Jill Long Thompson announces health care proposal in South Bend
Jill Long Thompson announces health care proposal in South Bend Save Email Print
Posted: 4:41 PM Aug 14, 2008
 Last Updated: 11:57 PM Aug 14, 2008
23 comments
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Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jill Long Thompson announced her health care proposal in South Bend.

On Thursday, Long Thompson spoke at Democratic headquarters in downtown South Bend.

She thinks a state-run health insurance purchasing pool could help small businesses.

Under the plan, the pool would offer small businesses affordable insurance rates.

"To do that, we will establish a quasi-governmental body that will work on behalf of small businesses that choose to be a part of a large pool, to purchase health insurance and to negotiate with the health insurance companies, to put together the kinds of plans at rates that are affordable," explained Long Thompson.

Meanwhile, Daniels' campaign says his administration has already made strides to help Hoosiers with a plan unveiled last year.
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Posted by: Kathy Betz Location: INdianapolis on Sep 16, 2008 at 12:01 PM
You want to spend tax dollars taking Mitch Daniels to court? After all he's done for the citizens of Indiana and the postive changes Why don't you spend more time and more commercials saying what you will and can do to serve, rather than throw mud at someone who IS serving........plain old common sense is all it would take to see the positive changes that have occured under Mitch Daniels
Posted by: MM on Aug 18, 2008 at 08:30 AM
um jill darling,try cutting govt.let's start with income taxes,sales taxes,property taxes.that's a start. then cut out the office of the sec of state,gov salary. that's a start.govt health care is not going to help.it's a boondoggle.if it helped why do canadians come here to the usa for healthcare?
Posted by: Todd Location: South Bend on Aug 16, 2008 at 09:08 PM
Jill has not won an election since 1992! She has tried to be a career long politician, but in fact has only won 3 races in her lengthy career. I don't recall any of those were lengthy and she was a one term wonder at the state house. You really need to study up on this lady before you waste your vote. Mitch has taken us from the number 10 obese state to the 22nd in four years with his initiative. We also dramatically dropped in our smokers rating. What does that mean for Indiana you ask? Better insurance ratings. That is a solid plan that is starting to work...and very little had to be spent. Want renewable energy that Jill things does not exist in Indiana and she wants to spend millions on training? How about the seven ethanol plants that have opened and one of the nations largest bio diesel plants that has committed to Indiana under Mitch? He didn't need to create a new government office to bring those jobs in. Jill needs to take a closer look at the state I believe.
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 16, 2008 at 10:25 AM
You asked what Mitch is spending the money on. Nothing that is not necessary! However, Jill will spend it all in very short time frame and we will be back in the red! I'm voting for Mitch!
Posted by: Todd Location: South Bend on Aug 15, 2008 at 05:31 PM
BigRedEvil..you are dead wrong. Hoosier Health Wise has helped many people. It has gone well for being such a new plan. Our schools have more money to spend than in several years. Before Mitch, teachers were buying most of their classroom supplies out of their own pockets...thousands of dollars. Insurance companies just do not sell in bulk and let different companies and people chip into it. They require a main administrator and that means the state which is not equipped nor needs to do that. I think she better research this plan a bit more as it will certainly backfire on her. I think Hoosiers are certainly being paid a fair wage...did not Governor Daniels approve the first min. wage increase in at least 6 years....umm yes, thank you. We are now at the federal level where most states are. You better dig deep in your pockets for new taxes if you want everybody to make what a union button pusher does at some factories.
Posted by: hey bigredone on Aug 15, 2008 at 03:04 PM
maybe you can have your bypass surgery at Sam's Club, eh?
Posted by: DJ Location: South Bend on Aug 15, 2008 at 02:38 PM
Hey Jill, call your plan The FEMA Insurance Plan. I'm sure it'll work just the same!!
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 15, 2008 at 01:32 PM
Todd, start thinking for yourself, stop listening to the media. If you vote for Obama you must like loosing your rights and paying more taxes. Randy, the answer is YOU and you will not benefit from it. Think about this; look who is trying to run Michigan and LEARN!
Posted by: John Location: South Bend on Aug 15, 2008 at 12:51 PM
This will be a very easy victory for Mitch.
Posted by: Bob Location: SB on Aug 15, 2008 at 09:13 AM
I can't believe this woman is the best the democrats could come up with.
Posted by: Homer Location: Plymouth on Aug 15, 2008 at 08:50 AM
You may change your mind when the small company that you work for can no longer afford to provide health insurance to the employees
Posted by: Ken Location: Milford on Aug 15, 2008 at 08:12 AM
Spend & tax. Thats the way of the democrats
Posted by: BigRedEvil Location: Death Valley on Aug 15, 2008 at 07:33 AM
Oh, Mitch unveiled a plan a year ago? Which plan was this? To outsource patients? Lmao- what a joke. No wait, Mitch would have an outside independent contractor do the surgeries. Probably some Swiss doctors. And then find a group that would buy the hospitals (probably from France or China). So that way the state would make lots of money to spend on..... Oh Wait what exactly is the state spending money on? Certianly not health care. Certainly not EDUCATION for our children. Certainly not on ways to keep Hoosiers employed at a FAIR wage. Im sorry, but keeping Mitch in office is not really an option anymore.... Oh and by the way, an insurance "pool" is not a new "system" it's just a large collective bargaining unit that helps get a better rate due to number of people involved. Think Sam's Club people..... Geez
Posted by: MJ Location: Elkhart on Aug 15, 2008 at 07:14 AM
Just think, if we get insurance from the federal and state government, we'll have insurance coming out of our ears! Sounds like she is going to work real hard to get this state back into a deficit! And to answer your question Jack, that could be businesses with up to 500 employees, which is about 80% of the state anymore.
Posted by: Randy Location: South Bend on Aug 15, 2008 at 07:09 AM
My question-Who is going to pay for this??
Posted by: Todd Location: South Bend on Aug 14, 2008 at 11:13 PM
Oh Dustin...you cannot seriously support this woman. There is a time in life you need to pick the best person instead of holding true to a party. Case in fact that I am a republican, but the way McCain is acting, he will not get my vote. You need to vote smart my man and quit getting behind the loosing candidate like you have in the last few elections.
Posted by: Fred on Aug 14, 2008 at 09:56 PM
Dustin, how you doin'? What do you think about that fake Obama birth certificate on his web site? I bet you could do better, huh? I bet they got a big kick out if it at the Obama camp. What state do you think will be the first to remove him from the ballot?
Posted by: Jack Location: Michiana on Aug 14, 2008 at 06:50 PM
Where is the line between small business and big business?
Posted by: Oh My God! on Aug 14, 2008 at 06:30 PM
So Mrs. Thompson wants the state govt. to run health care? HAHAHAHAHAH LOL. What a doofus. The govt. is one of the most inefficient dis-organizations in the world. Wake Up Jill! I will keep my OWN health care.... NO THANK YOU.
Posted by: Fred G on Aug 14, 2008 at 06:25 PM
Why would we need state-run health insurance? I thought Obama was going to provide healthcare for everyone...unless she knows he won't be able to. Which is it, Jill?
Posted by: Todd Location: South Bend on Aug 14, 2008 at 06:22 PM
I might add that this is the second plan she has released in two weeks that would make a sizable increase in the size of the state government payroll.
Posted by: Todd Location: South Bend on Aug 14, 2008 at 06:21 PM
Are you freaking kidding me? There is no way her plan will work. She doesn't even have a bit of experience in the area. Not only would this be an administrative nightmare..it would open the door wide open for fraud.
Posted by: Dustin Location: Mishawaka on Aug 14, 2008 at 05:03 PM
I look forward to hearing from my friends and fans out there! *Note* This message is NOT paid for or sponsored by any organization. ;)
Posted by: Brian Location: Elkhart on Aug 14, 2008 at 05:02 PM
Wow big suprise she wants a State Govt program to run an insurance program.

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