even a cold on the weekend they go to the ER!! because they have such a low ER copay. I think this kind of abuse is more of a factor than those that have no insurance. But I do agree both are an issue

JJ/OKC is so well educated that s/he believes "employee" is a verb.

We are small business owners with three children. Health insurance coverage rates are incredible. Coverage for my husband and me alone (both early 40s, non-tobacco, not overweight) for just the most basic major things (heart attack, stroke, etc.) costs more than $1500/month ... the deductible on the plan is unbelievably high, and we'd have to go to *their* doctors.

Instead, we go to the doctor and dentist annually. We tell them we don't have insurance, and we actually *do* pay at the time that services are rendered. We don't pay any more than $50 for a regular visit, and we get pharma samples when we need prescriptions.

We act responsibly as regards health care but refuse to pay into the world's largest floating craps game. Kim Holland must have tired of her position and decided that coming out with this kind of garbage is the only way to ensure she isn't re-elected.

THANK YOU JUDITH!!!!

OK, is my life really worth $1 Million? Wow. I hope not. No OK, I hope I do not have a heart attack, but if and when that day comes, I will make mends with my maker and move on. Trust me, I would rather die than trust a doctor. Thoughtful, same answer. I know what I am worth, and even $150,000 is too much to keep me alive. In that situation, it would be more economical and logical to cease my life. I am willing to die first if that is what it takes to NOT pay to the medical scam in progress everyday. I despise doctors and hospitals. They reek of greed and evil.

I have a good job and health insurance. I just do not believe we should be forced to have it. But, i know for a fact that some people have to choose between heating their house for the winter or choosing health insurance. When a average joe can not afford the most basic health insurance premium, then something is wrong. Fix those issues, then we can talk about forcing it into their budget.

Some people can't afford insurance with some single family homes working 2 jobs just to put a roof over their heads or food in their stomach so they don't have to go on welfare, Some don't give a damn about football tickets but need their drivers license to go to work. I think you need to get out of your office and into the real world for a day and see how easy it is to stretch the check to pay for everything.

Russell, you are going to eat those words. I went to bed a perfectly healty person, I had not been to ER ever and not to the doctor in 4 years. Never, never sick. I woke up and couldn't walk or hear. I had a brain tumor. It had been living in my body for years. Better save your money. In three years my medical bills have been about $150,000 per year. Feel free to reimburse my insurance company any time.

So Russell, when (and I hope you don't) you have a heart attack and are rushed to the hospital, have open heart surgery, recuperate and have therapy to get back in shape, who is going to pay that $1 million dollar tab?

don't you you people that is.

Reading all of this just makes me angy with the mentality of this state. First of all all. I went to ER a couple of years ago. Two men non-english speaking men came in, no insurance, no money (Mercy Hosp). My bill came to $4,700, paid by my insurance. Who do you think paid for them? We are spoiled by insurance and expect too much. No or little co-pay. Everything paid for. There are other types of insurance. Such as hospitilization without office doctor visit paid for. Higher deductable. Any kind of comverage is better than none. When you talk about the $900 dollars a month, you are talking top of the line stuff. I think the point being made by Commissioner Holland is that if you can afford season tickets to ball games your priorities are mixed up. Why should I have to struggle to pay for someones lack of income? Oklahoma is not in any financial crunch. The dropout rate and undwed parent rate in this state is an embarrising. No one seems to be able to add but, they sure can multiply. Everyone talks about the government paying for medical care. The government does not pay, the working people pay. As for me I am tired of paying. I don't you people who are uninsured anything. Sit back and whine and expect the gold plated insurance plan, don't ever investigate any other form. After all you deserve it, you dropped out of school, had more children than you could afford and are underemployed. I am tired of paying my bills and then haveing to forfit a lot of my income to pay for others failures.

I meant OK, Lahoma, my apologies.

OK, Tahoma, I am NOT part of the problem because I do not USE medical facilities. Never once have I gone to the ER or doctor without having the cash to do so, which hasn't happened in years. When you show me where YOUR dollars supported a medical claim by me, I will purchase you a brand new Porsche. Otherwise, I have no part in this and haven't lost anything to medical mafia.

There are just so many wrong myths parading as facts!!! The main reason insurance costs so much in Oklahoma is BECAUSE of people like Phillip won't DON'T or WON'T buy insurance! If we all have coverage - of any kind! - it will be less expensive (maybe 20% less, though). Massachuetts is DYING and about to change their typically socialists and wrong-headed insurance plan.

And exactly which doctors are getting MILLIONS (!?) from their job as DOCTORS. Many are rich because of their investments, but most doctor's offices - certainly all the primary care doctors you see for flu and such - are not making anything like that.

And finally - since when is health care a "right"?????? That's like saying everyone has a "right" to fly on airplanes any time they feel like they need to.

This country is so dang spoiled. Do people even realize that just 70 years ago there was NO SUCH THING AS HEALTH CARE? Doctors were barely more than educated witch doctors. There was no penicillin, vaccines, transplants, heart surgery!!, etc. etc. etc.

The only way to fix health care in Oklahoma is to EXCERCISE and EAT HEALTHY. We really are too fat and eat too much junk.

Let's see how this would work, hmm -- I'll have to show Ticketmaster & Wal-Mart proof-of-insurance before I can buy my football tickets & fishing license ? How much of a service-charge do you think they'll have to impose to enforce that ? Oh, and then the additional Insurance Commission infrastructure to govern it ?

Aw, Come on, get real. It' economics. If you can't afford it, you don't buy it. Lets get the health industry to roll their prices back to a point insurance is affordable.

Just for the record... the "Philip" that posted at 8:35 AM is a different "Philip" than the one that posted at 7:53 AM. That is unless I have an alter-ego I know nothing about. :)

Russell, don't you think you are part of the problem? Now I have to pay for YOUR healthcare because you "don't want to". Thanks alot for your contribution to the problem.

This has got to be the most ridiculous and poorly thought out article I have read in a long time, and that's a difficult title to obtain. In case the author hasn't checked, for those without a group policy, health insurance is darned expensive. Comparing it to a football ticket or lottery ticket is absurd. Hmmm... let's see, I can pay $200 - 500 a month, just in case I get sick ($2400 - 6000 a year) OR I can feed my family and save the money to enjoy a football game once or twice a season for $500. If the author is so worried about insurance for someone, let her pay for it for one of them for a year and see what tune she is whistling after that.

Paul..I am not complacent by any means..I work and additional job on weekends..I have raised a daughter without child support. Are you employed and insured? If so, look down from your ivory tower and give the hardworking uninsured a break.

Wonderful attitude, Kevin. I suppose the people who "don't want" health insurance also "don't want " to have access to medical care when they get sick? They just "tough it out", right?

No, they want "somebody" to pay for it because they don't have it, right? After all, don't they view it as an entitlement? They should be entitled to get as fat as possible and then let somebody else take care of the maladies due to this?

What about auto insurance- our car was totalled by an uninsured driver - driving on a suspended license(since 1996), not his car- the owner could not be found and we were left with the loss of our vehicle, our insurance went up and we paid for our medical bills and the ambulance ride and we shared the ambulance with the deadbeat.

Well, that is crazy! I do not have insurance because I cannot afford it. But I do work 40 to 60 hours a week to pay the high cost of living and getting by, I do not have anything above my means, live below it. I am a divorced mother who is owed 29,000 dollars in past due child support at 236.00 a month, I requested assistance from the State of Oklahoma to collect this, they blew me off, because I have 3 jobs and "there are a lot of kids who are needier than yours". There is a lot in the state that needs fixed before you start imposing penalties on the hard working, barely making a living people of the state. Take my driver's license, and then I will have no job, then I can be on welfare....see where that goes for ya!. P.S. I have never had the priviledge of seeing an OU or OSU game, except for on tv..

There does not need to be any consequence at all. i thought this was a free country, where people had a choice of what they want. The state can shove it where the sun does not shine, if they think they can force people to have health insurance. The truth is someone needs to take away the power from the insurance companies. It is ridiculous that we are forced to have a service that never wants to help.

To all you people against something like this, perhaps they should just raise the taxes in this state to cover the billion dollars a year instead? You scream about your taxes now, perhaps this is the way to address it?

At the same time, address the cost of insurance in this state.

At the same time, address why Okies rank #1 in heart attacks and #2 in strokes.

At the same time, address why Okies overall health ranks dead last in this country.

At the same time, address why Okie is nearly the fattest state in the Union, ok?

You people don't seem capable of making your own decisions, so now that somebody is stepping in to do it for you and you complain? Perhaps if the average Okie wasn't so complacent this would not even be an issue? Think about it.

“For those of you who think the government has no business stepping in and making policies such as this, remember, if you did the "right thing" yourselves, then the state wouldn't have to…” words of control. Who is to be the person that decides what the “right thing” is for everyone? Isn’t that one of the main reasons for the revolutionary war? Politics and politicians are one of the major causes of the costs of both medical insurance and medical care being so unrealistically out of touch for many. Using the government to fix a problem *caused* by the government is a sheer stupidity. Penalize those who fail to have coverage? How about those who insurance companies refuse to cover? Do they get penalized because they are unable to get coverage at any price? How about those with ‘preexisting conditions’ (which seems to apply to just about everyone when just about anything can be used to censure treatment); shouldn’t there be a penalty for those who failed to go to the doctor for a head cold 15 years ago? The short end of this type of thinking is that only the elected officials are qualified to order others on how to act, dress, think, walk, eat and what religion to follow with penalties for failing to follow such orders from on high. While we’re at it, why not determine the state religion and mandate tithing?

I think this is the dumbest thing I have ever heard. Kim Holland needs her head examined

What a crock! Holland has obviously spent too much time listening to politicians from Mass.(where health insurance is required) and insurance lobbyists. JJ, I have a masters degree, though not in a well-paying area. To add my wife and child to my group health policy(when my wife was between jobs) would have cost me an extra $1100 per month. As she has a'pre-existing condition,' no insurance company would touch her for private insurance. As a State employee, Holland is out of touch, having insurance provided for her at a very affordable price, something that is not offered to employees of small businesses. Philip, I have never lived beyond my means. I bought a house in a marginal neighborhood because I could afford payments, and I've never bought a car I had to borrow money to afford. IF this proposal is approved, how many Oklahomans will be pushed into bankruptcy as the result? At this writing, I am a taxpayer, but with unreasonably high premiums, I suppose I could just as easily become a tax burden.

Unfortunately there are many misconceptions about the people in this state, and this country, that do not have health insurance. The reality is that the majority of the uninsured work because if you didn't work, you could qualify for Medicaid. That being said, not all employers offer group health insurance because it is too expensive to both the employer and the employee. Oklahoma is taking a correct step in offering the Insure Oklahoma program which allows those employers to offer basic, subsidized health insurance. The employee pays based on their income. Basic healthcare should be a right to everyone, but if there are affordable options available and you choose NOT to participate, then medical care ought to be denied unless you pay upfront. It is like auto insurance, if you do not provide coverage, you do not get to drive. I'm not about punishing people, but we have to devise a plan that will allow affordable coverage for everyone and punishment for those who chose not tp participate. The state of Massachusetts has the right idea and every state in the country should look at their program.

I am 52 yrs old, and have, and still do work hard. I work for a very small company and do not have health insurance. I had a heart attack scare recently that landed me in the ER with an overnight hospital stay. The bill for this stay was over half my annual ncome. Do I deserve to loose my drivers license, which allows me to drive to work.
Perhaps Ms Holland feels that I would be better off on welfare?

This proposal is ludicrous and goes right down the path of Socialism.

How about the Insurance Commission spend their energy looking into the outrageous coverage limitations and rates that these insurance companies are charging instead of trying to control our lives ? (BTW, Commissioner Holland -- We now have a CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT to hunt & fish in this state.)

Devil's advocate mode on. Why should I pay for insurance? If I get sick all I have to do is go to one of the state run emergency rooms and the taxpayers will pick up the bill. Devil advocate mode off. And why is the focus always on insurance? Why is it becoming an M.D. or inventing a new drug means you should become a million or billionaire?

JJ,
Just because you go to college and get a degree does not guarantee that you'll get a job that provides health insurance. There are MANY small to mid sized companies that are hiring people right out of college that don't provide health insurance.

GREAT IDEA.....many people need "help" prioritizing their expenses. Most people that say they can't afford health insurance are living beyond their means.

This is absurd. Some Oklahomans, like myself, choose not to have health insurance because it is an out right scam. There is no difference between the oil barons of the middle east and the medical community of America. I will say this only once:

DOCTORS DO NOT CARE ABOUT YOUR LIFE. THEY ONLY WANT TO BLEED YOUR INCOME.

The only reason they want to save your life is so you will continue to come back. Why do you think ER visits are so damned expensive? I do not buy into this crap, and thus have not given the medical community a dime as to coverage. And I never will. I would rather die on the street cold and alone than have a doctor picking and probing both my body and my wallet. It's a complete waste of money that you all should be saving for yourselves. Forcing me to accept this lie is unjust and just plain STUPID. If this future legislation picks up any momentum, I promise I will do everything in my power to fight and prevent this women’s idea of progress. Just my opinion.

"Paul, what I hear from you is that some Oklahomans choose to forgo insurance coverage. What about the many, many hardworking citizens of this great state who work for companies that don’t provide or subsidize insurance?"

1. Perhaps it should begin with "why are wages so low here"? Try 17 % below the national average.

2. Try the fallacy of "cheap cost of living here" Is it really? Are groceries that much cheaper compared to surrounding states? I think not, and that opinion is formed due to the fact I've lived in many other states.

3. Try all those decent jobs that have left the state...Lucent, Xerox, Dayton, GM., etc., etc.

4. Look at the opinions of the editor of the DOK and one of his videos from last month, talking about the lack of highly skilled and educated Okies. They just had a conference in okaysee and the main theme voiced by ALL the participants was that companies don't come to Okie because of a poorly educated workforce. THAT's why you get nothing but call centers and retail positions that pay sub standard wages. Why would a business come here bringing good jobs when the populace is too dumb to carry out such jobs? It's a business plan for failure.

5. Your government sold you out a few years back. Okie's theme back years ago for attracting business here? "We have a ready supply of $7-8 dollar an hour workforce". No matter that business after business told them they weren't looking for a cheap workforce but a highly skilled and motivated workforce, the government kept singing the praises of a steady stream of poorly educated and willing to work for peanuts people.

6. How many people are driving 40,000 dollar vehicles, big SUV's that they don't need but want to look "flashy"? There are many....when I see people dressed in suits headed for work and they're driving an Escalade or big car, do these people all have coverage? Doubtful.

Why is Oklahoma so low in coverage when surrounding states are not? Why is this state an island in a sea of higher quality of life states? Why? Complacency, thats why. You all here adore your sports, your McMansions, etc., etc and ignore your basic needs.

Make sure you get your season tickets for your sporting events but let the state pay for your health coverage. Make sure this govt looks to the Feds anytime something along the lines of a natural disaster strikes. Keep thinking this is such a wonderful state while your basic services crumble around you...and remind yourself of "while Rome burns"....

This is why I paid attention in school. I knew I wanted a job that paid me well, offered health insurance, retirement, etc... so I got an education. Let those who were too stupid to get an education go without insurance AND DON'T REQUIRE HOSPITALS TO TREAT THEM!!!! If I need my car fixed and I go to a repair shop and can't pay, guess what??? My car does not get serviced! There are plenty of employers hiring that offer health insurance. The problem is this...the majority of those 579,036 people were too lazy to get an education and are now unable to get a job that offers health insurance. And no, we shouldn't FORCE an employer to provide health insurance. Can you imagine forcing a mom and pop operation where the husband and wife (and maybe their kids) run a business but also employee a few people outside of the family having to provide them health insurance? They would either have to cut those people's wages, fire them, or raise prices and possibly price themselves out of the market.

It is refreshing and encouraging to read so much good sense posted thus far. Far better than the mental lightweight nonsense coming from another "have," about what is good for "have nots." I question the $1 billion figure of uncompensated medical care on two grounds. First, it is a figure that may be contrived. Under Medicare we receive a notice of how much a medical professional or facility submitted as charges for our care, and along with that a notice of how much of that was allowed, written off, paid by insurance, etc. Most of the time, the figure charged is 4 times as high as the figure allowed. Using this as the basis for my comment, if all the figures on uncompensated care are inflated similarly, then the actual costs need to be scaled down considerably, bringing us into the $250 million range rather than $1 billion. Second, one thing either of these numbers proves is that medical care is being received. No one is being denied medical care in this state. That is encouraging.

Why is so much of the conversation by the professional politicians pointed toward the "stick" end of the "inducements?" Is this how they were raised? To do what is right because of fear of punishment? When I was younger, I earned $200 a month, gross, for my wife and myself. A few years later I had a full time teaching job in Oklahoma City for $360 a month. We were young, healthy and full of optimism. Health insurance was something we did without in order to have other things, like a house and food and a way to get to work. I cannot, in all good conscience, bring myself to force other people to make the choices I wouldn't have made. What I would like to see is for Oklahoma employers pay wages that allow their employees to enjoy the benefits that the employers hold dear for their own families. I would like to see the day when the state of Oklahoma had professional politicians whose brains could devise a system of inducements for medical insurance coverage every bit as good as inducements for oil drilling, wind farming, professional ball team ownership, river canal building, and putting money into savings accounts within the borders of the state of Oklahoma. And not one of these seemed to require a "stick." In the meantime, you will have to pry my fishing rod from my cold, dead fingers.

Paul, what I hear from you is that some Oklahomans choose to forgo insurance coverage. What about the many, many hardworking citizens of this great state who work for companies that don’t provide or subsidize insurance? Far too many people in this state cannot afford insurance. Are you saying that is their fault? I do not believe we should be punishing people for something that is completely out of their control.

If there were more insurance-providing jobs available and training to help people get those jobs, this would not be an issue.

Rep. Steele's stance is partially good because he wants to make insurance more available before even thinking about punishing those who don't get it. However, those who cannot get insurance should not be punished. What should happen is lawmakers should work to bring more jobs to Oklahoma that provide benefits and help Oklahoman’s get those jobs.

Kim Holland has overstepped her authority as Insurance Commissioner here. I used to think she was motivated by protecting Oklahomans, but I see I was wrong. I say feed her to the political wolves.

"Who died & made her Queen? Life is about choices. If a person doesn't have enough money or credit they can't buy a new car. Why should health care be any different?
Cecil, Mesquite - Nov 21, 2008 6:59 AM"

Because, Cecil..when you do get sick (and Okies do, a LOT) and you don't have insurance, then the system pays for your treatment. Thats the billion dollars they were talking about.

That billion could go for many things this state is lacking in, like education, DHS, roads and bridges..you know, those pesky little things like the state infrastructure, etc.

It's a shame that so many people in this state are willing to act like spendthrifts for dumb stuff and ignore their personal situations.

For those of you who think the government has no business stepping in and making policies such as this, remember, if you did the "right thing" yourselves, then the state wouldn't have to...but keep acting like all is just ducky and wonderful in this miserable patch of barren land and see how much the government steps in because you won't do it yourselves....your complacency is the root cause of situations like this....

I find it interesting that Oklahoma can afford a NBA Basket Ball team and can't afford Insurance. Mabey we need to tax the Basketball Games and use that to fund Insurance.

Who died & made her Queen? Life is about choices. If a person doesn't have enough money or credit they can't buy a new car. Why should health care be any different?

I have medical insurance so I feel I have the right to say this...It is easy for this lawmaker to talk about penalizing people for not having health insurance because the lawmaker can afford to pay for it...but there are many that do well just to survive day to day...Does this lawmaker really think that people like not being able to have medical insurance? Lower the cost of medical insurance and I am sure you will have more Oklahomans carry it...but until then help Oklahomans find jobs that provide insurance for their employees. I find what this lawmaker talked about in very poor taste especially where the economy of Oklahoma stands today.

You just think it expensive now, let the Goverment get a hand in it I have seen how well they work. Nick