Health care increasingly out of reach for millions of Americans

[luckytxn 2,264]

If we want to talk about anecdotes, my premiums went down this year. What gives?

And mine went up.....AGAIN.

[mawilson 2,133]

Did the UK not also open up the health care market to private insurers allowing people to opt out of the NHS?

I don't think you can opt out of the NHS. It's a birthright of sorts, like air or library card.

[Leatherneck 693]

And mine went up.....AGAIN.

I second that -- my health insurance went north.

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

Free market will take care of it. Either people will move to states with better healthcare, or better healthcare will move to where people demand it.

No I don't think so. That kind of thinking is like "trickle down" economics, which - well doesn't work.

I just don't understand the concept of a "market" for health care. Everyone gets sick and needs the doctor or hospital eventually. It's like dying - a recession doesn't hurt the undertaker because he's always got customers. It's the same with health care. There's always a market for it.

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

I bank with a small bank. There is another in the town where I work, and yet another in the town where my ranch is located. That's three in a two county area. My brother works in one of the largest cities in the country, and banks at a small credit union. Banking is quite easy, and the "cost" of my banking hasn't changed significantly in years. Seems like, from where I stand, your comparison actually undermines your progressive instinct that tells you "single payer" big brother socialism is "the only way forward."

Socialism.

It's a naughty word.

Especially when you don't know what it means.

Ok sorry but I can't believe you really think the cost of banking hasn't gone up exponentially compared to what it used to be. Banks charge exorbitant fees for stop payment; for wires; for checks - for everything. As a young woman, the first few years of my career were spent in banking. We used to give people free checking accounts (with no minimum balances) and free checks because we wanted their business. Now those types of accounts are reserved for people over 55 and students.

Edited May 10, 2012 by Rebecca Jo

[mawilson 2,133]

No I don't think so. That kind of thinking is like "trickle down" economics, which - well doesn't work.

I just don't understand the concept of a "market" for health care. Everyone gets sick and needs the doctor or hospital eventually. It's like dying - a recession doesn't hurt the undertaker because he's always got customers. It's the same with health care. There's always a market for it.

Perhaps, but your question was "how do you propose that there be equitable care across the nation".

I would argue that there's no such thing - even across one city, let alone nation. Even in the UK,

where the NHS is financed through general taxation (and which therefore does not present financial

barriers to access that could explain inequity), does not offer equality of access to healthcare

to people in equal need.

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

Perhaps, but your question was "how do you propose that there be equitable care across the nation".

I would argue that there's no such thing - even across one city, let alone nation. Even in the UK,

where the NHS is financed through general taxation (and which therefore does not present financial

barriers to access that could explain inequity), does not offer equality of access to healthcare

to people in equal need.

All right.

Do you think there would be entire states in the US that could not afford to offer a state-wide plan?

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Do you think there would be entire states in the US that could not afford to offer a state-wide plan?

Yep. Florida couldn't. Too many old folk down here.

[mawilson 2,133]

Yep. Florida couldn't. Too many old folk down here.

Wealthy old folk.

[Dan J 277]

And mine went up.....AGAIN.

It probably has more to do with getting older than an overall increase in rates

[xebec 195]

Socialism.

It's a naughty word.

Especially when you don't know what it means.

I wonder if you know what socialism means. I get the feeling you like to employ the definition of state socialism in an attempt to avoid wearing the label.... More likely, this is all you know about socialist theory and application- An online dictionary is the sum of your knowledge. Why don't you explain how single payer doesn't fit the model of the socialist gift economy espoused by Malatesta and others? Do you know anything about social democratic policy? Do you know what a mixed economy is? Enlighten yourself before making accusations of ignorance. You won't seem like such a doofus in the end.

[Ban Hammer 13,342]

Yep. Florida couldn't. Too many old folk down here.

on the bright side, they don't move too fast so they are easier to count.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I wonder if you know what socialism means. I get the feeling you like to employ the definition of state socialism in an attempt to avoid wearing the label.... More likely, this is all you know about socialist theory and application- An online dictionary is the sum of your knowledge. Why don't you explain how single payer doesn't fit the model of the socialist gift economy espoused by Malatesta and others? Do you know anything about social democratic policy? Do you know what a mixed economy is? Enlighten yourself before making accusations of ignorance. You won't seem like such a doofus in the end.

Look, if RWN's want to use the term 'socialism' so loosely, then they should at least come out of the closet and admit that they too are flaming socialists. We're all knee-deep in socialism with our public highways, water treatment and power plants, power lines, street lights, parks, libraries and schools. Every single one of us a bleeding-heart socialist, it's just that some are self-loathing, closet types, while others openly accept that publicly owned and operated entities can coexist with private enterprise and have done so since the creation of this country.

[xebec 195]

Ok sorry but I can't believe you really think the cost of banking hasn't gone up exponentially compared to what it used to be. Banks charge exorbitant fees for stop payment; for wires; for checks - for everything. As a young woman, the first few years of my career were spent in banking. We used to give people free checking accounts (with no minimum balances) and free checks because we wanted their business. Now those types of accounts are reserved for people over 55 and students.

What is an "exorbitant" fee for a bank to ask to cover your mistakes? I have never had to use a stop payment. But if I did, it would be $28. Is this "exorbitant?" IDK.....you tell me. If they have to cover my a_s with an account transfer because I wrote a bad check (which I don't) it's $10. Don't screw up your banking so much RJ....It will be cheaper for you

Blame your "exorbitant" bank fees on some of the politicians that I'm sure you admire quite strongly..... Banks losing money to service your checking account

[xebec 195]

Look, if RWN's want to use the term 'socialism' so loosely, then they should at least come out of the closet and admit that they too are flaming socialists. We're all knee-deep in socialism with our public highways, water treatment and power plants, power lines, street lights, parks, libraries and schools. Every single one of us a bleeding-heart socialist, it's just that some are self-loathing, closet types, while others openly accept that publicly owned and operated entities can coexist with private enterprise and have done so since the creation of this country.

By RWN I assume you mean non-progressive. Nobody is using the word socialism loosely- you can take this up with 200+ years of philosophers and academics. I'm simply responding to a lib who thinks it can control the language, either intentionally or through ignorance. BTW.....I'm happy to see a prog that will openly embrace their socialist predilections....Kudos fancypants.