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The problem is . . . our employers underwrite some of the cost of healthcare insurance. Therefore, the premiums are lower than they would be if we took out our own individual policy.
This is so important. Individually we can get dinged for anything we have worng with us in underwriting, in GROUP COVERAGE it's averaged out in a way. Which, of course, is the main idea behind nation health care programs where EVERYONE jumps into the same pool and gets averaged out.
Location: Democratic Peoples Republic of Redneckistan
11,078 posts, read 15,080,865 times
Reputation: 3937
Quote:
Originally Posted by camping!
What I want or what I think is economically feasible? Two very different things - like everything else in life.
I would like to see an state run group insurance program for those that are uninsurable (preexisting conditions), those who have employers who do not offer insurance or those that are self employed and cannot afford traditional individual insurance. I would like to see those that opt out of all insurance programs held to the fire to pay their medical bills so that the rest (insured) aren't punished for it by escalating costs.
Make purchasing health care / insurance like auto insurance or homeowner's insurance. For those who can't afford it issue vouchers.
Standardize coverage:
12 health plans offered to everyone: 3 HMOs, 3 PPOs, 3 HSAs and 3 of the traditional 80/20 splits. Every insurer would have to sell identical plans. That way you could switch to another insurer's HMO plan No. 2 if your insurer's HMO plan No. 2 is too costly.
End the transaction-based model:
We spend roughly twice what any other wealthy industrial nation does per capita. Our system heavily compensates transactional-based medicine - such as doing a procedure or surgery - instead of the actual act of diagnosing. The only insurer that's an exception to the rule here is Kaiser Permanente. The result of our system's set up is that we over-treat.
The above are ideas I have heard discussed from time to time by Clark Howard. (He gives great consumer advice by the way)
If you were robbed or your home caught fire, I'm guessing that would be very personal to you. But I never hear, "I want my government to stay out of my personal life" with regard to police or fire protection. Why is that? From what I see, "I want my government to stay out of my personal life" is nothing more than a talking point with regard to healthcare.
My mother is on Medicare. She sees the same doctor as when she was insured through her employer. My girlfriend has been treated by the VA for close to 30 years now. Neither one feels any government "intrusion." I accompany my girlfriend to the VA hospital on many occassions. It's no different than any other hospital I've seen. There are no government agents spying on you while in the waiting room. A bureaucrat does not lie in wait as you approach the hospital steps. Such claims of govt. intrusion are nonsense.
I disagree entirely. That you acheived this does not indicate everyone can do the same. Furthermore, our current system transfers costs from those who can't pay to those who can. Also, one cannot negotiate a bill of several hundred thousand dollars down to a few thousand. Ain't gonna happen. Can't happen.
Why did you take my post so personal? I don't know you and made no negative connotation to anyone.
I'm not flaming you, or spitting hate. The attack on my post is why all of these posts eventually drivel down to meanness and intolerance. I answered the OP. I didn't degrade anyone for anything. You can call my words "talking points" all you want. But to attack my opinion when I was trying to engage in a peaceful debate is why NOTHING is getting accomplished right now.
End the transaction-based model:
We spend roughly twice what any other wealthy industrial nation does per capita. Our system heavily compensates transactional-based medicine - such as doing a procedure or surgery - instead of the actual act of diagnosing. The only insurer that's an exception to the rule here is Kaiser Permanente. The result of our system's set up is that we over-treat.
I was able to negociate the cost I paid for medical services for my son because the specialist knew he was going to get cash and wouldn't have to file paperwork and wait for payment. He was appreciative, I was very appreciate, and I walked away from that entire experience feeling in control of my own money and health.
This sounds like negotiating for a car, something I stopped doing decades ago because it was so shady. I don't want health care to be like that. Special deals lead to under the table transactions then you have a bigger mess.
I'm glad it worked out for you and your son however.
I'm reading it and hearing many wanting to get more than they ought have. Here's a SIMPLE proposition.... yeah somebody out there is gonna read something that I'm not writing and make it more than what I said.
Proposition Number One:
Set up a community development project where health care costs for the uninsured cost the taxpayer an amount that is equivalent for the service that was delivered. This means community health centers and hospitals for the uninsured. Why should the taxpayer pay a bill for an uninsured person where the bill includes profit? Emergency room admitees will, after triage, be sent to the appropriate local community health care delivery facility.
Proposition Number Two:
Health care delivery is different than health care insurance. If you are fortunate enough to have health care insurance that actually pays for services that are beyond that available under Proposition Number One then you should be able to keep it. May those health care providers who acquire a "healthy income" continue to exist with providing you this service. Specialists who provide services to those who are covered will have to be taxed in order to provide for Proposition Number One, that is until such time that an appropriate adjustment is made to eliminate the need for cost of capital projects being born by the taxpayer.
Proposition Number Three:
Re-read propositions One and Two and if you want something better then go to another country that provides it.
If you want to become a RN or MD but are unable to because of finances then you can gain a free education and work at the clinic. After which you can serve those who have insurance or continue at the clinic for performance bonuses.
Practical matters are involved, but this is a relatively straight forward issue. Like most issues in America, we've got to make something out of it that isn't quite there.
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nuff' said.
