CareFirst Blue Choice of VA..nice little premium increase (lawyers, to live)

[tgbwc]

Originally Posted by CAVA1990

Seems preferable though to the Republican philosophy that the sick and poor should just die. I guess health insurance was super cheap and never went up much under Bush.

You're right. There is no way to expand access to quality health care without government takeover. Forget letting families and businesses buy health insurance across state lines. There's no need to allow individuals, small businesses, and trade associations to pool together and acquire health insurance at lower prices, the same way large corporations and labor unions do. Why give states the tools to create their own innovative reforms that lower health care costs? The federal government runs things so well! We shouldn't even try to end junk lawsuits that contribute to higher health care costs by increasing the number of tests and procedures that physicians sometimes order not because they think it's good medicine, but because they are afraid of being sued.

[CAVA1990]

Originally Posted by tgbwc

You're right. There is no way to expand access to quality health care without government takeover. Forget letting families and businesses buy health insurance across state lines. There's no need to allow individuals, small businesses, and trade associations to pool together and acquire health insurance at lower prices, the same way large corporations and labor unions do. Why give states the tools to create their own innovative reforms that lower health care costs? The federal government runs things so well! We shouldn't even try to end junk lawsuits that contribute to higher health care costs by increasing the number of tests and procedures that physicians sometimes order not because they think it's good medicine, but because they are afraid of being sued.

Yeah that really worked out great when banks and credit card companies were allowed to do that. I'm sure you'll just love your insurance company based in South Dakota. The regulators there are so consumer friendly.

[GreenGene]

Originally Posted by tgbwc

Why give states the tools to create their own innovative reforms that lower health care costs?

In fact, the health care law does just that.

Here's some of the text from the H.R. 3590:

SEC. 1332. WAIVER FOR STATE INNOVATION.

(a) Application-

(1) IN GENERAL- A State may apply to the Secretary for the waiver of all or any requirements described in paragraph (2) with respect to health insurance coverage within that State for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2017.

There are some qualifications - any state that wanted to go this route would have to provide a system that would meet certain minimum requirements (see HR 3590). But if Virginia wanted to, they could do this.

[Yankeesfan]

Originally Posted by tgbwc

We shouldn't even try to end junk lawsuits that contribute to higher health care costs by increasing the number of tests and procedures that physicians sometimes order not because they think it's good medicine, but because they are afraid of being sued.

Howard Dean explained that at Jim Moran's town hall meeting in Reston last year: “This is the answer from a doctor and a politician. Here is why tort reform is not in the bill. When you go to pass a really enormous bill like that the more stuff you put in, the more enemies you make, right? And the reason why tort reform is not in the bill is because the people who wrote it did not want to take on the trial lawyers in addition to everybody else they were taking on, and that is the plain and simple truth. Now, that’s the truth.”

[CAVA1990]

Originally Posted by Yankeesfan

Howard Dean explained that at Jim Moran's town hall meeting in Reston last year: “This is the answer from a doctor and a politician. Here is why tort reform is not in the bill. When you go to pass a really enormous bill like that the more stuff you put in, the more enemies you make, right? And the reason why tort reform is not in the bill is because the people who wrote it did not want to take on the trial lawyers in addition to everybody else they were taking on, and that is the plain and simple truth. Now, that’s the truth.”

Tort reform is a red herring anyway. These "junk lawsuits" contribute about a half of a percent to the cost of healthcare.

Let's be honest, the cost of healthcare is largely driven by sick, old people. However since they represent a powerful voting constituency the politicians aren't going to go there with a 10 foot pole or even a blue ribbon commission. Republicans won't admit that getting a handle on health care costs means pulling the plug on grandma.

[bangorme]

Thank your President, and most of you can thank your representatives and senators. When are people going to learn that there is no free lunch?

[CAVA1990]

Originally Posted by bangorme

Thank your President, and most of you can thank your representatives and senators. When are people going to learn that there is no free lunch?

There is such thing as lunch at other groups' expense. When are people going to learn that's what politics are all about? Welcome to pluralism.

[dkf747]

Why are they increasing premiums so much now, when so many of the new changes don't go into effect until 2014? How much will they charge then?

[CAVA1990]

Originally Posted by dkf747

Why are they increasing premiums so much now, when so many of the new changes don't go into effect until 2014? How much will they charge then?

This has little to do with any legislation and is mainly due to the state of the economy. Younger healthier people are dropping out of the system, leaving the rest, the older and sicker who have to have insurance, to shoulder the cost. Presumably when the mandate kicks in and assuming it forces everyone into the pool, the average premium cost will drop. A mandate is the key to lower premiums.

[Yankeesfan]

Originally Posted by CAVA1990

Tort reform is a red herring anyway. These "junk lawsuits" contribute about a half of a percent to the cost of healthcare.

Untrue. A huge number of diagnostic tests and procedures are done so that doctors can protect themselves in case they are sued. A study published in July estimated the cost to be about $60 billion annually:

amednews: Defensive medicine to avoid liability lawsuits is widespread :: July 12, 2010 ... American Medical News