Health insurance companies are a big problem in this country. My friend just had to shell out $130 out of pocket for his mom’s medicine.

[jbrownson0831]

Honey, I have forgotten more about American history than you will ever know. This nation was founded by liberals, not conservatives. They had a name for conservatives back then, "TORIES". I mean enlighten me, what founder was "conservative"?

But you want to make this about Republican and Democrats, fine. The topic is health care. There have been two significant legislative actions in the area of health care in the last 20 years. You have the MMA, a Republican initiative enacted in 2003, and the ACA, what you call "Obamacare", passed in 2010.

The MMA did two things. First, it established a prescription drug benefit in Medicare, handled by private insurance companies. But, that had two problems. First, the infamous doughnut hole, where beneficiaries had to pay the full cost of prescriptions while still paying premiums. It was helluva stupid, insurance companies take the risk of expenses at the front end, but in the middle, where people with high prescription drug costs often ended up, the risk was absorbed by the beneficiaries. Then, when the expenses were really high, "catastrophic" they called it, the insurance company picked the risk back up. But hell, the chance of getting to that amount was slim to none, and for most people, slim had left town. And the worst part, the federal government paid two dollars in premium for every dollar the beneficiary paid.

Then there was Medicare Advantage. What a flippin con. The federal government paid for private companies to take on the responsibility of paying for the medical care of beneficiaries, a monthly amount that was several hundred dollars per person. Those private companies made millions, and I got to tell you, my investment portfolio sure did well, I could see the writing on the wall. Those companies made those millions by denying care to countless Medicare beneficiaries. The fraud level was through the roof, settlements in the billions have been paid since then. The excess payments the federal government has paid to those Medicare advantage companies, over and above what Medicare spends per beneficiary for each patient, could easily pay for every single prescription drug of every single Medicare beneficiary. The MMA wasn't a plan to "modernize Medicare", it was a plan to enrich the insurance companies.

Then we have the ACA. It wasn't perfect. Obama compromised too much. There was not a public option, and negotiation of drug prices by Medicare was prohibited. But it did chip away at the doughnut hole, a little more each year. Even from the getgo, Medicare beneficiaries no longer had to pay the full cost of prescriptions in the doughnut hole, only half. But the biggest thing the ACA did was remove the ball and chain of employer provided health insurance. People were no longer trapped in an employer provided plan because they couldn't get private insurance due to pre-existing conditions. That shit was HUGE.

The plumber whose wife worked at Walmart just for the health insurance. Well, she quit, and the plumber got a health plan through the ACA. The accountant who always wanted to start his own business but was trapped with health insurance with one of the big eights. Well he quit, started his own business, and got health insurance through the ACA.

I can document it, but the reality is that, during the Trump administration, the ACA contributed more to GDP growth than anything Trump or Republicans did. Kind of comical, Obama, jetsetting around the world and relaxing by the pool in Hawaii did more for GDP growth during the Trump administration than the fat orange man.

And then there is Biden. Now, Medicare can negotiate lower prescription drug prices. Now, there is no doughnut hole, there is an out-of-pocket limit on prescription drug expenses starting in January. And that limit is much lower than what the original doughnut hole entailed. Insulin prices are capped.

I mean it really isn't that hard. Evaluating Republican health care initiatives against Democrat health care initiatives it is more than obvious who each party stands with. Republican's, the insurance companies. Democrats, while not perfect, for the most part side with the American people.

Dims side with the dregs too lazy to work and care for their own families like the rest of us.

 

[kaz]

Honey, I have forgotten more about American history than you will ever know. This nation was founded by liberals, not conservatives. They had a name for conservatives back then, "TORIES". I mean enlighten me, what founder was "conservative"?

But you want to make this about Republican and Democrats, fine. The topic is health care. There have been two significant legislative actions in the area of health care in the last 20 years. You have the MMA, a Republican initiative enacted in 2003, and the ACA, what you call "Obamacare", passed in 2010.

The MMA did two things. First, it established a prescription drug benefit in Medicare, handled by private insurance companies. But, that had two problems. First, the infamous doughnut hole, where beneficiaries had to pay the full cost of prescriptions while still paying premiums. It was helluva stupid, insurance companies take the risk of expenses at the front end, but in the middle, where people with high prescription drug costs often ended up, the risk was absorbed by the beneficiaries. Then, when the expenses were really high, "catastrophic" they called it, the insurance company picked the risk back up. But hell, the chance of getting to that amount was slim to none, and for most people, slim had left town. And the worst part, the federal government paid two dollars in premium for every dollar the beneficiary paid.

Then there was Medicare Advantage. What a flippin con. The federal government paid for private companies to take on the responsibility of paying for the medical care of beneficiaries, a monthly amount that was several hundred dollars per person. Those private companies made millions, and I got to tell you, my investment portfolio sure did well, I could see the writing on the wall. Those companies made those millions by denying care to countless Medicare beneficiaries. The fraud level was through the roof, settlements in the billions have been paid since then. The excess payments the federal government has paid to those Medicare advantage companies, over and above what Medicare spends per beneficiary for each patient, could easily pay for every single prescription drug of every single Medicare beneficiary. The MMA wasn't a plan to "modernize Medicare", it was a plan to enrich the insurance companies.

Then we have the ACA. It wasn't perfect. Obama compromised too much. There was not a public option, and negotiation of drug prices by Medicare was prohibited. But it did chip away at the doughnut hole, a little more each year. Even from the getgo, Medicare beneficiaries no longer had to pay the full cost of prescriptions in the doughnut hole, only half. But the biggest thing the ACA did was remove the ball and chain of employer provided health insurance. People were no longer trapped in an employer provided plan because they couldn't get private insurance due to pre-existing conditions. That shit was HUGE.

The plumber whose wife worked at Walmart just for the health insurance. Well, she quit, and the plumber got a health plan through the ACA. The accountant who always wanted to start his own business but was trapped with health insurance with one of the big eights. Well he quit, started his own business, and got health insurance through the ACA.

I can document it, but the reality is that, during the Trump administration, the ACA contributed more to GDP growth than anything Trump or Republicans did. Kind of comical, Obama, jetsetting around the world and relaxing by the pool in Hawaii did more for GDP growth during the Trump administration than the fat orange man.

And then there is Biden. Now, Medicare can negotiate lower prescription drug prices. Now, there is no doughnut hole, there is an out-of-pocket limit on prescription drug expenses starting in January. And that limit is much lower than what the original doughnut hole entailed. Insulin prices are capped.

I mean it really isn't that hard. Evaluating Republican health care initiatives against Democrat health care initiatives it is more than obvious who each party stands with. Republican's, the insurance companies. Democrats, while not perfect, for the most part side with the American people.

Sweetness, we have a stupid system. You may not like it either, but it was created by your side. I have no interest in defending it, MAGA man.

In my case, my bills were paid by me, my employer, my insurance company. Government paid zero. Move on, Clown

 

[Deadstick]

I understood the words you said, loser, I don't know why you are saying them to me, MAGA man

Why does everything come down to Trump and Biden with you clowns?

 

[BluesLegend]

Then why are the red states the biggest moochers?

Why do mooching lard ass Dems always tell this lie?

 

[dblack]

Why does everything come down to Trump and Biden with you clowns?

They've been brainwashed by the lesser-of-two-evils conceit.

 

[Captain Caveman]

Just as it’s been posted before John Kramer had it right. The problem is not the government or the people it’s the goddamn health insurance companies.





One cannot be a morally upright Christian, and say it’s totally fine for insurance companies and the pharmacy industry to demand extremely high payments for medicine. It is literally pricing people out of healthcare. That’s unbelievable in the country like America. It’s a straightforward issue. It’s either somebody is on the right side of morality or they’re
not.

Drug Companies Continue To Hike Prices Above Inflation

New analysis makes clear that the Inflation Reduction Act’s inflation rebates should extend to the commercial market.

www.americanprogress.org

New York health insurance rates to jump double-digit percentage in 2024

NY health insurers sought 21% rate hikes next year. Regulators approved 12.4%. What to know about rising costs for health insurance and medical care.

www.lohud.com

I can’t imagine what it’s like to wake up every day, working for these pharmaceutical or health insurance companies, and jacking up the prices of medicine. These are the most evil people in the world. They’re worse than people who engage in a strong armed robberies of 7-Elevens.

Yup, when it comes to developed nations, the US is at Third World level with healthcare.

 

[konradv]

Why is that a question, nut bag? You're voting for the traitor. I'm not voting for Biden

We’ll see who’s going to be wearing the orange jumpsuit!

 

[kaz]

Why does everything come down to Trump and Biden with you clowns?

Here you go!

RealClearPolitics - 2020 - Latest Polls

Latest Polls

www.realclearpolitics.com

What country are you from that has no elections?

I get you guys have TDS and hate Trump, but I didn't know about the new tactic to deny Trump is winning in the polls. I'm curious where this one is going now. I am a DeSantis supporter in case you're looking for a new Republican candidate.

In the meantime, MAGA!

 

[kaz]

We’ll see who’s going to be wearing the orange jumpsuit!

Oh, if one of them does it's Trump. I've never disagreed that you are the most corrupt, MAGA man. But it's not going to turn out how you imagine it where Democrats have absolute power and they use it to fill your life with ease and free sex. I have some bad news, Champ. Sit here, I'll be with you and help you get through this.

Democrats aren't taking you with them. Leftists never do. Sorry to have to be the one to tell you that, but you haven't been smart enough to read history, any of it.

Killed by leftists: 100 million
Freed by leftists: 0

How do you think this is turning out for you when you win, Cowboy???

 

[francoHFW]

Tissue? Everyone has an equal opportunity to work and pay their own bills. All you moochers need to relocate to another country, America isn't for you.

Yes yes blame the victims of the giveaway to the rich tax rates the GOP has given us the last 40 years and the worst inequality poverty homelessness and upward Mobility anywhere ever by far. Nobody is arguing your stupid little point, but when the whole country is in a tailspin it just might not be a personal problem. Meanwhile I am still happily retired, brainwashed functional moron, and there is no difference in economic situation between Republican whites and Democratic whites, every is doing poorly, fool ignoramus.

 

[francoHFW]

Dims side with the dregs too lazy to work and care for their own families like the rest of us.

Yes yes, blame the victims when the whole population is the victim of giveaway to the rich GOP tax rates of the last 40 years that don't allow any investment in our people and infrastructure. Great job, brainwashed functional moron ignoramus dupe

 

[Deadstick]

Here you go!

RealClearPolitics - 2020 - Latest Polls

Latest Polls

www.realclearpolitics.com

What country are you from that has no elections?

I get you guys have TDS and hate Trump, but I didn't know about the new tactic to deny Trump is winning in the polls. I'm curious where this one is going now. I am a DeSantis supporter in case you're looking for a new Republican candidate.

In the meantime, MAGA!

I am English so don't have a dog in the US election fight, the whole thing is a bloody circus masquerading as Democracy.

 

[BluesLegend]

Yes yes blame the victims of the giveaway to the rich tax rates the GOP has given us the last 40 years and the worst inequality poverty homelessness and upward Mobility anywhere ever by far. Nobody is arguing your stupid little point, but when the whole country is in a tailspin it just might not be a personal problem. Meanwhile I am still happily retired, brainwashed functional moron, and there is no difference in economic situation between Republican whites and Democratic whites, every is doing poorly, fool ignoramus.

People getting to keep their own money they earned is a "giveaway"? Explain. Sorry to inform you but in this country you are not entitled to other people's money.

 

[sparky]

the whole thing is a bloody circus masquerading as Democracy.

you english folks sure do have a knack for understatement......

~S~

 

[Deadstick]

you english folks sure do have a knack for understatement......

~S~

 

[Deadstick]

Yes yes, blame the victims when the whole population is the victim of giveaway to the rich GOP tax rates of the last 40 years that don't allow any investment in our people and infrastructure. Great job, brainwashed functional moron ignoramus dupe

Unbelievable isn't it? where do these people come from? many people can't work for many reasons, some sick others can't get jobs, my job took me to the City of Manchester every week, i got to know some people living on the streets, more than one was a veteran i always bouth a tea and a hot pie for one of them, it's freezing here in the UK at the moment, if people think ex servicemen want to be on the streets in this weather they should see a trick cyclist.

 

[sparky]

Capitalist medicine rules American health care.

But like any capitalist system , it only has capitalist responses, and capitalist remedies

An obvious one , would be the pandemic of ER closings, with the opening of health care centers on their heels

One has to (by law) bow to JACHO, the other doesn't....

IE> the rich live, the poor die

~S~

 

[francoHFW]

Capitalist medicine rules American health care.

But like any capitalist system , it only has capitalist responses, and capitalist remedies

An obvious one , would be the pandemic of ER closings, with the opening of health care centers on their heels

One has to (by law) bow to JACHO, the other doesn't....

IE> the rich live, the poor die

~S~

 

[francoHFW]

No5

Capitalist medicine rules American health care.

But like any capitalist system , it only has capitalist responses, and capitalist remedies

An obvious one , would be the pandemic of ER closings, with the opening of health care centers on their heels

One has to (by law) bow to JACHO, the other doesn't....

IE> the rich live, the poor die

~S~

Of course the only solution is to get the government involved in regulation. Is called socialism if it is democratic and for fair capitalism with a good safety net. And socialism is not communism for God's sake.

 

[LeroyDumonde]

The problem with health insurance is that it doesn't work like insurance. It works like socialized health care. The only difference is that you see the price of socialized health care rather than the price being hidden in taxes.