As a conservative who's neither republican or democrat, I agree 100% we need a healthcare reform. I agree with Mayo clinic that taking the existing medicare system and expanding on it is *not* going to work. This is why Mayo does not support the current bill. They applaud the president for looking into reforming healthcare, but they do not support what's being proposed. Unfortunately that's what the government is trying to do right now, and to think they were trying to push to have this thing passed within 2 weeks and they almost did it is scary.
I don't know what it is with politicians. They can't seem to get anything done right without all the bs. I won't even support the Republicans because they've also had their share of having majority in the congress, and they didn't get the reform done either. It's like politicians from both parties are too busy making money from special interest groups, that they just don't want to get anything done for the American people.
There are some basic things that everybody can agree with, things that they can do right now that would improve on the current system:
1. Allow us to buy health insurance across state lines. When there are more choices, insurance companies will *have to* lower prices and up coverage in order to stay competitive. Right now you have specific companies with monopolies in certain states. It's like cable companies, cell phone carriers, internet access providers, etc.. Back when we only had 1-2 choices, you have to eat the high cost because you have no choice. When there's competition and more choices, you get to shop around, and the price starts to get pushed down. They need to allow you to buy health insurance from any states.
2. Health savings account. It works! Why does someone healthy who has been paying for health insurance for 10 years straight without using it, then having to go in to visit the doc once and still be made to pay out of pocket? It makes no sense. Health insurance should be made to take a small amount of what you pay each month and set it aside in your own private health savings account. This money is then used to cover these visits. I should not have to pay out of my pocket when I've been paying so much for insurance I don't use. Bush tried to do this but insurance companies didn't like it, gee surprise surprise.
3. I personally believe everybody who pays taxes should have basic health coverage. I'm talking about the ability to go in and get flu shots, get medicine for bronchitis, get a physical, etc.. My tax dollars are used to cover others already for these things, I should be able to get the same coverage too. This way the private health insurance should only have to worry about covering for other things, things that are more important, such as operations, treatment, and more expensive tests.
There are a lot more basic things they could do to improve the current healthcare system without revamping in a way that won't work. Expanding on a Medicare system that's going bankrupt is not going to work, it'll make everything worse.
The problem is that everyone is focused on how to pay for everything only. The people in charge of this need to take their head out of their asses and realize the answer is in prevention. We have the technology to test people's DNA and see if they are prone to a number of diseases and cancers. Instead of waiting for these things to occur spending lots of money try to fix what in a number of cases ends up being a lost cause, we can focus on things like diet to either prevent them from happening or at least postponing them from occurring giving people longer healthier lives. Then again we don't want to actual focus on healthy people, after all how do you make money off of that?
The problem is that everyone is focused on how to pay for everything only. The people in charge of this need to take their head out of their asses and realize the answer is in prevention. We have the technology to test people's DNA and see if they are prone to a number of diseases and cancers. Instead of waiting for these things to occur spending lots of money try to fix what in a number of cases ends up being a lost cause, we can focus on things like diet to either prevent them from happening or at least postponing them from occurring giving people longer healthier lives. Then again we don't want to actual focus on healthy people, after all how do you make money off of that?
If you prevent a disease or cancer people won't have to take medicine. If people don't have to take medicine they stop buying drugs. If people stop buying drugs the drug companies would not get as much money. If the drug companies start hurting then they are just too big to fail! Why try to live healthier if people know they can do or put whatever they want in their bodies and the government will bail their immune system out?
Don't be terrorized! You're more likely to die of a car accident, drowning, fire, or murder! More people die every year from prescription drugs than terrorism LOL!
The UK has free health care and so does Canada and France and Japan and Australia and most of Europe really. Do we live badly? No all these countries are probably healthier and have better economies than North America. Infact if you look at the countries without free health care alot of them are some of the poorest countries in the world like most countries in Africa.
Obama needs to do this for America, I see some of the protesters on the news and they've all been people with low IQ's who just want to jump on the band wagon.
The problem is that everyone is focused on how to pay for everything only. The people in charge of this need to take their head out of their asses and realize the answer is in prevention. We have the technology to test people's DNA and see if they are prone to a number of diseases and cancers. Instead of waiting for these things to occur spending lots of money try to fix what in a number of cases ends up being a lost cause, we can focus on things like diet to either prevent them from happening or at least postponing them from occurring giving people longer healthier lives. Then again we don't want to actual focus on healthy people, after all how do you make money off of that?
If you prevent a disease or cancer people won't have to take medicine. If people don't have to take medicine they stop buying drugs. If people stop buying drugs the drug companies would not get as much money. If the drug companies start hurting then they are just too big to fail! Why try to live healthier if people know they can do or put whatever they want in their bodies and the government will bail their immune system out?
The UK has free health care and so does Canada and France and Japan and Australia and most of Europe really. Do we live badly? No all these countries are probably healthier and have better economies than North America. Infact if you look at the countries without free health care alot of them are some of the poorest countries in the world like most countries in Africa.
These countries *may* be healthier, but not because of governmental healthcare, but because they have less population. When people need surgeries and operations done, they come here, why? Because they won't have to wait for years to get treatment. That's the point and why people from other countries want us to stay away from socialized healthcare. Sure it's easy for people from other countries to get cold medicine or antibiotics, that's one thing I do think we should move towards. But when it comes to surgeries, and getting these time sensitive operations done, people from other countries are coming here for that.
And please stop using the word "free", nothing is free, everything is paid for by your own tax dollars even in other countries.
As for their economy being good, you really need to look into it before spewing such claims. Look into their GDP, look at their unemployment rate in the past 10 years, check out what people are saying about their economy. People in France are *not* happy with their current economic situation, same with UK. It's true that US is in debt, but that's due to our politicians. We've swapped parties left to right a few times now, and things aren't getting any better. Things won't get better until we swap these politicians OUT and put some people in there that actually care about the people for a change.
The UK has free health care and so does Canada and France and Japan and Australia and most of Europe really. Do we live badly? No all these countries are probably healthier and have better economies than North America. Infact if you look at the countries without free health care alot of them are some of the poorest countries in the world like most countries in Africa.
These countries *may* be healthier, but not because of governmental healthcare, but because they have less population. When people need surgeries and operations done, they come here, why? Because they won't have to wait for years to get treatment. That's the point and why people from other countries want us to stay away from socialized healthcare. Sure it's easy for people from other countries to get cold medicine or antibiotics, that's one thing I do think we should move towards. But when it comes to surgeries, and getting these time sensitive operations done, people from other countries are coming here for that.
And please stop using the word "free", nothing is free, everything is paid for by your own tax dollars even in other countries.
As for their economy being good, you really need to look into it before spewing such claims. Look into their GDP, look at their unemployment rate in the past 10 years, check out what people are saying about their economy. People in France are *not* happy with their current economic situation, same with UK. It's true that US is in debt, but that's due to our politicians. We've swapped parties left to right a few times now, and things aren't getting any better. Things won't get better until we swap these politicians OUT and put some people in there that actually care about the people for a change.
Thing is though you pay little extra tax for Free Health care for the whole country. Why should the poor people have to suffer because the rich want it their way? Police is paid for by tax... should we say nope you'll have to pay the police alot of money when you need them instead? Same with the firemen if your house is burning down and you can't afford it? Health Care is more important than any of those and yet it isn't the same. I mean why arn't people complaining about socialism with that? There are certain things that everyone should have a right to and everyone should be treated the same and thats free health care.
What if you lose your job and your kids were very ill and needed something you couldn't afford and they died because of it.... you'd be thinking differently then. Well all the poor people who are in that esact same situation die each day when something like free health care coulda discovered the problem earlyer and sorted it.
I bet alot of people complaining believe in God and doesn't Christianity teach people to be kind and to treat others how you'd expect to be treated? Whats abit of extra tax gonna do? It wont even have an effect on peoples life styles of than knowing they'll be taken care for whenever they need it.
Free Health Care has nothing to do with the economic situation atm.
Besides if you really want to you can just pay for private........
I hope Obama takes this move because then all the people crying over it will see 10 years from now how much better the system is and it had no effect on their income.
Stop being selfish and pay a small amount of extra tax to look after your fellow Americans.
I'm going to argue that there isn't a problem with health care in america. I don't often hear people say this, which makes me very curious.
I did some quick research. Although I have health insurance at work, I did some quotes online to see what my coverage would be if I had to buy it on my own. I am 20 years old. I don't smoke, I have never drank, and I keep good care of myself. I have no pre-existing conditions. Out of all the plans I looked at, I will name the one I would have probably chosen. It is with unitedhealthone.
Premium: $101.38 Monthly. $1216.56 Annual.
Deductible: $2500.
Co-Insurance = None after deductible.
What this basically means is that for the whole year, the most I will pay is $3716.56 for health costs, up to a 3 million dollar limit (although I believe its $3000 for prescriptions, another plan is $206 monthly with only a 20$/40$ Generic/Brand copay for prescriptions, $7 million dollar limit, same deductible). Someone working full time at minimum wage can make $15,600 a year. Let's say that they net $12,000 after random taxes and what not. At the most, their health care represents 30% of their disposable income.
I ran it for if I wasn't in college, the premium is about the same. I ran it if I was 40, and the premium is only a few thousand more. Now of course if you have health conditions you are going to pay more. I personally think that makes sense. I am healthy so my health costs are low. If you are not, then you pay more. If you smoke, you pay more. If you are obese, you pay more. If you have pre-existing conditions, you pay more. It is a lot like car insurance. The worse the driving record, the higher the premium. You don't see people getting up in arms about that though (then again, you also get charged more based on age, sex, and race....funny how they get away with that).
My question to everyone is, what is wrong with this system. Health insurance is extremely affordable for someone who is healthy and takes care of themselves, even on minimum wage. If you have a family of 4, it's about 4-8x as much as what I quoted (as it should be). If you lose your job, I would hope you have enough savings to pay for health insurance until you can find another job. I would hope that you were responsible enough to put money aside to take care of yourself and your family in the event that you lost your job.
I have enough money set aside so that if I were to lose my job today, I could take care of at least 6 months of expenses (I have had this since I was 18 and it has nothing to do with Dave Ramsey, although it brings me a lot of joy to see more and more people finally behaving responsibly with their money. He gives out great advice). I look at this situation the same way I looked at people losing their homes and businesses going bankrupt. People bought houses they couldn't afford. They lost their houses because they spent their money irresponsibly and bought something they couldn't afford. Businesses went bankrupt when they risked their money in the stock market and on house loans (as did many people). I don't think reform is needed, I think people need to start being responsible. I'm not a selfish person however. I enjoy volunteering, and I will be the first to help out in a disaster. I just don't think we need to reform our entire medical system because some people think it is too expensive, and I don't think that I should be taxed to subsidize other people's health insurance. There are enough systems in place as it is.
(Lose your job = unemployment, Kids without insurance and sick = DSS and other government plans, elderly have medicare, I believe medicaid goes to the underprivleged, etc etc).
I make this real short for you...You are born to die regardless what you have and or what you do..If you think you should pay less because you are healthy?Now that made laugh..It can be taken away in matter of seconds.Don't count your chickens before they hatch..Because it could cost you in the long run..
Some people rob you at gun point..Others will rob you at "Ball Point Pen"
I make this real short for you...You are born to die regardless what you have and or what you do..If you think you should pay less because you are healthy?Now that made laugh..It can be taken away in matter of seconds.Don't count your chickens before they hatch..Because it could cost you in the long run..
I think you are missing the point. I set aside money every year to cover myself in the event that my health becomes poor. That is why we buy health insurance. We don't do it for what will happen, we do it for what might happen. I don't see how my desire to want to pay less for health care that for someone who uses it more makes you laugh. You condescend me as if you have some knowledge of my future that I don't have. I think your comment would have been more appropriate had I said that I am healthy and do not have any health insurance.
I agree with you that these things should absolutely be tackled, but I disagree that this would be worthy enough to call Health Care Reform alone. I don't consider it health care reform until the items I listed are handled in some fashion or another. Even setting aside a Single-Payer system or a Government Plan, for now, these few items need to be addressed. Who can argue with getting rid of "Pre-existing Conditions"exclusions, cheaper healthcare coverage whether you are currently employed or not, and being able to get life and death medical treatment covered when you are paying for the insurance? We use our Government, keyword being "our", as a tool to provide education, police, firemen, military defense, and even transportation infrastructure. To me, it only makes sense to use it to help provide medical care as well. Hell, I'd rather have an institution that is known for overspending be responsible for my medical treatment coverage than a private corporation that only makes profit when they find loopholes to deny coverage to their customers. Maybe you don't see it this way, but those in favor of a Government Option or Single-Payer Healthcare see it this way.
Now you seem to be coming at the debate from a financial viewpoint, which is certainly respectable. I'll be the first to admit that Obama stumbled big time on not having the budget and cost details worked out well in advance. However, I think that Obama is right in stating that true Health Care Reform would not only eventually cover itself after just short period, but would eventually turn a profit. The great thing about the Government turning a profit? They turn around and re-invest it back into healthcare. Eventually it becomes cheaper, our prices go down even further, and possibly there is money to spare to boost Research and Development. Sure this would take decades and decades of careful management to come to fruition, but isn't that when "our children" will be starting to rely more on medical coverage for prevention and such?
I cannot even believe that I am reading this from a human being intelligent as you seem to be. There are two reasons for this. One you do not pay taxes and just do not care where other people money is being spent. Two you have no concept of economics. When has the government ever turned a profit in anything?? They are trillions and trillions of dollars in debt!
You don't care that the government spends more money on things that they do not need to???? Where does this money come from??? China? The Federal Reserve? Do yourself a favor and read The Creature from Jeckyll Island. Then perhaps you'll understand where our money really comes from and you will definitely not be for a ridiculous bloated and inefficient government. Government failures are everywhere, just look at our public education system. I don't even need to post any facts just look at it. Complete and utter failure. Transportation infrastructure? Ever drove by construction and seen all the people sitting on their arses making 35 bucks an hour? Thank you greedy Unions! Not all Unions are bad but when greed demands paying outrageous federal and state mandated wages it is evil.
You seem to have no knowledge of how our government works or procures it's funding so please pick up a book and figure it out. Or you could just keep listening to the people who literally piss present and future tax payer money away. I would suggest the former but I bet you prefer the latter.
"Government exists to protect us from each other. Where government has gone beyond its limits is in deciding to protect us from ourselves." ~ Ronald Reagan
What I cannot understand is WHY, WHY WHY?!! enough of this nonsense from both sides. There are real solutions, but neither of these are it. Why is it no one not even our politicians are willing to look into the plan that was made up by the hard working doctors at the free clinics?!!! Why is it no one even remotely considers the IADMD plan and they bicker back and forth about how to better mess this up big time? I don;t get it. Plans have been proposed that allow the best treatment to be given to all people leaving non one out, yes that means NO ONE, no one with pre existing conditons, no one with rare dieases, no one that cannot afford to even pay a cent.. yes, NO ONE. Obama's BS plan that claims they cannot cover everyone, caters to insurance companies and causes even more problems than we currently have being shoved down our throats is not the only solution being offered here.
1. The insurance companies are not our friends, they are a 3rd party paracite preying on the ill and would rather you die before they give you treatment. Forcing people to pay for insurance does not solve the problem, it only creates more problems. Many people with insurance already cannot even afford their copays. There is no such thing as affordable insurance for those that are unemployed, because they are already struggling to take care of their families and maintaina place to live. They HAVE NO MONEY to spend on healthcare. Insurance companies need to be abolished and a direct pay system set up instead to pay hospitals and doctors directly rather than have to pay all the middle men in between instead. That alone greatly reduces healthcare costs. Insurance companies are only in it for the money, at least the doctors and hospitals are actually doing what they do to save lives.
2. The IADMD plan combines medical and dental and should replace our current elite AMA. IADMD wants to ensure that all people have access and the ability to have the best medical and dental treatment , not have to choose between basic and premium plans. The whole fact that anyone thinks that doctors should have to determine what plan a patient has to determine how well they can treat them is complete and utter madness. Doctors should be allowed to hold up their oaths without someone else telling them who can get what kind of care. We need to allow doctors to give the best care to all. And there are plans being offered that accomplish just that.
3. regulation of the pharmaceutical industry is top priority here. No more bribing doctors, no more billions spent on unecessary advertising, no more catering to clincs all at the expense of patient. NO, This has gone to far, people are indeed dying because of this madness, and grandma cannot afford her heart medicine because of this sick practice. We desperately need regulation to put a stop to the insane markups applied to medications.
4. our government will not consider real solutions, hell no, they are too bought off to really care about doing this right. Noo.. doing the right thing here would piss off too many lobby groups who pad their pocketbooks. The AMA is an elite club that wants the reins, and is reason we have all these extra fees for specialists and all that nonsense.. no we need to fix this right if we are going to fix it, and not just accept some crap they threw together that doesn;t even solve the core issues and caters to those that are causing theis completely preventable healthcare crisis in the US.
Comments
As a conservative who's neither republican or democrat, I agree 100% we need a healthcare reform. I agree with Mayo clinic that taking the existing medicare system and expanding on it is *not* going to work. This is why Mayo does not support the current bill. They applaud the president for looking into reforming healthcare, but they do not support what's being proposed. Unfortunately that's what the government is trying to do right now, and to think they were trying to push to have this thing passed within 2 weeks and they almost did it is scary.
I don't know what it is with politicians. They can't seem to get anything done right without all the bs. I won't even support the Republicans because they've also had their share of having majority in the congress, and they didn't get the reform done either. It's like politicians from both parties are too busy making money from special interest groups, that they just don't want to get anything done for the American people.
There are some basic things that everybody can agree with, things that they can do right now that would improve on the current system:
1. Allow us to buy health insurance across state lines. When there are more choices, insurance companies will *have to* lower prices and up coverage in order to stay competitive. Right now you have specific companies with monopolies in certain states. It's like cable companies, cell phone carriers, internet access providers, etc.. Back when we only had 1-2 choices, you have to eat the high cost because you have no choice. When there's competition and more choices, you get to shop around, and the price starts to get pushed down. They need to allow you to buy health insurance from any states.
2. Health savings account. It works! Why does someone healthy who has been paying for health insurance for 10 years straight without using it, then having to go in to visit the doc once and still be made to pay out of pocket? It makes no sense. Health insurance should be made to take a small amount of what you pay each month and set it aside in your own private health savings account. This money is then used to cover these visits. I should not have to pay out of my pocket when I've been paying so much for insurance I don't use. Bush tried to do this but insurance companies didn't like it, gee surprise surprise.
3. I personally believe everybody who pays taxes should have basic health coverage. I'm talking about the ability to go in and get flu shots, get medicine for bronchitis, get a physical, etc.. My tax dollars are used to cover others already for these things, I should be able to get the same coverage too. This way the private health insurance should only have to worry about covering for other things, things that are more important, such as operations, treatment, and more expensive tests.
There are a lot more basic things they could do to improve the current healthcare system without revamping in a way that won't work. Expanding on a Medicare system that's going bankrupt is not going to work, it'll make everything worse.
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The problem is that everyone is focused on how to pay for everything only. The people in charge of this need to take their head out of their asses and realize the answer is in prevention. We have the technology to test people's DNA and see if they are prone to a number of diseases and cancers. Instead of waiting for these things to occur spending lots of money try to fix what in a number of cases ends up being a lost cause, we can focus on things like diet to either prevent them from happening or at least postponing them from occurring giving people longer healthier lives. Then again we don't want to actual focus on healthy people, after all how do you make money off of that?
member of imminst.org
If you prevent a disease or cancer people won't have to take medicine. If people don't have to take medicine they stop buying drugs. If people stop buying drugs the drug companies would not get as much money. If the drug companies start hurting then they are just too big to fail! Why try to live healthier if people know they can do or put whatever they want in their bodies and the government will bail their immune system out?
Don't be terrorized! You're more likely to die of a car accident, drowning, fire, or murder! More people die every year from prescription drugs than terrorism LOL!
The UK has free health care and so does Canada and France and Japan and Australia and most of Europe really. Do we live badly? No all these countries are probably healthier and have better economies than North America. Infact if you look at the countries without free health care alot of them are some of the poorest countries in the world like most countries in Africa.
Obama needs to do this for America, I see some of the protesters on the news and they've all been people with low IQ's who just want to jump on the band wagon.
If you prevent a disease or cancer people won't have to take medicine. If people don't have to take medicine they stop buying drugs. If people stop buying drugs the drug companies would not get as much money. If the drug companies start hurting then they are just too big to fail! Why try to live healthier if people know they can do or put whatever they want in their bodies and the government will bail their immune system out?
lol, is there anything we can't bail out?
member of imminst.org
These countries *may* be healthier, but not because of governmental healthcare, but because they have less population. When people need surgeries and operations done, they come here, why? Because they won't have to wait for years to get treatment. That's the point and why people from other countries want us to stay away from socialized healthcare. Sure it's easy for people from other countries to get cold medicine or antibiotics, that's one thing I do think we should move towards. But when it comes to surgeries, and getting these time sensitive operations done, people from other countries are coming here for that.
And please stop using the word "free", nothing is free, everything is paid for by your own tax dollars even in other countries.
As for their economy being good, you really need to look into it before spewing such claims. Look into their GDP, look at their unemployment rate in the past 10 years, check out what people are saying about their economy. People in France are *not* happy with their current economic situation, same with UK. It's true that US is in debt, but that's due to our politicians. We've swapped parties left to right a few times now, and things aren't getting any better. Things won't get better until we swap these politicians OUT and put some people in there that actually care about the people for a change.
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These countries *may* be healthier, but not because of governmental healthcare, but because they have less population. When people need surgeries and operations done, they come here, why? Because they won't have to wait for years to get treatment. That's the point and why people from other countries want us to stay away from socialized healthcare. Sure it's easy for people from other countries to get cold medicine or antibiotics, that's one thing I do think we should move towards. But when it comes to surgeries, and getting these time sensitive operations done, people from other countries are coming here for that.
And please stop using the word "free", nothing is free, everything is paid for by your own tax dollars even in other countries.
As for their economy being good, you really need to look into it before spewing such claims. Look into their GDP, look at their unemployment rate in the past 10 years, check out what people are saying about their economy. People in France are *not* happy with their current economic situation, same with UK. It's true that US is in debt, but that's due to our politicians. We've swapped parties left to right a few times now, and things aren't getting any better. Things won't get better until we swap these politicians OUT and put some people in there that actually care about the people for a change.
Thing is though you pay little extra tax for Free Health care for the whole country. Why should the poor people have to suffer because the rich want it their way? Police is paid for by tax... should we say nope you'll have to pay the police alot of money when you need them instead? Same with the firemen if your house is burning down and you can't afford it? Health Care is more important than any of those and yet it isn't the same. I mean why arn't people complaining about socialism with that? There are certain things that everyone should have a right to and everyone should be treated the same and thats free health care.
What if you lose your job and your kids were very ill and needed something you couldn't afford and they died because of it.... you'd be thinking differently then. Well all the poor people who are in that esact same situation die each day when something like free health care coulda discovered the problem earlyer and sorted it.
I bet alot of people complaining believe in God and doesn't Christianity teach people to be kind and to treat others how you'd expect to be treated? Whats abit of extra tax gonna do? It wont even have an effect on peoples life styles of than knowing they'll be taken care for whenever they need it.
Free Health Care has nothing to do with the economic situation atm.
Besides if you really want to you can just pay for private........
I hope Obama takes this move because then all the people crying over it will see 10 years from now how much better the system is and it had no effect on their income.
Stop being selfish and pay a small amount of extra tax to look after your fellow Americans.
In other words "It's not fair that you have more than me. You must pay more so I can have what you have."
In the words of Penn and Teller "I am not taking your pie, I am giving your pie to me."
I'm going to argue that there isn't a problem with health care in america. I don't often hear people say this, which makes me very curious.
I did some quick research. Although I have health insurance at work, I did some quotes online to see what my coverage would be if I had to buy it on my own. I am 20 years old. I don't smoke, I have never drank, and I keep good care of myself. I have no pre-existing conditions. Out of all the plans I looked at, I will name the one I would have probably chosen. It is with unitedhealthone.
Premium: $101.38 Monthly. $1216.56 Annual.
Deductible: $2500.
Co-Insurance = None after deductible.
What this basically means is that for the whole year, the most I will pay is $3716.56 for health costs, up to a 3 million dollar limit (although I believe its $3000 for prescriptions, another plan is $206 monthly with only a 20$/40$ Generic/Brand copay for prescriptions, $7 million dollar limit, same deductible). Someone working full time at minimum wage can make $15,600 a year. Let's say that they net $12,000 after random taxes and what not. At the most, their health care represents 30% of their disposable income.
I ran it for if I wasn't in college, the premium is about the same. I ran it if I was 40, and the premium is only a few thousand more. Now of course if you have health conditions you are going to pay more. I personally think that makes sense. I am healthy so my health costs are low. If you are not, then you pay more. If you smoke, you pay more. If you are obese, you pay more. If you have pre-existing conditions, you pay more. It is a lot like car insurance. The worse the driving record, the higher the premium. You don't see people getting up in arms about that though (then again, you also get charged more based on age, sex, and race....funny how they get away with that).
My question to everyone is, what is wrong with this system. Health insurance is extremely affordable for someone who is healthy and takes care of themselves, even on minimum wage. If you have a family of 4, it's about 4-8x as much as what I quoted (as it should be). If you lose your job, I would hope you have enough savings to pay for health insurance until you can find another job. I would hope that you were responsible enough to put money aside to take care of yourself and your family in the event that you lost your job.
I have enough money set aside so that if I were to lose my job today, I could take care of at least 6 months of expenses (I have had this since I was 18 and it has nothing to do with Dave Ramsey, although it brings me a lot of joy to see more and more people finally behaving responsibly with their money. He gives out great advice). I look at this situation the same way I looked at people losing their homes and businesses going bankrupt. People bought houses they couldn't afford. They lost their houses because they spent their money irresponsibly and bought something they couldn't afford. Businesses went bankrupt when they risked their money in the stock market and on house loans (as did many people). I don't think reform is needed, I think people need to start being responsible. I'm not a selfish person however. I enjoy volunteering, and I will be the first to help out in a disaster. I just don't think we need to reform our entire medical system because some people think it is too expensive, and I don't think that I should be taxed to subsidize other people's health insurance. There are enough systems in place as it is.
(Lose your job = unemployment, Kids without insurance and sick = DSS and other government plans, elderly have medicare, I believe medicaid goes to the underprivleged, etc etc).
In other words "It's not fair that you have more than me. You must pay more so I can have what you have."
In the words of Penn and Teller "I am not taking your pie, I am giving your pie to me."
Haha..
Mod Edit
And to post #35
I make this real short for you...You are born to die regardless what you have and or what you do..If you think you should pay less because you are healthy?Now that made laugh..It can be taken away in matter of seconds.Don't count your chickens before they hatch..Because it could cost you in the long run..
Some people rob you at gun point..Others will rob you at "Ball Point Pen"
In other words "It's not fair that you have more than me. You must pay more so I can have what you have."
In the words of Penn and Teller "I am not taking your pie, I am giving your pie to me."
Haha..
Mod Edit
And to post #35
I make this real short for you...You are born to die regardless what you have and or what you do..If you think you should pay less because you are healthy?Now that made laugh..It can be taken away in matter of seconds.Don't count your chickens before they hatch..Because it could cost you in the long run..
I think you are missing the point. I set aside money every year to cover myself in the event that my health becomes poor. That is why we buy health insurance. We don't do it for what will happen, we do it for what might happen. I don't see how my desire to want to pay less for health care that for someone who uses it more makes you laugh. You condescend me as if you have some knowledge of my future that I don't have. I think your comment would have been more appropriate had I said that I am healthy and do not have any health insurance.
I cannot even believe that I am reading this from a human being intelligent as you seem to be. There are two reasons for this. One you do not pay taxes and just do not care where other people money is being spent. Two you have no concept of economics. When has the government ever turned a profit in anything?? They are trillions and trillions of dollars in debt!
You don't care that the government spends more money on things that they do not need to???? Where does this money come from??? China? The Federal Reserve? Do yourself a favor and read The Creature from Jeckyll Island. Then perhaps you'll understand where our money really comes from and you will definitely not be for a ridiculous bloated and inefficient government. Government failures are everywhere, just look at our public education system. I don't even need to post any facts just look at it. Complete and utter failure. Transportation infrastructure? Ever drove by construction and seen all the people sitting on their arses making 35 bucks an hour? Thank you greedy Unions! Not all Unions are bad but when greed demands paying outrageous federal and state mandated wages it is evil.
You seem to have no knowledge of how our government works or procures it's funding so please pick up a book and figure it out. Or you could just keep listening to the people who literally piss present and future tax payer money away. I would suggest the former but I bet you prefer the latter.
"Government exists to protect us from each other. Where government has gone beyond its limits is in deciding to protect us from ourselves." ~ Ronald Reagan
What I cannot understand is WHY, WHY WHY?!! enough of this nonsense from both sides. There are real solutions, but neither of these are it. Why is it no one not even our politicians are willing to look into the plan that was made up by the hard working doctors at the free clinics?!!! Why is it no one even remotely considers the IADMD plan and they bicker back and forth about how to better mess this up big time? I don;t get it. Plans have been proposed that allow the best treatment to be given to all people leaving non one out, yes that means NO ONE, no one with pre existing conditons, no one with rare dieases, no one that cannot afford to even pay a cent.. yes, NO ONE. Obama's BS plan that claims they cannot cover everyone, caters to insurance companies and causes even more problems than we currently have being shoved down our throats is not the only solution being offered here.
1. The insurance companies are not our friends, they are a 3rd party paracite preying on the ill and would rather you die before they give you treatment. Forcing people to pay for insurance does not solve the problem, it only creates more problems. Many people with insurance already cannot even afford their copays. There is no such thing as affordable insurance for those that are unemployed, because they are already struggling to take care of their families and maintaina place to live. They HAVE NO MONEY to spend on healthcare. Insurance companies need to be abolished and a direct pay system set up instead to pay hospitals and doctors directly rather than have to pay all the middle men in between instead. That alone greatly reduces healthcare costs. Insurance companies are only in it for the money, at least the doctors and hospitals are actually doing what they do to save lives.
2. The IADMD plan combines medical and dental and should replace our current elite AMA. IADMD wants to ensure that all people have access and the ability to have the best medical and dental treatment , not have to choose between basic and premium plans. The whole fact that anyone thinks that doctors should have to determine what plan a patient has to determine how well they can treat them is complete and utter madness. Doctors should be allowed to hold up their oaths without someone else telling them who can get what kind of care. We need to allow doctors to give the best care to all. And there are plans being offered that accomplish just that.
3. regulation of the pharmaceutical industry is top priority here. No more bribing doctors, no more billions spent on unecessary advertising, no more catering to clincs all at the expense of patient. NO, This has gone to far, people are indeed dying because of this madness, and grandma cannot afford her heart medicine because of this sick practice. We desperately need regulation to put a stop to the insane markups applied to medications.
4. our government will not consider real solutions, hell no, they are too bought off to really care about doing this right. Noo.. doing the right thing here would piss off too many lobby groups who pad their pocketbooks. The AMA is an elite club that wants the reins, and is reason we have all these extra fees for specialists and all that nonsense.. no we need to fix this right if we are going to fix it, and not just accept some crap they threw together that doesn;t even solve the core issues and caters to those that are causing theis completely preventable healthcare crisis in the US.
Read about what the IADMD proposes here:
www.iadmd.org/DoctorsPlan/PlanBasics/tabid/59/Default.aspx