Only The Rich & The Welfare Poor Get Good Health Care (minimum wage, legal)

[Ceece]

I don't like that health insurance is usually tied to employment. Buying it as an individual is the way to go but it needs to be affordable. Is that even possible?

[jmking]

Originally Posted by Blind Sniper

Which brings up another question: Why do health insurance companies even exist? An industry that profits from fleecing those who can afford it only to deny any real treatment when needed. Also, why do we need pharma reps pushing their new wonder drugs on the doctors who then push them on us. If something works, why does it need a sales rep.?

What bothers me is all the TV commercials on meds directed at the populous. Shouldn't the doc know what I need better than some commercial selling their wares? I could be wrong but apparently the pharms spend more on hustling these drugs than R&D.

[EinsteinsGhost]

Originally Posted by Blind Sniper

Which brings up another question: Why do health insurance companies even exist? An industry that profits from fleecing those who can afford it only to deny any real treatment when needed. Also, why do we need pharma reps pushing their new wonder drugs on the doctors who then push them on us. If something works, why does it need a sales rep.?

Well, sales reps are technically in-person advertisements, so I don't have any issue with that.

Your point about existence of health insurance companies is a valid one. They are nothing but the middle men, out their to profit from, and take advantage of someone else's woes. But they exist because our political system allows it, and it has since Nixon fell in love. Here's the beginning to it all:
Ehrlichman (to Nixon): "… and the incentives run the right way."

Link to transcript of taped conversation that led to HMO Act of 1973

[Greatday]

Originally Posted by Blind Sniper

Which brings up another question: Why do health insurance companies even exist? An industry that profits from fleecing those who can afford it only to deny any real treatment when needed.

I purchase Health Insurance from a for profit Health Insurance Company. I do not feel I'm being "fleeced" in any way nor, has coverage ever been denied for ANY treatment, "real" or imaginary, recommended by my physician's.

Health Insurance (and the companies) are relatively new in the US and were originally intended to help with catastrophic illness / injuries - not covering you for the sniffles.

That is what it should go back to IMO>

[seamusnh]

I have good health care. It costs about $12,000 per year (family plan) and my employer pays 80% of the cost. I guess the 150 employees at my company are all rich as none of us are on welfare....

[delusianne]

Originally Posted by Blind Sniper

I'm not taking an R or D stance on this. The system is broke, period. Only the rich and the welfare poor get good health care while the middle class covers the cost for others while we do not "qualify" for good care ourselves. What good is health insurance and why does it exist? I pay in thousands per year so they can exclude or deny anything that I might need them for in the first place. I'm having to back off of my "it's socialism" views on this one. Health care should be a right not a priveledge. The left wants to nationalize and the right only wants to prove the left is wrong. What is the solution?

Your business's owners are squeezed by the health insurance companies, too.

Glad you're waking up and backing off from parroting the pathetic "it's socialism" line. Do you realize now that's what they've been training you to say, if not entirely believe inside? Do you realize why?

[Blind Sniper]

Originally Posted by Greatday

I purchase Health Insurance from a for profit Health Insurance Company. I do not feel I'm being "fleeced" in any way nor, has coverage ever been denied for ANY treatment, "real" or imaginary, recommended by my physician's.

Health Insurance (and the companies) are relatively new in the US and were originally intended to help with catastrophic illness / injuries - not covering you for the sniffles.

That is what it should go back to IMO>

I would like to know what company you are with? (Without breaking any rules of course).... I'm not talking about the sniffles either. I was in need of surgery for two bulged disc in my neck that sometimes caused paralyzing pain. The employer provided firm that I was with denied the surgery stating that it was not life threatening. Translation: Keep him on pain meds and muscle relaxers forever so the pharma companies can make more money. An insurance firm couldn't possibly pay for something that might help someone....

[blackandproud]

Originally Posted by Blind Sniper

I'm not taking an R or D stance on this. The system is broke, period. Only the rich and the welfare poor get good health care while the middle class covers the cost for others while we do not "qualify" for good care ourselves. What good is health insurance and why does it exist? I pay in thousands per year so they can exclude or deny anything that I might need them for in the first place. I'm having to back off of my "it's socialism" views on this one. Health care should be a right not a priveledge. The left wants to nationalize and the right only wants to prove the left is wrong. What is the solution?

You forgot all of those IDIOTS on capital hill.

[shorebaby]

Originally Posted by Blind Sniper

I'm not taking an R or D stance on this. The system is broke, period. Only the rich and the welfare poor get good health care while the middle class covers the cost for others while we do not "qualify" for good care ourselves. What good is health insurance and why does it exist? I pay in thousands per year so they can exclude or deny anything that I might need them for in the first place. I'm having to back off of my "it's socialism" views on this one. Health care should be a right not a priveledge. The left wants to nationalize and the right only wants to prove the left is wrong. What is the solution?

I am in healthcare so you think you have a right to my labor without compensating me for it? Let me tell you the only way to control costs is to reduce spending. the only way to reduce spending is to decrease reimbursement or decrease services. If you decrease reimbursement the best people will leave healthcare. If you ration services people will scream.

By the way I would love to have UAW health care benefits and I think the majority of their members are middle class.

The solution is to give people an incentive to use health care rationally. Right now people who have insurance have no incentive to take care of themselves and the people without insurance use emergency rooms the most costly way to obtain care.

[Greatday]

Originally Posted by Blind Sniper

I would like to know what company you are with? (Without breaking any rules of course).... I'm not talking about the sniffles either. I was in need of surgery for two bulged disc in my neck that sometimes caused paralyzing pain. The employer provided firm that I was with denied the surgery stating that it was not life threatening. Translation: Keep him on pain meds and muscle relaxers forever so the pharma companies can make more money. An insurance firm couldn't possibly pay for something that might help someone....

You don't need the name of my company - it won't help you.

What it sounds like you need is to talk to your employer and see if they can negotiate for a different health care plan that is within their budget that would be of more help to you.

Good luck