Is there a “third way” for health care payments, one that relies neither on employers nor the Feds?
Contemplating GM’s arrangement with the UAW — in which GM will set up a VEBA (”Voluntary Employee Benefits Association”) — I think there might be.
This would be something similar to the classic model for a building society (aka “saving and loan”) or its Catholic, working class equivalent, the credit union. Individuals band together to endow a trust, from which funding for their health care is drawn.
Thoughts?
Now Playing: Episode 361
The Presidential campaign gets nasty while the banking crisis goes international.
Links Mentioned: The coveted Buckley endorsement … and the Brooks non-endorsement … the European banking bailout vs. the U.S. bailout redux … Frank Rich … GM and Chrysler get cozy.
I think David Brooks brought up something similar a few weeks ago:
http://select.nytimes.com/2007/09/07/opinion/07brooks.html
He was discussing a plan by Stuart Butler of the Heritage Foundation that leverages unions, church groups, and other community organizations to provide health care. Interesting idea.