Health Issues at The White house

[BoneHead]

G,

Didn't mean to offend you. I (and I'm guessing others) inferred that you thought 90% was an incredulous statement. Many people think it is! I just wanted to point out the math.

I believe some people have been taken in by those that use disingenuous rhetoric to advocate their agendas. If that doesn't include you, I SINCERELY apologize.

I do however, disagree (to an extent), that we are PURPOSELY being porked by some Medical Pofession/Insurance Company cartel. Having worked as a mediary between the 2 for more than 20 years, I can guarantee you that their relationship is far more adversarial than it is cooperative. Docs believe that Ins Co's try to reimburse them at unfair levels to pad their profits and Insurance Co's believe many docs perform or bill for unnecessary procedures in order to pad their profits. Both sides have legitimate complaints about the other. The padding of profits reasoning is usually false however. There are abuses by both sides, but that is the exception rather than the rule. The current reimbursement rate of the primary (necessary) procedure in fee for service practices often doesn't cover the docs' costs. That's one reason why you'll almost always have that "just in case/just to be sure" 2ndary diagnosis and procedure(s) (blood test,swab culture,vitamin shot,urine sample) done. These are almost always legitimate and justifiable. But, one reason (there ARE others) they are done is to put the doc in the black. He deserves to make a living from his services. Ins Co's are aware of this practice and legitimately question and monitor the appropriateness of a providers' professional charges. Both health providers and Insurance co's have HUGE cost outlays and (as opposed to what many think and try to villify) VERY MODEST profit margins. In order for both of them to survive as viable economic entities, they are constantly questioning,challenging and often fighting each others' decisions. The problem is that the costs and resources used to pursue this constant battle are SUBSTANTIAL and are passed on to the sole eventual revenue source: The premium payer.

Unfortunately, it is the consumer/patient/premium payer that bears the price of this battle. What is so sad, is that both parties sincerely want and believe they are looking out for and providing their customers with the appropriate quality of service. So G, in conclusion, I don't believe that the two entities are in CAHOOTS and PURPOSELY trying to give us an anal shampoo. Do we end up getting screwed and paying more anyways? YOU BETCHA!

[GIMNEPIWO]

BoneHead ... 13 posts in, I don't expect you to know ... so I'll give you the heads up ... you can't offend me .. LMAOWIOAB ! ... I take very few things as serious as they could or should be taken ... but, good try !
Again, we are in agreement in more ways than you know ... no need to apologise, but if you feel compelled, you owe me a beer ...
I have been a business owner since I was 18 and have recently passed the half century mark ...and I've been around the block a time or two with doctors, hospitals and insurance companies ...

[BoneHead]

Intheblack,

I understand how you feel. I also am self employed and spend more than 10% (over $9,000) of my annual take home pay for my family's health coverage. I CHOOSE to carry that coverage for my family. I get what I pay for. I'm about to change our coverage because our current economic and physical (my children are older and my wife and I are still very healthy) health have changed. I can do it because I HAVE A CHOICE. With that choice, I accept the limits of my coverage. I get what I pay for! The policy I'm currently looking at is $5,000 a year less. Is it as inclusive as my current coverage? Is it everything I want for TOTAL security? Of course not! BUT, I have made that decision based upon MY knowledge of MY FAMILY'S current health and situation.

What do I get in return for my premium payments? I get the level of care that I chose. If I want/need more, I pay for it out of my pocket (this again is my choice and the results of MY decisions). I put money into the economies of the docs and insurance companies that employ people like myself. I help subsidize the health costs of those who use my docs services and can't pay for them. And, I help subsidize those whose government reimbursements (M-Care,M-Caid) don't fully cover the care of costs provided to them by my doctor and/or hospital. Would I like it if the price of my premiums went soley to MY CARE? That would be ideal. But that is not the reality of the system. I can except the concept of sharing my wealth and risks with the others in my insurance pool, but it bothers me to know that I am INVOLUNTARILY also subsidizing those outside of it. If you want to know why your premiums continue to climb, the need to subsidize the government insured and those without coverage, is a MAJOR contributing factor.

The alternative system that is currently being proposed, does nothing to alleviate those concerns. Not only does it maintain those subsidies, it EXPANDS them. You will not be able to choose the extent of your coverage, it will be chosen for you. The decision won't be based on your knowledge of your family's needs, but rather on the decision of a bureaucrat or legislator(s). It will be based on a faceless formulary or political analysis. You won't have any choice on what you pay for that coverage, the government will decide what your MANDATORY contribution will be (read TAX). You won't have any say as to where or to what Dr. or Company YOUR money goes. It will go WHEREVER and to WHATEVER fund the pols want to send it. Real similar to where your FICA (MCARE,Soc Sec) funds go now! We are being asked to give up OUR ability to CHOOSE what is best for us for a promise of security from the government. The problem with the proposed coverage and PROMISE is that it can be changed or broken ANYTIME with the majority of a vote or the stroke of a pen. The ability to regain our liberty to choose is far more difficult!

I've seen what kind of healthcare the government provides and promises. I'm a VA eligible vet and I'm glad that it exist, but I swear that I'll go BK paying for my private policy before I'll EVER, EVER allow myself to be sent there.

The current system is ABSOLUTELY messed up. Its flaws and inequities need to be addressed and fixed. I firmly believe that a free market/openly competitive fix could do wonders for our access to healthcare. But even if the current system remains unchanged, the proposed alternative is MUCH WORSE!

JMO,

Bonehead

[Skarp]

Intheblack,

I understand how you feel. I also am self employed and spend more than 10% (over $9,000) of my annual take home pay for my family's health coverage. I CHOOSE to carry that coverage for my family. I get what I pay for. I'm about to change our coverage because our current economic and physical (my children are older and my wife and I are still very healthy) health have changed. I can do it because I HAVE A CHOICE. With that choice, I accept the limits of my coverage. I get what I pay for! The policy I'm currently looking at is $5,000 a year less. Is it as inclusive as my current coverage? Is it everything I want for TOTAL security? Of course not! BUT, I have made that decision based upon MY knowledge of MY FAMILY'S current health and situation.

What do I get in return for my premium payments? I get the level of care that I chose. If I want/need more, I pay for it out of my pocket (this again is my choice and the results of MY decisions). I put money into the economies of the docs and insurance companies that employ people like myself. I help subsidize the health costs of those who use my docs services and can't pay for them. And, I help subsidize those whose government reimbursements (M-Care,M-Caid) don't fully cover the care of costs provided to them by my doctor and/or hospital. Would I like it if the price of my premiums went soley to MY CARE? That would be ideal. But that is not the reality of the system. I can except the concept of sharing my wealth and risks with the others in my insurance pool, but it bothers me to know that I am INVOLUNTARILY also subsidizing those outside of it. If you want to know why your premiums continue to climb, the need to subsidize the government insured and those without coverage, is a MAJOR contributing factor.

The alternative system that is currently being proposed, does nothing to alleviate those concerns. Not only does it maintain those subsidies, it EXPANDS them. You will not be able to choose the extent of your coverage, it will be chosen for you. The decision won't be based on your knowledge of your family's needs, but rather on the decision of a bureaucrat or legislator(s). It will be based on a faceless formulary or political analysis. You won't have any choice on what you pay for that coverage, the government will decide what your MANDATORY contribution will be (read TAX). You won't have any say as to where or to what Dr. or Company YOUR money goes. It will go WHEREVER and to WHATEVER fund the pols want to send it. Real similar to where your FICA (MCARE,Soc Sec) funds go now! We are being asked to give up OUR ability to CHOOSE what is best for us for a promise of security from the government. The problem with the proposed coverage and PROMISE is that it can be changed or broken ANYTIME with the majority of a vote or the stroke of a pen. The ability to regain our liberty to choose is far more difficult!

I've seen what kind of healthcare the government provides and promises. I'm a VA eligible vet and I'm glad that it exist, but I swear that I'll go BK paying for my private policy before I'll EVER, EVER allow myself to be sent there.

The current system is ABSOLUTELY messed up. Its flaws and inequities need to be addressed and fixed. I firmly believe that a free market/openly competitive fix could do wonders for our access to healthcare. But even if the current system remains unchanged, the proposed alternative is MUCH WORSE!

JMO,

Bonehead

What he said.

[Joe]

Anyone that thinks the Medical Profession and Insurance Companies aren't playing Bubba in a game of drop the soap with the public better see their proctologist ...

GERONIMO

You know after we let you build all those casinos in Oklahoma, we was hoping that some of that new learnin’ would take place with all that new found coin…

So let’s start with the basics:

1. America has the best healthcare in the world.
2. Everyone has access to healthcare, including Juan Jose from Veracruz.

Now, you’ll notice the careful wording of those two statements:

When Canadians, Europeans, and such find themselves in dire need of top quality healthcare, where do you think they end up? The good ole’ USA. When they don’t want to mess with the queue, where do they go? The USA. When they want to bypass government red tape, where do they go? The USA! When they don’t want some dweeb that looks like Skarp’s avatar, dictating what kind of healthcare they will receive, where do they go? THE USA!

USA! USA!! USA!!!

So while the world agrees that the USA has the best healthcare on the planet, some would argue, whine, cry…about the fact that not everyone has access to the best healthcare on the planet,… but then, not everyone has access to a Mercedes Benz either. Clearly though, EVERYONE has access to healthcare in America. There are programs already in place that serve as a safety net for the needy, Juan can show up at any emergency room in this country and get care, and there are multitudes of charities, churches, volunteer medical/dental organizations that can and will help pick up the slack.

Conclusion: Everyone can get healthcare, but not everyone will get the best healthcare. This is the way it’s always been and nothing will change with or without Obamacare. Let me assure you that if universal coverage ever comes to your home, those with plenty of cash will buy private insurance and continue to receive the best while the rest will rot in some line with la familia de Juan Jose.

And pre-existing conditions??? Puleeeze! If my car is wrecked and then I buy insurance, should I expect the insurance company to fix my car? Don’t think so…! If you want healthcare for existing conditions, stop calling it insurance!

Now moving on…

DonnieS… ‘splained it as simple as it can be. You see my friend, DonnieS from South Texas knows something about economics, consumerism and competition. He’s decided to:

1. Hold his premium in his own pocket of his favorite jeans…(that are two sizes too small),
2. Raise his deductible, and
3. Pay for routine “finger up the ass” exams out of petty cash.

Health insurance should be used for catastrophic care only…PERIOD. If there are idiots out there that want a $100 deductible and make the CEO of his favorite insurance company look great to their shareholders, who am I stand in the way of that? It’s called Capitalism, my friend! As a shareholder of Aetna…… I ‘preciate it.

Same with the Docs! You want to regulate the Doc’s pay? Okay. Let’s look at the guy making the burgs at Micky D’s. He’s a contributor to our health woes… and by God, we need to jack with his paycheck ‘cause he’s making us all eat those cow burgers. Same for the movie stars! They make us go to the theater and eat all that crappy popcorn. Or how about the nurserymen? Because of global warming…we should all get our trees free because surely we could use some more shade? Hmmmmmmm.

So here’s the plan….you got a problem with healthcare in this country? Go look in the mirror.

If you look down and can’t see your pecker…you’re a fat slob ………nuff said. Buy a treadmill.

If you’re paying the insurance company too much coin? Start shopping and wake the f#@k up. Get your financial house in order and then call me in the morning.

If you’re down on your luck and need help, there are ways to get it without screwing with the rest of us. Just ask Juan Jose

[Dugout Dad]

Bonehead and Joe, Bravo, well said!

[coachmatt]

check this out

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=G44NCvNDLfc