I am a small businessman...

[devilsadvocate]

I wonder why this was not pointed out when people were comparing the two health systems(UK and USA). That is a massive burden on the business section.

It is no secret here at least, in fact it was one (among many) of the main reasons given for reform was needed.

I haven't found confirmation of the 170% increase, however examples of obscene increases are not hard to find.

I know employees pay national insurance for pension and healthcare, but do employers have to pay an employee health insurance in the UK as well? If this is the case is the amount the same per employee across the board?

Here companies that have healthcare packages pay a percentage of the premium and the employee pays the rest. The coverage and copays vary wildly depending on which policy the company offers. Just because a company offers health insurance doesn't mean the employees can afford to participate in the plan. More and more companies are reducing or dropping their plans.

[clocker]

I described all this to a liberal politician...
The pol's name is Bart Stupak.

Stupak is a Democrat but hardly a liberal.
During his reelection he will be targeted by both the left and the right, neither of whom are very happy with him.

[j2k4]

I described all this to a liberal politician...
The pol's name is Bart Stupak.

Stupak is a Democrat but hardly a liberal.
During his reelection he will be targeted by both the left and the right, neither of whom are very happy with him.

Stupak is a democrat and a liberal.

He sold his vote on the abortion thing pretty cheaply; about 800K for improvements at a couple of podunk airports.

I have known him for years, since he was a state cop in the late seventies, then a lawyer, and a state rep.

Actually, he did me a favor back in '87 that...oh, nevermind.

[j2k4]

It sounds that the most likely danger to your contract associated with healthcare costs would be due to the company you contract to making savings to cover its own rising healthcare cost.

The outfits I currently contract with aren't going to finance any health-care coverage with the value of my tiny contract, trust me.

[clocker]

Stupak is a democrat and a liberal.

By your definition, not by mine.

[j2k4]

Stupak is a democrat and a liberal.

By your definition, not by mine.

Well, he's not Nancy Pelosi, no.

[clocker]

Neither are you, so what?

Stupak is a Republican masquerading as a Democrat and his positions on abortion and gun control show that he is nowhere close to being liberal.
I realize than in your neck of the woods that Attila the Hun is considered slightly "pink", so I understand your confusion.

[bigboab]

I wonder why this was not pointed out when people were comparing the two health systems(UK and USA). That is a massive burden on the business section.

It is no secret here at least, in fact it was one (among many) of the main reasons given for reform was needed.

I haven't found confirmation of the 170% increase, however examples of obscene increases are not hard to find.

I know employees pay national insurance for pension and healthcare, but do employers have to pay an employee health insurance in the UK as well? If this is the case is the amount the same per employee across the board?

Here companies that have healthcare packages pay a percentage of the premium and the employee pays the rest. The coverage and copays vary wildly depending on which policy the company offers. Just because a company offers health insurance doesn't mean the employees can afford to participate in the plan. More and more companies are reducing or dropping their plans.

Here is the table for NI contributions in the UK. Remember that this covers a lot more than health insurance:- Family Allowance, Unemployment Benefit and trillions of other benefits.*

Well it did when I was working.

Rates and allowances - National Insurance contributions

National Insurance - rates and allowances

£ per week
2008-09

2009-10


2010-11

Lower earnings limit, primary Class 1
£90
£95
£97
Upper earnings limit, primary Class 1
£770
£844
£844
Upper accruals point
N/A
£770
£770
Primary threshold
£105
£110
£110
Secondary threshold
£105
£110
£110
Employees’ primary Class 1 rate between primary threshold and upper earnings limit
11%
11%
11%
Employees’ primary Class 1 rate above upper earnings limit
1%
1%
1%
Class 1A rate on employer provided benefits (1)
12.8%
12.8%
12.8%
Employees’ contracted-out rebate
1.6%
1.6%
1.6%
Married women’s reduced rate between primary threshold and upper earnings limit
4.85%
4.85%
4.85%
Married women’s rate above upper earnings limit
1%
1%
1%
Employers’ secondary Class 1 rate above secondary threshold
12.8%
12.8%
12.8%
Employers’ contracted-out rebate, salary-related schemes
3.7%
3.7%
3.7%
Employers’ contracted-out rebate, money-purchase schemes
1.4%
1.4%
1.4%
Class 2 rate
£2.30
£2.40
£2.40
Class 2 small earnings exception
£4,825 per year
£5,075 per year
£5,075 per year
Special Class 2 rate for share fishermen
£2.95
£3.05
£3.05
Special Class 2 rate for volunteer development workers
£4.50
£4.75
£4.85
Class 3 rate
£8.10
£12.05
£12.05
Class 4 lower profits limit
£5, 435 per year
£5, 715 per year
£5, 715 per year
Class 4 upper profits limit
£40, 040 per year
£43, 875 per year
£43, 875 per year
Class 4 rate between lower profits limit and upper profits limit
8%
8%
8%
Class 4 rate above upper profits limit
1%
1%
1%


(1) Class 1A NICs are calculated using the previous year’s benefit figure and the rate appropriate at the due date – July.

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/rates/nic.htm

[devilsadvocate]

Well that's about as clear as mud, which probably means it's accurate government figures.

So basically both the employer and employee pay and the amount depends on earnings? It's not a fixed price?

[bigboab]

Well that's about as clear as mud, which probably means it's accurate government figures.

So basically both the employer and employee pay and the amount depends on earnings? It's not a fixed price?

Got it in one. Just like income tax. They changed Naional Insurance Charges from a fixed amount a few years back. Unfortunately a lot of the money is going into private companies thanks to Thatcher and Blair with their private finance initiative (PFI) . Since the introduction of PFI everything in the UK has gone down hill.