does massachusetts have universal health care

[brightdoglover]

One poster said, "One bad accident and you'll be wiped out." While that is likely true, that's not what the state/hospitals care about- you being wiped out. The truth is, whether you are insured or not, if you get dragged into an ER needing care, you will get treatment and it's costly.
My father never filed for Medicare and was driving a taxi full-time until he had a heart attack at 75. Two weeks in hospital. He told them he'd "make payments," and they said, "Like hell," and put him in for Medicare so they'd get paid. (He never filed because of much fancy footwork on taxes in his working days, due to compulsive gambling).
I agree with the poster who says single-payer is the only way to go. In fact, industry in general (like the auto industry) is finally getting behind it to remain competitive, and the AMA, etc. is turning towards it, too. However, the insurance companies, oddly enough, aren't interested in becoming useless. After all, what are the tallest buildings? Not mental health centers, not dance companies. Insurance companies.

[amyalta]

'Leaving MA' you are wrong - if you cannot afford health insurance, ie if your income is under poverty level, then the state pays for most of it for you - it's called 'Commonwealth care.'

Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of happiness are not much good if you have to find 100,000 to pay for a relatively small operation.

[LeavingMA]

Originally Posted by amyalta

'Leaving MA' you are wrong - if you cannot afford health insurance, ie if your income is under poverty level, then the state pays for most of it for you - it's called 'Commonwealth care.'

Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of happiness are not much good if you have to find 100,000 to pay for a relatively small operation.

My statement is based on how the MA health insurance system is set up. Lots of middle-class people have trouble affording healthcare, but do not fall under the poverty level. If the state forces you to pay for something you can't really afford, it simply doesn't make any sense.

I had Tufts health care at one time and was paying $650 per month. I'm single, take no medication, always been in excellent health and yet I'm supposed to shell out $650 per month for emergency care in case I get in a car accident or something. I'm not the type of person that goes running to the hospital when I catch a cold or don't feel well.

[ChunkyMonkey]

$650 a month is excessive probably because Tufts is one of the best insurance. You can get a lot cheaper insurance. Plus I don't want the state to bail out those who have no health insurance which they were doing.

[brightdoglover]

"yet I'm supposed to shell out $650 per month for emergency care in case I get in a car accident or something."

Problem being, if you do get dragged into an ER for something major, you will have to get treated and someone will have to pay for it
And anyone can get a major-bad diagnosis at any age. I guess, growing up with many relatives with cancer (and being hit by drunk drivers twice before I was 23) ended any sense that I could just maintain my youthful health and all would be well. Even in my hippie-dippie days, I carried individual Blue Cross.
I don't think the Mass. plan makes sense on many levels. Current daily headlines would say that the funding mechanism is way underwater. It's not an answer for universal coverage by any means.
But whistling along saying, "I never get sick" isn't quite good enough. The healthiest person could break a bone slipping on ice or skiing or get hit by a drunk on the road. And I don't think you can sign a waiver to refuse treatment because you don't have insurance and can't pay out of pocket.

[LeavingMA]

Originally Posted by brightdoglover

"yet I'm supposed to shell out $650 per month for emergency care in case I get in a car accident or something."

Problem being, if you do get dragged into an ER for something major, you will have to get treated and someone will have to pay for it
And anyone can get a major-bad diagnosis at any age. I guess, growing up with many relatives with cancer (and being hit by drunk drivers twice before I was 23) ended any sense that I could just maintain my youthful health and all would be well. Even in my hippie-dippie days, I carried individual Blue Cross.
I don't think the Mass. plan makes sense on many levels. Current daily headlines would say that the funding mechanism is way underwater. It's not an answer for universal coverage by any means.
But whistling along saying, "I never get sick" isn't quite good enough. The healthiest person could break a bone slipping on ice or skiing or get hit by a drunk on the road. And I don't think you can sign a waiver to refuse treatment because you don't have insurance and can't pay out of pocket.

I understand why we have insurance and I eventually found one a lot cheaper for around $200 per month. It isn't the best coverage, but considering how little I use it, it works.

That $650 quote was about 5 years ago also. I just don't think it is fair or affordable for someone who is healthy and in their 20's to pay $650 per month for health insurance. If it would have stayed at that price or gone higher I would have taken the chance and not had any health insurance. I know quite a few other people my age who have had to do this. With the cost of everything else, it isn't reasonable for a single, healthy human to pay that much for health insurance...you would have to save $ somewhere.

[massachusetts scam]

it is all a scam they just make you buy cost me 14,00.00 they never seem to cover what my daughter needs in medical or medicine nor my husband or my self she is asthmatic cost me 400.00 a month for medicine an yes were are out of money this mouth cant pay this month because i chose to buy her medicine in December i guess now its mandatory we will owe no mater what and his salary went down way down do to cut backs of overtime he made 26,000.00 in 08 now you try to live on that and pay health insurance

[mommytotwo]

Originally Posted by findingmesomeday

This is typical Massachusetts. They've passed a law that basically does.....nothing.

If you have health care available through your employer, you must enroll (and if you can't afford it, too bad). If you don't have health care available then you are welcome to call BCBS, Tufts, Harvard Pilgrim, etc. But nothing has changed there. The rates for individual coverage, without employer subsidies are still sky high.

I disagree. I took my aunt to the Health Insurance Connector or whatever that office is in Downtown Worcester. (there must be an office out by Boston as well), and they had A LOT of options, different levels, co payments, deductibles, monthly payment amounts, administering companies, etc. They help you find a plan that is right for you if you are confused, etc. You don't have to call the insurance companies directly and as far as I know the payment goes to the Health Connector, and they forward it to the insurance company. The office seemed to work like your HR department at work.

I was actually shocked at the options. She got a really good plan for the same price if not cheaper than she would contribute through her employer. There really is something for everyone to choose from.

I understand that when you are on a budget, and things are tight, it is hard to make a payment for something that you are not that likely to use.

But considering that we have mandatory auto insurance in Mass, running up to $2,000+ per year, and people are managing to pay that, there are health insurance plans that are reasonable.

When my DH got a new job and our insurance options were $550 biweekly or $750 biweekly, hell, I was wishing I could go get it from them
.
And if more people end up on Mass health, then so be it. People need to be insured. Either they pay for it or if they cannot afford it they get it for free or reduced prices. Yes the gov't pays but the gov't also pays when uninsured people end up in the hospital and cannot pay even an $800 or $1,000 bill.

Originally Posted by cvap

Mass. did nothing to make health insurance affordable or fair. They just make you buy it from a private company. Seems like a good deal for the companies. Mandated buisness. Though many carriers have left the State. I wonder why?

Because they are actually offering good prices to consumers. Maybe the carriers are not making enough money.

Originally Posted by LeavingMA

My favorite part about MA health insurance is if you can't afford it they will fine you and force you to get it. Now, that makes sense.

Don't they take it out of your tax return?

[brightdoglover]

Yes, at present, it's your tax return or tax credit or something. I don't know how it's going to work further into the future.