US Message Board - Political Discussion Forum - View Single Post - Do Americans favor the creation of a public health insurance?

ScreamingEagle · #**144** (**permalink**) 06-25-2009, 06:53 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by auditor0007

Quote: Originally Posted by ScreamingEagle

Quote: Originally Posted by sealybobo

No, actually we're finding out that you fearmongers are exxagerating. AND, the pre existing condition thing is happening here in America, no exxageration.

Talk about rationing healthcare.

So $2000 a year roughly for medical insurance? Now thats reasonable. How will it work? The for profits will take a huge hit. Explain how we will get it so cheap? But it sounds ok to me so far.

First, we get the lawyers out of the health business....huge malpractice suits drive up costs...

Next, we limit insurance companies to major medical only....this will get them out of the health management business....and back into the risk management business where they should be...perhaps this is where we could require all to participate (like with autos)...and forego pre-conditions...

We stop employers from providing health insurance so people buy direct...thus there is no dependence on keeping a particular job to keep your insurance...you just pay your premium for the major medical of your choice...or pay directly in cash to your clinic...

Also, we promote tax-exempt health savings plans which will help people save to pay for ongoing regular health care costs that people will pay DIRECTLY in cash to their health care clinics/doctors when they go for services...

NO government....NO insurance companies (except MM)....NO employer-controlled insurance....NO lawyers....NO busy-body politicians...

Costs will plummet as people will do what they can to prevent excessive visits to the doctor when they have to pay cash each time they go...people will get more into healthy living for prevention (this is healthy rationing)...and competitition between clinics will lower costs as well...

Simple, yet effective...the big FOR PROFITS insurers that you hate can go take a hike...along with big daddy government...and leave us free people in control of our own heath care...

That is a plan I could live with. Of course, you'll still have Medicare, but that could be somewhat revamped also. The biggest issue for me is making catastrophic insurance available to everyone at a fair price. I'd be more than willing to pay my own way on the normal costs, even though mine are much higher than most.

Yeah, Medicare (another failed government program) could be phased out over time as medical savings accounts grow. Catastrophic (aka major medical) insurance could be reasonably priced if people bought it young in life and if the pool is large...for that reason it might be good to require its purchase...much like auto insurance is required. Old age brings more problems and more medical costs but people can deal with that if we plan ahead with enough medical savings and enough major medical (catastrophic) insurance....and if costs are kept at a reasonable level....which can only happen if we have a free market. I would also want major medical insurance to be totally portable no matter where I chose to live.