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I'm happy with my healthcare but I'm fortunate enough to have a decent job with benefits. I'm more concerned with helping those in need and eliminating waste.
bullshitbtw, how many of those insurance companies did that include?
and how many of them would stay in business long if they just dropped paying customers at random?
Plenty of them, you didn't see them all in front of Congress?
You don't understand, they drop these customers the minute they get seriously ill so they don't have to pay for their bills. They assign someone to their case in order to try and find a loophole to drop them. Which is basically being able to drop these people anytime they feel like it.
thats not even close to the truth
they provide the coverage they agreed to provide in the contract
Fine....Don't carry insurance and save up for your own potential medical services.Misfortune Tellers: 10 ways insurance companies will screw you. at DailyStrength
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Yup, how is living down in the rabbit's hole doing?
Who in hell made it a right to have a third party pay for your medical bills??
Not really sure who or if it really even is but I think it's wrong to deny the sick medical care. I think that we as a society should be able to come up with a way to ensure all those who need care get it. How that can be accomplished efficiently is something I don't have the answer to but I would like to see that goal reached. Your attitude seems to be somewhere along the lines of "fuck 'em."
and cost isnt going to change even if EVERYONE gets coveragebullshitPlenty of them, you didn't see them all in front of Congress?
You don't understand, they drop these customers the minute they get seriously ill so they don't have to pay for their bills. They assign someone to their case in order to try and find a loophole to drop them. Which is basically being able to drop these people anytime they feel like it.
thats not even close to the truth
they provide the coverage they agreed to provide in the contract
The only reason they don't drop everyone that becomes sick is because there are laws against it. However, those laws don't cover everyone, specifically the self-employed. If you work for a company and move from one company to another, you'll get coverage under HIPAA rules. But if you're self-employed, you're fucked.
But again, that isn't the biggest problem overall. Cost is the biggest problem, but everyone keeps denying that and thinks the current system will remain affordable for most people, but it won't.
Fine....Don't carry insurance and save up for your own potential medical services.
Who in hell made it a right to have a third party pay for your medical bills??
Not really sure who or if it really even is but I think it's wrong to deny the sick medical care. I think that we as a society should be able to come up with a way to ensure all those who need care get it. How that can be accomplished efficiently is something I don't have the answer to but I would like to see that goal reached. Your attitude seems to be somewhere along the lines of "fuck 'em."
All those who need medical care can get it now even if they don't have medical insurance. For routine care and testing, there are free and sliding scale clinics available from the US Health Service, most teaching hospitals and a variety of non profits in virtually every city and every rural area, and for treatment of more serious illnesses, anyone can qualify for Medicaid once they spend down their income and assets. The whole focus of the House bill and the Kennedy-Dodd bill is to shift the cost of care for uninsured people from them to other taxpayers, not to provide health care that is already available.
Who cares what my ideas are??....You sure as hell don't. You're just all about getting something for nothing.Yea, Dude's answer to everything is "fuck em". If they can't afford healthcare, no biggie. Society has no obligation to the welfare of it's people. But the bigger problem is that the cost is spiraling out of control for everyone, and many who may just be finding a way to afford coverage now, will not be able to much longer. Within ten years, the number of uninsured will double under our current system. And the more that are uninsured, the higher the cost will go.
But you gotta love Dude's ideas. He thinks we shouldn't have insurance at all, just pay cash for your healthcare. Then those who can't afford it should be denied any treatment. Now that's a great plan, don't you think?
All those who need medical care can get it now even if they don't have medical insurance. For routine care and testing, there are free and sliding scale clinics available from the US Health Service, most teaching hospitals and a variety of non profits in virtually every city and every rural area, and for treatment of more serious illnesses, anyone can qualify for Medicaid once they spend down their income and assets. The whole focus of the House bill and the Kennedy-Dodd bill is to shift the cost of care for uninsured people from them to other taxpayers, not to provide health care that is already available.
True, but you aren't addressing the problems that we have in our healthcare system. Pre existing conditions, the fact that we pay more and get less. Most bankruptsies are due to healthcare costs, poor people go to emergency rooms and get free healthcare at our expense, etc.
For profits should not be in charge of healthcare. Its not a good fit. They will keep raising their prices to max profits. They don't care about the sick. The sick cut into their profits. Blablabla.
Again, health care is available to everyone now even if you don't have health insurance and under the present plan, it costs taxpayers trillions of dollars less than it would under the Dem plans. The Dem plans are good news for uninsured people who get sick and have to spend down their incomes and assets to qualify for Medicaid and bad news for everyone else.
Private insurance companies may or may not care about sick people but with very few exceptions they do live up to the terms of their policies. Virtually every new piece of equipment and every new technology available to your doctor has been paid for with insurance money because the insurance companies are bound by their policies to cover efficacious new diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
If you are uninsured for any reason, you can get fairly comprehensive routine medical and dental care, even for mild to moderate chronic condition like diabetes, at a variety of free clinics located throughout the US. For example, if you go to a US Health Service clinic, you will be seen by a physician, provided with basic diagnostic tests such as blood work and x-rays and in most cases given prescribed medications and small medical devices all for free or for a sliding scale fee depending on the financial information you provide. The problem with this system is that if you develop a more serious illness that requires tests and treatments beyond the scope of the clinic, you might have to spend down your assets and income to the point of poverty before you would qualify for Medicaid.
Again, medical care is already available to the uninsured, and the Dem bills only really address the issue of whether the uninsured pays for it or other taxpayers do. If we decide other taxpayers should pay for it, doesn't the government owe it to those other taxpayers to provide this financial relief to the uninsured in the least expensive way that is likely to produce good health outcomes? The federal government can do this by starting a public service program that encourages uninsured people to get their routine care from already existing free clinics, providing tax incentives for people who increase their charitable giving to help fund these clinics and by providing sliding scale subsidies to uninsured who honestly cannot afford to buy their own insurance for any reason to buy catastrophic health insurance that will only kick in when their needs go beyond what can be provided at the free clinics. This would provide universal health care without requiring anyone to go broke to get it at a cost hundreds of billions of dollars less for taxpayers than the Obama-Dem bills will.
addressing the problems that we have in our healthcare system.
addressing the problems that we have in our healthcare system.
We're going to bankrupt the country by leaving it the way it is. Find a fucking solution rather than telling us how great our current system is.
well, if the choice is to mess up the healthcare and go bankriupt or leave it as it is and go bankrupt, i say leave it aloneaddressing the problems that we have in our healthcare system.
We're going to bankrupt the country by leaving it the way it is. Find a fucking solution rather than telling us how great our current system is.
The cost of doing NOTHING
Introduction
The U.S. health care system is in crisis. Health care costs too much; we often get too little in exchange for our health care dollar; and tens of millions of Americans are uninsured.
Our economy loses hundreds of billions of dollars every year because of the diminished health and shorter lifespan of the uninsured. Rising health care costs undermine the ability of U.S. firms to compete internationally, threaten the stability of American jobs, and place increasing strain on local, state, and federal budgets. As health care costs continue to rise faster than wages, health insurance becomes more and more unaffordable for more and more American families every day.
Yet, the recent financial services meltdown has led some people to suggest that we cannot afford health reform and that fixing our broken health care system will have to wait once again. But waiting comes with a price. The crisis worsens every day that we do not act. Premiums will continue to rise; Americans will continue to pay more for less-generous health coverage; and fewer employers will offer health insurance to their workers.
We must reform our struggling health system not in spite of our economic crisis, but rather because of the impact health care has on the American economy. The economic and social impact of inaction is high and it will only rise over time.
Economic Cost
The economic cost of failing to fix our broken health care system is greater than the upfront expense of comprehensive health reform. In 2006, our economy lost as much as $200 billion because of the poor health and shorter lifespan of the uninsured. This is by most estimates as much as, if not greater than, the public costs of ensuring all Americans have quality, affordable, health coverage. The economies in California, Texas, and Florida suffer most from productivity loses stemming from the uninsured. Yet, Delawares economy loses more per uninsured person -- over $6,800 per uninsured resident.
Affordability
As health care costs continue to grow faster than wages, health insurance will become more and more unaffordable for more and more American families every day. The financial burdens associated with health care and health insurance will only get worse over time without action.The cost of the average employer-sponsored health insurance plan (ESI) for a family will reach $24,000 in 2016. This represents an 84 percent increase over 2008 premium levels. Under this scenario, we estimate that at least half of American households will need to spend more than 45 percent of their income to buy health insurance.
New Mexico, Maine, and South Carolina will see the greatest increases in the cost of family policies over the next eight years. In Maine, the average family employer-sponsored insurance policy will top $30,000 by 2016. According to our estimates, households in South Carolina, Louisiana, and Maine will have to spend the greatest shares of their income in order to purchase health insurance in 2016. Half of households in South Carolina will have to spend more than 62 percent of their incomes to buy health insurance in 2016.
Coverage
The financial protection offered by health insurance coverage will continue to deteriorate if we do not act. Americans will pay more for less and copayments and deductibles will rise. The average deductible nationwide will increase 73 percent to almost $2,700 by 2016. Average copayments will climb to $30.
Residents from Delaware and Vermont will see the biggest difference in their deductibles in 2016. Rising deductibles combined with higher premiums will make many Americans financially vulnerable to high health care bills. Residents of New Mexico, Massachusetts, and Hawaii will notice the biggest difference in how much they pay when they see a doctor in 2016. In New Mexico, a single office visit could cost an insured patient almost $50.
Conclusion
U.S. businesses, governments, and American families have all demonstrated that health care reform is a vital component of their long-term economic stability. Our nation will recover from its current financial services crisis, and when it does the U.S. will still be faced with a crumbling health system. As the data in this report shows, the cost of failing to act is high and it will only rise over time.
http://www.newamerica.net/publications/policy/cost_doing_nothing
Why not act like this??...It's what you Fabian socialist loons what to believe, so why should I let you down??Tough shit....Go on Medicare/Medicaid.
They're miracles....Haven't you heard??
Dude, stop being such a asshole. Honestly, we already know that Medicare/Medicaid aren't perfect. I can understand that you don't give a shit whether these people live or die.
Not only aren't Medicare/Medicaid perfec,. they're broke and cost about five times what they were projected to cost.
And somehow, we're supposed to believe that the D.C. dipshits are going to control costs this time??
but what they are planing will bankrupt us alsoThe cost of doing NOTHING
Introduction
The U.S. health care system is in crisis. Health care costs too much; we often get too little in exchange for our health care dollar; and tens of millions of Americans are uninsured.
Our economy loses hundreds of billions of dollars every year because of the diminished health and shorter lifespan of the uninsured. Rising health care costs undermine the ability of U.S. firms to compete internationally, threaten the stability of American jobs, and place increasing strain on local, state, and federal budgets. As health care costs continue to rise faster than wages, health insurance becomes more and more unaffordable for more and more American families every day.
Yet, the recent financial services meltdown has led some people to suggest that we cannot afford health reform and that fixing our broken health care system will have to wait once again. But waiting comes with a price. The crisis worsens every day that we do not act. Premiums will continue to rise; Americans will continue to pay more for less-generous health coverage; and fewer employers will offer health insurance to their workers.
We must reform our struggling health system not in spite of our economic crisis, but rather because of the impact health care has on the American economy. The economic and social impact of inaction is high and it will only rise over time.
Economic Cost
The economic cost of failing to fix our broken health care system is greater than the upfront expense of comprehensive health reform. In 2006, our economy lost as much as $200 billion because of the poor health and shorter lifespan of the uninsured. This is by most estimates as much as, if not greater than, the public costs of ensuring all Americans have quality, affordable, health coverage. The economies in California, Texas, and Florida suffer most from productivity loses stemming from the uninsured. Yet, Delawares economy loses more per uninsured person -- over $6,800 per uninsured resident.
Affordability
As health care costs continue to grow faster than wages, health insurance will become more and more unaffordable for more and more American families every day. The financial burdens associated with health care and health insurance will only get worse over time without action.The cost of the average employer-sponsored health insurance plan (ESI) for a family will reach $24,000 in 2016. This represents an 84 percent increase over 2008 premium levels. Under this scenario, we estimate that at least half of American households will need to spend more than 45 percent of their income to buy health insurance.
New Mexico, Maine, and South Carolina will see the greatest increases in the cost of family policies over the next eight years. In Maine, the average family employer-sponsored insurance policy will top $30,000 by 2016. According to our estimates, households in South Carolina, Louisiana, and Maine will have to spend the greatest shares of their income in order to purchase health insurance in 2016. Half of households in South Carolina will have to spend more than 62 percent of their incomes to buy health insurance in 2016.
Coverage
The financial protection offered by health insurance coverage will continue to deteriorate if we do not act. Americans will pay more for less and copayments and deductibles will rise. The average deductible nationwide will increase 73 percent to almost $2,700 by 2016. Average copayments will climb to $30.
Residents from Delaware and Vermont will see the biggest difference in their deductibles in 2016. Rising deductibles combined with higher premiums will make many Americans financially vulnerable to high health care bills. Residents of New Mexico, Massachusetts, and Hawaii will notice the biggest difference in how much they pay when they see a doctor in 2016. In New Mexico, a single office visit could cost an insured patient almost $50.
Conclusion
U.S. businesses, governments, and American families have all demonstrated that health care reform is a vital component of their long-term economic stability. Our nation will recover from its current financial services crisis, and when it does the U.S. will still be faced with a crumbling health system. As the data in this report shows, the cost of failing to act is high and it will only rise over time.
http://www.newamerica.net/publications/policy/cost_doing_nothing
Great post and article. I think their projections are a bit high too soon, but this is exactly where we are headed without some major changes, and it will bankrupt this entire country.
and cost isnt going to change even if EVERYONE gets coveragebullshit
thats not even close to the truth
they provide the coverage they agreed to provide in the contract
The only reason they don't drop everyone that becomes sick is because there are laws against it. However, those laws don't cover everyone, specifically the self-employed. If you work for a company and move from one company to another, you'll get coverage under HIPAA rules. But if you're self-employed, you're fucked.
But again, that isn't the biggest problem overall. Cost is the biggest problem, but everyone keeps denying that and thinks the current system will remain affordable for most people, but it won't.
more likely the costs would skyrocket
Bullshit.They cost so much more than projected because people are living so much longer and needing care for a much longer period of time, at least that is the case with Medicare. You want us to believe Medicare is over budget because it is poorly run, which is not the case. But nice try.
Who cares what my ideas are??....You sure as hell don't. You're just all about getting something for nothing.Yea, Dude's answer to everything is "fuck em". If they can't afford healthcare, no biggie. Society has no obligation to the welfare of it's people. But the bigger problem is that the cost is spiraling out of control for everyone, and many who may just be finding a way to afford coverage now, will not be able to much longer. Within ten years, the number of uninsured will double under our current system. And the more that are uninsured, the higher the cost will go.
But you gotta love Dude's ideas. He thinks we shouldn't have insurance at all, just pay cash for your healthcare. Then those who can't afford it should be denied any treatment. Now that's a great plan, don't you think?
So I say fuck it...I'll just play the role you freeloaders assume is the default "let 'em die in the streets" position, and be done with it.
We're going to bankrupt the country by leaving it the way it is. Find a fucking solution rather than telling us how great our current system is.
the reason they are stalling in congress is because the spending is out of control. social medicine isn't free.
i'd rather wait those 20 years than to do it NOWWho cares what my ideas are??....You sure as hell don't. You're just all about getting something for nothing.Yea, Dude's answer to everything is "fuck em". If they can't afford healthcare, no biggie. Society has no obligation to the welfare of it's people. But the bigger problem is that the cost is spiraling out of control for everyone, and many who may just be finding a way to afford coverage now, will not be able to much longer. Within ten years, the number of uninsured will double under our current system. And the more that are uninsured, the higher the cost will go.
But you gotta love Dude's ideas. He thinks we shouldn't have insurance at all, just pay cash for your healthcare. Then those who can't afford it should be denied any treatment. Now that's a great plan, don't you think?
So I say fuck it...I'll just play the role you freeloaders assume is the default "let 'em die in the streets" position, and be done with it.
Screw you with your something for nothing. The insurance companies found a way to get me out of the system. I was able to afford the $6000 to $7000 per year for my healthcare, but no, I can't afford the $14,000 to $16,000 it will cost me now. So if I get really sick now, I'll lose any assets I do have, and then I'll end up on Medicaid and your stupid ass will help pay the bill. Just brilliant, isn't it?
But hey, in ten to twenty years, when half the God Damn country is without insurance, you can bet your ass, the government will take over completely. Then you can kiss your options goodbye, because people like you don't want to deal with the problem now.
but what they are planing will bankrupt us alsoThe cost of doing NOTHING
Introduction
The U.S. health care system is in crisis. Health care costs too much; we often get too little in exchange for our health care dollar; and tens of millions of Americans are uninsured.
Our economy loses hundreds of billions of dollars every year because of the diminished health and shorter lifespan of the uninsured. Rising health care costs undermine the ability of U.S. firms to compete internationally, threaten the stability of American jobs, and place increasing strain on local, state, and federal budgets. As health care costs continue to rise faster than wages, health insurance becomes more and more unaffordable for more and more American families every day.
Yet, the recent financial services meltdown has led some people to suggest that we cannot afford health reform and that fixing our broken health care system will have to wait once again. But waiting comes with a price. The crisis worsens every day that we do not act. Premiums will continue to rise; Americans will continue to pay more for less-generous health coverage; and fewer employers will offer health insurance to their workers.
We must reform our struggling health system not in spite of our economic crisis, but rather because of the impact health care has on the American economy. The economic and social impact of inaction is high and it will only rise over time.
Economic Cost
The economic cost of failing to fix our broken health care system is greater than the upfront expense of comprehensive health reform. In 2006, our economy lost as much as $200 billion because of the poor health and shorter lifespan of the uninsured. This is by most estimates as much as, if not greater than, the public costs of ensuring all Americans have quality, affordable, health coverage. The economies in California, Texas, and Florida suffer most from productivity loses stemming from the uninsured. Yet, Delawares economy loses more per uninsured person -- over $6,800 per uninsured resident.
Affordability
As health care costs continue to grow faster than wages, health insurance will become more and more unaffordable for more and more American families every day. The financial burdens associated with health care and health insurance will only get worse over time without action.The cost of the average employer-sponsored health insurance plan (ESI) for a family will reach $24,000 in 2016. This represents an 84 percent increase over 2008 premium levels. Under this scenario, we estimate that at least half of American households will need to spend more than 45 percent of their income to buy health insurance.
New Mexico, Maine, and South Carolina will see the greatest increases in the cost of family policies over the next eight years. In Maine, the average family employer-sponsored insurance policy will top $30,000 by 2016. According to our estimates, households in South Carolina, Louisiana, and Maine will have to spend the greatest shares of their income in order to purchase health insurance in 2016. Half of households in South Carolina will have to spend more than 62 percent of their incomes to buy health insurance in 2016.
Coverage
The financial protection offered by health insurance coverage will continue to deteriorate if we do not act. Americans will pay more for less and copayments and deductibles will rise. The average deductible nationwide will increase 73 percent to almost $2,700 by 2016. Average copayments will climb to $30.
Residents from Delaware and Vermont will see the biggest difference in their deductibles in 2016. Rising deductibles combined with higher premiums will make many Americans financially vulnerable to high health care bills. Residents of New Mexico, Massachusetts, and Hawaii will notice the biggest difference in how much they pay when they see a doctor in 2016. In New Mexico, a single office visit could cost an insured patient almost $50.
Conclusion
U.S. businesses, governments, and American families have all demonstrated that health care reform is a vital component of their long-term economic stability. Our nation will recover from its current financial services crisis, and when it does the U.S. will still be faced with a crumbling health system. As the data in this report shows, the cost of failing to act is high and it will only rise over time.
http://www.newamerica.net/publications/policy/cost_doing_nothing
Great post and article. I think their projections are a bit high too soon, but this is exactly where we are headed without some major changes, and it will bankrupt this entire country.
so why do it?
