New Health Care reforms

What are the opinions of our respected members about the newly passed bill. On one hand it facilitates more people but on the other hand tax rate has also been increased. It has pros and cons.

 

I normally try to reserve my opinions until I have actually read the legislation. I can say that I agree with the principles of it, as I understand them, but will reserve my (meaningless) judgement of it for the time that I have to sit down and study for a while.

That's where I'm at. And now for the respected members' turn....

 

It was shameful in my opinion that 32 million people in this country were not covered by health insurance. Looking around the world, it would seem that single payer is the most efficient best option. The public option would have been a reasonable alternative. I believe that they can continue to make improvements as time goes on like they have to social security and medicare.

 

Good points Bill. Without programs like social security and medicare, so many would be destitute, thus causing more burdens upon society. With these programs, seniors can subsist and receive medical care. Is this wrong? Of course not. These programs were met with great resistance while being proposed. These types of decisions are not about popularity, they are about the "right thing to do".

When people see and feel some of the features such as: 1. Insurace companies cannot drop you when you become seriously ill 2. There will be no cap on cancer, thus saving people from losing there homes and leaving debt to their family 3. Dependent children will be covered until age 26. 4. Insurance companies cannot deny a women's claim after being beaten by her spouse. 5. Insurance companies cannot deny a women's claim after being raped. These are just a few things for starters.

Having been a Claims Adjuster formerly, I can tell you Insurance companies are worried about dollars and cents, not human beings. If they can save a penny, they will. Of course, this comes at the expense of living, breathing human beings. I left this field after having blown the whistle on some horrible practices. This essentially ended my career in that field. But you know what? I would do it again.

So what do it think? I think the health care bill is a good start. You have to start somewhere. It is also the right thing to do. No matter what religion one is (or none), we have a responsibility to the less fortunate. I have debated this question hundreds if not thousands of times. The questions usually boils down to: "Why don't people just lift themselvers up by their bootstraps?" Why doesn't their church or family take care of them?" "The community/volunteers will take care of them". My response? Some people have no family. Some people are suddenly disabled and cannot work or take care of themselves. Volunteer organizations do not have the proper structure to take care of someone permanently disabled and in need of medical care. In this economy, one stroke of bad luck will take someone down very quickly.

In short, this is the Christian (right thing to do) thing to do (if this is the Way/Tao) you believe.

This is my opinion, and I am SURE others will quickly disagree.

Abner

Have a good Easter brothers and sisters.

 

Years ago our nation as the leading democracy in the world voted for the UN Declaration of Human Rights which is considered customary international law by the various non-party international courts. So I mention this due to the provisions we as a nation agreed were human rights of all peoples to adequete shelter, food, education and health care. So isn't it about time we as a nation put our actions to that as a matter of honor for our citizens who are in need of these things?

If they must tax more than fine do so raise taxes, from all citizens to privde for all these things including health care. I will not they used to tax the wealthy far more than they do now so why are we letting them get by on a meager 38-42% they should pay perhaps 52% after all its the work of those less resource rich that gives them their wealth directly or indirectly.

And I could see 2-9% more in taxes on everyone else.

Do I like this bill no I think it was sloppy but it can be fixed and is a start.

 

Well, we actually have been offering free health care for many, many years. Anyone who needs care can never be turned away at an emergency room. So, by those standards, our country has been living up to this Declaration of Human Rights. The Declaration of Human Rights does not guarantee health INSURANCE to all... big difference. I do not think that everyone has an inalienable right to health INSURANCE... and I certainly do not think it is my responsibility to pay for it.

I would be all for paying for others health insurance if it was going to cost less than the current system of free care through emergency rooms, but this bill does not accomplish that.

 

I have not read the legislation, and probably never will. However, my sister who works in the medical field was telling me that it is going to royally screw over small practitioners because of how the laws will mandate insurance coverage. For example, she told me that for certain types of insurances, the new laws will require that a doctor can only charge about $25 a visit. Mind you, that's not the lab work, x-rays and all that stuff. It's just for the visit. So, assuming 4 visits an hour, that'd be $100 an hour. That's not enough to pay the salaries of the doctor, the nurses, the lab techies, the receptionists, the file clerks, etc.

I don't know how it will affect big time health providers, but my sister was overly concerned that it would negatively affect small family practices. Our community has already been screwed over by insurance and liability laws in the past. Our hospital had to close down their maternity ward, so now we have to drive 1.5 to 2 hours to the hospital to deliver a baby. In addition, the local OB/GYNs had to stop practicing the OB portion because of their liability costs. It's extremely unfortunate, considering now my wife and I are expecting our second child and have to go so far out of the way to have him.

Don't get me wrong. I'm for reform, but it needs to be done in such a way that doctors and practices can survive.

-Matt

 

I meant health care of an adequete nature, I don't see ignoring caring for the working poor and those in medical need with chronic medical conditions is living up to the Declaration. I know people who work, are disabled or just not earning much and have serious medical needs that can be helped with basic access to care. Such as getting diabetic treatment now to avoid far worse conditions later on.

Add to that going bankrupt over medical bills even when you have insurance is just not right, no one can say it is here I hope.

I see this as important legislation that does need some work and more taxes raised that is fine by me.

On a side note there is a concern about the number of doctors since everyone agrees most of the new insured would be healthy is that an issue, the rest are in need and have to get care or suffer.

I will also point out say I'm having medical complications due to diabetes and don't get care and I go blind. You would lose a working disabled person that save for health care is not a burden and have to give me disability checks, food stamps, housing assistance and Medicaid as a now ward of the state. Not a rare case in my area many people I know work and can fend for their needs save Health Care and are one serious complication away from being tax payer supported fully. What sense does that make? Add to that the personal suffering and loss of pride of the once working person now sitting there with nothing and poor health. Its cheaper to cover the worse of the poor that work but just don't make enough and sadly I read a statistic during the job boom over half the jobs paid an average of $16k a year. What kind of health care can people afford on that.

 

I could not agree more, everyone should be entitled to free health care. Our Nation is very resource wealthy and we cannot overlook the poor and needy.We can start first by creating the VAT like the countries in Europe do to pay for their programs. Legalize drugs and tax them.Anyone who has a job can have their payroll taxed at 50% to pay for this program. What is in this bill, everyone seems to like it, but no one has even read it? If we have post-abortion in the bill, we can save even more money by getting rid of the old people, they do not contribute to society, except by voting for those evil tea-bagging republicans.

We can always model our program after Cuba and England. They have great medical coverage and it is free. But, which insurance company will cover me when they are all out business? The single payer Uncle Sam HMO, plan? When the economy collapses who will pay my premiums? The union will pay for it!

Maybe we should look at the facts and not our emotions when looking at the big picture of "So Called Health Care Reform" my 2C$

 

http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/essays/experts-on-how-the-health-care-law-will-affect-you/1084841

This link covers most of the basics that are in the Health Care Reform Bill and what at least local experts in Florida think about these points.

 

While I am not entirely in favor of national health insurance, I supported the bill because something needed to be done and with something in place, at least modification can be accomplished.

Medications are outrageous and having to pay deductibles when already paying $400-$500 per month for health insurance is almost criminal.

I still have some mixed feelings, however. For instance, why should the taxpayers pay for poor choices? Gluttons, drunks, nicotine addicts, promiscuous folks, etc., cause their health problems and should take responsibility for their actions.

Victims of mesothelioma, black lung, traffic accidents, crime, etc., are a different story.

 

Oh gee, you have really enlightened me. Go back to your van.

Abner

 

I did my taxes this weekend. My medical expenses totaled $13,900 for 2009.

On top of that I probably paid another $10,000 or so in medical premiums that are part of my taxes or a part of the purchase price of the everyday products and services I buy.

Somewhere I read that the medical costs of 30% of US workers are paid from taxes (federal, state, & local govt workers, defense and other govt supported industry workers, and of course many politicians).

 

Taiwan had the same issues and when they set-up thier health care system combining the best aspects as they saw it of the German (using existing free market options), English (government was the source of funding) and French (electronic health card) models they had many PRIVATE market providerspop up to meet the demand. So waht makes you all think with all that money on the line American good old fashioned ingenuity won't meet the demands for medical care here?

There are many options nursing practices, states bringing in more qualified foreign doctors, streamlining medical education, granting sovereign immunity when medical providers offer care to Medicaid enrollees in return for a mandated cut in malpractice insurance, raising local funds for a community hospital - etc.

Isn't much of this up to states to reform and adapt to it can't all be on the Federal Government.

 

This health care reform bill is a mess; unfortunately, arguments will be presented all the way the U.S. Supreme Court...a waste of time an energy.

 

Wowzers! You should look into a high deductible plan. Our employee switched to these (as an option) as year. Our premiums are about $200 lower each month, but we have to pay for everything up to our $3,000 deductible. At that point, the insurance covers everything. Prescriptions also count towards the deductible. You need to have a Health Savings Account with these types of plans, and the funds you put into these accounts are also a tax savings.

-Matt

 

Over $3,000 was for dental work where I have no insurance. The rest is pretty typical of most people I know in my age group (this was for two of us).
Incidentally this is the lowest cost plan available from my former employer (who, during the Clinton hearings way back in history, claimed that they spent $7,200 per employee per year on heath care).

There are 2 MDs in my bike club who gave up medicine in the last few years because of all the bureaucracy involved with insurance companies.

 

Most people believe I'm way out in right field on this one. I acknowledge the usual response to my opinion and the possibility they are right!
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I believe the reforms should have focused on making the procedures themselves cheaper. I believe that health care costs due to several variables (gov't, insurance companies, those who cannot pay) have inflated to roughly 3x or 4x the actual cost. Surely there is some way to bring that cost back down making it so that actual procedures cost less. Then (with the exception of chronic illness) most people would be able to pay their own way in cash.

Does anybody think this is actually workable? Any medical professionals in particular who would be well educated on this issue?

Consider for a moment the economy clinics popping up that are run by RNs, etc. This kind of business model that does NOT ACCEPT insurance and requires cash up front charges under $100 for most basic procedures. One in town charges a flat rate of $60 for everything they do! If I was in a typical setting it would cost hundreds.

Another interesting example is a chiropractor in town who charges $25 and also does not take insurance. Are you seeing a pattern here?

So yes, I blame the insurance companies, but unlike my truly respected left-leaning humanitarian acquaintances I believe that government is simply the ultimate insurance company. There must be a better way.