Health Insurance

[mRx 16]

The major problem here are the insurance companies and malpractice lawsuits.

Malpractice and it's coverage should be a voluntary contractual agreement between patient and doctor, not the ambiguous and bureaucratical industry that it is now. Congressman Ron Paul, an M.D. wrote a great artice about it here.

Goes back to lack of regulation, doctors can do whatever they like if it meant running up the bill so they get a hefty pay check at the end of the month.

Our healthcare crisis is NOT caused by de-regulation. In fact, it's quite the opposite.

A quick comparison: Look at the food industry; A complex and structured market and as a whole, has a very inelastic demand curve (people have to eat, in order to survive and there are few comparable substitutes of food). This industry has the same characteristics of the healthcare industry; Complex, structured market and a very inelastic demand curve (people need healthcare, in order to survive and there are few comparable substitutes).

Therefore, posing your same point-- why don't food suppliers do whatever they like in order to attain a profit? The answer, of course, is competition. Chicken suppliers compete with other chicken suppliers, milk suppliers compete with other milk suppliers, ad infinitum. This competition among suppliers drives the price downwards until an inevitable equilibrium.

So if lack of regulation has led to such a wonderous, structured food industry where anything from Polish sausage to fresh Gouda cheese can be readily obtained at a market price, then why did it tremendously fail with the healthcare industry; especially given the economic characteristics are so similiar?

The reason is that competition in the healthcare industry is heavily restricted; Artificial barriers to entry have been erected by bureaucratical Leviathans like the AMA and FDA. The supply of laborers in the healthcare field is strictly limited and at the sole discretion of the AMA.

Suggesting we need more regulation is suggesting we need more of what we have now; a tremendously failing industry.

[mendeleev 68]

It's not free. You pay for it through taxation. One way or another, you end up paying.

It's still WAY cheaper than paying for insurance over here. The monthly equivalent is only a fraction compared to what you pay over here, even with employer health coverage.

I know. I've done the math out of curiosity and because I was fed up with people yelling "but it's not free, you pay for it through taxation!"

I never said it wasn't cheaper. All I'm stating is that there's no such thing as "free" health care.

DeadPoolX is right when he reminds us that health insurance in countries like Germany, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, and rest is not free. It is just a whole lot cheaper for, in most cases, better, broader coverage. The Wing-nut stranglehold on health insurance privitization and the rest in this countries assures that we pay a premium for inferior service. American capitalism at its best.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

American capitalism at its best.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RssIN3ustUw

Edited May 9, 2009 by Randomizer

[mRx 16]

Following an illogical premise, logically and precisely, leads you to the desired illogical conclusion.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Following an illogical premise, logically and precisely, leads you to the desired illogical conclusion.

[Big Papa Zone 93]

Well what an eye-opener this thread has been (I confess to knowing very little about the intricacies of the U.S healthcare/insurance system).

Thank God I can hop on a plane and get treated for nowt if the need ever arises.

[rebeccajo 14]

Well what an eye-opener this thread has been (I confess to knowing very little about the intricacies of the U.S healthcare/insurance system).

Thank God I can hop on a plane and get treated for nowt if the need ever arises.

Erm. No you can't.

http://www.shelteroffshore.com/index.php/h...reatment-10272/

"A recent case involving an expatriate British woman living in Turkey who sought treatment under the NHS has highlighted the fact that, once you move abroad and make your permanent residence somewhere outside the UK, you lose your automatic right to free care and treatment under the NHS."

[Big Papa Zone 93]

Well what an eye-opener this thread has been (I confess to knowing very little about the intricacies of the U.S healthcare/insurance system).

Thank God I can hop on a plane and get treated for nowt if the need ever arises.

Erm. No you can't.

http://www.shelteroffshore.com/index.php/h...reatment-10272/

"A recent case involving an expatriate British woman living in Turkey who sought treatment under the NHS has highlighted the fact that, once you move abroad and make your permanent residence somewhere outside the UK, you lose your automatic right to free care and treatment under the NHS."

I haven't told a soul in the UK (an official soul, at least) that I've gone, R-Jo. And I'm never going to. I'm still registered with my GP in Birmingham, and I have the official card stating very clearly that I'm entitled to NHS treatment right here with me in a safe place.

No problemo. B)

Edited May 9, 2009 by Damian P

[rebeccajo 14]

Well what an eye-opener this thread has been (I confess to knowing very little about the intricacies of the U.S healthcare/insurance system).

Thank God I can hop on a plane and get treated for nowt if the need ever arises.

Erm. No you can't.

http://www.shelteroffshore.com/index.php/h...reatment-10272/

"A recent case involving an expatriate British woman living in Turkey who sought treatment under the NHS has highlighted the fact that, once you move abroad and make your permanent residence somewhere outside the UK, you lose your automatic right to free care and treatment under the NHS."

I haven't told a soul in the UK (an official soul, at least) that I've gone, R-Jo. And I'm never going to. I'm still registered with my GP in Birmingham, and I have the official card stating very clearly that I'm entitled to NHS treatment right here with me in a safe place.

No problemo. B)

Except you aren't going to be paying in any more stamps, Damien.

Yes, it is a problem.

[Ban Hammer 13,337]

damian, join the military, get free health care.

[trinket 30]

I have a question, which I asked a couple of people in know personally and got different response, so ---- What happens in case of a natural calamity? Say you get brutally injured because of the tornado or any other natural cause, do you get free medical at that point? or is it still your insurance cover and if you don't have insurance then god save you.

I saw Sicko last night and I am having all the possible nightmares.

[Big Papa Zone 93]

Except you aren't going to be paying in any more stamps, Damien.

You are correct, Rebbeca, I won't be. But it won't make a damn bit of difference. Why? Because as I've already stated, I have my NHS treatment entitlement card. And as I've also already stated, I'm still registered with my GP in Birmingham.

So what happenes if I'm unfortunate enough to get ill with something that for whatever reason my insurance here in the U.S doesn't cover? Very simple. I get on a plane to Birmingham, make an appointment with my GP (with whom I'm still registered, and will not check up on my NI, or "stamp" contributions, because the surgery already did that when I registered, and issued me with my "this guy qualifies for NHS treatment" card based upon their findings) and have him refer me to the relevant hospital/specialist. Sorted.

Yes, it is a problem.

No, it isn't. B)

damian, join the military, get free health care.

I would consider that, Chuck (seriously) if I wasn't 38-years-old. I'd never make it through basic training, mate.

[c_and_a 0]

Depending on an HMO to actually take care of you is like working in a retail store forever- they are motivated by profit and are not going to take care of you no matter how much hard work or money you bring to them.

Unfortunately, while you can get a college degree and get a stable, high paying job, you are most likely stuck with an HMO no matter what you do. And this isn't only a problem of the working poor- there are people who make 100,000 dollars a year or so that end up with 50,000 in medical fees, think how much that would alter your lifestyle.

The healthcare system is this country is totally screwed. If the United States cut some of the laughably ridiculous spending it engages in, health care could be paid for by the government.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Depending on an HMO to actually take care of you is like working in a retail store forever- they are motivated by profit and are not going to take care of you no matter how much hard work or money you bring to them.

Bull.

My father had an HMO, had a lengthy hospitalization with one medical problem after another. With the exception of one bill, not an excessively large amount, they paid every dime.

ps. He had Aetna. Hospital and medical provider surveys have routinely showed the HMO they prefer to deal with, the HMO they consider a good faith business partner, is Aetna. At the bottom of the list? United HC.

[c_and_a 0]

Depending on an HMO to actually take care of you is like working in a retail store forever- they are motivated by profit and are not going to take care of you no matter how much hard work or money you bring to them.

Bull.

My father had an HMO, had a lengthy hospitalization with one medical problem after another. With the exception of one bill, not an excessively large amount, they paid every dime.

Good for him, honestly I'm glad the situation worked for someone. But there are plenty of stories to the contrary.

I do have Aetna though.

Edited May 9, 2009 by c_and_a