Healthcare

hortysir · 07-19-2008, 11:33 PM

I'm starting this thread because we seemed to get off track on the "Should this be Allowed" thread.
Do we need big government to step in and take over the health care system? We already have beurocrats making medical decisions in our HMOs and PPOs.
Do we need to better regulate the medical practices?
Do we need to curtail insurance company's premiums?
.
.
IndianJoe posed a legitimate question:
How do we fix it?
.
.
I'm fortunate enough that my employer pays 70% of my health insurance premiums. Making my BC/BS very affordable.
Many aren't that lucky. Bigger corporations, Wal-Mart for one, don't pay a portion of premiums and their plans have higher prices. Many of their employees have to rely on Medicaid, WIC, etc...
.
I'm obviously against big brother making medical decisions for me.
I'm also against government telling a business that they are over-charging for a service.
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.
.
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**squirt** · 07-19-2008, 11:53 PM

I wish I knew how to fix it, we can't even afford to have me added to hubby's insurance, and being without a job myself, I'm screwed lol one thing is certain, the way it is now is NOT working!

**essex boy** · 07-20-2008, 03:49 AM

There should be free Health Care for all.
People who have most of their insurance paid for them would be less off but it's worth it to know that no-one is going to be in a position of worrying about what to put first..health insurance or food/heating.

Flynn · 07-20-2008, 05:24 AM

Different countries different systems but I'm surprised that so many Americans can not afford health insurance.

hortysir · 07-20-2008, 08:19 PM

There really is no real regulation of what insurance companies can charge.
Without my company paying most of mine, the regular rate for coverage for me and the wife--based on age and medical history would be $500/month. (my mortgage isn't much more than that)
A young couple on minimum wage MIGHT be able to find an affordable premium, but the deductibles and co-pays would kill 'em.
..
.
'Free health Care' isn't really free for the taxpayers.
Most businesses don't pay a portion of employee premiums so, to off-set the higher taxes needed to fund healthcare we would also have to raise the wages....which puts an extra burden on the business owner...which translates to higher prices...etc, etc, etc....
?
?
?
?

sunburstlespaulhero1989 · 07-20-2008, 10:29 PM

I think if we did Universal healthcare now, it would be messed up. I have seen how it is in Canada and I have heard from a close friend that lives there about the problems about it. I have heard from an interesting source that France has somehow been able to fix all of the problems. I am right now for gradual application, I believe that if we gradually apply it, some of the problems might get fixed.

sybarite · 07-21-2008, 08:19 AM

The health care system we have now is not working. A huge chunk comes out of dh's check for insurance, but if we had socialized health care, the same amount or more would come out in the extra taxes to support the program. I think AR has to pay extra for private health care along with socialized health care. She would be better to explain how that works. I know many people from Canada come to the U.S. because they are too far down on the list and need care now. I really don't know what the solution to this would be.

Flynn · 07-21-2008, 08:32 AM

There is no comparison to what AR in Denmark or what I pay in Australia to the American health care system.

It's not just the Health system that needs to be changed in the USA, the whole taxation system needs to be updated.

**essex boy** · 07-21-2008, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sybarite

The health care system we have now is not working. A huge chunk comes out of dh's check for insurance, but if we had socialized health care, the same amount or more would come out in the extra taxes to support the program. I think AR has to pay extra for private health care along with socialized health care. She would be better to explain how that works. I know many people from Canada come to the U.S. because they are too far down on the list and need care now. I really don't know what the solution to this would be.

I should imagine it's the same as the UK
If you want to pay insurance or cash per treatment for private health care you can.
You can't opt out of paying the tax for National Health though,that's available for everyone right up to the Queen.

AutumnRain · 07-21-2008, 11:42 AM

its simple... there is a national health service here.. we are entitled to free treatment.. private health treatment is optional.. I choose to go private because i can afford to and because it means i dont have long waiting times.. that way i can get back to work quicker..

sorry folks I miss chatting and debating but my mother in law is visiting and she gives me hell

07-19-2008, 11:33 PM	#1 (permalink)
hortysir Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: South...Thank God! Posts: 19,812 Rep Power: 3575	Healthcare I'm starting this thread because we seemed to get off track on the "Should this be Allowed" thread. Do we need big government to step in and take over the health care system? We already have beurocrats making medical decisions in our HMOs and PPOs. Do we need to better regulate the medical practices? Do we need to curtail insurance company's premiums? . . IndianJoe posed a legitimate question: How do we fix it? . . I'm fortunate enough that my employer pays 70% of my health insurance premiums. Making my BC/BS very affordable. Many aren't that lucky. Bigger corporations, Wal-Mart for one, don't pay a portion of premiums and their plans have higher prices. Many of their employees have to rely on Medicaid, WIC, etc... . I'm obviously against big brother making medical decisions for me. I'm also against government telling a business that they are over-charging for a service. . . . . __________________

07-20-2008, 03:49 AM	#3 (permalink)
essex boy Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Southend,Essex,England Posts: 44,263 Rep Power: 4912	There should be free Health Care for all. People who have most of their insurance paid for them would be less off but it's worth it to know that no-one is going to be in a position of worrying about what to put first..health insurance or food/heating. __________________

07-20-2008, 08:19 PM	#5 (permalink)
hortysir Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: South...Thank God! Posts: 19,812 Rep Power: 3575	There really is no real regulation of what insurance companies can charge. Without my company paying most of mine, the regular rate for coverage for me and the wife--based on age and medical history would be $500/month. (my mortgage isn't much more than that) A young couple on minimum wage MIGHT be able to find an affordable premium, but the deductibles and co-pays would kill 'em. .. . 'Free health Care' isn't really free for the taxpayers. Most businesses don't pay a portion of employee premiums so, to off-set the higher taxes needed to fund healthcare we would also have to raise the wages....which puts an extra burden on the business owner...which translates to higher prices...etc, etc, etc.... ? ? ? ? __________________

07-21-2008, 08:19 AM	#7 (permalink)
sybarite Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 2,489 Rep Power: 903	The health care system we have now is not working. A huge chunk comes out of dh's check for insurance, but if we had socialized health care, the same amount or more would come out in the extra taxes to support the program. I think AR has to pay extra for private health care along with socialized health care. She would be better to explain how that works. I know many people from Canada come to the U.S. because they are too far down on the list and need care now. I really don't know what the solution to this would be. __________________

07-21-2008, 11:42 AM	#10 (permalink)
AutumnRain Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: VestJylland Posts: 3,540 Rep Power: 1348	its simple... there is a national health service here.. we are entitled to free treatment.. private health treatment is optional.. I choose to go private because i can afford to and because it means i dont have long waiting times.. that way i can get back to work quicker.. sorry folks I miss chatting and debating but my mother in law is visiting and she gives me hell __________________ could it be I'm falling in love

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07-19-2008, 11:53 PM	#2 (permalink)
squirt Super Moderator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 355,740 Rep Power: 8572	I wish I knew how to fix it, we can't even afford to have me added to hubby's insurance, and being without a job myself, I'm screwed lol one thing is certain, the way it is now is NOT working!

07-20-2008, 05:24 AM	#4 (permalink)
Flynn Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: The Austrlaian Capital Territory, Canberra, Flynn 2615 Posts: 6,614 Blog Entries: 18 Rep Power: 1049	Different countries different systems but I'm surprised that so many Americans can not afford health insurance.

07-20-2008, 10:29 PM	#6 (permalink)
sunburstlespaulhero1989 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 6,220 Blog Entries: 1 Rep Power: 1180	I think if we did Universal healthcare now, it would be messed up. I have seen how it is in Canada and I have heard from a close friend that lives there about the problems about it. I have heard from an interesting source that France has somehow been able to fix all of the problems. I am right now for gradual application, I believe that if we gradually apply it, some of the problems might get fixed.

07-21-2008, 08:32 AM	#8 (permalink)
Flynn Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: The Austrlaian Capital Territory, Canberra, Flynn 2615 Posts: 6,614 Blog Entries: 18 Rep Power: 1049	There is no comparison to what AR in Denmark or what I pay in Australia to the American health care system. It's not just the Health system that needs to be changed in the USA, the whole taxation system needs to be updated.