ABC's week long story on the state of Health Insurance in the US

[GROOVE VICTIM]

Something I think we all should read and watch this week. Segments will be shown on Good Morning America, World News Tonight, and Nightline.

Whether you are insured or not, people are still struggling to make ends meet and are making decisions whether or not to be pay for insurance or roll the dice on the health of themselves and their children.

Juggling the Bills (http://abcnews.go.com/sections/GMA/Living/GMA031020FamilyStruggles_healthcare-1.html)

[Gojay]

Yet we(USA) still shell out 87 bil on other shit, when it should go into healthcare reform!(just to name one thing that needs reform)

Good article!

peace,
gojay

[DaveR]

My position is that Health Insurance should be universal in the USA - that being said:

It would require each and every one of us to toss in another large percentage in taxes.

Many of us out there bitch about Insurance companies. As long as health insurance providers are in the private sector, their business is to serve for the B.O.Directors & shareholders for profit (by "many means necessary").

Each of us has a responsibility in reforming healthcare - I will venture a guess that the average person spends more time investigating a new car purchase, than truly understanding their health insurance policy. If asked, you can tell someone that you have 8-way power seats and what the wattage of your Harmon Kardon stereo upgrade is; but may balk when asked what your ambulatory co-pay is on your insurance policy.

While we make insurance decisions based on offerings, many times it's all about the lowest premium/HMO that we pay monthly, without regards to coverage and expenses in the long term (for known or unseen medical problems). Policies are written, knowing a consumer most likely will not read/understand fine-print.

I like to equate insurance to something like AAA. This might eliminate the heart strings here. You buy AAA (I call it a managed towing business) b/c you can pay a modest $75/year and have 4 free tows - but then complain about how long they take to provide service when you're broken down roadside. Another choice is to not buy roadside insurance, and when you break down, call the closest garage and they will gladly show up in 5 minutes, and tow your for $200.

In everyday news, we hear about catostrophic cases where someone with a serious or life-threatening disease is being denied benefits by their insurance company - hence the outrage. Circle back to day-1 decision ("HMO only $175/mo, I don't have to pay any % for doctor visits? - I'll take that!"), and many times you will find a root cause.

There are many options out there:

1. self insure - most won't do that - why ? ... too much $ up front

2. buy and indemnity policy where you have many more choices and better coverage - most won't do that - why ? - you gotta pay 10-50% of every expense

3. pool your family money (include friends) and assume risk yourself - that's a stretch

The current state of healhcare is mostly in direct response to OUR decisions.

Individuals in US:
Desire for low monthly premiums

Individuals in Government:
unwillingness to design a universal healthcare system

And yes, even Healthcare Providers:
Signing up with managed care providers for quick-wins in attracting/maintaining patients, and the desire for capitation (a guaranteed payment for each person signed up to the practice, regardless of how often they visit)


Passionate flames and critical comments welcome ! ... But remember, my position is the 1st sentence above - I only typed the rest to offer perspective, and incite action rather than a pity party smile.gif

DR

[ October 20, 2003, 03:23 PM: Message edited by: DaveR ]