Let's talk health insurance...

[egofed]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/nation...a13_print.html

"Many people who are uninsured go untreated, exacerbating their medical problems. When they finally do get coverage through a high-risk pool, they are in immediate need of expensive care.
“What we’ve learned through the course of this program is that this is really not a sensible way for the health-care system to be run,” Cohen said."


Hmmmmm... it needs more money? No way! Who would have seen that coming. I do like this quote, "My responsibility is to work with the appropriation we have.”- Cohen. If only all gov't officials thought as such...

 

[usickenme]

3/10

 

[Clak]

Let's not and say, you I got mine.

 

[Spokker]

You have to go full single payer or full free market. The in-between solution we have is completely ed up.

 

[Access_Denied]

[quote name='Spokker']You have to go full single payer or full free market. The in-between solution we have is completely ed up.[/QUOTE]

Agreed. That can be said about quite a few of the middle-grounds and compromises that we have in today's America, but health insurance is really at the top of that list.

 

[UncleBob]

[quote name='Access_Denied']Agreed. That can be said about quite a few of the middle-grounds and compromises that we have in today's America, but health insurance is really at the top of that list.[/QUOTE]

Doubly agreed (somewhat - needs to be all single-payer, although there needs to be an option for free market doctors who work legally outside the government system - just like one can have private security or such).

But that will never happen - and, the way the government operates right now, if it did, they'd screw it up.

 

[Msut77]

[quote name='Access_Denied']Agreed. That can be said about quite a few of the middle-grounds and compromises that we have in today's America, but health insurance is really at the top of that list.[/QUOTE]

1) Show me an example of a working completely private system.
2) Tell me how to get a real universal system without installing a benevolent dictator.

There are successful systems out there that use private insurance companies, private and profit making not so much.

 

[UncleBob]

[quote name='egofed']http://www.washingtonpost.com/natio...9d56ac-779c-11e2-8f84-3e4b513b1a13_print.html

"Many people who are uninsured go untreated, exacerbating their medical problems. When they finally do get coverage through a high-risk pool, they are in immediate need of expensive care."[/QUOTE]

This quote is going to be the crux of the problem that needs addressing, citizen-wise. It doesn't matter if we keep this half-***ed privately-controlled-by-the-government thing they're trying for or if we go full-on single payer. Americans don't like to take care of themselves and Americans don't like to go to the doctor.

The thought is that, with proper preventative treatment, we'll be able to get the cost of health care down. Sadly folks who *don't* need to go to the doctor will rush there every time they get the sniffles because it'll give them a day off work and they won't have to pay for it. Meanwhile, those who really *need* to go to the doctor will put it off because either A) they fear the bad news B) they hate doctor's offices/hospitals C) they don't want to appear weak, etc., etc.

A good example - Virtually every health care policy covers mammograms. Most clinics/etc. even have special days where they do free screenings. Yet about a third of adult women have never had a mammogram. (Of course, we could debate the actual effectiveness of mammograms, blah,blah...)

The largest problem Americans have with health is a cultural thing at this point - and that's what needs to change.

Of course, you're still going to get the rabble rabble of "We spend the most, but don't get the best results! We're spending too much money!" These same types of folks will ignore the fact that we spend the most in education and don't get the best results. Well, they don't exactly ignore it. They just say we need to spend more and more on education. Likewise, our failures in education stem more from cultural issues than monetary issues.

 

[Access_Denied]

[quote name='Msut77']1) Show me an example of a working completely private system.
2) Tell me how to get a real universal system without installing a benevolent dictator.

There are successful systems out there that use private insurance companies, private and profit making not so much.[/QUOTE]


1. Don't know one.
2. Not my problem (and shouldn't be America's). America was founded on the ideals of a limited national government. We shouldn't be getting into the healthcare business. (Not to mention the fact that the government sucks at everything they do anyway.)

I work damn hard for my health insurance, and I don't see why (almost) everybody else can't do the same.

 

[dohdough]

[quote name='Access_Denied']I work damn hard for my health insurance, and I don't see why (almost) everybody else can't do the same.[/QUOTE]
For the same damn reason why (almost) everyone can't be Bill Gates.

 

[egofed]

Man, do we go in circles around here.... Maybe we should have a discussion about things we agree or at least have common ground on to establish a more civil and understood discourse. Is it as simple as a side that views a powerful gov't as being the best way towards bettering society versus a side who believes in personal responsibility and that people have the ability to better themselves?

 

[Msut77]

[quote name='Access_Denied']1. Don't know one.[/quote]

They don't exist. People talk about it however as if it is a valid option.

2. Not my problem (and shouldn't be America's).

It is your problem. Broken government is every Americans problem.

America was founded on the ideals of a limited national government.

I was going to ignore this, but what would universal healthcare have looked like in the founders time? Communal Leech Farms?

We shouldn't be getting into the healthcare business. (Not to mention the fact that the government sucks at everything they do anyway.)

I didnt ask and this isnt an argument so I will ignore this.

I work damn hard for my health insurance, and I don't see why (almost) everybody else can't do the same.

I doubt you work that hard, also seeing how you leave room for exceptions I am assuming you grudgingly admit there are genuinely sick people out there.

 

[Msut77]

[quote name='egofed']Man, do we go in circles around here....[/quote]

"We" dont. You chase your own tail rather than examine some of the inanity you spout.

For the 2nd part of what you wrote. Do you know anything about income inequality in this country?

 

[renique46]

Murrica/10