Should we blame the Nazis for our current healthcare conundrum?

Why not blame someone else?

I think we should be able to pick and choose our own health-care coverage like we do auto/home insurance. Employers could offer to help pay for your coverage as an incentive.

 

The bigger the insurance pool, the lower the individual risk, and the lower the overall cost. As soon as the population is divided up into different classes, whether by income, employment, age, or any other 'risk factor', insurance gets more expensive. This works for almost any type of insurance you care to name, including healthcare. I don't understand why people have no issues with 'group coverage' for something like fire insurance or police protection, yet have such strong objections to 'socialist' healthcare.

 

Very good explanation Hyo.

 

Why not buy health insurance the same way as home, disability, etc.? I take care of my health... why should I be lumped in with those that don't?

 

Because it is easier to blame those that aren't around (well in huge numbers at least).

You believe you are qualified to determine what medicine and treatment you need now and will need over the length of your coverage term? It seems much simpler to give everyone healthcare no strings attached. You can go to whatever doctor you please, they prescribe whatever medication they see fit, and everyone foots a small part of the bill. I am not sure why so many are against paying for other people. Do these same people complain about the donation jars for charity? I will happily pay a percentage of income tax to a general fund so all can use it for their healthcare. And if I ever need it, I would be glad it was there for me. Not everything must be about stuffing your pockets full of cash and gloating over those less fortunate.

 

Well that should be pretty obvious answer but if not;
Because, that individual has the freedom to choose what he/she wants/needs not some bureaucrat, duh. The pools would soon form just like everything else.

I recently combined my auto and home. Now we save a few bucks a month plus have the convenience of one bill. I could see being able to combine my major heath with my dental and vision in the same way. I could still see things like HCRA being used.

 

That is just plain sad that you and others have this desire to place words in others mouths. You simply have no idea of who I am. Please stop.

 

Stop taking things so personally. It wasn't intended as an attack on you. It was attack on those that think everyone should fend for themselves. If that is you, then yes it is an attack on you, but I wasn't singling you out... Grow up.

 

why don't you blame monopoly imposed by ABMS and others?

after all we are the only country which does not recognize the out of US doctor certifications.. or don't use latin-based terminology.

 

In a way, true, however we would have the option to use whichever one we wanted and that one (e.g. Coop or a trust) might be comprised of like-minded people want the best coverage for the least amount. The options are endless.

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SDrqa-eTXU&feature=related]South Park: Blame Canada Song & Video HD - YouTube[/ame]

 

We need more people like you.

 

We need to decouple health care from employment. This becomes very clear if you ever end up unemployed. Single payer (govt run) health care would be the easiest way to accomplish this and would theoretically be lowest cost. Insurance lobbyists and their captive politicians will never let it happen.

 

The individual can choose whatever doctor they want, and decide when and how often they need to go. The doctor decides what your health needs are, not some...'bureaucrat' whose job it is to deny coverage claims. The more claims that can be denied, for whatever reason, no matter how trivial, the higher the profits. The more insurance companies there are, the more...'bureaucrats' are employed, not only using your health care dollars that would be better spent elsewhere, but working hard to reduce your coverage. The more 'choice' you have of picking another insurance company, the more 'choice' they have to drop you if you're costing them too much. And if you change jobs, or lose your job, you and your family will lose your coverage. What kind of 'freedom' is that?

'Not for profit' healthcare puts people first. 'Not for people' healthcare puts profits first.

 

You are living in a fantasy world and have obviously never had to deal with hospitalization and fighting with the insurance company for basic treatment.

(yes that was directed to you)

 

Have you? (yes that was directed at you).

 

You have some good points, but as these things evolve, the tyrants will get left behind because there is competition there is choice. Also you are limiting your imagination here. Case in point: I am currently in a health trust in which a board of trustees (elected by the participants) manage our funds provided by our employer and us. The trust is mandated by the employer to meet certain minimums but otherwise have full reins. The trust has hired a company to process the claims. This year we saw an increase in coverage and a decrease in premiums. I am not saying we don't pay a chuck into it but the coverage is good. There are some decisions I haven't been on board with but in general the trustees have done a good job.

Nothing is perfect but I would rather side with the people than the government. I have worked for a couple government agencies and I know what goes on inside.