Unclassified > The War Room
Healthcare Reform
CindyLouWho:
Any thoughts on Obama's ideas on healthcare reform? Everyone agrees something has to change but no one can agree on what those changes need to be. At a time when most of America is trying to find a way to save money, will a government health care plan, if made more affordable, or attainablefor the self-employed, put the private health care sector out of business? Will there be too many limitations put on us?
lifefeedsonlife:
In the words of Mr. Horse from Ren and Stimpy "Well, no sir, I don't like it."
We have the best healthcare in the world - and the most expensive. The two kinda go hand in hand. What we don't have is the best insurance system in the world . . . and I can see the desire for reform to assist those in need. This literally comes down to a very very basic issue: Is it the governments job to ensure the well-being of each and every one of its citizens?
There's pros and cons to each side of the answer to that question . . . and it can be VERY subjective depending on whom you ask. I imagine that some folks hit hard by the economy now may have had quite a different answer just months ago.
My main concern in all this is - with the government already meddling so much in the private sector (and doing a piss poor job of it I might add) - what makes us think they're gonna do a bang up job in this area now? It's a fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice and , and . . . we don't get fooled again situation. (Sorry - couldn't resisit that.)
Look at GM, they went bankrupt anyway (we HAD to "act now!") Look at the waste in the TARP bailouts. We're drowning in debt and the Feds response is to print money? I was in Russia in '98 when the ruble tanked. Didn't go well for them. It's happening to the dollar on the world market and it's gonna happen here . . . wait till the real inflation hits. And now they want to assume more debt and responsibility . . . ?
How big can the federal bureaucracy get before it implodes? Pass this healthcare reform act (President Obama has guaranteed its passage by fall) and we'll found out sooner than later.
Our portion of the species is making up odd new rules in the game of democracy we've been playing . . . some of its members are seeking a great deal of control right now by ignoring the rules set out some 230 years ago . . . .
TiFeMb:
* personal experience *
I have been on both sides in my career: Private insurance & a State run plan. I tend to like the state run plan for a variety of reasons:
* I paid one flat fee, MUCH less than any private plan I have ever had (currently my private plan has a 46.5% higher premium which really cuts into my bottom line salary)
* I only had to pay co-pays when I went to the physician or bought prescriptions, and the generic was always the default unless it wasn't available. In my current private plan, I pay ALL costs up to $3000 and then 80% of RETAIL.
* The state plan cost and cost increases are mediated by the legislature and the sheer volume of participants. We were told at the beginning of this year that our premiums are going to rise next year.
* All diagnostics (MRI, sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy :shocked: ) are paid through the state system, in this private system, all costs come out of my deductible. But these are PREVENTATIVE measures! Plus the providers jack up the cost of the tests when it is private, where they have a set fee for the state.
* I am lucky: My current employer GIVES me a debit card with $1500 on it to go towards that $3000 deductible, but I guarantee we are the exception and not the rule.
* Heath Care is the main reason I am trying to get back wuth the state. Call me names and tell me I'm going to hell in a handbasket but I can't afford 'private' insurance and I have GREAT insurance!!! The debate is about all the people who have non-existent or expensive insurance.
bighair80s:
i doubt my assesment is worthy, i am very biased and uneducated in the matter. i will offer two opinions from sources i trust.
this article and embedded video is from cnn and is of cleveland clinic. they have devised an internal system of cutting health care costs. it is very good, they also warn about some of obamas plans and hails some of them. as you know i am a BIG fan of cleveland clinic. mostly the heart center. the article is very insightful and balanced. http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/06/19/sotu.cleveland.clinic/index.html?iref=newssearch
secondly, my neighbor used to be the medical director for MMC. he is very suspicios of the new proposed legislation, says it is too important to be rushed so fast. (i am just giving you his opinion as mine is not actually educated ok?)
tife-your going in a handbasket :D
finally, our (the bighairs) health care costs, are ASTRONOMICAL. on both sides of the deal. insurance and medical costs. so far in life we have held our own. its getting tougher. WE HAVE TO AFFORD IT, WE FORGO CERTAIN THINGS TO AFFORD IT. mike was born with his heart issues, through no fault of his own. his issues are not the result of lousy health decisions. that is how life is sometimes. should you people pay? i suppose that is what part of the system was actually set up to do a long time ago, take care of "needy" in the society. i live with a guy who knows of no other way than to claw his way back from misfortune, no matter what. it does not even occur to him that someone should take care of him. perhaps someday he will have to bend to the notion that he has done all he can and done well and its time to rest. i think as long as he remains upright that time has not come. more than foolish pride i think it is honor and integrity. he could have been living off your dime most of his life.
sorry bout the blather
CindyLouWho:
My biggest concern is this proposed government plan putting the private sector out of business. Alot of people are not as financially stable as they were two years ago. Myself included. They are touting "choice" but if they make all sorts of promises and make it super affordable, even those who do not necessarily want to give into it may find they have to as another way to keep more of their paycheck......and the private insurance sector crumbles? Or becomes so astronomically expensive that only the truly wealthy will be able to have it......and again,only those with the money will get the best health care. Everyone needs to look at the big picture. Something will get each and every one of us. We are human and prone to disease and injury. We will not be youthful and healthy every day or for very long.
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