And just what is that "way" that you are so confident you can manage? Are you referring to employer-subsidized, group health plan premiums? An individual private plan for the young and healthy? Or are you planning to self-insure?
Think of it. An employer-subsidized group plan is designed to spread the risk, so the relatively healthy majority are assuming some of the risk for the less healthy in the group. BUT, lose your job through no fault of your own in a shaky economy (sound familiar?) and you enter the world of the 50+ million uninsured Americans with no prospect of obtaining insurance and, without insurance, are just one accident or illness away from abject poverty and a diminished life span.
A private plan is great if you're young and healthy. Insurance companies love that! All profit and no expense -- what company doesn't dream of that scenario. BUT, even young, healthy people can have an unfortunate injury, accident or serious illness. Auto or sports accidents (the most prevalent type of medical event for this group) can result in serious complication including joint, organ, spinal or brain damage. Treatment for these conditions can run into the $100K's or $millions. Suddenly, your insurance company is not returning your calls, or you receive a letter saying that you've been dropped because they reviewed your application and it seems that you forgot to mention that you had toncillitis when you were a 8 years old. So sorry. Against the rules. But the bills don't stop. You are just responsible for 100% of them now.
Self insured? Think again. Insurance companies contract with health care providers to drive down the cost of procedures, so that $100K operation to fix your broken hip ends up as a $35K payment from the insurance company and a relatively small co-pay from you. Without insurance, it's the full $100K, please! Cash or credit card? And do you have a house? It's the hospital's house, too, until you pay off your debt.
Let's get real people. Stop thinking of "us" vs "them" because these groups don't exist. Any of us can, in the blink of an eye, go from a comfortable, insured, no-worries existence to having to decide between paying for desperately needed medicines or food. No matter your present age or state of health, all of us will, in time, end up needing expensive medical care. If you're fortunate, your health will continue to be good until you qualify for Medicare. But there are millions of us who will not be that lucky.
We should not have to make these choices. Most of the modern, industrialized countries in the world have recognized the benefit of universal care for their citizens and their society. And you know what? They're also living longer than us (look it up).
The proposals being put forth for universal care in America are not the free-spending, 6-weeks-in-a-spa type of care seen in some countries, but just the basic guarantee that all Americans can go to a doctor (not an emergency room) to get treated for a cut, sprain, fever, or that mysterious lump that may or may not be cancer. This is just really an group plan writ large for the entire nation, not just those fortunate enough to have a job that provides such benefits.
It's time to recognize that, like defense, social security, roads & bridges, and other public necessities, health care is not something that as a nation we can leave to chance or each individual's good or bad luck. We owe each other that much.
And AT&T should include Verizon minutes with all accounts... and Nike should include a coupon for Reebok shoes in every box...
Seriously, this is a great business opportunity. Become a VAR that sells Macs preloaded with Leopard and XP/Vista. People will love it. After all, it's what they're asking for!
'-)
Slashdot Mirror
"I'll pay my own way, thank you."
And just what is that "way" that you are so confident you can manage? Are you referring to employer-subsidized, group health plan premiums? An individual private plan for the young and healthy? Or are you planning to self-insure?
Think of it. An employer-subsidized group plan is designed to spread the risk, so the relatively healthy majority are assuming some of the risk for the less healthy in the group. BUT, lose your job through no fault of your own in a shaky economy (sound familiar?) and you enter the world of the 50+ million uninsured Americans with no prospect of obtaining insurance and, without insurance, are just one accident or illness away from abject poverty and a diminished life span.
A private plan is great if you're young and healthy. Insurance companies love that! All profit and no expense -- what company doesn't dream of that scenario. BUT, even young, healthy people can have an unfortunate injury, accident or serious illness. Auto or sports accidents (the most prevalent type of medical event for this group) can result in serious complication including joint, organ, spinal or brain damage. Treatment for these conditions can run into the $100K's or $millions. Suddenly, your insurance company is not returning your calls, or you receive a letter saying that you've been dropped because they reviewed your application and it seems that you forgot to mention that you had toncillitis when you were a 8 years old. So sorry. Against the rules. But the bills don't stop. You are just responsible for 100% of them now.
Self insured? Think again. Insurance companies contract with health care providers to drive down the cost of procedures, so that $100K operation to fix your broken hip ends up as a $35K payment from the insurance company and a relatively small co-pay from you. Without insurance, it's the full $100K, please! Cash or credit card? And do you have a house? It's the hospital's house, too, until you pay off your debt.
Let's get real people. Stop thinking of "us" vs "them" because these groups don't exist. Any of us can, in the blink of an eye, go from a comfortable, insured, no-worries existence to having to decide between paying for desperately needed medicines or food. No matter your present age or state of health, all of us will, in time, end up needing expensive medical care. If you're fortunate, your health will continue to be good until you qualify for Medicare. But there are millions of us who will not be that lucky.
We should not have to make these choices. Most of the modern, industrialized countries in the world have recognized the benefit of universal care for their citizens and their society. And you know what? They're also living longer than us (look it up).
The proposals being put forth for universal care in America are not the free-spending, 6-weeks-in-a-spa type of care seen in some countries, but just the basic guarantee that all Americans can go to a doctor (not an emergency room) to get treated for a cut, sprain, fever, or that mysterious lump that may or may not be cancer. This is just really an group plan writ large for the entire nation, not just those fortunate enough to have a job that provides such benefits.
It's time to recognize that, like defense, social security, roads & bridges, and other public necessities, health care is not something that as a nation we can leave to chance or each individual's good or bad luck. We owe each other that much.
And AT&T should include Verizon minutes with all accounts... and Nike should include a coupon for Reebok shoes in every box... Seriously, this is a great business opportunity. Become a VAR that sells Macs preloaded with Leopard and XP/Vista. People will love it. After all, it's what they're asking for! '-)