What Can Americans do About Health Care? (compare, rating, doctor)

[azloafer]

I am 66 and with an HMO/MEDICARE combo like millions of others. I had health insurance from my former employer until age 65, then it stopped according to my contract with them. I was dreading the change, but have been pleasantly surprised. When I go to the doctor I pay a $10 co-pay. When I am admitted to a hospital I pay a $300 co-pay. I have to take 6 different medications and I end up in the dreaded donut hole where I pay full price until I leave it and only pay a 5% co-pay on any type of drug. All in all this medicare plan has paid for more than my former Blue Cross/Blue Shield did. I can't complain at all. Sure, I would like the government to eliminate the donut hole, but everything considered, I am satisfied. I don't see what people are complaining about, unless they had some employer self insured plan that paid everything! And as far as those stories about all those americans without insurance...No hospital turns away anyone with an emergency condition, insurance or not! So, are they really without help...NO!

[burdell]

Originally Posted by Amaznjohn

The operative word there is "attempt". Any "attempt" by the federal government usually leads to corruption and a false sense of safety. I tend to put my faith more in the individual than the government.

So we give up because the government is corrupt instead of removing the corruption?

Let's look at the world you propose:

So the medication prescribed to treat your illness has caused you permanent harm? Tough luck mate but you can't expect those who don't suffer your illness to pay to test and regulate the treatment(s) prescribed for your illness. And extend this thru a number of different cases and so what if the average life span starts dipping into the 40s where it once was, we wouldn't want any intrusion by the government, right?

Your kids are of school age? I hope you can afford to send your kids to private school, after all, you can't expect those without kids to fund public education for your children, a little personal responsibility please.

Can't get parts for that new car you bought last year because the company quit the US? Too bad it's worthless now but don't expect the government to require parts be supplied for the car you bought, it's your problem.

This could go on ad infinitum. If you believe the sole purpose of the government should be national defense exactly what is it you think there'd be left that was worth defending?

[burdell]

Originally Posted by BigHouse9

How willingly? I mean the proof is in the pudding. I think it is fairly common knowledge that the beaureaucratic machine that is the government creates red tape and huge costs. You will sit back and ***** about FEMA, the military, the spending, and the list goes on and on.

Wouldn't it make more sense to fix the government than just give up and assume it can't be fixed?

Originally Posted by BigHouse9

But when it comes to health care, hey, let's hand our lives over to the government! I brought it up previously, I heard this one the other day that in England if you are a smoker, the government will deny you surgery until you can prove that you quit smoking. I would love to see if this is actually true or just a proposal but that is not taking care of the people.

The argument would carry more weight if you knew if it was true or not. And do you believe that similar 'medical' decisions aren't made every day by lawyers and statisticians? What's the difference who's making medical decsions based on many things other than medical factors? The reult is still lousy healthcare.

Originally Posted by BigHouse9

Let's see if we can name one thing the government does better than the private sector.

Underachieve yet endure?

Make empty promises?

Hey! That's two things

[Amaznjohn]

Originally Posted by burdell

So we give up because the government is corrupt instead of removing the corruption?

Let's look at the world you prose:

So the medication prescribed to treat your illness has caused you permanent harm? Tough luck mate but you can't expect those who don't suffer your illness to pay to test and regulate the treatment(s) prescribed for your illness. And extend this thru a number of different cases and so what if the average life span starts dipping into the 40s where it once was, we wouldn't want any intrusion by the government, right?

Your kids are of school age? I hope you can afford to send your kids to private school, after all, you can't expect those without kids to fund public education for your children, a little personal responsibility please.

Can't get parts for that new car you bought last year because the company quit the US? Too bad it's worthless now but don't expect the government to require parts be supplied for the car you bought, it's your problem.

This could go on ad infinitum. If you believe the sole purpose of the government should be national defense exactly what is it you think there'd be left that was worth defending?

You're assuming that once the government doesn't control these things, then noone would. If there's a market for used care parts, then someone will fill the need. The public school issue is another ball of wax. With less taxes being paid, many more will be able to afford private schools.

This too can go on ad infinitum. Whatever you consider a requirement for government intervention, I can find a possible private solution.

[Amaznjohn]

Originally Posted by burdell

So we give up because the government is corrupt instead of removing the corruption?

You won't remove corruption from government, just like you'll never rid the world of dishonest people. One must avoid interaction with these people, just as one must avoid putting responsibilities in the hands of government.

[burdell]

Originally Posted by Amaznjohn

You're assuming that once the government doesn't control these things, then noone would. If there's a market for used care parts, then someone will fill the need. The public school issue is another ball of wax. With less taxes being paid, many more will be able to afford private schools.

This too can go on ad infinitum. Whatever you consider a requirement for government intervention, I can find a possible private solution.

Possibly, maybe, could be don't count.

Admit it or not, like it or not, your life is touched everyday by things paid for by others and for the most part they've improved our standard of living. As in a manufacturer is required to siupply parts for vehicles thy've sold whether there's a market or not, that's not a possibility it's a fact. 'Possible' solutions are just that, possible, and you can't take 'possible' to the bank.

[burdell]

Originally Posted by Amaznjohn

You won't remove corruption from government, just like you'll never rid the world of dishonest people. One must avoid interaction with these people, just as one must avoid putting responsibilities in the hands of government.

If you really have so little faith in government why in hell are you so willing to task it with national defense? Sounds like you don't consider it important if you 'd give the respomsibility to a body you have such a low opinion of.

[azloafer]

Isn't this section supposed to be about health care???

[burdell]

Originally Posted by azloafer

Isn't this section supposed to be about health care???

It was but people think if we can blow up the world 20X over it's not enough, we should spend billion$ more to make it 30X over, but if you need a prescription drug to survive and can't afford it tough luck dude, you're on your own.

[TriMT7]

Originally Posted by azloafer

I am 66 and with an HMO/MEDICARE combo like millions of others. I had health insurance from my former employer until age 65, then it stopped according to my contract with them. I was dreading the change, but have been pleasantly surprised. When I go to the doctor I pay a $10 co-pay. When I am admitted to a hospital I pay a $300 co-pay. I have to take 6 different medications and I end up in the dreaded donut hole where I pay full price until I leave it and only pay a 5% co-pay on any type of drug. All in all this medicare plan has paid for more than my former Blue Cross/Blue Shield did. I can't complain at all. Sure, I would like the government to eliminate the donut hole, but everything considered, I am satisfied. I don't see what people are complaining about, unless they had some employer self insured plan that paid everything! And as far as those stories about all those americans without insurance...No hospital turns away anyone with an emergency condition, insurance or not! So, are they really without help...NO!

You don't see what everyone else is complaining about because you are enjoying a single-payer system, called medicare.