Dirigo lives on

[dmyankee]

Originally Posted by kellysmith

Has anybody spent any time crunching the numbers for this? According to the press release from the Maine Republican Party, the increased tax on beer, wine and soda combined with the "surcharge" on insurance payments from those of us with insurance will raise $49.6 million the first year, $56.8 million the second, and $58 million the third. This is to assist in covering 13000 people that are enrolled in Dirigo. My calculator says that's $12646 per person that is covered by Dirigo for the three year period. We hear about how a family of 4 can't afford insurance...seems like you and I kicking in over 50 grand for that family of four over a three year period is asking a little too much of us! I think there must be a better answer.

AND...Half of those already had health care coverage!

[dmyankee]

Originally Posted by K-Luv

A law like this passed in Minnesota a few years ago. The idea was that it would give doctors complete access to your history in case of emergencies or to just more or less properly treat patients more effectively. This was one of those issues that was not voted on by the people, just the legislator. Well, there was a huge uproar over it and the majority seemed to want to keep their files private--even if they were only going to be seen by other medical professionals.

The trouble with that is that the records are databased in a server with more hospitals going electronic. The IT people have access, but tend to be the most reliable. Hospital employees and students have to log on to view patient records. Many have been fired or written up for viewing for patients that are not their charges.

Technically, even nursing and med students can not just browse records as case studies like they used to. To some extent. I would like to see the Act amended, but it will not happen, as there are lobbyists with PC and other agendas.

[Zymer]

Moderator cut: Please quote a snippet and supply the link so we don't get into copy right issues.


HistoryBuff.com -- Insane Man Elected to Congress

[krisk590]

So far I like the black fly party.
I really believe co-pays would be a huge help. People may think twice about going to the doctor. Many visits are not necessary,let the cold run its course,try OTC meds first. People go to the doctor for things I never would of thought about going. Mainecare owes the hospital millions of dollars. I had no idea it had been about 5yrs since since Mecare paid there bills. I am afraid to say because of this there could be trouble down the road. Don't know what else to say,just really disgusted. If anyone owed the State money they would be breathing down that persons neck. If anyone is on Mecare I don't mean to offend,I had for awhile myself and never would of made it without it. That was many years ago and I wonder if those bills were paid.

[Submariner]

I have no idea of how to 'fix' our nation's health care system.

I have one of the 'best' health care insurance policies [Martin's Point]. I pay $600/year enrollment, and $20 per visit, with a $5k cap. Hardly anyone in Maine qualifies for this coverage and it is regional [only good for New England].

As far as I can see the costs of modern space-age health care goes up every year. So obviously our combined health care costs will continue to go up.

Today health care costs more per year than many folks' Gross annual earnings. What happens when our society's total health care costs exceed our nation's GNP?



I learned years ago to travel with my health record in hand. It is three inches thick. Each time that I have gone into my current PCP, she does not have a clue as to what is in my medical record. I have seen her leaf through it, she is lost when looking at a paper medical record so thick. But she has too many patients.

[krisk590]

If you think your doc has to many pt's it maybe because bills are not getting paid. Mecare insurance is most peoples insurance. How can an office run if they are not getting paid and how people on regular insurance are not paying? It's alot and as far as seeing alot of pt's in a day,please stop and think of how many people no show for an appt and there are quite a few people who come in late for there appt and it throws the whole day off. We don't turn away people for uti or sorethroats,if people need to be seen we do our absolutely best to see them and it makes it hard when you lose 1hr1/2 because of no shows. There are two sides to every story. How do we fix it?

[JimMe]

Originally Posted by MainelyJersey

The legislators pushed through a bill late last night, signed today by the Governor.
It raises taxes on soda, wine, beer and flavored water.

Monies used to continue funding Dirigo. So much for "no new taxes".
And any thoughts of affordable healthcare in Maine.

This is not rocket science (except perhaps for our Governor and legislators). In New Hampshire health insurance costs about a third of what it costs in Maine. If they can figure it out we ought to be able, too.