The Congressional Budget Office has finally released its report of the Senate healthcare bill. It has concluded that individual insurance premiums would increase by an average of 10% or more if the Democrats pass their healthcare bill. However, this is only for evil and nasty rich people who are left the purchase health insurance on their own.

For the moocher class the massive government subsidies would (artificially) lower costs for the average premium offered by the new government insurance exchange. Now the CBO report estimates that this government insurance exchange would cover about 17% of the market place. Of that 17% participating in the exchange, 57% would be eligible for government subsidies, which would cover two-thirds of the cost of the premium.

OK .. that brings us to a phrase the Democrats keep using in touting the CBO study. To wit: “The bill offers affordable healthcare to millions of people without insurance.” The use of the word “affordable” is rampant with the Looters. Sure it’s affordable … to the people receiving huge government subsidies. The question though is whether or not the country – our economy – can afford it. The answer is a resounding NO. I don’t care how “affordable” this plan is for one of the people receiving the taxpayer-funded subsidies. I’m more concerned about whether or not our children and grandchildren will face reduced opportunities and overwhelming debt so that the Democrats could make Barack Obama look good in 2009 while gaining even more control and power over the electorate.

Bottom line: The CBO report says that insurance premium costs would increase under the Democrat bill for everyone, except those participating in the government insurance exchange and receiving government handouts. So that leaves at least 83%-91% of Americans paying MORE for health insurance if the Democrats pass their plan. Not just more, at least 10% more. The report provides actual average price projections: “Average premiums per policy in the nongroup market in 2016 would be roughly $5,800 for single policies and $15,200 for family policies under the proposal, compared with roughly $5,500 for single policies and $13,100 for family policies under current law.”

Now this is just for those of you who think that your boss is paying for your health insurance policy. Do you really think you’re getting a free ride? Do you really think that your boss is such a great guy that he is going to pay for your health insurance out of the goodness of his own heart? Well … you were educated in government schools, so you may very well believe just that. So … a little post-government education might be in order. When a company decides that a new employee is needed a budget will be drawn up. The number crunchers will determine just how much this new employee will be able to add to the company’s bottom line. Just to run this example, let’s say the new employee (that would be you) will produce about $75,000 in revenue for the company every year. So … are you going to budget $75,000 for this employee? Certainly not! You’re in business to make money, and you’re not going to make money if your employees receive 100% of the wealth they produce for you. So let’s say you budget $65,000 for this employee. That leaves you with $10,000 profit, so to speak. Now … do you pay the employee that $65,000? Nope. First you have to allow for the costs you incur by having that employee on the payroll. There’s the “matching” Social Security tax, unemployment insurance, the cost of keeping that coffee pot full, parking, and, of course, health insurance. If it’s going to cost you $5,800 to provide this employee with individual coverage that is going to come right out of the $65,000 you have budgeted for his job. Add it all up and the employee will be getting maybe $45,000 a year.

Why did I just go through that tiring example? Again … just trying to counter the effects of our hideous government education system. People need to know that employers have costs when it comes to hiring workers … and those costs are taken out of the budget for that employee before the employee’s actual pay is determined.

Folks, it almost feels like beating a dead horse. It does not matter what the CBO projects or what debating points the Republicans bring to the table .. the Democrats are not in this to lower your healthcare costs. If you have yet to figure out why the Democrats want the government to take over healthcare, then maybe you should reconsider going to the polls in 2010.