So what's diiferent in U.S. healthcare now?

[SpiritAlight 1]

Spirit

(Oops, the subtitle was too long.)

It said:

Anyone care to explain this to a layperson from Cunnuckieland?

(aka Canada)

Seriously, what is different?

Does it matter what state you are in?

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Nothing has changed, yet. Give it about six months for the regulations to be written, and than you will see some changes, if it doesn't get struck down in the courts, in whole (not likely), or in part (likely) before then.

[Calypso 464]

For a speedy recovery, they are now giving away five blondes to each person who undergoes vasectomy.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

For a speedy recovery, they are now giving away five blondes to each person who undergoes vasectomy.

Damn. A shame I don't like blondes...

[luckytxn 2,264]

For a speedy recovery, they are now giving away five blondes to each person who undergoes vasectomy.

If giving those retroactively then I will be happy.

[luckytxn 2,264]

Spirit

(Oops, the subtitle was too long.)

It said:

Anyone care to explain this to a layperson from Cunnuckieland?

(aka Canada)

Seriously, what is different?

Does it matter what state you are in?

Not right away but since we have a two party system here and they both do alike we should be pretty much be like Canada health care wise in a matter of years. Then we can also say that we have free health care like I used to hear all the time when I went there.

Edited April 5, 2010 by luckytxn

[scandal 951]

Spirit

(Oops, the subtitle was too long.)

It said:

Anyone care to explain this to a layperson from Cunnuckieland?

(aka Canada)

Seriously, what is different?

Does it matter what state you are in?

For most things, the system will still not resemble what you are used to in Canada.

Unlike Canada, when you go to a doctor or hospital for care you will still be asked to show proof of insurance and fill out forms indicating who your private insurer is. There will not be a single payer system (e.g. OHIP) so each provider needs to bill the appropriate insurance company (Aetna, UHC, BCBS, etc.), and has distinct forms and paperwork for each.

Unlike Canada, you will still need to fill out insurance company pretreatment plans for complex or elective procedures. In Canada, the opinion of your doctor or specialist is typically all that is needed for OHIP (or other provincial plan) to pay.

Unlike in Canada, in the US you will still most likely be receiving your healthcare through your employer (or your spouse or parent's employer). You will still have the choices you have today of HMO/PPO/FSA/HSA, deductible levels, etc. If you are in the individual market you may have greater choice. Most significantly in the individual market, you need no longer fear having a pre-existing condition - once that provision of the act kicks in (within months for children, years for adults).

In short, it will remain a privately run insurance system. Just a more regulated one.

[SpiritAlight 1]

For most things, the system will still not resemble what you are used to in Canada.

Unlike Canada, when you go to a doctor or hospital for care you will still be asked to show proof of insurance and fill out forms indicating who your private insurer is. There will not be a single payer system (e.g. OHIP) so each provider needs to bill the appropriate insurance company (Aetna, UHC, BCBS, etc.), and has distinct forms and paperwork for each.

Unlike Canada, you will still need to fill out insurance company pretreatment plans for complex or elective procedures. In Canada, the opinion of your doctor or specialist is typically all that is needed for OHIP (or other provincial plan) to pay.

Unlike in Canada, in the US you will still most likely be receiving your healthcare through your employer (or your spouse or parent's employer). You will still have the choices you have today of HMO/PPO/FSA/HSA, deductible levels, etc. If you are in the individual market you may have greater choice. Most significantly in the individual market, you need no longer fear having a pre-existing condition - once that provision of the act kicks in (within months for children, years for adults).

In short, it will remain a privately run insurance system. Just a more regulated one.

Sigh...

Big huge sigh.

Thanks so much for all the responses, and especially for this more indepth one.

It seems to me that there is too much damage done by corporate media.

Two things that come to mind:

1. That the US is a "two party system".

The US is not. It is the freagin' media that decides that's the spin they will put on it.

What if we, the people, asked for all those running for prez to be at each debate, and to be heard from in newspapers, and radio.

What if?

Hmmmmm.

and

2. That the healthcare debate/fiasco/misunderstanding/misinformation/expenditure could somehow just make sense!!!!

(Headache coming on....)

Yes, it is a lot to ask for.

True.

Spirit

[IR5FORMUMSIE 850]

Sigh...

Big huge sigh.

Thanks so much for all the responses, and especially for this more indepth one.

It seems to me that there is too much damage done by corporate media.

Two things that come to mind:

1. That the US is a "two party system".

The US is not. It is the freagin' media that decides that's the spin they will put on it.

What if we, the people, asked for all those running for prez to be at each debate, and to be heard from in newspapers, and radio.

What if?

Hmmmmm.

and

2. That the healthcare debate/fiasco/misunderstanding/misinformation/expenditure could somehow just make sense!!!!

(Headache coming on....)

Yes, it is a lot to ask for.

True.

Spirit

The corporate agenda is now so much a part of government policy that the politicians can no longer make decisions for the good of the nation and now either spend their time raising funds for their election campaigns or have an eye to landing a lucrative job in the private sector, frequently as lobbyists.

As for the healthcare debate, I am not a huge fan of the government-run models but the armed forces are also government-run and I have yet to hear a peep from anyone suggesting that we should hire mercenaries to do our bidding. It is in the strategic and economic interests of the United States to have a healthy populace, that is not in the interest of insurance companies that seek a profit and a healthy dividend for the shareholders above all else.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Nothing has changed, yet.

Yeah, takes time to come up with a decent plan to pull all the plugs on old folks. It's easy on paper but the execution is another ball game. I keep looking for the death panel positions opening up on usajobs.gov but haven't seen them just yet. But what do you know - it's the government so it takes time for them to define the position of 'expert terminator'. Oh, but I do hear and actually see that jail construction is heating up for all those that will need to be incarcerated for failure to carry insurance. The IRS is said to revitalize the commercial real estate market, too, since they will need space for the millions of new agents that will hunt down the freedom loving crowd. Of course, I'm just waiting for the contact information for the Washington bureaucrat that will forthwith manage my health care. Goot times. Good times, indeed.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

I keep looking for the death panel positions opening up on usajobs.gov but haven't seen them just yet. But what do you know - it's the government so it takes time for them to define the position of 'expert terminator'.

Are you actively seeking such a position?

[SpiritAlight 1]

Oh Mumsie....so good to see you back.

(an emphatic) Hi!!!

And for you Mr. Big Dog:

sigh, huge sigh (again)

I hear you.

Jails are a lucrative, and maybe the only growing "business" in the U.S..

[IR5FORMUMSIE 850]

Oh Mumsie....so good to see you back.

(an emphatic) Hi!!!

And for you Mr. Big Dog:

sigh, huge sigh (again)

I hear you.

Jails are a lucrative, and maybe the only growing "business" in the U.S..

Good to see you, too, Spirit!!!!

Prisons are indeed a growing concern, I wonder how many people have given up and would rather just be locked up. That's not what prisons are there for, rehabilitation is supposed to be the most important thing.

[Nagishkaw 510]