Blue Shield Of California instituting furloughs due to ObamaCare costs

[2sleepy]

Originally Posted by CA4Now

Yes, and we're back where we were before the ACA: the uninsured having to use the ER, and the insured paying for the increased costs.

Not yet, but once the Republican's implement their 'new and improved plan' (probably after mid-terms) there will probably be around 20 million uninsured. And if they kill medicare and replace it with private policies with 'premium support' you will probably see 30-40% of medicare recipients without insurance.

There are 9-10 million people now receiving expanded medicaid About 87% of the 11.4 million receiving benefits through the ACA are getting some form of cost assistance.

[Hippityhop]

Originally Posted by blam

European countries that cannot provide the necessary high tech equipment will pay for their citizens to have the surgery elsewhere. Even poor countries such as Poland will pay for surgery that will take place in USA if needed. I know this because I'm polish. I can only imagine this works even better in western Europe. That is probably a very good chunk of your 800k number there. The rest is extremely rich people who don't care to pay millions of dollars on whatever they want to get done.

But you need to ask yourself. Is it better to have healthcare that is the best in separating conjoined twins from Denmark or is it better to have healthcare that is the best in treating everyday problems of American citizens without making them go bankrupt in the process?

And also did you ever research how many Americans travel abroad to have surgery because they don't happen to be in the top 1% of income earners? I bet you its way more than 800k.

You are absolutely correct. I agree with you on all of your points, but I didn't make the argument that America has the best healthcare system. I was making the argument we have the best doctors that can do the most complicated and advanced procedures.

[expatCA]

Originally Posted by blam

But you need to ask yourself. Is it better to have healthcare that is the best in separating conjoined twins from Denmark or is it better to have healthcare that is the best in treating everyday problems of American citizens without making them go bankrupt in the process?

This is important and other Countries plans work well in this area, but do fail in others.

However the serious ones lead to death and that should not be rationed.

A truly good plan would cover it all. A truly Universal health Care plan would allow no "upgraded" plans at all, as all services would be covered. For now the plans still favor the rich and the politicians who get theirs with tax payer dollars and the tax payers get far less. How about a CA proposition on this? That would be interesting.

[CA4Now]

"California is facing a $20 billion healthcare emergency. That’s how much the state stands to lose in annual federal spending if Republicans repeal the Affordable Care Act.

Putting this in perspective, $20 billion represents nearly 18% of all state general fund spending, projected at $113 billion this year..."

California’s coming $20 billion healthcare emergency - LA Times