"Better" health care in the US

[Tangerine]

So now that we're close to getting the new health care bill passed and signed, I wonder exactly what in this massive spending bill do people think will be "better than what we have" for the American people?

So far, the two key components of the bill, as I have digested it, are this:

1) Prevents insurance companies from denying new policies to people based on a pre-existing medical condition.

Yay. This has been a problem. But this solution only means higher premiums for everyone else, since the costs of all of this extra coverage will have to be recouped somewhere. I can't imagine for one minute that this rule can be in place AND see premiums go down, as some have promised.

2) Every American is now REQUIRED BY LAW to purchase health insurance from a privately owned company. How again is this good for us? I know it will be of great benefit to the insurance companies, but how will people who are barely getting by now - and those unemployed or soon to be - afford to add an additional $2000 per year to their monthly expenses? If they can't afford to buy it NOW, how is being FORCED to buy some how "better than what we have now?"

 

[cam elle toe]

I've been waitng to reply then I'm off, all I can say is how it works here, in comparison to what I have heard and read about your health care system there.

I didnt know that it was gonna be LAW to purchase private health insurance....I dont see how that can be called "Universal"

here we pay a "Medicare Levy" to the govt out of our taxes, and it is based upon what you earn. You are covered for ALL public health care.

Then, you can choose to purchase "Private insurance" that guarantees you elective surgery, private hospitals and the choice of doctor.


So...for example....I earn OK money....but dont want or need private health insurance. SO a percentage comes out of my tax return to cover Medicare.

If I am in a car accident, need emergency surgery..AM GOING TO GIVE BIRTH....need to see my doctor,...then I'm covered.

I was appalled to read how a lot of you cant even afford a trip to your own GP.....and absolutely disgusted to read that it costs THOUSANDS of dollars...just to have a baby over there.

So....from what I have read, and heard of about your system of health care....you can keep it.

BUT.....I dont pretend to know all about it.

 

[Tangerine]

There is absolutely NO type of "universal" care in the new bills being voted on by congress. NO type of "public" health care system at all.

And yes, the new laws will REQUIRE every person to purchase health insurance.

 

[Peter Parka]

I know there was a lot of stink kicked up about it and Fox wheeled out some British nutjob Euro MP to say the NHS stinks. I also heard Obama say it wasn't going to be like the NHS. God knows if I know all the ins and outs and frankly, I'm not that bothered, its an American problem which has nothing to do with me. From posts that members have made here in the past though, I find it shocking that many of you put off going to a doctor because you cant afford it, glad I dont have to worry about that shit.

 

[GuesSAngel]

I know there was a lot of stink kicked up about it and Fox wheeled out some British nutjob Euro MP to say the NHS stinks. I also heard Obama say it wasn't going to be like the NHS. God knows if I know all the ins and outs and frankly, I'm not that bothered, its an American problem which has nothing to do with me. From posts that members have made here in the past though, I find it shocking that many of you put off going to a doctor because you cant afford it, glad I dont have to worry about that shit.

haha i'm sorry that i have to put up with that shit. i know we'll never get universal...that's why i'm waiting for the day that i can get the fuck out of here. health is everything...without it, well you'd simply be dead.

 

[kelvin070]

Health Care Woes?

YouTube - Senator Max Baucus Drunk / Intoxicated on Senate Floor - Shouts Down Wicker

 

[Goat Whisperer]

This also gives health insurance companies more power.. they can charge us anything, because we have no choice--we have to buy.

 

[Dana]

So now that we're close to getting the new health care bill passed and signed, I wonder exactly what in this massive spending bill do people think will be "better than what we have" for the American people?

So far, the two key components of the bill, as I have digested it, are this:

1) Prevents insurance companies from denying new policies to people based on a pre-existing medical condition.

Yay. This has been a problem. But this solution only means higher premiums for everyone else, since the costs of all of this extra coverage will have to be recouped somewhere. I can't imagine for one minute that this rule can be in place AND see premiums go down, as some have promised.

2) Every American is now REQUIRED BY LAW to purchase health insurance from a privately owned company. How again is this good for us? I know it will be of great benefit to the insurance companies, but how will people who are barely getting by now - and those unemployed or soon to be - afford to add an additional $2000 per year to their monthly expenses? If they can't afford to buy it NOW, how is being FORCED to buy some how "better than what we have now?"

Does that mean any Joe blow with a life long condition cab try to apply for an insurance policy? I can see it happening.

 

[Accountable]

haha i'm sorry that i have to put up with that shit. i know we'll never get universal...that's why i'm waiting for the day that i can get the fuck out of here. health is everything...without it, well you'd simply be dead.

"Waiting for the day"?? Looking at the map, Canada looks pretty close to PA. You should be able to drive there on less than a tank of gas. "Waiting for the day"? How's Wednesday for you?

That's the beauty of living in the land of freedom. You also have the freedom to leave.

 

[Accountable]

So now that we're close to getting the new health care bill passed and signed, I wonder exactly what in this massive spending bill do people think will be "better than what we have" for the American people?

So far, the two key components of the bill, as I have digested it, are this:

1) Prevents insurance companies from denying new policies to people based on a pre-existing medical condition.

Yay. This has been a problem. But this solution only means higher premiums for everyone else, since the costs of all of this extra coverage will have to be recouped somewhere. I can't imagine for one minute that this rule can be in place AND see premiums go down, as some have promised.

2) Every American is now REQUIRED BY LAW to purchase health insurance from a privately owned company. How again is this good for us? I know it will be of great benefit to the insurance companies, but how will people who are barely getting by now - and those unemployed or soon to be - afford to add an additional $2000 per year to their monthly expenses? If they can't afford to buy it NOW, how is being FORCED to buy some how "better than what we have now?"

This is what makes me so angry. The debate of WHETHER the federal gov't should take over healthcare got swept away with little more than a question or two. No interviewer even asks for justification; never has, so far as I know. It's like a car sales technique where the salesman tries to bypass the decision of IF the customer wants the car and shift the focus to throwing in a free air freshener and tank of gas. You don't have anything against free gas, do you?

Regardless of what anyone thinks of our healthcare system or who should fix it, can anyone show me in the US Constitution where it is the responsibility of the US Congress? PLEASE convince me, because it would really help my blood pressure.

 

[MoonOwl]

Too bad all our CongressCritters won't have to dump their plush plan we pay for and use this. That would guarantee they come up with something that does indeed work for everyone at a reasonable price....

I won't hold my breath.

 

[GuesSAngel]

"Waiting for the day"?? Looking at the map, Canada looks pretty close to PA. You should be able to drive there on less than a tank of gas. "Waiting for the day"? How's Wednesday for you?

That's the beauty of living in the land of freedom. You also have the freedom to leave.

there are a lot of land of freedoms out there. Wednesday would be good if we were financially ready. Canada is way too cold for me. haha and it would take more than 'less than a tank of gas'

 

[Meirionnydd]

I've been waitng to reply then I'm off, all I can say is how it works here, in comparison to what I have heard and read about your health care system there.

I didnt know that it was gonna be LAW to purchase private health insurance....I dont see how that can be called "Universal"

here we pay a "Medicare Levy" to the govt out of our taxes, and it is based upon what you earn. You are covered for ALL public health care.

Then, you can choose to purchase "Private insurance" that guarantees you elective surgery, private hospitals and the choice of doctor.


So...for example....I earn OK money....but dont want or need private health insurance. SO a percentage comes out of my tax return to cover Medicare.

If I am in a car accident, need emergency surgery..AM GOING TO GIVE BIRTH....need to see my doctor,...then I'm covered.

I was appalled to read how a lot of you cant even afford a trip to your own GP.....and absolutely disgusted to read that it costs THOUSANDS of dollars...just to have a baby over there.

So....from what I have read, and heard of about your system of health care....you can keep it.

BUT.....I dont pretend to know all about it.

Heh. We get paid thousands of dollars to have children here, quite a contrast isn't it?

Anyway, there are a lot of problems with the legislation passed in the Senate, namely, the new measures will only cover 93% of the population. Current levels of coverage among Americans hover around 85%, not exactly an acceptable improvement.

Also, the changes don't come into effect until 2014. Until then, given current figures, it can be estimated that over 135,000 Americans will die due to lack of proper health coverage, and millions will go bankrupt from medical bills.

 

[nova]

As of yet no one has shown me any problem that requires a complete takeover or rebuild of our medical system by anyone, much less the feds. What has been shown are issues where Medicaid needs serious reform....

 

[Accountable]

there are a lot of land of freedoms out there. Wednesday would be good if we were financially ready. Canada is way too cold for me. haha and it would take more than 'less than a tank of gas'

You're right. If you start from Philly (I used the farthest corner of PA since I don't know where you're from) you can get to Canada in about 8 hours & 2 tanks of gas, max. Cold should be no issue, since "health is everything" as you say. Better get going before you get sick under our abhorrent system. Let us know when you get there. :waving:

 

[Accountable]

Heh. We get paid thousands of dollars to have children here, quite a contrast isn't it?

Anyway, there are a lot of problems with the legislation passed in the Senate, namely, the new measures will only cover 93% of the population. Current levels of coverage among Americans hover around 85%, not exactly an acceptable improvement.

Also, the changes don't come into effect until 2014. Until then, given current figures, it can be estimated that over 135,000 Americans will die due to lack of proper health coverage, and millions will go bankrupt from medical bills.

Good. You're seeing the picture. So now, ask why they would call this reform if it's not. Ask why they're willing to spend nearly a trillion dollars up front for an unacceptable improvement.

The answers will get us closer to what's really going on, because it sure as fuck ain't compassion for the uninsured.

 

[GuesSAngel]

You're right. If you start from Philly (I used the farthest corner of PA since I don't know where you're from) you can get to Canada in about 8 hours & 2 tanks of gas, max. Cold should be no issue, since "health is everything" as you say. Better get going before you get sick under our abhorrent system. Let us know when you get there. :waving:

My car would never make it on only 2 tanks of gas, it's a freakin beast. lol health is everything so i say...ummm i'd like to see a raise of hands who doesn't care about their health. And if I got sick under our abhorrent system, which I have...I literally pay out of my ass for it.

And again, I don't like the cold brrrrrrr. much rather be somewhere tropical :nod:

 

[Accountable]

Okay, so climatic comfort is more important than health. Anything else?

 

[GuesSAngel]

No I want to be comfortable where I live. Canada isn't the only place in the world with free health care.

 

[BadBoy@TheWheel]

Here's what's crazy. Who do you think is licking their lips at the promise of passing this legislation?


Wait for it......Ready? Insurance companies....Who do you think the government is going to hand billions of dollars over to?

In the end, insurance companies will be running private healthcare, and federal. Mark my words.